Bpopilek 4 #1 Posted October 19, 2016 Hello all! Like the title of this post states, I have a Toro Wheel Horse 212-5 tractor, and I am looking for some help with my snow plow handle. I got this from a friend last year, and after much work, I got it up and running really well. I used the snow plow last winter, but there was a problem with my handle. It has a button on top that is supposed to easily push in and then spring back up to raise and lower the blade. The problem is my button jams whenever I push it down. I have to use a pair of pliers to grab it and pull it back up. This means I have to hold the handle while trying to maneuver the tractor to keep the blade off of the ground. I have taken it off of the tractor and sprayed just about every lubricant that I could think of, including PB Blaster, down the shaft of the handle. While I did get a lot of rust out of it, it still continues to have the same problem. It almost feels like the rod that goes down inside of it, is bent. Because of how it is constructed, there is no way to take it apart easily. It is welded at the bottom, and while I can cut the welds and tear it down, I'm afraid I'll never get it back together again. Does anyone know if it is possible to rebuild this, or is there someplace where I can order a replacement handle from? Thanks! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
benji756 341 #2 Posted October 19, 2016 (edited) if it has a rubber handle on it see if you can remove it there may be some kind oh access hole to remove the button, it could be your spring is broke, pictures would help! Edited October 19, 2016 by benji756 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,032 #3 Posted October 19, 2016 Do you know the model number of the plow? Here is a parts list of one of them that fit you can download. Garry Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SylvanLakeWH 25,490 #4 Posted October 19, 2016 1 hour ago, benji756 said: if it has a rubber handle on it see if you can remove it there may be some kind oh access hole to remove the button, it could be your spring is broke, pictures would help! Also, is there any spring-like resistance on the button when you push it down? Does it seem like the spring is "helping" the button back up when you pull it? If not, I'm thinking Benji756 is right - broken or displaced spring. If there is, more PB Blaster - let it soak...Then move it up and down a lot with the pliers - see if that loosens it up... Good to see Michigan folks!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bpopilek 4 #5 Posted October 19, 2016 The model number on my tractor is 32-12O502, and from the blade is 16-42BL02. The handle that I am talking about resides on the left side of the tractor and controls the up and down position of the blade. There is a rubber grip on it, but removing that does not gain any additional access. I can feel the spring when I push down on it, but it feels mostly like metal on metal the further I push. And I have sprayed it for multiple days last year and never could get it to move smoothly. I can't seem to find any part number for this handle. I looked at the photo that was provided up top, and I don't see the handle in it. I did find the actual photo that goes with mine (Attached to this post), and it looks like it has been broken down to it's barest components. It looks like it would encompass the following parts 15, 16, 23, 24, 31, 52, & 58. I don't have a picture right now, and am at work. I can take one later if necessary. Thanks! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,032 #6 Posted October 19, 2016 I'm thinking if you remove the grip you should have access to #23 spirol pin. Knock it out and that should release the spring and the spring retainer below it. Believe the tube is not listed because it is part of the lift assembly. Probably easier to remove the assembly so you can work on it on the bench. Garry Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bpopilek 4 #7 Posted October 19, 2016 1 hour ago, gwest_ca said: I'm thinking if you remove the grip you should have access to #23 spirol pin. Knock it out and that should release the spring and the spring retainer below it. Believe the tube is not listed because it is part of the lift assembly. Probably easier to remove the assembly so you can work on it on the bench. Garry I'll check this out once I get home from work this evening. I'll try to post some photos as well. I seem to remember taking the grip off, but not seeing a clear way to remove anything. I'll check it out and post my results. Thanks! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bpopilek 4 #8 Posted October 20, 2016 (edited) I just got home a little while ago and took the snow plow handle off of the tractor. I was able to remove the spiral pin after some effort. The spring and the cup that goes over it came out easily. It feels like the rod that runs the length is possibly bent towards the bottom. When I push the button (rod) it binds when it gets to the point where it releases the catch. The only way to pop it back up is to use pliers. The only way to remove the rod is to cut some spot welds that hold the pin at the bottom of the mounting bracket. Then the handle could come off and I could remove the rod to try and straighten it. I'm just worried about getting the pin rewelded and everything put back the right way and aligned. Does anyone have any suggestions or know where I can find a replacement handle? Thanks! Some photos of my handle: https://imgur.com/a/BIUff Edited October 20, 2016 by Bpopilek Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Walt 339 #9 Posted October 20, 2016 I have nothing planed for this weekend if your not working and willing to drive to Lansing I'd be willing to look at it and see if we can't figure it out. This being said I like to start working around 9 in morning and like to be done and kicked back with my legs raised by 5 since they've seen better days. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Walt 339 #10 Posted October 21, 2016 (edited) Running to HD this morning and picking up insulation for project I started in late last spring of adding to the attic. Will be starting that today and finishing over weekend but since I no longer work for a living can complete either day. I am sending you a PM with my phone # in case you want to call and discus coming to town and have me help you figure out your levers binding problem. Edited October 21, 2016 by Walt Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bpopilek 4 #11 Posted November 16, 2016 So, I wanted to post a quick update on this. Walt graciously offered to help me, but because of my overly busy schedule, I never made it out there. So, what I ended up doing is as follows. I didn't really want to cut the weld, holding the handle tubing on the bracket. Mainly because I didn't know if I would be able to get the right angle again when I went to re weld the handle back on. So, instead I determined that the handle was the same OD as black steel gas pipe, which luckily I have a bunch of around the house. So I took a tubing cutter and cut the handle off about 4 inches from the bracket. This allowed me to access most of the rod/button. Playing around with it, I could see that there was a slight bend in it, towards the bracket. I'm not sure how that happened, but based on some of the other things I had to fix on this tractor, I wasn't surprised. I got the rod lined up the best I could and slightly bent it in the opposite direction. Using the top spring and cup to test alignment, it appeared to be in the right spot. I then used a 3/4" tubing threader to try and cut threads on the remaining part of the handle. The first attempt failed because the metal of the handle is very soft and it ended up warping. I cut it off another inch further down and tried again. This time I went very slowly, going forwards and backwards often to clear out the shavings. I also used extra cutting oil to keep it lubricated. I managed to get 6-7 good threads on it, then I tightened on a 3/4" gas line coupler. Then it was just a matter of taking a quick measurement and cutting a piece of 3/4" gas line to the right length to use for the top of the handle. After I had it all screwed together, I again tested the push button, and to my amazement it worked perfectly! A quick 4 coats of paint and it is now back on the tractor. It looks good enough and should make plowing this winter much easier, since I don't have to hold the blade in the air by hand! I never was able to locate a used spare, so this may help someone in the future if they run into a similar issue. The only question I have left is where would I find a pin to hold the spring? The one I took out was mangled and not usable. I cut the shaft off of the back of a large rivet and used that for the time being. Thanks again for the help. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Walt 339 #12 Posted November 16, 2016 Check Fastnal or Mid States Bolt for the roll pin glad to hear you you got it fixed. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,032 #13 Posted November 16, 2016 Super job on the repair. Item 23 in the drawing is a 933148 roll pin which is 1/8" diameter x 1/2" long. Roll pins are a single roll of spring metal. Spirol pins are rolled more than once with thinner spring metal thought to be a stronger pin. Either should work in this case. These are too hard to cut if you can't find the correct length but you can grind them to length. Garry 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SylvanLakeWH 25,490 #14 Posted November 16, 2016 Nice job and nice explanation! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
