Leaderboard

I've wanted one of these A-111 for awhile. Just thought they were some thing different and kinda unique. But never could find one that was descent. But I came across this one a week ago and the guy finally called me yesterday. So I went and got it. Picked her up for $60. It is pretty solid and was sold cause they couldn't figure out how the deck went on. I just got to figure out which belt goes on it. I believe this is a 1980 and they say a 70 or 72 inch belt.

My best chance at a pretty original '66 156 LR......so bam !..... I took it. Other than the rear tires and a few decals....it seems pretty original to me. The little son-of-a-buck could not run any better. Bump the starter and it purrs from idle to full throttle. I have an original complete 156 deck so that sealed it for me. I dont plan on touching the paint except for a gentle washing. I heard linseed oil might work to kind of sharpen up the paint but who knows..... Feel free to let me know what you think.......$300

Snagged this in a tool trade Saturday night. Got the tin off cleaning out the grass. Not anything there. Only showing 301 hours. Battery evidently leaked in the past, or froze up and cracked. Drain tube from battery is above deck. Acid apparently ran out on deck from the drain tube and ate up the deck. I am in the market for a very nice 48" deck and dozer blade. I think this really is a 300 hr. machine. I love the sound and feel of the Onan. This thing screams!

Show doesn't start until Wed. But I got up there to stake out my spot not knowing the rain situation tomorrow. Garden tractor feature this year!!!! Feature area starting to get some exibits: Steamers: Nice Allis IH Orchard 40 Flea Market starting to fill up

Here's what I got, sory Mike @squonk no no pics of the Power Kings, shame too as there was just about one of every kind. Lots & lots of my favs...these little Farmalls...another nicely done G for ACman This guy cracks me up as he is always at all the local shows just tooling around on his LR!

I have a "1975 Dealers Sales Manual" covering, I guess, EVERYTHING that Wheel Horse was offering---- its over an inch thick and is crammed with ALL the accessories, attachments, etc offered that year, and there is a LOT of them. There was a dealer in a small town south of here that passed away and the son came in to try an clear everything up. Groundhog and I made 3-4 trips there hauling off jewels to junk. There was about 8-10 of these manuals in a falling down shed and we hauled them off, 2-3 were in BAD condition, had been in the rain. I made a copy the "Confidential Dealer Price List" pages listing all the tractors with the different ways they were fitted out - tires, PTO, 3 point, etc. This is quite an eye opener!!

There were 2 A-111 models numbers used in 1982 23-11BP01 23-11BX01 The mower decks would come with the tractor so suspect the difference is the 32" 2-blade deck using one belt and the 36" 3-blade deck which uses 2 belts. The 32" deck shows 2 belts but suspect there was a change to the idler system only.

"FINE---if you aren't gonna let me pull in the 3500# class against Dan, I'm just gonna to park right in the middle of everything and pout!"

I've got two D-250's.One runs great.One is a parts machine..As long as you've got other running tractors,I'd buy it .All other Horses feel like a dwarf once you sit on a D-250..You have to be patient searching for parts.I think that's half the fun of this hobby.You'll get the crap that a d-250 isn't really a Wheel Horse.Well,they were sold by WH dealers,you could get parts and service at WH dealers.Got WH decals on them.Close enough for me.Kinda like saying if a Ford,GM,or Chrysler product was built overseas,they're really not a Ford,GM, or Chrysler..I always say there's 2 kinds of Wheel Horse collectors........those that have a D-250 and those that want a D-250.

I don't have a "D 250" and can only go by what others on here have said. A bad hydraulic hose is a bad hydraulic hose no mater what it is on; that is just deferred maintenance. When you say it has a bad coil it makes me wonder, is the motor running or is it a non runner and the seller said it just needs a coil? If it only needs a coil why wouldn't the seller invest a few dollars and ask a lot more for a good running unit? Considering the fact that these are a stand alone unit and parts availability is questionable I would want to hear it run and drive it before adding it to my herd.

Saturday I had approximately 20 ton of asphalt millings (they really pack down hard and tight especially in the hot sun) delivered to "floor" the new horse barn and few other things around the yard, the eMax saved my back and a 520 packed it all down, getting closer to adding a storage shelf or 2 and getting the other and attachments in there plus building some doors, Jeff.

Welcome you have a 1972 Charger 12...Great Machines I have 4 similar ones... Some Manual to help you No matter how fast I try Gary always wins

I saw them and was tempted to get one of them to tool around the steam pageant with but I got so much going on already I decided to pass. I had one of those back in the late 80's .

