Wheel Horse C-121
Power
12 hp
Production
1978-1979
Engine
1-cylinder
Transmission
Wheel Horse 103916
Weight
600 lbs [272 kg]
Drive
2WD
From the same series:
Introduction
Wheel Horse C-121 Garden Tractor
The Wheel Horse C-121 is a garden tractor manufactured in South Bend, Indiana, USA, between 1978 and 1979. It belongs to the C-Series, a range of tractors designed for residential and light-duty landscaping applications.
Engine and Performance
The C-121 is powered by an air-cooled, single-cylinder engine producing 12 horsepower (8.9 kW). It features a displacement of 476 cc (29.07 ci) and operates at a rated speed of 3400 RPM. The engine uses a 12-volt electric starting system and requires 1.4 liters of oil for lubrication.
Transmission and Drivetrain
This model provides two transmission choices: a belt-driven gear transmission with 6 forward and 2 reverse speeds, or a belt-driven hydrostatic transmission offering infinite control over forward and reverse speeds. It utilizes a two-wheel drive system and manual steering for operational simplicity.
Power Take-Off and Attachments
The tractor is equipped with an independent mid-PTO, utilizing a manual dry disc clutch and a pulley system. It is compatible with 36-inch or 42-inch mower decks and offers an optional sleeve hitch for additional ground-engaging implements.
Dimensions and Chassis
The C-121 is built on a 115 cm (45.5 inch) wheelbase with an open operator station. The gear-driven model weighs approximately 272 kg (600 lbs), while the hydrostatic version weighs 285 kg (630 lbs). It rolls on 16x6.50-8 front turf tires and 23x8.50-12 rear turf tires.
Conclusion
The Wheel Horse C-121 is a straightforward, mechanically simple garden tractor suited for standard lawn care and light garden maintenance tasks. Its availability in both gear and hydrostatic configurations allowed users to choose the drivetrain best suited to their specific terrain and application needs.
Production Information of Wheel Horse, C-121
- Garden tractor
- Built in South Bend, Indiana, USA
| Manufacturer | Wheel Horse |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer(optional) | $2,310 (1978 hydro ) |
| Original price | $2,075 (1978 gear ) |
Dimension and Tires Information of Wheel Horse, C-121
| Wheelbase | 45.5 inches [115 cm] |
|---|---|
| Gear Weight | 600 lbs [272 kg] |
| Height | 41 inches [104 cm] |
| Length | 65 inches [165 cm] |
| Hydro Weight | 630 lbs [285 kg] |
| Width | 36 inches [91 cm] |
| Lawn/turf front | 16x6.50-8 |
|---|---|
| Lawn/turf rear | 23x8.50-12 |
Engine Specifications of Wheel Horse, C-121
- Air-cooled horizontal-shaft
- Image courtesy of Arthur Andersen
- 1-cylinder
| Oil capacity | 1.5 qts [1.4 L] |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 476 cc [29.07 ci] |
| Rated RPM | 3400 |
| Bore/Stroke | 3.38x3.25 inches [86 x 83 mm] |
| Point gap | 0.020 inches [0.508 mm] |
| Sparkplug gap | 0.025 inches [0.635 mm] |
| Starter volts | 12 |
| Starter | Electric |
| Power (gross) | 12 hp [8.9 kW] |
Transmission Information of Wheel Horse, C-121
Transmission variants 1
| Transmission | Wheel Horse 103916 |
|---|---|
| Oil capacity | 2 qts [1.9 L] |
| Type | Belt-driven gear |
| Gears | 6 forward and 2 reverse |
Transmission variants 2
| Manufacturer | Sundstrand |
|---|---|
| Oil capacity | 5.5 qts [5.2 L] |
| Type | Belt-driven hydrostatic |
| Gears | Infinite forward and reverse |
- 6-speed gear
- Hydrostatic
Mechanical Specs of Wheel Horse, C-121
- Two-wheel drive
- Manual steering
- Open operator station.
Power Information of Wheel Horse, C-121
| Mid PTO | Independent |
|---|---|
| Clutch | Manual dry disc |
| Mid PTO Type | Pulley |
Three-Point Hitch of Wheel Horse, C-121
| Type(optional) | Sleeve hitch |
|---|
Electrical System of Wheel Horse, C-121
| Ground | Negative |
|---|---|
| Charging amps | 15 |
| Battery volts | 12 |
Where it sits
With 12 HP, the Wheel Horse C-121 sits between C-101 (10 HP) and C-141 (14 HP) in Wheel Horse's range. Its power puts it in the 76th percentile of 1970s models in our database (1008 machines).
Frequently asked questions
How much horsepower does the Wheel Horse C-121 have?
The Wheel Horse C-121 delivers 12 HP.
What years was the Wheel Horse C-121 produced?
The Wheel Horse C-121 was produced in 1978-1979.
What engine does the Wheel Horse C-121 have?
The Wheel Horse C-121 is powered by a 1-cylinder engine.
What transmission does the Wheel Horse C-121 use?
The Wheel Horse C-121 uses a Wheel Horse 103916 transmission.
How much does the Wheel Horse C-121 weigh?
The Wheel Horse C-121 weighs 600 lbs [272 kg].
Is the Wheel Horse C-121 4WD?
The Wheel Horse C-121 is available in 2WD.