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I put the snowplow of the 314 Wheel Horse today. This plow has the five hole index sector on it so I should be prepared to move some snow this winter. I have rubber tire chains but will wait until later to put those on. I also have the 1967 Lawn Ranger with the STR-324 snowblower all ready and greased up the auger chain and other parts on the tractor today. 314 Wheel Horse with 42 inch -five sector plow: 1967 Lawn Ranger with 32 inch snowbower: I had some of the others out in the yard while cleaning the garage : 1958 RJ's: 1975 B-80:

So, I just dragged home a trailer full of a perfectly running 520-H, snow plow blade, tiller, 2 48" decks, and a trailer amongst other things. I know nothing about the thing. I just new it looked really HD and really cool and I really wanted it. It appears, from what I've read in the last 10 minutes, that I got quite a score here. Maybe the best I've ever gotten. I'd really like to spend most of the day tomorrow reading about this thing to learn as much as possible. I don't need to be spoon fed, but this is my first tractor experience and it would be really helpful if I could get some help in the right direction at least. If you guys have some links for info that I should read, that would be great. I'd also like to find out if there is a grader for this thing and if a 60" deck will fit. How easy is it to find implements for a tractor this old? Is there a quick/easy to tell what year it is? I took a crappy pic of the tractor, which I've attached. Thanks for the help in advance and I look forward to getting into this thing more!

I BOUGHT A 1992 310-8 WITH A 1992 42" SD DECK AND 1980 42" PLOW FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. I GOT THE DECK,PLOW AND MANUALS TODAY. I WILL PICK UP TRACTOR TOMORROW. TRACTOR WOULD NOT START BUT HAD SPARK AND COMPRESSION. I BELIEVE IT IS A FUEL PROBLEM. IT RAN WHEN PARKED LAST YEAR. I WILL POST PICTURES SOON. I GAVE $250 FOR THE PACKAGE. THANKS BOWTIE IN OHIO I GOT IT RUNNING TODAY, THE FLOAT WAS STUCK. POSTING SOME PICTURES NOW.

It is done had a ball doing it over this was a basket case of sorts nothing was working at the time of purchase I couldn't even roll it on to the trailer. Motor needed a lot of tlc. but it is fine now after a year of hard work. ENJOY Gary B... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Su6QNUkiGFA&feature=player_profilepage

She's been dying to mow since she got her own little tractor and today was the day. I figured If I mow everything with the 520 and she mows around the trees (and there's lots of them) it would go a lot faster. She's never been on a rider before and never drove a stick before either. About 5 minutes of pointers and she was gone! I don't think she mowed over anything important but I haven't checked yet. She knows I never use the camera so I got a little sneaky today. Sorry the pics aren't better but I was hiding and the camera was zoomed as far as it would go. She's gonna kill me when she sees this! Here she is on her 68 Lawn Ranger. With that big smile she could have been on a brochure!

The Solution is discovered: ----------------------------- previously on Sept 22 I posted: "A new question: There is a connector that was loose behind the battery with blue, brown, purple wires which would seem to be part of the seat safety switch, the leads are only about 4 inches long with nothing in sight within reach to plug it into. Perhaps this wiring harness could be used for another setup?" ---------------------------- I kept coming back the this floppy switch hanging with no place to plug in, I know it was the missing link but could find no place to plug it in. Quite by accident I viewed some pin connectors from just the right angle and saw them slightly protruding from the back side of the center brace in the in the battery compartment. I did not remember that it came loose when I was replacing the the throttle cable. I really feed dumb for not finding this before, or remembering it came off when I was removing the old throttle cable. Once plug in It started. Again thanks for all the moral support that kept me going until I could get my head clear and see the obvious. And the exercise has provided a much better understanding of the electrical system of my 520-H. And in the process I discovered the corrupted connector 29 that was failing, but probable would have not died completely until the first heavy snow. Best regards, Stephen

