My Toro Wheelhorse Honda-Matt(ic)

[Red-Bovine 316]

Just finished up installing Matt's Hydro foot control and doing some maintainence and belt replacing. The conversion was very easy and the instructions and parts Matt provides are first rate. It took about 3-4 hrs for the actual conversion with no problems or alterations other than drilling the holes for the nuetral positioning bearing and the spring associated with it. Nice Job, Matt!!!!!

 

Here are some pics of my 520H with the new control and the Honda muffler I decided to use. The muffler that came with the Honda kit was too close to the PTO linkage. The Honda muffler also has a heat shield. I did have to cut into the hood, but it does not look bad or adversely affect the tractor. I replaced all the belts and cleaned out years of crap around the transmission and other areas. I also cleaned up the mower deck tensioner and got that working properly again.

 

Red

[JackC 617]

Looks great.  Nice clean conversion.

[rexman72 210]

looks like it came from the factory

[thehorse 221]

Nice job and looks good.

[squonk 41,310]

That Honda looks mean!

[dbartlett1958 96]

You are going to love that tractor even more with that foot pedal conversion. I love mine and cannot imagine going back to the lever between your legs, or in your case, on the column.

[RiverRat 0]

Where might a feller go about getting one of them foot control conversions...?

[Red-Bovine 316]

Thanks everyone!!!

 

Get your pedal kit from Matt. Use this link for more info.

 

http://www.wheelhorseforum.com/forum/103-matts-custom-hydro-pedal-kit/

 

Red

[Wheel-N-It 2,969]

The whole thing looks great! Nice upgrades. That was money well spent!

[Red-Bovine 316]

Thank you!!

 

Just got done with the first mowing job with the new pedal. It is great!!!! There was a little learning curve after using the lever for over 21 years, but I quickly adapted. Just go slow, especially in close quarters, until you get a good feel for the new pedal. I had a tendancy to reach for the lever (not there anymore) when wanting to stop fast. I like leaving a small amount of drag on the linkage to prevent my foot from bouncing on the pedal in rough grass and to allow a slight autopilot mode in forward. This makes for a smoother ride, but also slows the pedal's return to neutral. Just my preference. Reverse, due to the short throw, does come backto neutral more quickly and will jerk to a stop unless feathered with you foot. All things to remember and will become natural over the learning curve. I really like the new setup. Toro should have made this the standard. Glad Matt had the vision to market this kit.

 

Red

[leeave96 487]

Thank you!!

 

Just got done with the first mowing job with the new pedal. It is great!!!! There was a little learning curve after using the lever for over 21 years, but I quickly adapted. Just go slow, especially in close quarters, until you get a good feel for the new pedal. I had a tendancy to reach for the lever (not there anymore) when wanting to stop fast. I like leaving a small amount of drag on the linkage to prevent my foot from bouncing on the pedal in rough grass and to allow a slight autopilot mode in forward. This makes for a smoother ride, but also slows the pedal's return to neutral. Just my preference. Reverse, due to the short throw, does come backto neutral more quickly and will jerk to a stop unless feathered with you foot. All things to remember and will become natural over the learning curve. I really like the new setup. Toro should have made this the standard. Glad Matt had the vision to market this kit.

 

Red

 

I used my 520H the other day to mow out a very long nature trail - lots of varying speeds along the way based on grass conditions and terrain.  The foot control works great!

 

My favorite Wheelhorse is my original Wheelhorse, my 314-8, however, this 520H with plenty of power, swept forward axle, gear reduction steering AND the foot control kit is without a doubt one of the most comfortable driving/using tractors I've ever used.  The 314-8 has some competition!

 

Good luck,

Bill

[Wheel Horse Kid 105]

Great looking conversion! Should last a lifetime for you!

[davem1111 2,036]

You did a much better job on this re-power than who ever did the GT-1848 I have.  What a hack.  I plan to replace that muffler with a stack (or two) and repair/repaint the hood. 

[peter lena 8,719]

@Red-Bovine   love those Hondas , very solid , super efficient , very reliable , as you get hours on that you will correct areas to make it look original , that base  side panel for your pto lever can be replaced , you could also add a few  metal punch holes in the belt guard area just in the back side of the pto belt area , to let that hot cylinder air blow thru. that will enhance hot air discharge . would also give that an aerosol lubrication soak down , to save that paint , very easy to do , and can be working while you are doing other things. looks like a very good project , pete      

[davem1111 2,036]

7 hours ago, peter lena said:

@Red-Bovine   love those Hondas , very solid , super efficient , very reliable , as you get hours on that you will correct areas to make it look original , that base  side panel for your pto lever can be replaced , you could also add a few  metal punch holes in the belt guard area just in the back side of the pto belt area , to let that hot cylinder air blow thru. that will enhance hot air discharge . would also give that an aerosol lubrication soak down , to save that paint , very easy to do , and can be working while you are doing other things. looks like a very good project , pete      

 

Great advice, Pete. 

 

Oh, I also need to replace the PT 2x4 wood braces the PO or someone used to raise the engine to the proper level (or close...).  I'm planning to use square steel tube stock.  Need to do some measuring first, because I think those are the reason I had to go with a non-standard drive belt length.