Need some encouragement from you guys

[CDLdrvr 0]

OK I have finally joined the forum. I have been reading posts for a couple months now and you all have been a great help. Now I need to ask some questions of my own.

I have long been into Cubs and owned a few green tractors now I have purchased RED and sorry to say, so far I am really regretting it.

I bought a 1993 520 H with the stupid front mount mower. Every dealer I contacted in my area is completely baffled by this front mount unit. They say they have heard of them but none have ever seen one. Which brings me to my next complaint. The Toro/Wheel Horse parts site is so stinking confusing it's no wonder not one dealer here is able to find anything for this unit. Two were able to give me a belt size and part number ... both were wrong. The others simply could find nothing at all for it. I finally went old school with a string and tape measure and NAPA got me a belt that seems to be working just fine.

After settling the belt problem, and then the fuel problem, now I find the tractor is not charging. I was taken for a ride when I bought this thing. I was assured it was in perfect operating condition. My butt is still sore. The former owner has cobbed things up so badly that it is a nightmare. There are bare wires everywhere. Spliced wires everywhere. Wires with plugs just hanging everywhere. He added a toggle switch to turn on power then you must turn the key to engage the starter. Oh, and he "restored" it with a shake can paint job and no masking tape. I finally scraped the gauges clean. The headlights are still black, but they only flash for a second here and there anyway ... with the switch off. But best of all I need to trace all the wiring to straighten things out, and all the wires are either red, or black now. I even have the brake working which he swore the tractor never came with ... he had no explanation for the pedal with the big letters that say "BRAKE".

I have always believed WHs were quality machines ... that's why I bought it. But trying to get parts and help with it is really leaving a bad taste in my mouth. I know my Cubs and I know Kohlers. I am completely lost with WH and Onan. I am really trying to give this thing a chance. I have NO PROBLEMS with the power. Nothing stops it or bogs it down. The problem is getting it to be a reliable machine to mow with. I did not want a restoration project. I needed a lawn mower. I just bought a Cub 124 this week, and I am seriously considering sending this 520 down the road as soon as it is up and running.

If anyone can help with a wiring diagram or even someplace to purchase a new harness please let me know. I am not giving up yet but I'm getting close.

PS I live in southeast Ohio between Zanesville and Marietta. I have seen many of you posting on here from the Ohio area. I may be entertaining offers for the whole setup OR I have seen many of you wanting the front mower assembly. The previous owner has stripped all the ID tags, but I was told by one dealer that searched over 30 mins for some info on it that it is a C5 - 50ZS03 50 inch front mount mower deck, but then the belt size and part number he gave me were WAY off so ??? How bad do you want it? It has no holes or damage on the deck. It works fine. I am using it to mow now. It surely needs paint and decals because it is not pretty. I have no clue if there are covers (guards) to go over the pulleys but as far as I know it is complete. I would rather have the belly mower which I have seen offered for trade in other posts (so far I have acquired a mule, and a lift arm) and I sure could use some wiring knowledge. I will check on here for replies or you can email me direct CDLdrvr@yahoo.com for my phone or directions. Please put Wheel Horse in the subject so I don't delete it. I can get all the pics you want but I am in the sticks on very poor dial up and would take me HOURS to upload them.

Thanks

[C-Series14 15]

First off, welcome and sorry you are having so many problems. I will say you just have a typical situation where things were not taken care of properly. I, like so many others have tractors WAY older than your 93 520 and have no problems what so ever so it is just a case of a problem that needs fixed. All of mine are older models, getting parts is easy if available, and they are a well built machine. I think you just found a bad apple!

First problem is, that deck is for a 724-Z zero turn mower. A picture would be interesting to see just how they accomplised this. There are several members here with 520's that will chime in. They don't list that deck as an attachment for the 520 according to my info...

They did make a front mount mower deck carrier that could handle the 42" and 48" SD decks, I had one and it worked great.

Others will chime in and help out AND correct me if I am wrong about this setup!

