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Thought this might be of use to other 520 owners: My 520-H is a solid worker. With my zero turn needing a new PTO clutch, I've had no choice but to use the 520-H as a backup mower. Everyone knows the dangers of this with the "rear cylinder woes" that can happen with a P220 Onan on a Wheel Horse. Mowing grass of course can result in clippings getting stuck all over the cooling fins, and it's game over. My "modded" Exmark deck doesn't have the clippings issues on the flywheel side, but nonetheless it is always on my mind... And taking the shroud off just to check is a pain. Vanguard "big block" engines have the entire face of the shroud on both cylinders removable for the same reason. Two captive screws, and you can inspect the cooling fins regularly. That got me thinking... So I had some 1.25 inch nylon plugs in a parts bin. They have tabs on the back and hold very well. I took a spare shroud and "mapped" the safest place to drill the rear of the shroud, and used a hole saw to pop out a 1.25 inch hole. I'm happy to report clean fins, and now I can routinely inspect them so I know the rear cylinder stays cool. I'm gonna have to get a decent borescope, but I can see well enough to calm my nerves for now at least. I'll probably change the nylon plugs for silicone firewall plugs later, but for now I can inspect the fins and spray them out (car wash nozzle) if needed.

Well................I have officially been bitten by the Red Horsefly. Just won this at an auction! Starts, runs, has a "weak" battery, and comes with plow, chains and mowing deck! This makes # 2

Use a vise grip to tighten the rivet that creates the friction on the lever. If that doesn't work, drill out the rivet and install a bolt with a locking nut. Then you can adjust the friction.

We had a busy, productive week here. Finally got the brick masons and roofers on site for my front porch rebuild project. Before picture - roof structure complete, ready for final roofing & re-application of bricks: After brick masons & roofing. We went with a light gray membrane roof: Now all I got left to do is get the brick masons back to build knee walls for the steps, get the concrete guy to pour the steps, wire the porch lights, refinish the front door woodwork, refinish the front windows, caulk the door and windows, build the brick columns and railings, box the beams in, install a ceiling, facia, soffit, gutters, and downspouts. Piece O cake.

A great day on the river today.

Take a resumee after several Day‘s and Months of Fawn saving flights. Today first Mowing tasks ends in our Valley, next mowing tasks begin in 4 Weeks. 24 flights each day at 20:00-21:00 to locate fawns and when there be out. So no fawns where harmed also this year at our Valley while Mowing. At all we saved 12 fawns since i do my first drone flight for fawn saving. We all be very proud of that success. 👍 2 Valley‘s away they mowed 3 fawns last week at the first Mowing. Nobody of them ask me to help with the thermal drone, but they know what i do. I do this all volunteer, including my drones cost and the Thermalcams. so if they call me, they have absolute no cost. each saved fawn is payment enough for me.❤️

I have a couple pull type cables that utilize clothespins for cruise control.

I don’t really know if this is the side, or the rear, even though I built it!

Well, no tractor update but we do have siding going on. Won’t be too much longer. The rough concrete area to the right will eventually be filled in and smoothed out for a simple slab.

Kids fish derby this morning at our Fish and Game club. I fileted trout for 3 hours this AM.....probably close to 200 fish.

More when I sober up abit... Today's view from the Senior seat

Unfortunately there is no ID on these transmissions. 8-speeds hold 2 qts of oil and the port on the side is not the fill nor the inspection area. It was for older models the only held 3 pts of oil. Wheel Horse left them on the 8-speed models and it just confuses people. Always go by the level on the dipstick and fill through the dipstick tube or the shifter hole. As far as your leak, it sounds like the seals are either bad, or somehow being damaged as they are inserted. Be sure there are no rough areas on brake shaft that could nick the seal. Inspect the shaft for excessive wear at the area where the seal rides. And lastly, be sure the seal is being inserted cup side in, flat side out. If the next seal fails, I would suspect a bad bearing allowing too much shaft movement.

Thanks @SALTYWRIGHT (Russ Wright--Norwalk CT) for selling me your Briggs powered Wheel Horse and the cool rear hitch / winch setup you made---its been a few years but I finally got to try it. Both are damn handy!!! Gotta put some weight on nose because winch levers tractor into a Wheelie but otherwise it does exactly what I wanted 20230609_111451.mp4

Todays haul…

If you do decide to go the “replace rivet with bolt” route (which I firmly recommend). I’ll offer two suggestions: - when you take apart the control there are several different kinds of washers layered in there with the lever and the bracket. KEEP CAREFUL TRACK and put them back in the same order using the bolt. - I used a shoulder bolt--one that is not threaded all the way--of the length I needed (Hillman drawers at the good hardware store) That way, the throttle lever is pivoting on smooth metal and not threads--it’ll last longer since the hole won’t get worn larger.

Took a little 36 or so mile jaunt up to Salisbury NC for the June Jam… Its a swap meet, biker games, and live band… The band was a group called Gents and Liars… they were good. IMG_2472.mov IMG_2472.mov

We had the electrician here today to connect the two circuits left in the shed and add several more to the barn. We now have a 220V circuit out on the far side of the building for where the air compressor is going to set. Another 220 just inside the main small door. The upstairs and downstairs light circuits are complete. We also added a 120V circuit to the near side of the building under the shed roof for where the chop saw lives. And a 120 just inside the main door with a couple extra feeds off that so there's 6 plugs within a few feet inside the barn. That'll be it til we make a decision on climate control for both floors.

Frames for all the C-series machines from the 70’s are the same so don’t narrow your search to just a C-160 frame.

Little fence work today around the garden. Bone dry here as well. No rain in over 4 weeks.

