Hidalgo-Caleb’s 520HC

[PeacemakerJack 10,768]

 

I’ve been looking for a 520HC for about a decade and haven’t found the right fit (price, distance, condition) until recently. My son @Coulter Caleb is purchasing his first house and it has an acre and a half of land in addition to a 125’ driveway. He needed a solid tractor for mowing and blowing. Then this one popped up on the local marketplace. It was owned by one man most of his life until his passing and then was inherited with an estate purchase. It is amazingly clean and original. The wiring is in fairly as produced condition. It ran great when we picked it up but it had several details that needed attention. 

finding a staple instead of a fuse was more than a little disturbing.

this idler pulley was too big and the drive belt too worn and so it slapped on the frame rail making an annoying sound. I also noticed that none of the gauges were working on the dash (long story short, someone installed the wrong key switch). The tach and the rectifier were both toast and after finding some suitable used pieces with the correct key switch we were in business. Tractor was running good, charging good, and driving good 👍.

then I pulled the fender pan, changed the rear end fluid/filter installed the rear hitch and cable (he may want to plow with it 🤔) and added the brackets for his bagger. Started the tractor several times to circulate the fluid while raising and lowering the deck. I was getting excited now!

beefy looking horse💪🏻

I have never owned one of these (I still don’t technically—it’s Caleb’s) and I am amazed at how heavy duty certain items are!

 

The last thing on my list was changing the oil and filter, then it was time to cut the grass. After the oil was changed, I started the tractor, went to grab something and came back just in time to hear it die😡. It sounded like it ran out of fuel. I checked the petcock and it was on. I started it again, and it ran for three or four seconds and died, then it wouldn’t start. After sitting overnight, I got it to start again but it only ran for about 10 seconds, then died again. 
 

Any thoughts on what to check first guys??? I don’t want to go on a wild goose chase.  I’ve checked and lubed the 9 pin connector. I have the replacement key switch with good connections and lube.  I’m wondering if it is the trigger module but I don’t know how to test that and I don’t want to take the flywheel off unless I have to…

 

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,670]

 

[cafoose 3,469]

1 hour ago, PeacemakerJack said:

I’m wondering if it is the trigger module but I don’t know how to test that and I don’t want to take the flywheel off unless I have to…

Mine was the module. It ran fine when cold but died and wouldn't start when hot.

 

 

[peter lena 9,398]

@PeacemakerJack  noting your reference to that  drive belt IDLER PULLEY , known for  lubrication failure , referral to belt bounce is typically  incremental  bearing  lube hang up  . causing stop / start  bounce , have made a point of  enhancing all of my idler pulleys , with similar  / yet different  pulley  , allowing a  wide grease shield bearing  , hi temp polyurea grease , eliminates belt bounce , might also consider  , adding  some vent slotting  on your drive belt  guard ,  local , metal shop , can easily punch in what ever  set up you want , bring over  the guard  , and ask , pete

 

[ebinmaine 74,176]

Nice find! 

[953 nut 61,686]

23 hours ago, PeacemakerJack said:

It sounded like it ran out of fuel. I checked the petcock and it was on. I started it again, and it ran for three or four seconds and died, then it wouldn’t start. After sitting overnight, I got it to start again but it only ran for about 10 seconds, then died again. 
 

Any thoughts on what to check first guys???

I agree that it sounds like a fuel system problem. To confirm that I would suggest mounting a temporary tank above the engine so it will gravity feed gas to the carburetor. If it runs well then probably just needs a new fuel hose 

[c-series don 10,445]

You probably already ready did this but I’ll say it anyway. Did you make sure the gas cap is venting? Or try running it with the cap loose?