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Most expensive problem is probably a bad valve seat on the rear cylinder. Compression should be in the 110-120 range on both cylinders. Second would be a bad hydro pump. Make sure you get it up to temperature and run it for a while to make sure you don't lose power as it heats up. Next, I would make sure all gauges and lights work. Electrical problems are common. Volt meter should be 14 volts when running. People will just jump electrical problems instead of correcting them. This leads to problems with bypassed safety switches. I personally don't care about the seat switch, but I think the safety switches on the PTO, motion control lever and parking brake should all work. Look at the cooling fins around the engine. If they are dirty, or worse, oily and dirty, you run the risk of early engine failure due to overheating. How is the lift system. Is it all there? does it work? Does it leak? Is the steering tight? New tires are $400. How long will the current ones last. Has it been run regularly, or is it a barn find? Does the engine surge? These are awesome tractors, but on 20 year old machines, there is always something!

It is a cool sign so I made a smaller banner to hang in my shop.

This winter I have been stashing some Wheel Horses at my brother's pole barn as it has allowed me to have more room working on the tractors at my house. This winter I asked him if I could use some of his space for some rent....he offered to store the Wheel Horses as long as I mowed his grass in the spring (6 lawn cuts of 1.5ac). Well the other day I was there and I looked in the barn and I thought....oh my, I just might have a serious problem with Wheel Horses 3-520-H 3-520-8 2-C-161-8 C-161-A 520Xi 518Xi C-145-A 314-8 3 dozer blades 2 Hardi Sprayers Grader Blade So I took this photo to remind my self to quit buying tractors....though I doubt it will work. As you can see from the photo of my 10 year old son wearing his Wheel Horse shirt.....he clearly has a genetic predisposition to have Wheel Horse Fever (He has 7 more Wheel Horses that he keeps at my Dad's house Thad (Needing Help, in Ohio)

The vinyl is wrapped around and glued to an inner thin steel panel that has nuts welded to the inside. This finished pad is then bolted to the seat pan which also clamps the vinyl between the two steel plates. I also lace the pad to the inner panel with heavy waxed cord to stretch it tight. This is what I had to start with on my Commando 8. The back was broken off the seat pan and had to be rewelded and finished. Then laid out and made the seat and back covers. Attached to the steel inner plates with glue and lacing. Then bolted to the seat pan. Hope this gives you an idea...good luck.

If I may add: 1. If you have a compression tester, test the compression of the Onan's cylinders. Minimally, ask if you can pull the plugs and see if the rear cylinder is blackish, fouled. (Very important)! 2. Run the tractor enough to get the transmission up to operating temp to check for a bad tranny. (forward & reverse). A hill is a great way to see if it slows to a crawl while climbing. (Very important)! 3. When idling, make sure the idle is smooth and doesn't race up and down. 4. Pull some of the fuses and look for pitting on the fuse ends caused by heat build up. 5. Make sure the lights work and all the gauges & idiot lights work. 6. Look for cracks where the transmission bolts to the tractor frame. (Very important)! 7. Look carefully around the engine shroud for grass and gunk deposits in the cooling fins. You can't see for sure unless you tear the tins off but If they are apparent without removal, beware of an overheated motor. 7. A 520 may look real nice but make sure you don't pay too much for one with a lot of hours. Any 520 with over 1000 hours in my humble opinion isn't worth top dollar due to potential valve seat issues on that engine.

I just got the sign today. Very solid and heavy gauge steel sign. Got it hung in the barn!

When I found my '90 520-8 the frame had split at the trans. Whoever did the repair, by the book! An excellent repair. The idea of owning a 520-H is in my Horse head! At 67 I'm thinking, "Easy lift, no shiftin', easy." Good luck with your search!

So, the answer to the question: Will a chrome heat shield from a 520 fit a smaller series muffler? YES I'm going to take better pics and start a seperate thread in the restoration section later this week because it seems like a common question. If you can live with one attachment screw passing through a horizontal vent louver vs. the vertical mounting louver (which I can) then there's no modifications necessary. It's a little bit longer too off the rear of the muffler, but I'm fine with that too. I like the bling and even being a little larger than the muffler, I'm glad I took the gamble.

Don't ya just hate it when those horses jump up on your trailer or the back of your pickup truck and follow you home. Well, not really, but then you have no choice but to keep them... as long as the wife isn't keeping score. Nice collection you have there. You definitely need a few Suburbans though... maybe even an RJ or two. :-D

Here is a better quality pic. I also received the original snowplow attachment.

