Installing plow down pressure link on a 520H

[skippy1969 135]

Hi guys.

I have a question about installing the down pressure link on my 520H.

I bought a new link from Wheelhorsepartsandmore on EBay.

I asked him specifically if his link would work on my 1995 520H and I was told yes.

So yesterday I went to install the link on my tractor and I’ll be darned I can’t seem to get it to work.
When I put it in the end hole on the rock shaft it hits the steering gear and when I put it in the hole next to it then it binds up on the mower lift trunnion. 
I don’t know what I’m doing wrong. I searched around on this site and Googled it but really haven’t found any solid information 520H specific. Everything seems to be for the older tractors. The rock shaft on the 520H looks different. 
I included a photo of the link I bought.
Any help would be appreciated very much!

Thanks!

[Achto 27,510]

Scott, I have not installed a blade on a 520 but I'll try fitting a lift link on my tractor tonight & see what I can come up with. 

Edited November 10, 2020 by Achto

[Racinbob 11,045]

By lift trunnion do you mean the lift bar for the mower? If so, I have the same problem on my 2005 Classic. I use the rear hole on the rock shaft. You could probably bent the lift bar a bit but I didn't want to do that so I simply remove it for the winter. It only takes a minute. 

[Racinbob 11,045]

Oddly enough my 76 B/C series is the same setup but doesn't have the problem. That pretty much tells me that a slight bend on the horizontal bar would also solve the problem. See what you think Dan.

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,033]

When I make lift links I weld the pins on the back side with the hairpin holes 90 degrees to the link. That way I know where the holes are and can installed the hairpins blindfolded.

I also have the pins inserted from opposite sides of the link so it is better aligned. The result is an offset link that saves wear on the pins and holes.

 

Garry

[Lee1977 6,648]

Here is one I made have not tried it with a Wheel Horse snow blade. I use it with a home made grader blade. I off set the top with a small collar and use a loose pin at the bottom. 

[Achto 27,510]

@skippy1969, It was a little damp out last night after work ( ie. pouring rain!) so I did not get a chance to look at fitment on my 520. Sorry. Looks drier today so I'll get a look tonight. I do think that @Racinbob is on the right track with removing the trunnion for the deck to make room for the plow lift bar.

Edited November 11, 2020 by Achto

[skippy1969 135]

1 hour ago, Achto said:

@skippy1969, It was a little damp out last night after work ( ie. pouring rain!) so I did not get a chance to look at fitment on my 520. Sorry. Looks drier today so I'll get a look tonight. I do think that @Racinbob is on the right track with removing the trunnion for the deck to make room for the plow lift bar.

Thanks Dan,I appreciate it. 
Thanks everyone for the replies.

Hopefully we’ll get it figured out.

[Racinbob 11,045]

2 hours ago, Achto said:

@skippy1969, It was a little damp out last night after work ( ie. pouring rain!) so I did not get a chance to look at fitment on my 520. Sorry. Looks drier today so I'll get a look tonight. I do think that @Racinbob is on the right track with removing the trunnion for the deck to make room for the plow lift bar.

Dan, I think it would be pretty simple to make a bar that would work fine and I'm sure you'll see it but I don't have easy access to a welder or the time right now. Removing the deck lift was a quick, effective fix. 

[Achto 27,510]

I crawled under my 520 tonight. I did come up with a solution if you wish to use the end hole on the rock shaft. If you would grind about a 1/4" off from the edge of the lift bar it would then clear the fan gear.

 

To use the next hole up it would be easiest to remove the trunnion for the deck.

 

Edited November 12, 2020 by Achto

[skippy1969 135]

52 minutes ago, Achto said:

I crawled under my 520 tonight. I did come up with a solution if you wish to use the end hole on the rock shaft. If you would grind about a 1/4" off from the edge of the lift bar it would then clear the fan gear.

 

To use the next hole up it would be easiest to remove the trunnion for the deck.

 

That’s what I was thinking too. I wish I could just remove the mower deck trunnion, but I can’t figure out how to remove it. On my 520 It’s not like a regular trunnion where you can just remove a pin and slide it out. Mine goes though a long arm and a short arm. When you pull the pin on the end to remove it, you can’t just slice the trunnion out of a hole. I’ll try and get a picture so you can see it. Maybe I’m just dumb,lol! Thanks Dan.

[Achto 27,510]

8 hours ago, skippy1969 said:

When you pull the pin on the end to remove it, you can’t just slice the trunnion out of a hole.

 

Mine has the same set up. On mine there is an eye bolt with a chain connected to it threaded through the trunnion. If you unthread the eye bolt, the trunnion will slide right out. Maybe put a dab of paint on the threads of the eye bolt right next to the trunnion before removing it this way you will know how far to thread it back in come spring time.  

[skippy1969 135]

13 hours ago, Achto said:

 

Mine has the same set up. On mine there is an eye bolt with a chain connected to it threaded through the trunnion. If you unthread the eye bolt, the trunnion will slide right out. Maybe put a dab of paint on the threads of the eye bolt right next to the trunnion before removing it this way you will know how far to thread it back in come spring time.  

Oh ok I was wondering about that.

Thanks Dan, I’ll give that a try.