[Martin 2,133]

pm sent

[bigd 0]

a picture of the tractor would be great help narrow the year down try this number as the model on toros website for a 520 31-20Oe01 go into the manuals section and look at the demystificaction guide for your wiring harness diagram there was a wiring harness listed on ebay that may be an easier way to go than fixing the mess a po made.the 520 is a good tractor but its a touchy beast as far as being maintained.onans are a pita they work good but need to be maintained very well.kohlers are a lot more forgiving.between me and my brother we have 3 520s we had charging problems on all three your problems are probably in the harness,there are several good posts on here for checking that if you were closer id come help you.

[JUSS10 250]

please dont let one bad tractor make you think all wheel horse machines are poorly built or lousy. it sounds like the previous owner really screwed this thing up. my opinion would be to unload it, try and get your money back and find a machine in better condition. it sounds like you jumped the gun by buying this one. you talked about it being wired and rigged and spray paint on everything, i assume this was all visible while looking at it? it just sounds like it would take a lot of work to get it to a state you are "happy" with, so why not try and find a tractor that is in the condition you really want? Just my .02. welcome to the forum and if you do decided to fix this up, from my experience, the people on this forum are more valuable and knowledgeable than those at my local toro deal.

Justin

[CDLdrvr 0]

Yes Martin I know full well I probably got the rottenest apple in the basket.

All you guys that read this post are probably gonna hate me now but hey .... I have tried to get red fever for years I have owned 2 "round hoods" as you refer to them and a round hood Lawn Ranger. The problem is they were someday projects that nothing ever came of because none of my "associates" knew anything about WH and my garage was full of Cubs and Deeres.

There is NOTHING wrong with WH other than my parts difficulties. The two biggest problems with this 520 are

1) I know nothing about it

2) Neither did the previous owner

There are some people that should be thrown in prison simply for owning a tool set, and I believe this guy was one of them.

I joined the forum for two reasons, either I could get the help I need, OR if I do decide to give up the 520 will get the home it needs with somebody on here that can rebuild it properly. Taking on a very abused machine is tough for somebody with no experience with them. I am willing to give it a shot. When I get really depressed I just jump start it and go mow stuff down and that always makes me remember why I am doing this. This tractor is an animal. I bought it because I just bought a 1900 farm house that was abandoned for over a year. In spite of the mechanical difficulties the 520 attacked the hayfield they called a lawn and barely broke a sweat.

As for the Zero turn numbers, I am pretty sure that info was wrong since he told it took a 123.8 inch belt that was WAY too long. I was also told it took the same belt as the belly mower (103 inches) which was too short. Right now I am running a 107 inch with everything very relaxed so my next purchase will be a 106. I have also been told this deck will work underneath, and that it will not. Like I said ... I don't know... my confusion is not getting anything fixed.

[littleredrider 409]

Like already mentioned, there is (or at least was) a complete wiring harness on evilbay. If that is gone, I have one off a 91 that I took off. Only one wire was cut, think it's a ground.

These tractors are simple in design and to work on. Since you work on Deere's and Cubs, just not familiar with them. I'm the same way with the JD425 that my mom has. You got someone elses basket case. They "fixed" it just to get rid of it, probly cause they didn't know what they were doing.

[JUSS10 250]

I'd say your best bet for getting help on this machine is to go take a ton of pictures and get them posted here on the forum. it will save you a lot of trying to explain whats going on. Pictures tell all, I'm sure that will get the deck issue figured out. if you need help posting pictures, i know there is a thread that i think is at the top of one of the sections, otherwise just ask and someone will help!

Justin

[boovuc 1,090]

Hi and welcome officially to the site!

