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Hello All, "my boy" made me proud today and brought back a lot of memories for me.... I can remember the day I got my Varsity coat--27+ years ago..... I felt like I was "the man" . He has turned out to be a better person, student and human being than me and I'm glad... he is doing extremely well at the Culinary program at Windham Tech and shows a lot of focus and promise. Me ---I just "got through" High School and never really figured out what I wanted to do with myself. I turned out all right and make good money as an I.T. Tech but there was a lot of luck in it for me. Its all about family and I'm proud he's mine!!! Tony

4-13-1970 Apollo 13 oxygen tank explodes On April 13, 1970, disaster strikes 200,000 miles from Earth when oxygen tank No. 2 blows up on Apollo 13, the third manned lunar landing mission. Astronauts James A. Lovell, John L. Swigert, and Fred W. Haise had left Earth two days before for the Fra Mauro highlands of the moon but were forced to turn their attention to simply making it home alive. Mission commander Lovell reported to mission control on Earth: “Houston, we’ve had a problem here,” and it was discovered that the normal supply of oxygen, electricity, light, and water had been disrupted. The landing mission was aborted, and the astronauts and controllers on Earth scrambled to come up with emergency procedures. The crippled spacecraft continued to the moon, circled it, and began a long, cold journey back to Earth. The astronauts and mission control were faced with enormous logistical problems in stabilizing the spacecraft and its air supply, and providing enough energy to the damaged fuel cells to allow successful reentry into Earth’s atmosphere. Navigation was another problem, and Apollo 13‘s course was repeatedly corrected with dramatic and untested maneuvers. On April 17, with the world anxiously watching, tragedy turned to triumph as the Apollo 13astronauts touched down safely in the Pacific Ocean.

I agree with all of the above! I couldn't believe it. My 312-8 was given to me as well, but I spent good money to have it 100% re-built correctly and bored over. I did have to by my 857 but I have $350 for it from the original owner. I have my eyes on a nice C-105 (not my favorite hood style) but it's in excellent condition. First gear is out so I will have to learn more of the transmission trade. Also, eyes on a C-100 from original owner with all original attachments and unopened snow blade in the box. It does help that there are a pleatora of Wheel Horses when you live in the state they were manufactured. And only 3 hours south of South Bend.

My go to "tool" - Duct Tape - stands proudly on your poster above...although I admit I've moved to Gorilla Tape now - way stickier and holds twice as good. Maybe they could have landed on the moon and completed the mission if they had it back then... In any case - remarkable story of skill and ingenuity...

Someone gave me this 308-8. I believe it's a 1986. All original. They said it would run, but I removed the gas tank and cleaned it, along with the fuel line and new filter. Removed the started and put new springs. Cleaned the carb and gapped the plug. She fired ride up. However, the starter sounds like it's grinding a rad and it smokes a little. For free? Can't beat it. Trees were growing from the seat when I got it. Put air in the tires one time since last fall. Great little find. The deck is in great condition, as well.

As we all get on in years its about what we leave behind..You can be proud of your contribution to the world when you you look at this fine young man you call son.JAinVA JimAnderson Gloucester,Va