I posted in the thread - what's in your mirror about this tractor. I figured since I am going to be doing some work on it I may as well start a thread on it. This tractor was purchased from Baerpath this past weekend. He bought it was and never got around to doing anything with it. The lower wiring harness caught fire and the PO shut it off and put the fire out. He then sold it and I ended up with it. I have been looking for an xi series tractor for a while but the current owners had them all priced at what they should be (too much for me). Knowing this one needed work Baerpath gave me a good deal on it. I already replaced the burnt wiring with Fireman's help yesterday and I did a nice job soldering all the connections. Jeff looked up the parts that were needed and I ordered them. They will hopefully be here by the end of the week. I had some free time today so I started to pull the sheet metal off to take a look at what the underside looked like and get it cleaned up. Well here is what I found... After a lot of cleaning with the pressure washer I was able to get it nice and clean. I plan on touching up some areas on the frame to stop any rust and while the tins are off I may just have to sand them down and paint them. I think I will really like using this one so it will by no means be a show piece rather a nice clean worker. I was told the decals are NLA so I guess Terry may have to draw these up....

I have a Wheel Horse 633 with a Kohler K141T engine. Unfortunately the piston rod broke due to a low oil condition last season. (Shame on me!). The cylinder bore is 2.875. The only replacement piston I can find on line is 2.975. I believe the crankshaft can be salvaged. I am going to see if I can get the block bored out unless anyone has a better idea. I really want to get this tractor running again. It is the same tractor I mowed our lawn with 50 years ago. I would love to be able to pass this amazingly durable tractor on to one of my grandchildren. All suggestions appreciated.

Good evening, My name is Tim. It's my first time on this forum, and hope to learn a lot from you experts. I have been handed down a 50 year old WH 855 by family, which appears to be in very good shape. It hasn't been run in a few years, but properly winterized and taken care of exceptionally well. I have a friend who can help me get her in working order, but im not sure where to start, where to find parts and how to find a local expert (central Ohio). These items have been recommended so far: points (I don't know what that means), plug, condensor, air filter, oil, grease zerks, clean the carburetor, sea foam fuel system cleaning and a fuel additive since our new fuels are tough on old systems...are these items all accurate? What else must I do/check/replace? All advice regarding the above topics, plus estimated total cost would be greatly appreciated. I am just a horticulturist, far from a mechanic, and want to truly understand my new machine. Thank you kindly, Tim

I've been tilling my garden with my 520. The next day i put some lime on it so more plants would grow. So who has been tilling their garden lately? With what tractor? Maybe some pics?

Those are pretty clean fins. Apparently the engine has not developed any oil leaks. Here are some pics of an ONAN P216 engine with about 1,000 hours on it and the prior owner did not get the memo about cleaning the fins. So, if the cooling fins are not kept clean and get to look like this (I already scraped some grime off the bottom before taking the picture): Then the engine will overheat and the inside of your engine will look like this.

They are awesome tractors. I had mine since 1997 and i still use it today. I tilled, plowed ,blowed and mowed grass with it. The onan engines in them are good but parts can be very expensive. Good luck!! Dave....

He is. He's old enough now to take care of himself! ....I think!

I love reading and following this post.....but I hate it as I won't be there this year!!!! The last 3 years out there have been a blast and will definitely be thinking of all of you while you are there. Who is in charge of keeping track of Steve's mug this year????

Mike, Just don't go home....hide out until show starts.

I miss the hat and stogie brian

My 10 yr old has it worse than me, lol. Don't know if you can see it well, but he has a cast on his left hand that is Wheel Horse Red👌🻠Thad

Thanks Stevasaurus!! I will check it out.

Click on this link...it should explain the whole thing. It seems like we have had a few of these happen lately. Let us know if this helps you.

My First car was a 68 Camaro RS. It had been resurrected by a body shop fella on the side.....So I got a low mileage car in 80. My father who was a mechanic on the side assured it was not bent etc so I was able to get a steal of a deal. This photo is is off internet and not actual. only difference is mine had Aluminum ET Wheels. I miss that car often!

Only a few more days!!!! Ok who is loaded and ready to roll???? Not me.....from all of the different things going on, it seems like there is going to be a ton of stuff there this weekend. A lot of deals already being made! Bring some cash and enjoy the day!

Now I can see that and the larger tie rods would be stronger too, however the Bell Crank is still a weak point but not to worry it will all work out for the better! Going to be a Super Tractor for sure!

Here is an operator manual Garry

Incurable !

I needed several gaskets contained in the kit...if I were to buy them individually it would have cost about as much. My plan for now is to clean it up the engine as best I can without taking anything else apart, put it back together and see what Ive got. I got a new fuel pump...the old diaphragm was rough looking and it was $19 to replace...a new pump was $29. I had no idea if the checks in the old are good so a new pump was the best option. I'll give the JB Weld a shot on the oil tube...i believe they make high temp JB Weld, I'll pick some up tomorrow. If I'm not compfortable with the fix I'll just fine a replacement. That's the plan.

I will have a round hood someday. But there is only one model I have been looking for....854. I have always kept an eye out for them, but I only want one that is complete and has good metal. Thad (Ohio)

PM me with a list of what you want. Ed Mayhew works 2 miles from where I live and I will try to get in touch with him.

Now we can get serious. Actually it won't be long until it gets its first load. It is a Sure Trac 6'x12' Tube Top Utility..

The cable is the same length on both of them 20 1/4" the difference is the clevis on the end of the cable the B-80 will need the short clevis witch is 2" long and the C-175 will need the long clevis witch is 3 1/8" long.