We got an old guy with a HEAVY European accent with a Lawn Ranger with a diesel at our steam pageant every year. He tows his wife around on a sulky. He absolutely flies on that thing and she has to hold on for dear life!

Put me down as a LIKE. You found a very nice one...check our Manuals Section...should be something there on how to attach the deck.

Hah this picture reminds me of a little kid that just got yelled at with this arms crossed, would be a good one in the quote this picture

520HC's are less common than 520H's, if that matters to you. They're said to be geared to run a little faster than a regular 520H. They will always have the forward-swept front axle (which eventually was applied to all 520s in later years) so that they can run the 60" deck. (FYI; the forward-swept axle also makes fitting the plow blade more challenging-- it requires the lengthened frame to accommodate the forward-swept axle, so just any old front blade won't fit.) Inspect the frame carefully for cracks in the middle, around the pivot for the lift arm. If this tractor ever ran the heavy 60" deck, cracking in that area is a known problem. A welder can repair and reinforce it there, so it's not a showstopper, but it's something to be aware of and look for. 48" decks won't overstress the frame. All 520 models should have the reinforcement plate which prevents cracks where the frame and transaxle meet -- so that's not likely to be a problem area on 520s. Although the HC is a slightly "simplified" 520 (fewer gauges), it can still be subject to the same electrical gremlins as any other because it has the same safety switches as any 520. It uses the same 20-horse Onan engine and Eaton 1100 hydro unit, so service issues are no different and well-documented in the forums -- there shouldn't be any surprises. Just be aware that it might need some attention given to the wiring and try to see if the engine has been kept clean enough -- grass packed into the cooling fins can indicate potential heat-related issues with the Onan. Give it a good inspection -- look for the possible frame cracking at the lift pivot, look for messed-up or damaged wiring, check the overall condition of the engine and hydro unit. Test the hydraulic lift if you can, and look for leaks. (But a bunch of oil and grime on top of the transaxle and hydro unit doesn't necessarily mean there's a problem -- they tend to accumulate spilled oil because they're not easy to fill through the dipstick tube.) A loose hydro motion lever that won't stay where you set it isn't a big deal -- usually the friction bolt under the seat just needs to be tightened. Unless it's been beaten to death, any problems you find are generally fixable and just worth negotiating over for the final price. Go in informed, but unless you spot something that really turns you off, go for it!

Well I finally have enough done on my 414-8 to show you all my progress. I built a front 2" receiver hitch that will allow the use of a mule drive and snow blower, The weight bracket is a 4x4x14" steel tube filled with lead (85lbs total not counting the suitcase weights.) The sleeve hitch works with a 2" receiver hitch, I have a 500 lb linear actuator controlling the height of the sleeve hitch. I plan on removing the actuator and adding full hydraulics to this tractor some day. On a side note...i'm really loving the new tires. 414-8 414-8

yes for a 520 with a swept axle

Wash that ol' timer down, using a red Scotch Brite pad... then a quick rub&buff using some of this. Protects that original paint, & give's it that nice warm glow we're all looking for. Pict here illustrates the before and after results you can expect to achieve.

Lane, that looks like a lift cross bar for a dozer blade for the 520H.

Not sure what it means to NOT spend 300 hours, $500, and 20 trips to get parts before enjoying a beer and a ride but I may be able to get used to it.

Just to add my I like it.

Welcome to the forum. Garry

We've got one too... been thinking about doing a nice Kohler twin upgrade for it.

I was poking around in the Manuals Section. I think you are right (1980), but if you notice yours has that 23 on the front of your model number...all of the material that I saw for 1980 in the section had 03-11BP01. That 23 or 03 might be why 2 belts. BTW...the "B" stands for Briggs engine and the "P" stands for Peerless Transmission. I believe the 01 equates to 1980. The rest @gwest_ca will have to explain. Maybe call your TORO dealer and ask them. That horse may be new enough that you might find someone knowledgeable at your Dealer.

Hi everyone, I thought I would share a few photos I took while out in Bloomington, MN. I am in charge of equipment repairs for a golf course management company on the east coast, and went out to Toro's headquarters for a week of training. They really are a top notch company, and you feel like your walking through a museum as you go down their halls. They seem to have every product ever built on display! Here are a few to start. Bill