Where my family is from (Millers Tavern, Virginia) small place near the Rappahannock River about 60 miles southeast of Fredericksburg, Va. the species are called Rock Fish. No idea why. Rappahannock River is tidal and salt water. I remember my uncle caught one that was over 40 inches long when I was a kid.

I’ve had good results with Napa seals and just did this same job. Napa seal part number 7410. I oil the shaft some and seal and slowly turn them while pushing in. Haven’t had an issue with tearing. A 1 inch pipe fits perfect for tapping it in to seat. I don’t bottom the seal out. The originals look like the they are 1/16” or so past flush so I put them about the same.

Added some much needed led shop lights to the garage. Now i can see all the projects!!!

I have been wanting to make my trailer ramp gate a bifold ramp gate. Finally got it done today. Less wind resistance and more rear end protection.

Some pictures of a Kwik- Way setup for you on a 417-8 and a 520-H.

Here's a couple hybrid bass from about a week ago. Big one tipped 8lbs, the other is 6.5lbs. Fun to catch for sure! They don't eat as good as walleye or catfish but they are good with the Franks Hot sauce soak and then fried up with your favorite cornmeal/flour mix. I remove that blood line on their fillets and it's much better. Caught about a dozen on that day so it keeps the freezer full when the walleyes aren't cooperating.

Welcome to the addiction. We are here to support you.... Buying more tractors. How's your storage space?

Please don't show us the Milwaukee tattoo on your rear.

Try to tighten the nut on the shut-off valve a bit. Another idea is they like to be either all the way in or all the way out.

Yep, striped bass. Unless landlocked and stocked like those that exist inland, Ed’s stripers were probably spawned in the freshwater river then spent their lives in the ocean. They do well in both salt and freshwater. They are one of the “true bass” species we have in North America. White and Yellow bass (both of which look very similar to them but are smaller) are the others. Whereas the bass you’re probably familiar with in the mitten - smallmouth and largemouth bass - are not taxonomically bass. They’re “black bass” and more closely related to sunfish. You do also have whites and yellows there as native species. regardless, they can all be good to eat although most SM and LM bass fishermen tend toward catch and release. it’s a tangled web we weave… steve

Replaced the points and condenser on my ‘81 C125 and all I can say is “Wow”. I am a little concerned that she is going to grenade due to her having so much more power then she did have.

Thanks y’all for your identification on the species! I was wondering if they were some type of bass!

Uhhh Red Rider ... That's a 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 ..... Nicely done. What's the engine?

Agreed with all above and I'd add: When installing the seal you can wrap a layer of scotch tape around the end where there may be a groove for the locking clip and also the groove for the keyway key. That seal can be particularly stiff for some reason. It might help to warm the seal just before installing. On the fluid level and checking it, I'd say it's time to do a complete drain and fill. The drain is UNDER the back of the transmission near the hitch. Likely an Allen head. Raise the front of the tractor as much as safely possible. This gets as much fluid to the rear of the transmission as you can. Let it set for several hours or overnight if possible. Check for water or any caramel/tan coloring of the oil. Replace the shifter boot if it hasn't been done recently. Refill with 2 quarts of whatever inexpensive gear oil you have.

Nice stripers! I spy a Lund boat in those pix. Kind of looks like the “Classic” line from early 2000’s. Maybe a Honda OB on the back? A few lakes around here have stripers and hybrids (with white bass). Really aggressive, fun to catch little beasts. Steve

I got the engine and seat bolted tight. I assembled the steering as well.

I bought it as a rolling chassis and it seems to be a Frankinstein mixture of left over parts. The hood says it is a 6 speed and the Unidrive has the extension of the filler and appears to be the limited slip 5060. The dash stand number is for a 3 speed if I remember correctly. I guess I rescued it. - FARMERIK

The paint. I may be off on my percentage.

Got some pices painted today little at a time

Back wall 98.2 % complete.

Them's good eatin"....

There is a slight tide, but the river flow is effected more by the discharge of the up stream hydro plant. Trolling a red tube rig with a circle hook covered by a blood worm. Md regs are a 1fish/day/fisherman with a slot size of 19 - 31 inches. We caught 34 till 10AM and kept our three fish limit

A little maintenance goes a long way on these old tractors.

A few more pics of the “Repaired” mower deck pulley. Machining almost finished. I’m now waiting for some M4- 10.9 grade csk hd screws then I can clean it up and fit it.

Well got in the first mow in the woods with the C100. It did good and made the work so much easier than a push mower I would use. It doesn't look steep and hilly but it is when you're pushing a mower. This should be the go to rig for this job from now on. 42" SD deck. Also did a bit of root clearing with the Barco FSS Pulaski axe. Those are just handy if you've never used one. I use this one all the time. Needed to take out a few bulging roots to not ruin the deck or blades. All in all went well and came out looking like a courtyard! A couple before pics and after!

I believe you are correct - the early 3 speeds (like the last one I did) definetely are.. The rest of what I mentioned holds true...

So true. It's your machine, so by all means what you do is your business. That being said, rust has to be removed to stop it. Light surface rust can be treated with varying degrees of success- but if you can feel it, its too deep to just treat.

Nice job on making the machine into the function you need.

I engaged the PTO and then put a pipe wrench on the PTO pulley. Worked well just going easy back and forth.

You can not complain about such a finish for that price. Looks smooth as a baby's.. eh.. 'unidrive'

Paint in your shorts?....at the Blue Moon Motel in PA?.....time to re-torque your gasket?...geez, a full moon causes all kinds of strange stuff!!......thanks for the laugh, Bob