Don, howdy neighbor! I live over behind the NAPA on the south end of town. I find myself getting the cart before the horse on this 416. I need to get it running first, but I find myself on other projects for it. Today's project: 303 SS bearing shaft round stock. Should be good to go!

Thank you for your response. I've included a few pictures this time. Looking thru the gallery I was not able to pin down the model. the hood and the deck seem to be square. the battery is under the seat. It does have a pulse pump and the symptoms are: runs fine for a few minutes then have to leave on choke to continue. I guess my main concern right now is to find out the model.

Now that's interesting. The info sheet that Lane posted shows 2800 RPM, but the manual does say 1800... I wonder if the info sheet was a misprint? Assuming this is supposed to be run on the outside PTO pulley, the ratio is 63%... So at 3600 rpm that puts the rotor at about 2300 rpm... right in the middle... However, I would say that they probably don't have their engines running at WOT, so if you put engine speed about 3000 RPM, you get 1890, right on target. Thanks Garry!

If you JB weld that oil tube, make sure it's super clean. As far as brazing it, not sure that will work. The fitting that mounts to the block I believe is cast aluminum. If JB does not work there probably is some special heat/oil proof adhesives out there, but you might just be better off finding a replacement.

I have one that has only been used about a dozen times in its lifetime. It was purchased new in the 1970's by a man who used it to cut up his cornstalks on his garden three years in a row. Sat for about 35 years in his garage on a wheeled stand his grandson made in school shop class. This thing mounts very nice on the Wheel Horse B and C model tractors, MacKissic still has the Wheel Horse Operators Manual for this online and it can be downloaded free of charge. Look for 9WH for 74 -Operating-Maintenance Parts Manual. The round hole screens in the bottom of the hammermill can be changed to make the final debris cut smaller or larger. The hammers on the Mighty Mac shredder/hammermill are heat treated for hardness and can be turned around after worn. The 9WH Mighty Mac made for the Wheel Horse attaches to the front attach-a-matic with a small frame -seen in the last picture. Note the guard placed around the drive pulleys that run with a belt off the Wheel Horse PTO. Looking down the chute into the hammermills that turn inside-very fast to chop leaves, twigs and small limbs, etc.

I'll be the biggest kid there. Down to days and the weather looks good. Should be an excellent day to finally start the garden tractor season.

That looks like a real nice machine and well kept. I kinda like the look of the plastic rear fenders myself.. Whatever you spent it was money well spent and it is totally worth getting the missing parts for the deck. That tractor will last a lifetime if taken care of. Take care of it and your son will be handing it down to his kids.

Looks great for sure however for the record....... if you ever give me crap about oiling up my patina tractors I have your quote...."finished waxing the transmission and frame" ...... thanks for the ammo ! lol

This was the only thing on the entire tractor that had any sign of rust. Very odd. Thanks Terry for the great decals! Yeah, I know the parking brake decal is slightly off. Being as anal retentive as I am, it gives me a nervous tic every time I see it. Lol. Pisses me off.

Between my legs and the "Junk" I haul around.... Now that is hilarious!!!

Tom- Thanks- Before and after photo.

Thanks to Bearpath, I was able to get 23x10.5 rears on 520 rims and 8" wheels for the front with the shorter spindles. The rears cleaned up mint. They need a light scuff and some fresh paint which will happen before the weeks over. I wanted to test fit them though. So much better imo. I gave the fronts a blast and quick prime. Added a little cheese to knock out a few minor pitts too. Jason hooked me up with a sweet set of Carlisle turfs for the fronts too. Slowly but surely the 310 is coming along.

Just pull him out of school for the day and call it a field trip!

I don't know about that. This beauty only cost me 50 bucks and it is also in showroom condition. Oh.....what! I mean its in bathroom condition! Matt! That machine you have is beautiful! No wonder it's being retired! Thanks for posting the pics!

Lawn and Garden Tractor Magazine & HAPCO will be there!

Case in point Bob, even your three caterpillars covered all the bases and their fuzzy tails just like the pros. And they did it w/o 12 computer models and a BS in meteorology degree. I always attempt to stay clear of or take the middle ground on all the important hotbed topics, i.e. politics, Onan, religion, Tecumseh, and weather forecasting. But after enduring the weather in SC Pa for 70+ years , I feel almost as qualified as the fuzzy bears to predict the weather in this area. So here are my forecasts for SC Pa. Tomorrow---- The sun will positively shine between sunrise and sunset although it may be obscured by clouds at times. There is a chance of rain or snow. Winds will be out of the NSEW at 1-100 MPH. Long range 2016 thru 2020 We will experience warm summers with average temps exceeding 50F. There will be frequent late afternoon thunderstorms with lightening and sudden downpours. Our winters will be cool with average temps less than 70F. Some snow and or ice is guaranteed during Farm Show Week.

Sorry I can't make it this year , had a wonderful time last year , hoping to make 2016 Hope you all have a great time