To all who replied regarding my "Hydro" question, Some may be unaware of what has taken place, so to quickly recap... I placed a question under "Transmissions" about tapping into the hydro pump on my '68 Charger. Within hours of my post, my Dad suffered a heart attack after trying to start a chainsaw which had not ran in 2 years. He had 1 "Stint" put in, however he required a second "Stint" late Wednesday. Dad is resting comfortably however it is clear he will need someone to stay with him when he comes home. I am a recent empty nester after raising 2 boys myself, and also about 60% Disabled from an accident in '06. I just wanted to get a message to all the kind folks who ARE "Red Square" and thank you for the blessings, kind thoughts and well wishes. It has been a tough year and a half for us. My Mother passed suddenly March 3, 2013 as she and my Dad walked into a surprise 50th wedding party from a massive brain aneurism. My dad had to undergo a hip replacement this past February, and has been working hard to prep their home for sale ASAP ever since. I wanted to get this message out to those who have "PM'd" me as in some cases when I have attempted to respond, I have received a notice saying "I am not allowed to use the PM option". Basically I just wanted to say, my plans have been shelved...no put on permanent hold for now, and I didn't want anyone to think I was "snubbing" them. If someone can, please pass this message along. I have been truly blessed to have found a group like "Red Square"...I have little in the way of friends, and my old tractors mean a lot to me. I own nothing restored or for show, just grew up with a lawn cutting "business" during the summers. I saved until I could buy a well worn RJ (although no one knew that then, they just called it a "ball burner" & laughed). This was about '72-3. I expanded my "empire" from age 10 to about 12-13 when I bought a less used 856(I believe?)Hydro. I thought I was the king of the neighborhood. I washed & waxed it faithfully! I spent hours at "Western Hardware" in Greenwood IN, just looking at all the attachments I could get to further expand my empire into garden plowing/disking (which everyone had a garden back then) so I could put the massive power of the mighty K181 to full use. I know I took dozens of their brochures, but they kindly put up with me. I had a neighbor who had an old Roper built sears with a big Kohler and a plow who would pay me $5 to ride his plow as ballast as he plowed & disked gardens...can you imagine that today??? Anyway, today I look forward to simply mowing the yard. The crackle of the old Kohler firing & the smell of fresh cut grass, and a well tuned slightly worn Kohler. It takes me back 40 years. With the Diabetes (Type 1 Insulin dependent) I've had 47 years now, I don't know how long I have left, but I wouldn't change a single thing. Sorry to ramble. YOU FOLKS ARE JUST GREAT!! Much love & good cheer & happy "Horsing around" to all!!! One last thing if I may. I wanted to post a photo of my Mom & Dad at the closing night after 25+ years, of a local "live music bar". My friends Band played & it was their 46th wedding anniversary. It was also the last time they danced. I WILL BE BACK!!!! Blessings & Kind Regards Bill Baker, Indy Sorry to ramble

We are just barely one week away! Thank you for taking the time and making the sacrifice to be with us for the day. We are excited to see everyone again! Thank you to everyone who has communicated to me your willingness to help with the raffle prizes. We could still use some help. If you feel led to contribute please let me know. Plowing may be a no go. The beans are still on the field and am hoping we will be able to turn over some soil. Bring some fuel for your Horses. I am planning on having a tractor cruise. These beauties were meant to move! I will be placing a donation box out to help cover many of the expenses that are incurred during the day in order to put a show of this magnitude together. Any help is greatly appreciated. Food will be available for purchase again from the Miller family. The pies are amazing! A few folks will be setting up Friday afternoon and evening. Feel free to stop by any time after noon on the 3rd. Hoping to have a bonfire Friday night if the weather cooperates. We will have a swap meet area again. Work out and post those deals this week. I will continue to update as we are getting closer.

With the yada, yada 'bout Onans, I thought never. I then found a rusty beat up '90 520-8. Lots of work and, yes, it is a gas hog. With time to spare, I've always PM'd the Horses to the hilt. Why not? The '90 520-8 is now, don't know why, my favorite Horse. The rest of the herd gets lots of rest. Before After

Yes Geno ,,, a family that mows together -- grows together

AMC has won this battle already, so, if I don't follow suit I'm in some trouble.

Definitely my Mrs Rules attachment.

Awesome! My favorite kind of people... the one's who'd rather replace that "old lawn mower" with a nice shiny new one from Home Depot! you definitely get a for that score..... Even John Winger agrees.

