motox25 36 #1 Posted August 21, 2013 Years ago I owned a Toro Wheelhorse 520H with a 46" deck but unfortunately I had to sell it. I've missed that tractor ever since I sold it and a couple of days ago I was browsing through Craigslist and came across a 520H with a 60" deck. The Onan engine fired up right away and ran great at high RPMs, it missed a little at idle but a carb cleaning should fix that up. I ended up getting it for $220, is that a good price? I noticed a small oil leak near the oil filter, hopefully its just the old filter or maybe the oil sensor. Also I found the tach gauge missing off the instrument panel and found it broken laying behind the battery, would like to know the story on that. Also looks like the PO bypassed the wiring box as its running off one fuse with some spliced wires but the tractor starts and runs. Might need some help with the wiring in the near future. Both the tractor and deck are heavily rusted so I plan on sanding priming and painting the whole tractor. Its good to be a Wheelhorse owner once again (If a Toro/Wheelhorse 520H counts!) 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dennist 139 #2 Posted August 21, 2013 Gotta love a 520 with the exception of some wiring and Onan issues. Yeah, if your price is written correct, you did very well IMO. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ken B 3,164 #3 Posted August 21, 2013 I think that is a terrible price, you should go back and demand half of yer money back! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
welderman85 53 #4 Posted August 27, 2013 Sweet deal on a great tractor Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wheel-N-It 2,968 #5 Posted August 29, 2013 Of course you know we need pics! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
motox25 36 #6 Posted August 30, 2013 Thanks! I have already discovered some of the wiring issues on my tractor. A couple of issues I have found already are several wires have been cut going to various safety switches, the brown wire off the ignition has been cut and rerouted directly into the 9 pin connector. Also the 9 pin connector looks like it has overheated and has partially melted in some areas. Decals removed, sanded and primed. Decals removed, sanded, primed, and first coat of red paint applied. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
motox25 36 #7 Posted August 30, 2013 I am using rustoleum rusty metal primer and rustoleum regal red paint. The red is a bit darker than the original but so far I like the way it is turning out. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
motox25 36 #8 Posted October 6, 2013 While overhauling the Onan engine, I found the oil leak was caused by a loose supertech filter. While changing the air filter and gasket I found some trash in the air filter housing, the engine didn't smoke when I started it so hopefully there isn't too much engine wear. Frame painted: 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AMC RULES 37,127 #9 Posted October 6, 2013 Looks like you're making great progress... keep up the good work. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 55,045 #10 Posted October 6, 2013 Always good to bring home the one that got away (or one like it) Looking good. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kenw520hc 4 #11 Posted October 11, 2013 I have a 520h parts tractor if need something OEM. good luck great looking tractor GIT_ER_DONE Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
motox25 36 #12 Posted October 13, 2013 Thank you, I'm really enjoying this restoration. I've learned some things since my first Wheelhorse restoration. I'm actually looking for a replacement seat and tachometer, both are beyond repair. I'm going to order a new 9 pin connector and foot board mats from classic kitchens and more this week. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kenw520hc 4 #13 Posted October 13, 2013 hi, i do have a tachometer, and a seat with arm rests, seat is rough and would need re- upolstry, seems solid though. let me know , ken [ps.] ialmost always remove the 9 pin connector, and hard wire with shrink spade and female connectors, much more reliable and stays fixed for good,also i remove the fuse block and use 3 independent in line fuse holders. thats just me only a tip that works for me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Londo 0 #14 Posted December 10, 2013 Speaking of 520H Tractors, I took one in on trade for some other equipment. It is a 1993 Toro Wheel Horse 520H. It has approximately 900 hours on it, a 60 inch mowing deck, a 42 inch single stage snowblower attachment, tire chains and tire weights. It also has the 20hp Onan engine and it starts and runs beautifully. As you can see by the attached pictures, it has been well taken care of. No dents or cracks and the paint is in great shape also. My question is, what is a unit like this worth for resale? I live in Northern Minnesota where we get lots of snow, but this is too big for my use. I would appreciate some good honest pricing Londo Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bowtieguy 334 #15 Posted December 10, 2013 Did you say $220.00??????.....if so I need to remind ya that they used to a horse thief in your part of the country back in the wild west days!...and it looks like you are guilty!!! You need to mark your calendar for Dexter's Meet & Greet next Sep...Tulsa is not far away....and not many 520's in this part of the country! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
