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I picked this up a couple of weeks before Christmas but have not had a chance to post it until now. (Christmas came early for me) It's a 1982 SK-486 in excellent shape. 8 speed, 16 horse Kohler. There is even still some original paint here and there on the under side of the mowing deck. Since this picture was taken I have replaced the missing roller on the deck and put a new correct shifter knob on the transmission shifter (also removed the silly boat sticker). It lived in northern michigan at a cottage its entire life and seen very little use. I am extremely happy with it! It's a true gem. I am really looking forward to cutting grass with it for many years to come.

belt sander? what? do you do your nails on that thing too? why don't you kiwi's just reach out the window of your cars and drag your fingers on the blacktop while driving on the interstate? if i want to grind on my fingers like that, i just grab some small parts that need wire wheeling and go at it....... seriously though, i use aveeno hand cream that i steal from my wife. works great, i try to remember and put it on before going to bed, but usually forget. I'm reminded about it the next day at work when they start to itch and crack, or theres something that involves dexterity and i can't muster up any.......

Jabronie or Gibronie is Italian slang for a "Loser". Thanks for watching this addition of "Early 20th Century Italian Slang". "Early 20th Century Italian Slang" is made possible by a grant from the Sicilian Brownies, (formerly la Costa Nostra), and Whatsamatta U and by viewers like you. Thank you for your support!

With Karl's help...I replaced the old spread sheets with PDFs. It includes, what I think, are all the bearings and seals used in all the Wheel Horse transmissions. In other words, if your transmission is not listed, like the bi-level differential 3 speeds, you can still find the correct cross reference to the bearings you need by using the WH # and going through the 3 PDFs. Find the correct manual for your tractor with the transmission breakdown and these PDFs will give you the correct cross over. I included Motion Industries catalog number for each bearing and seal that they carry. If you go to their web site (motionindustries.com), you can type in their catalog number and that bearing/seal will pop up. It gives a picture, size and an approximate price. If you type in the TORO web site and it says the bearing/seal is N/A, you can get it either at NAPA or M/I...if there is a catalog number. The only thing that you can't get at this moment...is the WH #1533 ball bearing. The NICE 412-35 is still available (for the 5003 and 5010 trannys), but not from TORO or Motion Industries. I think I have that information, but I have to look. Hope this helps everyone. edit::: The NICE 412-35 is available from Kelly Supply ksodirect.com I think all the numbers are correct and the PDF is printable. This should save a lot of ordering the wrong part and a ton of questions.

Well..... yeah, in that case I'll certainly be able to attend!

The house next door to me is for sale, I would love to have you as a neighbor! Of course, the commute to work might be a bit....

I bought a 1992 520-H several years ago. It had just under 200 hours on it. I'm up to 535 now with no issues at all. My grandfather also had one, and he had it up to 1400 hours with no issues. When he passed away, I sold it to a guy from Australia. So I can't speak for what happened to it after that. Our local dealer says he sold a lot of these back in the day, and as long as the oil is changed on a regular basis (HD-30 in the summer and 10W-30 in the winter) and the air intake screen is kept clean while mowing, these are solid 2000 HR engines. We have this exact same engine on a welder at work. It has 2300 HRS on it and we have never had any issues with it. The valve issue seems to come from the screen getting plugged while mowing and the engine overheating. When the engine gets to a certain temp, is my best guess on why the valves warp. The neat thing about the Onans over the Kohlers is the tube that runs from the fan to the air intake chamber. The fan forces air into the chamber, almost acting like a tiny supercharger. I have heard many people say and write on here that this Onan is more powerful the the 22hp Kohler in the newer 522xi/Lxi's. Don't get me wrong, I love the Kohlers, they seem to be almost indestructible to a certain extent. But I love the unique sound and power of these Onan motors. I love the holes in the belt guard Cheesegrader. That looks like a simple after work project that I bet helps out a ton and will save a few Onans and 520's along the way. I see so many of these starting to get parted out. Makes me sad because there just isn't anything that compares IMO.