The Onan is a good motor but it never should have made it out of it's intended environment and put into a Garden Tractor, other brands of tractors have had the same failure. Any air cooled engine is susceptible to proper cooling. The Onan is just extremely sensitive. I don't know how many times I have seen people mowing with a 520 or the likes with a Onan and see the grass screen totally plugged up. Most people who bought Wheel Horse's with Onan's in them are not tractor Guru's and all they have on their minds is getting the yard cut. If they do clean the machine off I am sure it was not on their mind that grass might be clogging up the fins or other areas. Like I said the Onan is a good motor and strong, it just should have never made it into a garden tractor application. It should have stayed where it belongs in a nice and clean RV environment. It's really ashame that Toro chose to ignore this problem. It does not take a rocket scientist to see a Onan will suck up enough grass in the first five minutes of mowing to cover the grass screen compared to other motors. They all get some grass sucked up on there but the Onan is one of the worst of the lot. By putting in even more air flow restrictions along with grass build up you have the makings of what we are all finding out, premature failure. It's a shame that something was not done engineering wise to help overcome this. It's a good motor just out of its environment as far as I can see. Now if Geno can fix this Onan, I am sure he will be very alert to what causes this and will take appropriate measures to keep it from happening again and get a long life out of it.

She'll get you for that Glenn!

Heres all of our restored wheelhorses including a electro 12 raider 12 854 with sickle mower and my a-90 special that was extended 14''

I had a 520 with about 100 hours. The carb was shot, thank you EPA ETHANOL lovers. The carb was $200+ so I swapped the tractor w my dealer for a 175 hour 314h. The only needs for 20hp are the two stage blower and 60" deck. When in doubt remember this "You just can't kill a Kohler single!"

Let me start by saying that I did not mean to offend anyone. I was looking for just a parts 520. Swept front axle gives me gear reduction steering and tighter turning radius, that's what I have been in search of. I found this one in not great shape, just expecting to salvage the frame/steering components but I got to it and it is a low-ish hour machine (~680 hrs) and is mechanically in much better shape than I expected. That's why I had such a conundrum, I was not expecting the engine to be any good based on the ad. All the inside sheetmetal (battery tray and everything around that) is practically rotted out. This will need some major surgery and I have good parts from a C series that I am going to put together with it instead of buying yet another parts tractor. I have a K341 being rebuilt already that came from a C-165. I was enamored by the Onan's sound, smoothness, and power. But I have never experienced a twin of any variety before much less the mother of all twins the P220. So that why I am asking for public opinion. You are right about the gas usage not being very significant in the whole scheme of things. It was less about cost for me as it was how much time I can get running it from a single tank of gas. The fuel tanks on the WH's are pretty small in comparison to many others of the time. I plow lots of driveways and its helpful to stay out longer. If you weren't in Maryland I would seriously consider doing an engine swap with you! But I dont think you would want the rest of the guts of the tractor. The whole tower needs replacing and the side covers need to be de-rusted and painted. It doesn't smoke tick or knock at all, starts right up.

Everyone at school calls me Desko or in a teachers case its Mr.Desko. Desko=last name- nick name

It's fun playing with the Mrs, huh Geno.

Mine used to be my four wheeled wagon. ... But this has taken over since I got it in July. Via Tapatalk 4

Make sure that the regulator is properly grounded.

That "old lawnmower" will still be running when the new box store tractor poops out. Sent from my SCH-S720C using Tapatalk 2

Absolutely superb gazza Excellent work

Lane. You are well represented with the wheel horse brand. Thanks for sharing. Glenn

Bet you will next time.

And if Iowa blows this one, it will be the last time I choose them! Rob

Ha! Sorry I missed you. I've always been in construction and when we bought our first house, I asked the guy if he wanted to train anyone and he said yes. 8 months later I was a solo home inspector. I'm an independent contractor, but I work with a guy that schedules me through his company. I love the freedom and I love the work. The free stuff isn't bad, either.

Again, how do I become a home inspector?

Mine was simple, I drive the only Dual Drive Horse in the UK, which as far as I know was the first one built, though there are a couple in the USA now I believe.

Thanks Don, my neck was starting to hurt.

If you can get the onan running good, why not use it till it quits? Keep it serviced as normal and run it.If it never quits, good thing. If it did ever die, you would have a fresh kohler waiting on the shelf. You are going to have to fix the wiring either way. I say use it.