Hey Y'all. I've been using this site as reference while I try to get my 520H running. While reading up on this lawn tractor it has become apparent to me that this is not a run of the mill lawn mower and it could very well be something worth saving. As you can see by my user name I am not a fan of yard work. This lawn tractor was offered to me for $600 (by home owner) when we purchased a home that sits on a 5 acre lot 6+ years ago. During the first year or so I was doing the yard maintenance with this machine. I had some complaints about how difficult it was to do simple maintenance on it. Such as replacing belts or removing the deck to replace blades (48" cut) and it consistently leaked hydraulic fluid. The fact that it would take 8 hrs to complete the task due to hydro temp light and belts slipping did not help in gaining any appreciation for yard work, not to mention the dent it put in my motorcycle riding time. (Nice enough to cut...Nice enough to ride!) Needless to say by the second year I was interviewing different lawn care companies and threatening to buy a large (60" or more) zero turn mower. Well after five years of listening to the excuses of why they haven't been able to do our property and how they don't know how this or that got broke or tore up, I have pulled this machine out of the barn. Yes... It set for five years! 1/2 tank of fuel and no cover. It's been a bit of a challenge just to get it to run. New battery, oil / filter (2), plugs and drain the old fuel + filters. I was able to cut for about 15 minutes before it started running poorly and surging. This did not come as a surprise after sitting for so long with no storage prep. Being a motorhead by hobby and at times out of necessity I saw no big challenge here and dove in... WELL ? !! The model sticker that would have been located on the left fender just under the seat was nonexistent. That was the first challenge. I just used the engine I.D. tag to get started P220G - I / 10955G. While this pointed me in the right direction I found out as I went along that the actual model number provides a lot of the information that I needed and will need as I go along. I have successively been able to re build the carb and replace the fuel cut off and grommet on the tank. While researching this lawn tractor I have found a new appreciation for it and what it is capable of. I believe this machine to be a Model 73502 and built in or around 1996. The decal and emblems clearly states it to be a TORO 520H WHEEL HORSE. The parts I have purchased so far have been a little pricey. This combined with what I have read leads me to only one conclusion. This is a quality machine worthy of being restore to her former glory. The issues I have experienced are simply from neglect and poor maintenance. I am surprisingly looking forward to this endeavor. I have been able to locate much of the items needed for a complete restoration mostly in part thanks to this site. I look forward to the advise and assistance of all of you while I do this. I have never given any thought to restoring a lawn mower. I'm an old bikes and cars guy. Thank you for your time and have a nice day.

I put a new seat on one of the tractors today and made a discovery, I had never took any notice of the seat springs before, so I didn't realise that if you put them on upside down you can gain 2-3" of extra leg room. Of course if they're already upside down by turning them right side up, you can move the seat forward for shorter drivers/juniors. If you were already aware ignore, but it might help someone get comfy.

So the grandfather in-law is a self proclaimed hoarder. He has two barns full of old tools, trailers, and junk. I recently purchased a new house and we were talking about getting a riding lawn mower to both mow and plow snow. He says he has an old mower in one of the barns and if i can get it out, i can have it! Low and behold i dug out an old Wheel Horse Raider 9! It is complete and stock. It was in decent shape but could for sure use some TLC. I got it home and here is my progress... Here it is after i pushed it around the garage 20 times while i moved in and got settled. It had wheel weights and flat tires. IMG_2770 copy And as i started digging into it. IMG_3076 The battery obviously is shot and the wiring harness has been chewed on by something. I ended up cutting out some of the wires because they had rusted together. IMG_3077 IMG_3078 Pulled the head off to see if it was all rusted out before i tried turning it over. If it was seized i was going to put a motorcycle motor in it. Oh well... IMG_3079 IMG_3080 I got tired of cleaning the head by hand and cleaner. I got this angle die grinder on sale from HF. Also picked up some fine abrasive pads for it. Worked great. IMG_3411 IMG_3412 Learned these things can get a little squirrely. Set it down on the bench and it turned on and grabbed my glove. Luckily it just burnt my skin a bit. IMG_3413 Got the tank off and started looking at the wiring. It is a mess. Its clearly been spliced into 5 different times and chewed into. I am trying to find a wiring diagram but everyone I find has a different layout. IMG_3414 IMG_3415 So two questions, is there supposed to be play in the rear-most pulley on the trans? and does anyone have a good wiring diagram i can use?

@Nagzz4423 I usually drain the milky fluid and put in some kerosene and drive around in all gears. Don't try to be a Cowboy, but use ALL gears to get he fluid circulated. Drain it and do it again. I do this at least 2 times, and sometimes I have to do it a 3rd time to get "clean" kerosene to drain out. I let it drain overnight then I put the 80-90 gear lube in. Make sure you have a good shifter boot or you may get water in the transmission again!

Tony,,,,its gonna be getting warm soon....one of those evenings while your rocking on the front porch,,,take a look "inside" and tell the young mans Dad He did a good job !!!!

