Just picked up a nice '88 520h

[BobBelcher 42]

Hi,

 

I'm new to this forum and new to owning wheel horse in general. My father had been a lawn mower mechanic for his entire career and spent the first 25 plus years working for a wheel horse dealership. I grew up mowing on wheel horse and helping him work on mowers when I was younger. 

 

I bought a house and needed a mower but the previous owners had a John Deere that they left with the property and I used that to mow with for a while. It's served the purpose but man I hated how it mowed. It's showing its age and going to need some work done soon so I decided to shop around and found this beauty. (More pics to come once I get time).

 

I got it for a decent price I think. I do wish it had a 60 inch deck as I have an acre to mow but for now it will do just fine. When I went to look at it The guy said he bought it for 1200 but realized it was more mower than he needed and bought a push mower instead. When I started it up for the first time it wouldn't idle without the choke on. It also needs a new voltage regulator and a solenoid. He already had the solenoid but hadn't put it on.

 

Came with a plow, wheel weights and chains all for 825 dollars. Dad pulled the carb apart and cleaned it up and it's running like a champ. Got a few minor things to fix and work on like the voltage regulator, a parking brake knob, a wire that needs attending to and fixing the throttle cable that won't stay up. 

 

But Im happy with my new purchase. Ohhh and for some reason the hitch is missing so I'm going to either buy or make one for it. 

 

Excited to get to mow with it for the first time. 

[ronwh 186]

Nice looking Wheel Horse and welcome to Red Square. 

[1995 520H+96+97 937]

TO 

On the throttle not staying, I unbolt from dash, and peen the rivet on  throttle lever.

You will need a forward swept front axle setup to mount a 60" deck. 

A 48" deck will mount to your 520H, 6" wider than your 42" rear discharge.

[BobBelcher 42]

Thanks Ron,

 

I am excited to get to use it. As I said there are a few minor fixes. One of the things I would like to do most is convert the drive lever to a foot pedal. I did see someone in the vendors has a kit to do this so going to keep that in mind for sure. I just know if I throw down another 300 plus dollars right now I might have to also buy a cab for it to sleep as the little lady would surely throw me out haha.

[ebinmaine 67,267]

1 minute ago, BobBelcher said:

know if I throw down another 300 plus dollars right now I might have to also buy a cab for it to sleep as the little lady would surely throw me out

Seat looks pretty comfy....

 

 

 

 

[BobBelcher 42]

1 minute ago, 1995 520H+96+97 said:

TO 

On the throttle not staying, I unbolt from dash, and peen the rivet on  throttle lever.

You will need a forward swept front axle setup to mount a 60" deck. 

A 48" deck will mount to your 520H, 6" wider than your 42" rear discharge.

My dad is at the house working on it today. I unfortunately got called into work today so I wasn't able to be there to help. But he was going to look at the throttle cable. I mentioned using a 1/4" bolt and nylock if clamping the rivot doesn't work. 

 

I didn't think a 60 would fit under this but wasn't sure. a 48 would also be better than the 42 i have, but again going back to putting pedals for the forward and reverse, I will need to do it in due time. The little lady didn't know why I wanted to replace "the green one" as she used that mower to mow with when I was too busy and it seems just fine to her. But she will also miss sections mowing and not think its a big deal. 

[kwalshy 229]

The 520H is a great machine.  Take a look at the 9 pin electrical connector; they are known for causing problems.

[BobBelcher 42]

1 minute ago, ebinmaine said:

Seat looks pretty comfy....

 

 

 

 

I'm a pretty big and tall guy so I doubt i will be too happy sleeping there. 

[BobBelcher 42]

1 minute ago, kwalshy said:

The 520H is a great machine.  Take a look at the 9 pin electrical connector; they are known for causing problems.

Yep that is one of the wiring issues. one of the wires burnt out on the connector. the previous owner spliced the wires around it and added a small fuse block there. They did a decent job with it, but for some reason, they used some crappy butt connectors so those are going to get replaced and fixed up. I was enamored with how clean this machine is. Even the deck is in great shape outside the few scraps on the ends it doesn't have any bad rust spots. 