motox25 36 #16 Posted December 19, 2013 Londo, thats a clean looking 520. Honestly in that condition and with the extras I'd say you should list it for around $1200-$1500. Frank, I didn't know there was a meet around here, started to think I was the only WH owner around this area. I have the tractor itself almost finished, just have some work to do on the wiring. I have 2 gauges ready to be installed but I'm waiting until hotter weather to prevent cracking the plastic dash. The foot rests came in from classic kitchens and I am very impressed with them. The engine runs well, smokes a little when first starting up and throttling up but hopefully she has some good life left in her. Now I'm tackling the 60" monster of a deck. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
motox25 36 #17 Posted September 27, 2014 The weather is starting to cool down so I've began the process of working on the 520H again. I mowed with it all summer on my very small yard and between that and the 60" deck probably only put around 4 hours on it. On the to do list this fall is getting the gauges working, replace the deformed and partially melted 9 pin connector, adjust valves, replace gaskets, and clean my breather. When I replaced the missing fuse for my gauges which just fixed the fuel gauge I came out the next day to a dead battery. I discovered my gauges were staying on with the ignition switch off. I took a gamble and replaced the ignition switch and luckily it paid off and fixed my problem. After being unable to find a used original seat in good condition for a decent price I decided to buy a new one from Northern tool. I had to drill 2 holes in the mounting slides to make it work but overall I'm pretty happy with it. I bought a PTO bell to replace the !cracked! one that came with the tractor. The PTO bell came with a clutch plate and when I compared that clutch plate with mine I realized my clutch material had completely worn away. The clutch engaged fine without slipping all summer. Is it normal for this to wear completely away under normal usage? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bowtieguy 334 #18 Posted September 28, 2014 Send me a pm with your mailing address and I will send you a new clutch disc facing....need to know the dia of your PTO bell?...Frank in MO Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
motox25 36 #19 Posted September 28, 2014 Frank, thank you for the offer but the PTO bell I purchased came with a good clutch disk. Hopefully I don't burn through this one but if I do I'll PM you. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
djohn24 10 #20 Posted September 28, 2014 Great job on that 520 Motox25! Looks good!! You mentioned you got your foot pads from classic kitchens??? There is a classic kitchens and more not to far from me. I have been looking for a set for my 520. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ethan and Randies horses 65 #21 Posted September 28, 2014 deck is worth way more than 220 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
motox25 36 #22 Posted September 28, 2014 I ordered my footrest pads from this site http://www.classickitchensandmore.com/wheel-horse-tractors-parts-c-42.html. They look 100% original. I also ordered a replacement 9 pin connector from him also. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
djohn24 10 #23 Posted September 28, 2014 That is the place! Just a few miles down the road from me. Never would have guessed they had those things. The prices look really good too. I will be making a trip there. I'm glad I read your topic. Thanks! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
motox25 36 #24 Posted October 12, 2014 Yeah his prices are very reasonable, I might order a new fuse block from him to have on hand when mine fails. Today I tore the engine down to the block and adjusted my valves. Glad I did, every valve was out of adjustment. It wasn't as easy as I thought, those gaskets were baked on the block and very difficult to remove. I stuffed rags into the valve assembly while removing the gasket material, lifted my rags and to my frustration some of the gasket material had managed to fall through. I spent around 45 minutes with QTips trying to remove every speck of gasket bits out and I think I did but hopefully that doesn't come back to bite me later I also cleaned the crankcase breather, cleaned the carburetor for the second time (hopefully the last time) and installed new gaskets. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
motox25 36 #25 Posted July 13, 2015 Today the 520 got some much needed tires Old ones were so rotted they wouldn't even hold air more than an hour. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
