515H and 520 H sliding seat adjustment?

[Gary S Minnesota 58]

I recently picked up 1995 520 H to sit along side my 516H.  The 516H has been in my garage for close to a year now.  It was a basket case ( a few boxes)  when I brought it home as a non runner.   I spent a lot of time trouble shooting safety switches and other electrical issues.  The 16 HP Onan with the Eaton 700 now runs sweetly!   It will probably replace my older 312-8 as my go-to mowing machine this summer.

The 520H has the Eaton1100 Hydro so it will probably become  my snow blowing machine.  (It also came with a nice Wheel Horse snow cab.)  Again replacing the 312-8 that mowed and blew snow faithfully for 26 years!  The 312-8 still looks good  and runs really strong with over 1500 hrs on it’s Magnum 12.  I really can’t say enough good about those 312-8’s.

The H series tractors both have a sliding/adjustable seat.  Lever on the side on the 520H and in the front/center on the 516H.  Question:  The 516H seat will slide fore and aft maybe 3”.  I can’t get the 520H seat to slide at all??  Almost feels like there is a solid obstruction or “stop” in the track somewhere?

I’m probably overlooking something really simple?  Can anybody help?

 

[lynnmor 7,847]

Those adjustment tracks wear quickly.  You can try removing them to clean out the debris, inspect for wear and lubricate.  If you can get to a position that is acceptable, you might want to leave it there.  Another option is to make blocks so the adjusters can be eliminated.  Most aftermarket adjusters will need work to make them fit.

[JCM 10,247]

1 hour ago, Gary S Minnesota said:

 Again replacing the 312-8 that mowed and blew snow faithfully for 26 years!  The 312-8 still looks good  and runs really strong with over 1500 hrs on it’s Magnum 12.  I really can’t say enough good about those 312-8’s.

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

1 hour ago, Gary S Minnesota said:

 

 

[Handy Don 14,117]

19 hours ago, Gary S Minnesota said:

I can’t get the 520H seat to slide at all??  Almost feels like there is a solid obstruction or “stop” in the track somewhere?

If a PO changed the seat, it may have been attached using screws/bolts that block the slide action.

The slide I have has welded on studs for one rail of the slide but relies on bolts to attach the seat to the other rail.

Edited March 26, 2023 by Handy Don

[Gary S Minnesota 58]

Well as suggested, I removed both seats and gave the tracks a thorough cleaning starting with a pointy object and compressed air.

Then sprayed everything with Blaster.  Used the compressed air a second time wiped clean and finished with a light coat of oil.

I found there are tiny ball bearings in the slide track assembly.  Could not see them till after the cleaning. Being they are so small (1/8” to maybe 3/16th diameter?) it doesn’t take much dirt and debris to foul them.

Both seats now slide/adjust smoothly.   Also found some cracks in the seat safety switch wiring.  Used some QRC contact cleaner and dielectric grease on the plug ends and good quality electrical tape over the tiny cracks.  Hope that all works our OK.

Thanks for the responses!!