I love my 520's. I have had some electrical gremlins, and they use a LOT of gas, but they are beasts! Air flow across the rear cylinder is blocked by the guard over the drive belt. Like all safety features, I am sure this was added late in the design. The front cylinder has nothing blocking the air flow. The front cylinders never throw valve seats. I wouldn't modify the tins that direct air flow to the fins on the rear cylinder, and I would be very fussy about keeping leaves and grass out. This is what I have done to my belt guards. 3/4" step cut drill bit and a drill press. LOTS of heat comes through these holes, most of it off the upper half.

I get around a lot in the UK, with family, work and visiting some of the folks on here! Here's a collection of some of the random street signs I've picked up on my travels, I've just taken them from my camera and phone whilst out and about.. There's a few odd ones, I can't actually remember where many of them are from! If you recognise any then shout and I'll tell you if you are right

Those decals look great. I'm actually in hot pursuit of another kit with the tractor in it. I don't remember if they had decals in the kit or what they were if they did. I found this on the internet: The Wheel Horse 500 Special was special edition tractor to commemorate the Indianapolis 500. Wheel Horse has provided tractors to the Indy 500 as pit tractors for a number of years. The 500 Special was built to celebrate this; they were not actually used at the race. I'm still looking for info on the actual models they used. Outta time right now cuz I gotta get at my wifely duties....like dinner. Being retired but with the wife still working has it's drawbacks.

I ran a little print cut test to see if I can get a legible print that small. I think they will work. I can go just a bit smaller if needed. ..

3 small "screws" hold the tube to the block. You might be able to save the gasket if you're careful - and lucky. Helpful hint: removing the drive belt guard allows better access.

It maybe just me, or maybe because I know how painful arc eye can be, I find myself looking away from welding when it's on tv even though I know it can't do me any harm!! Looking away from welding becomes automatic I guess.

Excellent choice Karl, and Congratulations Neil. Karl...feel free to slap Squonk.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-S9Dj-S9rU

I once got that due to working on a bench with a white painted wall in front of me. A workmate was welding behind me. I woke up that night with my eyes feeling as if they were full of sand. Every time I blinked or shut my eyes the pain was something terrible. Took a couple of days to clear.

I guess I'm lucky. I've worked with harsh chemical all my life, never using gloves. I have been told many years later that the chemicals that I used are metabolized by your liver, and that I will suffer the results of my misuse later in life. So far, so good. I have a physical every year with blood work specific to liver function. Don't get me wrong, I am not condoning the mishandling of chemicals, I am just saying that I don't know if I have problems waiting for me later on, but as of now, I am okay. Having said that, I do wear latex or nitrile gloves now when working with most liquids that are known to be harmful. As I am on the slippery side of the slope of life, I don't want to speed up that slide.

Roughly 800 miles. I no it sounds crazy but have a lot of changes going on at work and I just needed to get out of town and get my mind on something else. And what better way than to pick up a Wheel Horse Tractor

This started back during leaf season as I needed a place to store the tools for the Cyclone Rake. HF recently released plastic ammo boxes which are smaller than a 12" tool box. Originally it was just the box but then grew into flashing lights and a backup light. The nice thing is that I didn't drill any holes into the tractor. It is about 80% finished as I still need to wire it completely, touch up, etc. I use 1" x 1/8" aluminum angle.

Neil, Our very own Moderator and 'Out of Hours' Watchman . Well nominated. . Promise I'll be good

Making some more progress. tranny is back together and painted and I got all the hubs and pulleys back on. Motor is also painted, just have to put it the rest of the way together. Just have to get my wheels powdercoated and buy the rest of the little stuff I need so I can start putting it back together! Thanks, Jake

"Gibronie", I have not heard that one since I a kid (like 55 years ago). I am Italian and my father used that word a lot. I enjoyed reading Mike's diagnostic journey to get to root cause. Good job Mike!

I think wires with tape on them would be the first place to look...just my 2 cents. Glad you found it Mike. Try sitting those new points at .018. Cheese Head

I use a rope and pulley system to lift it straight off the tractor and to the rafters of my pole barn. It only takes 8-10 bolts from the footrests and seat pan, and the whole thing goes straight up.

I know I've seen images of round hoods there too.

What's that there in the background? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjlOmOZmdwo

you should be able to save the videos from potato bucket, if not let me know and I'll have a go

Thanks got the parts on order

Not that mine are awesome by any stretch, but I do have a couple on Photo-bucket. (potato bucket... )

I agree with that. I think I paid around $200 for mine but I would not pay more than that for one. If I could own only one tractor it would not be the 252H. The 252H is a bit of an odd ball wheel horse. The 300 and 400 series are a much better tractor that you can do more with due to size, weight, and availability of parts and attachments.