Deglazing I would use a dingleberry hone with a high grit count. and lots of clean motor oil . Any type of hone wether a ball type or three stone will not remove an out of round condition, they only file what already exists because they are spring loaded. If you need to remove an out of round you have to machine the block. Thanks @Whx61/3 but I wouldn't say I'm the pro. Leaving internals in yoy are risking running grit through the motor. After honing yoy will want to wash it thoroughly.

SSSHHH....I'll pay you twice what you paid for it...Deal? You got a smoking good deal!

Time flies by and suddenly the little kid that aggravated the heck out of you for years turns out OK, could be the result of good parenting.

Positive proof right there... the best things in life are free.

I would NEVER EVER hone any cylinder with a crank and cam in place.You risk contaminating the oil when refilled.You cannot clean the grit from the cylinder and engine interior with any degree of certainty.If you doubt what I say, ask any reputable engine shop or machinist about that.Hone a bare block only. JAinVA JImAnderson Gloucester,Va

If I were you... I'd start clearing out some more storage space. Be forewarned, these 's tend to multiply like rabbits.

I know what your going through. All fired up and waiting to work and held up. But the small mini projects help fill the gaps. It looks like new again!

Waiting for motor rebuild kit and rain every day so I started to.work on some small parts. Cleaned the fuel pump and started cleaning the carburetor. Fuel pump was easy but the carburetor is going to take some work. Also put the starter/gen back together with new bearings, brushes and stud insulators.

I like the idea. It's not really hotrodding but just a power boost. It's really a simple swap. Some minor changes to the PTO, maybe the control cables and that's about it. That is assuming the K301 has the proper specs. The right side motor mount holes will hang outside the frame. The correct oil pan will have tapped holes so you can run the bolts up from under the frame.

OK. I've already learned two things. 1) It's a GARDEN TRACTOR. 2) Y'all like pictures. I'll take a couple when I get to the house. Just did the carb today. Have to install it and the new fuel cut off and grommet. The rear of the tractor is in several pieces at this point. I want to pressure wash it before I go back together.

Hopefully you are not torquing the locknut as well. If you are, you are actually loosening the set screw as it will "raise" the setscrew. I'm not sure I would use red locktite on something you may need to take apart.

Was the axle and hub oil film free when you used the loctite? Did you use loctite primer? I had problems with a GT-14 That kept coming loose and the hubs were loose on the axles. I found some .002 shim-stock and cut it to fit inside the hub. Cleaned everything with brake clean, primed, and red loctite. Used for 3 years now with filled tires on snow blower duty and have not moved at all. Just hope I don't need to pull them off.

I replaced some of my set screws with socket head cap screws with lock nuts. I prefer UNBRAKOs if I can get them.

You do realize that draining the oil and filter change you are NOT getting all of the old oil out of the system, there's approximately 2+ quarts still in the pump and hydraulics that never really comes out unless you COMPLETELY tear transaxle/hydraulics system apart and start fresh,so question how does Hygard interact with motor oil and being that tractor is 20 yrs old how will it effect seals and such being a thinner weight? Leaks? Such something to ponder...now if you are coming off a complete tear down rebuild new seals gaskets ect and starting fresh it may be a different outcome...my ,Jeff.

Unfortunately I'm the seller of a CL listing currently, I made plans to show my truck to a lady last night and after she was an hour late she wouldn't answer my phone call to see if she was still coming or if I should go be with my family inside. It works both ways, on CL and off I suppose. You just hope that the next person you come across has some decency in any place or time.

welcome aboard, just remember, it's not a lawn tractor, its a garden tractor

Alright gentlemen, it has been addressed. The old belt was too narrow and stretched a bit. New Huskee belt from TSC solved the problem. I also but the belt guides on correctly. I will later take a look at the idler pulley, and add a few washers. There is definitely quite a bit of space where that bolt goes. Once again, thanks for the help ya'll!