[SylvanLakeWH 25,490]

[peter lena 8,580]

welcome bob , nice looking horse you have there, if that paint was regularly cleaned and waxed , stay after it , on the other hand if the finish looks a little dull , wd 40 on a clean rag does a good paint feed that will make it look even sharper , without too much effort. good ideas on that 9 pin connector , probably worth it to replace with new , also use dielectric grease on connections , for a solid corrosion free hook up . let us know how you make out, having your father as a previous w/h wrench is a terrific plus , pete

[BobBelcher 42]

1 hour ago, peter lena said:

welcome bob , nice looking horse you have there, if that paint was regularly cleaned and waxed , stay after it , on the other hand if the finish looks a little dull , wd 40 on a clean rag does a good paint feed that will make it look even sharper , without too much effort. good ideas on that 9 pin connector , probably worth it to replace with new , also use dielectric grease on connections , for a solid corrosion free hook up . let us know how you make out, having your father as a previous w/h wrench is a terrific plus , pete

Thanks for the advice. 

 

Yeah my pops wrenched on mowers my entire life. Hung up his wrenches late last year. Mom passed away a year ago in January and after she passed he decided to retire and live his life with his grand children and doing what he wants. He still wrenches on mowers in his free time. I try and keep him busy and give him jobs to do but he doesn't jump at the offers like he used to. Once I got this WH tho... he couldn't get over to the house quick enough.

 

I hope over time to be able to put foot pedals for the forward and reverse, but i am desperately in need of a hitch for it. He has a friend that might have one for me so im holding out hope before I have to search for one online or just make my own. would love to get a hitch for my wagon and a hitch to mount a ball to tow my little trailer around with it. 

 

As far as the electrical goes, I will be working on that over time as well. I have a bunch of projects including finishing up my house renovations that are going to take priority over that sort of thing. But I sure am itching to get the wheel horse out for its first mowing. 

[tom2p 2,394]

48" deck works well on 416's thru 520's - but for one acre 42" deck is more than sufficient 

 

60" deck might be more suited for a large (large) amount of property 

 

might - some still prefer 48" over a 60" ... 60" deck might require unique / different front axle (swept forward) and different mule drive ... and they carry some serious heft 

 

unfortunately they didn't make a 54" deck - so I use 48" primarily  ... and also use 42" now and then 

 

Edited April 29, 2020 by tom2p

[ebinmaine 67,267]

10 minutes ago, BobBelcher said:

desperately in need of a hitch for it

Check out Wheelhorsepartsandmore and see if Lowell and Joette can help you.

Awesome people.

 

[BobBelcher 42]

18 minutes ago, tom2p said:

48" deck works well on 416's thru 520's - but for one acre 42" deck is more than sufficient 

 

60" deck might be more suited for a large (large) amount of property 

 

might - some still prefer 48" over a 60" ... 60" deck might require unique / different front axle (swept forward) and different mule drive ... and they carry some serious heft 

 

unfortunately they didn't make a 54" deck - so I use 48" primarily  ... and also use 42" now and then 

 

Yeah my John Deere that I've been mowing with is a 54 so going to a 42 is going to be a change for sure. But I hate the way the JD cuts. Leaves track marks if one tire is a smidge lower air pressure and forget it when you turn a corner. I'd rather have a 48 but I'll make due with the 42. Just means I get a little more seat time. Now just have to figure out where to put my drink. 

[BobBelcher 42]

16 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

Check out Wheelhorsepartsandmore and see if Lowell and Joette can help you.

Awesome people.

 

Thank you. I'll do just that. My dad has a connection to a wh fanatic who he used to work with who might have one. But if he doesn't I'll be searching for one. I used to have all the tools and help one guy could ask for in metal fabrication and welding but now I've got limited resources so I know making one would be a little tougher even tho I have the prints to do so. 