You said you owned some round hoods and with the purchase of your 520 I can state that of all the wheelhorses and later toro classics..........the Onan powered 400 and 500's were probably the most problamatic. Most all of the c-series and earlier tractors and the kohler/B&S powered tractors after the C's were very well engineered and could even handle previous owner abuse. The Onans and the Toro/Wheelhorses with the instrumentation could not. If they were maintained and garaged kept, they last forever. If they were rode hard and put away wet, they are going to be basket cases. It sounds like you have a basket case and the PO spraying they wiring didn't help. If you need the schematic for it, give me a PM. There is a trouble shooting guide available. In regard to the front mount mower, I tend to agree with the others that a picture can help us identify if you have an older front mount that accepts the standard belly decks or if you have a "custom" fabrication on that unit.

Why do we own these 400 and 500's if they can be a headache from time to time. You said it best. The 16, 18 and 20 HP P series Onan is a beast on these machines. When they are working well, I've never mowed or blew snow with anything like them.

BooVuc

Mill Hall, PA

[CDLdrvr 0]

Like already mentioned, there is (or at least was) a complete wiring harness on evilbay. If that is gone, I have one off a 91 that I took off. Only one wire was cut, think it's a ground.

Evilbay is out Years back I was a "Power seller" and we had a difference of opinion regarding some non paying bidders. When you sell some big ticket items and they want you to wait 3 or 4 months for them to "handle it" but they want their commission NOW! 'nuff said about that. I don't do Ebay.

How much would you want for your harness?

And to clear my reputation ... the jerk I bought the tractor off of was leaving his wife to be with my sister in Florida. They were high school sweethearts back in the early 80s. I drove 2 hours and we just loaded the 520 in my truck at midnight in the dark so he would have "traveling money". I figured hey, it's a WH whats the problem? Not like it's a Murray or an MTD. I was supposed to buy a Cub that same week to mow with, and figured WH is just as good. He never told his wife he was leaving. She was calling daily to see how his "sick friend in Florida was doing". He is back in Ohio now and hiding from me. My sister insists I video our meeting if I ever catch him.

I will get pictures shortly at try to get them up ASAP but may not be until late tonight when my connection is a little stronger.

[C-Series14 15]

So the deck possibly isn't the VIN you were given. SO, how about you measure one of the blades, tip-across center hole-to opposite tip. If this is a WH front mount mower deck carrier, then the deck will fit underneath.

I am here in Washington Court House and if you need help, myself or some other SE Ohio guys are willing to help. It has my curiosity!

[CDLdrvr 0]

OK guys I just took a dozen pictures of this thing and can not for the life of me get them to load ... It tells me "error: you can not load files of this type"? They are JPG files.

This is a new PC and its probably this lousy Windows Live BS. It won't allow any other program to access my photos except Live photo gallery. I will keep trying.

Thanks for the kind words from Washington Courthouse, I am outside of Athens and the 520 came from Circleville. Any help at all would be GREATLY appreciated!

I like quality stuff and I like old stuff. I don't mind dropping some money into this thing to make it right, but in the meantime it has to pull its weight. I need to be able to get on it and mow without problems. Everything else can come later.

[mavfreak 11]

:woohoo:

you may be using the wrong link code to post pictures.

[Martin 2,133]

OK guys I just took a dozen pictures of this thing and can not for the life of me get them to load ... It tells me "error: you can not load files of this type"? They are JPG files.

This is a new PC and its probably this lousy Windows Live BS. It won't allow any other program to access my photos except Live photo gallery. I will keep trying.

Thanks for the kind words from Washington Courthouse, I am outside of Athens and the 520 came from Circleville. Any help at all would be GREATLY appreciated!

I like quality stuff and I like old stuff. I don't mind dropping some money into this thing to make it right, but in the meantime it has to pull its weight. I need to be able to get on it and mow without problems. Everything else can come later.

best way to get the pics up is to use photobucket. when uploading just have your camera plugged in and take them straight from there.

there are threads on the forum on how to use photobucket if you are not sure.

[CDLdrvr 0]

Front mount

If this link works this is the exact front carrier I have, although this one is in better condition. My deck is similar, however my height adjustment is on the opposite side and comes up higher and has a "handle" bent over at a 90 degree angle. And as I suspected the sheet metal covering the belts/pulleys on mine is missing.