On Fri. I helped my friend Willie set up his saw mill & then we got his 36hp Frick steam engine fired up to cut some lumber. Leveling the mill is quite time consuming. After sawing for a while Willie decided that he wanted to hook up to the rock crusher for a while. Here I'm using my 3500lb tractor to position his 8500lb engine and get the belt lined up. The 36hp Frick had no issues running the rock crusher. This 1930's Oshkosh truck with a Waukesha power unit mounted on the back also took a turn at running the crusher. This is an Allis Chalmers steam powered generator. This generator once ran the Monarch appliance factory in Beaver Dam WI. There were a lot of hit miss engines as well as other small engine displays. With mowers to boat motors as well as advertising, this Reo display was quite impressive. For odd balls & customs I found this Scatmobile. I also like this custom Farmall M? Well the hood may have been from an M. For those who are into plowing, this may be the wrong color but the home made trailer plow was very cool & well done. The feature tractors at this show were Ford & farm equipment that was sold by Sears. This Graham-Bradey was an item once sold by Sears. It was great hanging with @WHX11 & Cindy for a while. I also had a great time with @PeacemakerJack and his great children. Caleb definitely has the tractor bug for sure. My favorite part of going to tractor shows is seeing friends (new & old). I had 1 casualty at this show, my Rat Rod is currently in sick bay. I'll start a post on it when I find the problem.

For those attending Dover Olde Tyme Days next week, here is the Show Flyer with details. Also, if you are not local, be aware that there is a bridge construction detour located below. See you there!

I'll never live this one down, lol. My wife tells me I need to be more serious

Here is a picture of one from another thread. Brass plate is on the hood.

Its a joke leaning on the 420LSE model they only made 200 of. They had tags riveted to the hoods that you could have the owners name engraved on. Yours has a tag riveted to it hence the lse comment. Oh well.... it was funny when I thought of it.

That is one of the new fancy ones we walk past while looking at our old stuff.

I think it would be much easier to take the engine out of the 518 and put it in the 414. I see nothing wrong with doing this swap!

Ok, so I tried it again and it seems I finally got the rear locked in. Not sure why I had so much trouble to begin with. I thank you all very much for your help. I absolutely love this site!

Does this help??

They alll mount the same....on the B C and 300-400-500 series.

I own a A-81 all thanks to @ol550 and mine for sure is getting a upgrade ! Tracks anyone ... for my new Big Show power chair ! Just need some evil geniuses to help me out ??? @

Excellent pictures you guys...thanks for sharing those. Looks like Jim changed his handle...I think that means he is keeping the 753. I kind of knew he would keep this one.

@wheelhorseman...this is the guy to answer that question. Plus, he has those cables for sale if you need one.

I like it , but it is a little ugly. The cable on that deck stretches over time so you may need a replacement. I like @AMC RULES idea of the Kohler Twin, that would make it really move and probably keep your hind parts toasty.

Finished the 704 this morning after picking up a new muffler and drive belt for the deck. Now she can sit proudly with her stable mates in the barn. Thanks to everyone for their interest in this project.

This is great to see, a real trip back to the '80s! We sold these, as well as Ariens and Toro (before they bought W/H) rear engine riders. The A series bath tub design was good, but Ariens was our top sellers for rear engine riders back then. Thanks again for posting this for all to see! C-85

Boy does that statement bring back high school hot (rat?) rod days....right up there with "hey buddy... grind me a pound"

X 100 Interesting old thread resurrected. Back in the 60's there was a blurb in the owners manual about only depressing the clutch/brake pedal part way when shifting while in motion. That is probably the major reason for so many chewed up 3523 gears and input shaft/gears in the older Unidrives. Heck, I remember back when my age was in the single digits shifting my dads Suburban 400 and 704, both bought new, like he shifted the car. I can still hear the grinding. I know at least one of those tractors, if not both, were traded in due to the infamous popping out of 3rd gear syndrome. I can only imagine what those transmissions looked like inside. There's absolutely zero reason to shift 'on the fly' and doing so will only result in a damaged transmission.

Looks like a great show. The Graham-Bradley is one I had never seen; very highly styled. Wonder if there was any connection to the Graham Automobile, they too had a unique style too. Thanks for sharing the pictures and information.

Here is a good place to start. On my tractor, you have to take the seat and seat pan off to get to the friction adjustment

Here's mine

Seems you missed a comma. The brochure said transmission, synchronized differential and super power reduction gears. It didn't say the transmission was synchronized. Feel free to shift on the fly, Wheelhorse Parts and More has the parts you will need to rebuild it.

I would say swap wiring but, the 518 uses more gauges. once you strip the hydro linkage out of the 516 the manual linkage from the 414-8 will go right in the 518 chassis. there was a guy down at Berryville VA show that had done it to his 516. in the end it is your tractor, take your time and study both tractors and decide for your self witch way you think will be easier for you. we will be here to help and give advise, maybe some bad at times lol but here to help you the best that we all can. good luck eric j