[ebinmaine 67,267]

7 minutes ago, BobBelcher said:

Now just have to figure out where to put my drink

I'd rather manhandle my coffee cup or whatever else if I was driving around on a Horse than have the most amazing cup holder in the world on a different brand...

 

 

 

By the way that's nice fresh boiled cowboy coffee in the pan you can see.....

Num num num...

[BobBelcher 42]

2 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

I'd rather manhandle my coffee cup or whatever else if I was driving around on a Horse than have the most amazing cup holder in the world on a different brand...

 

 

 

By the way that's nice fresh boiled cowboy coffee in the pan you can see.....

Num num num...

You can keep the coffee. Never did like the stuff. The little lady couldn't live without it, but there isn't anything I like about it. I do enjoy a good unsweetened tea or the occasional adult beverage. I also like to have music on and grew accustomed to having a cup holder to put my phone into. But my pocket also works great. I would also like to say the little lady would enjoy fresh boiled cowboy coffee but she has to have a flavored coffee and creamer. 

[JCM 9,130]

      You chose a Great Model Bob Good Luck with it. One of my favorites and have owned a 520 for 18 years.

[BobBelcher 42]

1 minute ago, JCM said:

      You chose a Great Model Bob Good Luck with it. One of my favorites and have owned a 520 for 18 years.

I have some serious envy right now. I would loooooove to have a loader for my tractor. I dont own a huge place. 1 acre in the country but man a loader would make my life a little easier.. I had access to a back hoe when I first bought the place. But now I dont and have needed one a couple times. As far as the blower goes. yeah it would be nice but we don't tend to get the snow like we used to here. The last several winters its been mild. I think the plow will do just fine. Although I am hoping to move before winter hits next year so we shall see what my needs are then. Fine looking machines you have there. 

[JCM 9,130]

Thinking you may enjoy some more loader pics and thanks for the comments. I enjoyed that loader for many years and had it on several different WH tractors. I did sell it to a RedSquare member only because I needed a larger tractor for the property we now own with different snow totals than at our last residence and for other jobs the Kwik-Way loader was not capable of doing. They are out there used but difficult to find in the condition that one was in .

[BobBelcher 42]

3 minutes ago, JCM said:

Thinking you may enjoy some more loader pics and thanks for the comments. I enjoyed that loader for many years and had it on several different WH tractors. I did sell it to a RedSquare member only because I needed a larger tractor for the property we now own with different snow totals than at our last residence and for other jobs the Kwik-Way loader was not capable of doing. They are out there used but difficult to find in the condition that one was in .

Some day dreams for sure. Thanks for sharing

[tom2p 2,394]

4 hours ago, BobBelcher said:

Yeah my John Deere that I've been mowing with is a 54 so going to a 42 is going to be a change for sure. But I hate the way the JD cuts. Leaves track marks if one tire is a smidge lower air pressure and forget it when you turn a corner. I'd rather have a 48 but I'll make due with the 42. Just means I get a little more seat time. Now just have to figure out where to put my drink. 

just some info / warning 

 

the appearance of the lawn after cut with 42" RD (rear discharge) might not be the best - when compared to 42" SD or 48" SD (side discharge)

 

will look better if grass is cut more frequently - but then again can state that about all decks ... but 42" RD can especially leave clumps if grass is too high 

 

and because 42" RD does not have rear rollers - the lawn / cut grass appearance often not as 'pleasing'

 

[Pullstart 62,785]

 @BobBelcher!  Nice machine you’ve got there!  
 

what a way to have to get rid of a JD... sell a house with it!  

 

@ebinmaine some day, I need to chase you down just to take a sip of your cowboy coffee.  I’m afraid I might like it too much!

[WVHillbilly520H 10,373]

4 hours ago, BobBelcher said:

Now just have to figure out where to put my drink. 

Right here... https://sleequipment.com/toro-genuine-part-kit-cup-holder-lawn-tractor-200-series-105-1400.html ... Looks like this