I found an ad listed 7/1/11 for a 520H for sale and it has an awesome pic of the deck. It seems the only piece I am lacking to mount my deck underneath is the rod that locks in to the quick attach. Mine has been removed and there are two short carriage bolts attaching it to the front carrier frame.

[C-Series14 15]

I am betting you have a 48" deck on the carrier. You would just need the rod that is removed so you can bolt it to the carrier. It is installed at the front to make it work under the tractor. It locks into the mid attach-a-matic on the tractor.

[305 380]

here is how i understand your situation......you failed to properly inspect the machine before buying it. this inspection would have shown the crappy paint job and wiring mess caused by previous owners. and this is somehow Wheel Horse's fault?

[Operator 7]

here is how i understand your situation......you failed to properly inspect the machine before buying it. this inspection would have shown the crappy paint job and wiring mess caused by previous owners. and this is somehow Wheel Horse's fault?

Easy here :woohoo:

[can whlvr 994]

for part number and pictures of the breakdowns go to www.partstree.com,enter toro then enter 73501(1993 520h)and you can get all your part numbers,www.toro.com gives you the same thing but i like partstree its simple and the same part numbers as toro,,im pretty sure that deck will mount on your tractor once its removed from the front frame,maybe you might need a harness,but i have not seen one in person,but from the link you posted it sure looks like it mounts the same as on the tractor,and if you dont like the front mount you could sell it,the decks are the same and you may only need to get a belt,which is very common and can be purchaced at any place as long as you have the part number,which we can help with if you need

[stevasaurus 23,292]

Hey CDLdrvr...that 520H is a great horse...sounds like it will take a little time to straighten it out, but I guarantee you it will be easier than working on one of those green guys. Like was said, we really need some pictures. Get an account in Photobucket (free)...up load your pictures...use the IMG code to copy and paste in to a post here. Now we can see what you have and can walk you through anything you have to fix up. There are many members on here with 520s that would be glad to help, and there are members around you that may be close enough to come over and help. In the end...I think you will be glad you got the horse...I also think you would be glad to run the guy over that you got it from. BTW... This really is the best place to fix what ails the horse. :D

[JimD 3,347]

If all else fails, be a sophomore and pour some beer on it.

Seriously, you've gotten some great advice here and it will only get better. A huge amount of expertise on this forum to be shared. These guys know their stuff!! :woohoo:

[boovuc 1,090]

Hey CDLDRV,

This is a good thing from what I saw from the pic you posted. It is a deck carrier and as others chimed in with, that deck will mount to the mid-mount once removed from the carrier. (Just need to make sure all the parts are there).

That said, the standard fare belt will turn it over.

In regard to "305's" rather terse comment, many of us have purchased a dog product and held the manufacturer in contempt. We here on RedSquare are somewhat passionate about .

Please don't take it personally. I know you can turn a wrench on a yellow or green tractor with your eyes closed. If you hold onto that 520, you'll learn it and come to appreciate how quick the attach-a-matic implements attach and disconnect quicker than the tractors you know. You didn't abuse that machine. Someone else did. It can be fixed.

Good Luck!

BooVuc

Mill Hall, PA

[305 380]

maybe some will view my comment as "terse" , it wasn't meant to be. if you view it that way i apologize

the fact is i live in reality and i call it as i see it. i'm tired of people not taking responsibility for their own actions and blaming others .

[WH nut 553]

Welcome to Red Square. Just take a couple of deep breaths, grab a beer and settle in. We will help you get the old girl whipped into shape. You have the makings of a beautiful machine

[JimD 3,347]

maybe some will view my comment as "terse" , it wasn't meant to be. if you view it that way i apologize

the fact is i live in reality and i call it as i see it. i'm tired of people not taking responsibility for their own actions and blaming others .

I'm beginning to see a small man casting a long shadow here. <_<