Geno, You can use the blades without the extension kit, but the blade will rub on the front tires when angled. The extension kit should include three parts: 1)Rear bracket that lengthens the frame by 4" 2)Handle with a bend that brings it back far enough that you can reach it from your seat, and will clear the PTO 3)Frame brace with a new lift point. Now that the frame is longer, the original lift point is too far forward. If you are lucky, you might also get a bar that gives you down pressure on the blade. Very similar to the bar on the mid-mount grader blade.

The old Horses plowed earth and snow very well too!

Many years ago, forget the models, used RD decks. The Horses were pull starters. I was a prototype sheetmetal layout man, made decks using 316L stainless steel. Covered with red paint of course. Used the cast iron parts from the rusted out deck during the rebuild. Rust be gone forever! Wifey loved the Horses and their rear discharge decks, towed a large Jackson sweeper. Riding, easy enough to mow frequently. Healthy for the lawns too! Should never mow taking more than one third of the grass off the top. Enjoy the ride! Mow, mow, mow!

My brother helped me setup my first email account and at the time I was really into the band static X. We tried multiple things and came up with fan of static X and blended it together to come up with fanaticx. It was taken so yahoo suggested fanaticx _ 19 99. 1999 was the year.

My 1054 is my favorite tractor right now. good luck fixin her up! Mike..........

Glad this post got pulled forward -- I have a 37" and a 42" and I am continually struck by differences -- Big pluses for the 37" are that you can grease the spindles and remove blades without removing the deck -- Not so for the 42" -- Also the discharge distance is noticeably greater for the 37" -- This could be bad and good -- It is bad because you have to make 3 passes discharging onto uncut grass if you want to avoid grass clippings/piles on a walk, in a bed, against a structure/fence; BUT conversely the good is you don't need any power assistance to bag with the 37"

Sorry to be off line for so long and for not finishing up this thread. I got interrupted by a wrecked Jeep that had to be made road worthy and then a partial engine rebuild on the replacement Jeep, in addition to the other work 'round the house and grounds. in any event, the column and steering box rebuild went pretty well. The only issues were the wrong size stud or finger noted above and I did not end up doing the thrust bearing on the pivot. Reinstallation went fairly well without any problems -- just some contortions to get to the nuts and bolts. The supply of the rubber dash grommet from a member was a great final detail. Photos of the work in progress. I did not take any of the re-installation or even the finished job. The steering is much improved but I think I was too conservative on how much to tighten the follower finger or stud into the worm gear. I am going to tighten that up. Next step is to replace the spindle thrust bearings. Thanks to all the folks who provided comments in support and especially to those who posted their own experience and photos. All were helpful. B/R John

Lane, this post is 6 YEARS old. Haha, digging around in the archive room again?

You may resume your hoarding good sir . Actually, all in all, that bum CL seller saved me over two hours of driving and plenty of gas! (Found this one less than 30 minutes away). It needs plenty of PB blaster and grease to get her back in running form again. The motion control lever was frozen in place and the parking brake too. I am torn because I love the 520 (and that onan sounds amazing) but I dont like how much gas it uses. I will never be turning a 60" deck or 2 stage snow blower, so I know I dont need that much horsepower. I DID want the gear reduction steering and the swept axle to improve turning radius... So we shall see. I love all the gauges.

Ok. One phone call from gene. Belt guard on. Works perfect. I never would have thunk it. BIG THANKS GENE.easy fix. Glenn

The grease fills the void on the inside of the hub between the bearings. This allows a little grease to protect the bearings, but more importantly, it keeps the hubs from filling with water when running through puddles or when plowing snow, etc.

I have several grits of emery paper from 80 to 1,000. What would you start with and do you stick to one grit or progress gradually up? I am sure there will be some jealous guys around here. They are already making remarks about why anyone would go to so much trouble for an old tractor. The truth is I will know it is there and that will not make me happy. I don't care if I have to repaint the thing 5 more times, I am going to get it right and to my standards. That's just me. It won't be as good as some folks can do but it will be as good as I can make it. Why go to all this trouble to settle for less.

Come on Gene, leave a few for the rest of us . Man, if I had your shop, my life would be complete.

Ok Here is another Thanks Duke

It's easier to ask, What don't I use a Wheel Horse for? Basically I use them for just about anything, if it involves Manual labor.

The wife asked me to clean the bathroom, so I used the WH to get the pressure washer up to the balcony.