1988 Wheel Horse 518-H

[WH520 17]

Here's what I've been doing the last few months. Not sure if I'd call it a restoration, but it's definitely freshened up.

It all started when I went to order a new PTO plate and while I was buying stuff I ran across decals from Redo your horse. I knew if I got new decals I'd have to repaint it again to make it look more complete. The first time I repainted it I just did the hood and other body panels to stop the rust. From start to finish it only took 10 hours, quick paint job.

This time around I did it right and have to say I'm very impressed with the end results. I worked on it for 8-10 hours a night for about 3-4 weeks straight after work, which really takes its toll on you but well worth it in the end. I used Majic IH Red and Majic Flat Black. One of my friends had some kind of Industrial primer (not sure what the name of it is) he let me use and it seems to be very good primer. I also replaced every bolt with stainless bolts, nuts and washers.

I didn't get any pics during the prep work because I kept forgetting to bring my camera with me when I'd go to work on it. It's still not done yet. I'm going to get the wheels and deck sand blasted and paint them, also going to put POR-15 on the bottom side of the deck. Also getting AG tires for the rear and a new set of Carlisle's for the front. That will be sometime over the winter though. I got everything done I wanted to for now.

Here's some pics of it before and after though.

When I got it

Most recent after the first time repainting:

And now:

[rexman72 210]

nice work on that tractor

[AMC RULES 37,102]

Looks better every time you do it. :beer:

[WH520 17]

:lol: Thanks! It's not perfect but I really kind of surprised myself on how it turned out. I'm not exactly known as a painter.

Now I'm looking for another tractor to use instead, don't want to get it dirty now :lol:

[AMC RULES 37,102]

Why? There's nothing wrong with lookin' good while you're workin' hard. :occasion-santa:

[WH520 17]

I think I'm saying it more as just an excuse to get another one :eusa-whistle:

[ben06351 19]

looks great.. that's as good a reason as any, too clean sounds good to me. :greetings-clappingyellow:

[can whlvr 993]

good job,its hard to get them dirty the first time after a repaint

[WH520 17]

After swapping the tired Eaton 700 out for the 1100 out of a 520 I decided it was time for some new updated pics. I've gotten a 48" deck and added wheel weights since my last pictures. This thing's like a billy goat now with the new hydro, it will go anywhere. I put a little over 3 hours on it today and could not be happier with it, very happy I made the swap it was well worth it.

I'm not a photographer by any means so they're not the best pictures

[varosd 1,185]

great looking 518-H!! :D

[stevebo-(Moderator) 8,264]

Nice upgrade on the tranny and the cosmetics look great too !

[AMC RULES 37,102]

I have to change my first post above to say...looking better everytime you show it here. :text-coolphotos:

[WH520 17]

Thanks a lot guys! I love this tractor and have come to the conclusion that I won't let it die

I'm running out of things to do to it though which isn't good. I've been "roaming" around Craigslist lately. :violence-blades:

[CRE1992 135]

Looks good! Those wheel weights are simplicity/allis wheel weights. and they are actually on backwards. They dont fit the right way in newer rims unless they are turned down about 1/8 of an inch on a lathe. They are worth about $80-120 and weight 25lbs a piece. I have 4 sets of them.

[WH520 17]

Thanks Cre! I wasn't sure what they were off of. I knew a guy that had them laying in his garage and said I could have them. Behind them I have 6 weights that weigh about 10lbs a piece. So that's 170lbs of weight. I have 4 more that weigh about 30lbs a piece but I don't really want to put that much weight on it. I didn't really need the weights before since it didn't have enough "umph" to even spin the tires, they were more eye candy. After using it today though I decided they had to go back on because it wanted to spin constantly.

[jay in nc 210]

looking great, now ventilate the belt guard so the onan can cool itself. heres my 518 Jay

[WH520 17]

Thanks for the pictures Jay. I've been trying to think of a way to ventilate it without looking too tacky. I like your set up.

[312Hydro 474]

Super resto on your tractor!

[neil 2,408]

that now looks very respectable

great job

[WH520 17]

Thank you. It's still not completed but it's to a point where it at least looks decent. I still want to at least get 2 new front tires and paint the wheels along with the deck. I lost my motivation over the winter to get those things done but now I'm starting to get it back.

What color gray are you guys using on the wheels that's close to the original color?

[Hydro 131]

If I ever buy another Onan, the belt guard modification would be the first thing I would do. Your tractor looks great. Nice work.

[jay in nc 210]

from the looks of your yard you must know the way to Lake Arthur by heart! Jay former butler county resident

[AMC RULES 37,102]

What color gray are you guys using on the wheels that's close to the original color?

After removing the tires, hit the rims with a red scotch brite pad, and spray bomb with Argent Silver and clear.

Results are virtually indentical to the factory finish.

http://www.eastwood....-paint-set.html

http://www.eastwood....face-11-oz.html

[Anglo Traction 761]

I've been trying to think of a way to ventilate it without looking too tacky. I like your set up.

Maybe Louvres would look very tidy on the Belt Guard for venting

.........Nice job you've done on that, worth all the effort you've put into it.

[AMC RULES 37,102]

You know...I've been eyeballing some prefabbed louvered patch panels on Ebay, for just such an occasion.

Which way would you face the louver inlet to obtain maximum air flow over the rear cylinder? :scratchead: