eibbed 63 #1 Posted June 7, 2021 I hope I am in the right place! Gentlemen I am Debbie Redick, David was my husband. And I need your help! I have a Toro Wheel Horse 520xi tractor While I was cutting grass yesterday, I put it in reverse and it felt like it was dragging a bit and then there was pop and a puff of smoke!! When I try to start it, it makes a clunking sound. I don't have a clue what is wrong with it. David always came to you if he had a problem, so now it's my turn. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you and have a great day. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JoeM 7,874 #2 Posted June 7, 2021 Deb all that doesn't sound to good. The smoke came from the muffler? If so, I suppose the first thing is to pull the oil dipstick and check the condition of the engine oil. A picture would help and the number of hours on the machine is good info too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eibbed 63 #3 Posted June 7, 2021 Joe, thank you for your reply. The mower has 788 hours. The oil dip stick looks good. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SylvanLakeWH 25,559 #4 Posted June 7, 2021 I hope not, but that sounds eerily like how my 8 hp kohler sounded and looked after the rod and piston went through the block… any oil dripping / pooling under engine? Check for oil on outside of engine anywhere… small cracks etc… Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Maxwell-8 4,275 #5 Posted June 7, 2021 (edited) 17 hours ago, eibbed said: Joe, thank you for your reply. The mower has 788 hours. The oil dip stick looks good. Sylvan lake has some good info. Did the smoke come from the engine or tranny? Edited June 8, 2021 by Maxwell-8 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SPINJIM 1,981 #6 Posted June 7, 2021 Unfortunately, it does not sound good. Please don't try to start it again until a qualified mechanic can take a look at it. Could be a valve seat came loose, or could be a broke piston rod. Either way, trying to start it will just do more damage. Good luck. Jim Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JoeM 7,874 #7 Posted June 7, 2021 Just curious, that machine has a shaft driven transmission. There is an access cover in front of the seat on the tunnel. If you can get that off and look at the drive shaft to make sure it has not come loose. A long shot but never know. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eibbed 63 #8 Posted June 8, 2021 I talked to my brother today and he is coming Wednesday to take a look at the mower. He knows more about this than I do and I trust him more than taking it to a dealer. He enjoys working on engines and has done this before. I will tell my brother about all your suggestions. So fingers crossed!! Thank you so much everyone for your input. Now I know why David would always come to you if he had a problem. You have been great!! 2 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
roadapples 6,983 #9 Posted June 8, 2021 Tell him if he finds anything to come on back. These guys will try to help.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wh500special 2,183 #10 Posted June 8, 2021 Debbie, Sorry to hear of Dave’s passing. You both are really nice people. We met a few years ago when you swung by my house first for a garage sale, later for the 522, and I’ve been over to yours once or twice too. I can’t get over there until this weekend, but can perhaps take a look at it if your brother can’t get anywhere with it. I’m not much of a mechanic, but can usually at least diagnose things. Sounds, unfortunately, like a broken rod or a dropped valve. Keep us posted here and let me know. steve - in O-town. ps- I just picked up on Dave’s screen name of “eibbed” being your name spelled backward…what a nice gesture! 1 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slammer302 2,155 #11 Posted June 8, 2021 Might try pulling spark plugs and turning the drive shaft by hand see if you hear any clunking sounds. I have the same mower never had this happen. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eibbed 63 #12 Posted June 8, 2021 Thank you!! I will keep you posted. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eibbed 63 #13 Posted June 22, 2021 Gentlemen, I have great news regarding my Toro Wheel Horse 520XI. It is up and running like new!! The problem was the PTO clutch. My awesome brother found the problem and installed the new one!! I took the old pto clutch to my local lawn and garden dealer and he recommended going online to Xtreme Clutch to buy one. He said it would be about $350. I researched eBay and found the exact same pto clutch for $156.00. It took a week to arrived but that was ok. I want to thank everyone so much for your suggestions and offers to help. I really appreciate it!! Thank you!!!! Have a great summer!!!! 2 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Roger R 448 #14 Posted June 23, 2021 Can't beat a happy ending! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