Since others have mentioned honing a cyl without stripping the engine - I too dont strip. Over my lifetime (quite lengthy) I have probably rebuilt over 100 engines and have never had a hint of a problem. A little common sense in flushing the cavity afterwards IS needed.

to the M1n1on. That's a great project tractor. Was your wife's Grandfather the original owner? Is he involved in the redo? Don't let these Kohler lovers scare ya. rules

Amcwheel85 Ditto on all the above post. They will never forget these times. They will pass it along to there kids I am sure. As long as there are parts for them then. 30 years +

Nice looking 308.I've gotten 2 free Wheel Horses since I've been in the hobby and neither one looked like yours.Neither of my free ones ran.............and they still don't.My favorite flavor.........FREE

Nice herd! Must be nice to be amongst all the stallions. Where I live they're like finding hen's teeth. See them shiny gums there?

Looks like she had a great time, that tractor ain't yours anymore!!!

Sure Tommy, I might have to charge delivery fees plus appreciation value. I'm thrilled with both tractors! Look forward to seeing you at the show! Steve, I had thought about the same thing. Make a similar bracket and add some regular suitcase style lawn and garden weights. I think I could get a set of weights that are plasma cut for about $100. They weigh in at 11lbs each and you get 5 for that. I bought a set for Emory's suburban and they look and work great. Only thing would be if I use it to push snow that I'd have to remove them. How much would that affect handling in the snow? Too much I'm afraid, but then again my driveway is straight and we usually only have to plow out 2 or 3 times each year. Good thing about being sick is it gives you plenty of thinking time so you don't rush into anything! I also thought about bending up some sheet metal to the shape of a set of weights, capping one end, filling with concrete and then capping the other end. I don't mind a little fab and welding work.

Tankman has the answer. The belt is on the wrong side of the guides at the engine pulley. It should be below the top guide and above the lower guide.

All you can do is give it a try, if it isn't struggling to pull it then there shouldn't be a problem. Check the temperature of the Hydro every few minutes, that would probably be the greatest fear.

Freebies are always good that's how I got my 1277 and my 701

Some folks have all the luck lol,, that is a super nice machine buddy,, congrats !!!

Remember, parts is parts. Besides... they're not making any more of these lil' guys.

My 856 a couple summers ago.....good times!

Are your belt guides (# 10 & # 14 below) positioned correctly? Huskee Kevlar belts on the shelf at Tractor Supply. They're "green", meaning "oil resistant". Inexpensive. Your belt really appears too long (?).

Socks and Wonder Bread wrappers in the boots!

I've been plowing snow with a for 50 years. Never knew I needed one????

Interesting ....I am surprised GM was still using mechanical brakes in '34. My first car was a '30 DB (dodge brothers) and it had hydraulics.

Well good for you. You scammed him right back and he deserved it. But that's when you should have low balled him to 80 bucks, he might have taken it. LOL!

I had an adventure with a CL user when I got my 854 with mower deck and wheel horse lawn sweeper. The ad said make offer so I emailed him to let know I was interested. He emailed his phone number so I called and made a deal for 100. He said he had 2 other people coming to look at it so It was first with money in hand and he would remove listing if sold. Fair enough. Still listed that Friday so I called to make arrangements and he would not answer. I went back to ad to email him and the listing was for 150. He still would not respond to me so I had a co-worker email him and had a reply in less than 15 minutes. Set up a meeting time and I used my company cell phone number to call him. Met that Saturday and he said about 5 people had looked at it but it needed too much work for them to tackle. So I made an offer for 100. and he even loaded it in my pick-up for me.

semper5, If you like the answers and help you get here consider becoming a supporter.Running this site depends on our support.I for one believe I get more out of this site than I can ever give back.JMHO,JAinVA JimAnderson Gloucester,Va

Mr Digger, ,,,I have been a member here foe several years....i am not very technical....when i talk....i give no useful information...... i have not rebuilt a transmission....,,,,However,,,,team spirit is a plus,,,i consider all here that i have talk to as Friends....those i havnt,,,will be ,These people offer training wheels on a bumpy road..they .let you express frustration,,,and generally agree...with you.... We are all normal...no addictions..all pals.......one shoe, sock and tractor at a time.!!!!! Come to the BIG SHOW,,,,in Pa.......bring a Mash Pole Sign,,,,,,and pull up a lawn chair....