Congrats Neil, I couldn't think of a better chap for the job

good choice Karl, Neil, well done done on accepting

By eck! Wish my fingers were a clean as yours, Mark. And I'm retired.

neat repair there, i like it also nice porsche in your avatar Koen

Nice for sure. 800 miles will get your mind off anything !!

I would say that most of the problems with the techy carb and cleaning it and still not running right is the fact that you can not get to the place the carb clogs up just taking it apart and soaking it will not clean the low speed passage which is the place 90% of them clog up you have to remove a brass plug from the carb body to gain access there is a small metal rod in this passage also.with the bass plug removed you can get the metal rod out and use a pipe cleaner and spray carb cleaner on the passage way to clean it a fast check to tell if you have a clogged low speed passage is with the carb off the tractor remove the jets, bowl ,float, needle hold the carb body next you your ear and shake it up and down you should hear a clink of the small metal rod moving back and forth in it's passage way if it does not the passage way is clogged up Brian

This past week I got some more done on the truck. I installed the gaskets on the oil pan, valve cover and side cover. Also installed new shorter water pump and thermostat. I clear coated and painted the parts. Instead of messing around with the tranny that came with the truck I bought a new/used one from the parts supplier along with new clutch and throw out bearing. I am pretty close to being ready to drop the new engine and tranny in soon.

I love Ian's videos!!! I like Ian too

Just my guess.....A home-made sleeve hitch?

really great entertainment & well worth subscribing to his youtube videos

Mine came to me with these beefy skid shoes on it... might help to enlarge yours to keep from digging into your stone drive.

Old number is 7939 - active number is 32151-36 Buy two & replace both. Expand them only enough to get them on the axles - do not stretch them more than necessary! I also suggest purchasing four of the 108881 nuts for the differential through bolts. If you don't install new nuts on the differential bolts, at least prep them correctly and apply thread locker during reassembly.

That 520 is the ultimate sweetness.I feel bad for the guy that parted with it.

JayInNC was making the belt guards.. Send him a PM. Good score on the 520. I may get around to repowering mine some day, but I doubt it will be with an Omen. I will probably try something more V-twinish.

The ONANs have way more torque at lower RPM. Here is part of a post that gives an example: "The other reason I went with the Onan was I demoed a unit with one a few years prior and thought it had tons more torque than another unit with a same hp Kohler Command (able to engage pto at idle with Onan with 60" deck where anything less than half throttle would stall Kohler w/48" deck). So far, the only parts I've used in 50 hours have been two oil filters that I purchased from NAPA at no more cost than the ones for my old Kohler. "

Got three of the rims painted and tires mounted. I still need to replace the 4th rim. Here is a picture of the tire mounted on the truck.

It's really amazing to see where we have come from, to where we are, with so many motorized vehicles. As a kid, living in the country, at one time we have 5 snowmobiles. Johnsons, SkiDoo and a SpeedWay. The SpeedWay topped them all. When I say, topped them all, I mean anyone that tried failed. Polaris, Yamaha, Artic Cat, Rupp, ect... Did not matter, this machine was wicked fast. With it's 650cc triple Kohler high fin heads, ported carbs and ice picked track. Nothing but air was all you got after grabbing the throttle. You had to steer the sled with your weight. The only time the skis were planted, on the ground, was when it was not moving... Being a farmer, dad had the idea, to attach an IH front weight to it.... Did not matter, still lifted the skis right off the ground. Like all neat toys, it finally went away. A guy from Wisconsin heard about it. Drove 4hrs. with a 6 place trailer and 5 sleds. His mission was to prove he had a faster sled, if he didn't he was going to own it. Well, 5 races later, it was time to talk $$$$. He left with 6 sleds and a smile on his face.

I have one. before after

Nah, gotta be the early square hoods: As for the 3/4/500 Series hoods, they look better with the little dashboard sticking up at the rear (516, 518, 520).

I like the late 60's era Charger/Raider hoods with the vertical center piece....narrow at the base makes the front stance look wider.... Don't know why this pic looks stretched....