520-H Motion Control Lever

[Pollack Pete 2,273]

I'm slowly bringing my 520-H back to life.I cleaned the carb and put on new fuel lines and filter and got that Onan twin purring like a tiger.Went to take a test drive around the yard and the motion control lever doesn't seem to go far enough forward.It will go far enough to make the tractor move,but barely.It goes in reverse just fine.I disconnected the control rod on top of the tranny and the cam-like part moves fine. Even with the rod disconnected from the tranny,the lever still will hardly move forward.It feels like its hitting something solid.I sprayed PB blaster on all the pivot points.Still no luck.Anyone here ever run into this problem? I have a 416-H to compare it to and the motion lever on that one goes much farther forward. This is a 520 with the control lever between your legs.Thanks for any and all help.

[SousaKerry 503]

This sounds like a problem in the linkage between the lever and camp plate. To test this I would jack up the back end of the tractor and secure it on jack stands so that both back wheels are off the ground take off the fender pan and seat. Disconnect the cam plate from the transmission control lever( the one that goes into the transmission.) Start the tractor and engage the drive, then move the lever back and forth by hand. If it moves as it should (be very careful of the unguarded spinning tires) then your problem is the linkage if it does not then you know the issue is internally in the transmission.

[Pollack Pete 2,273]

Update.........Took the seat pan off so I could see things a little better.It appeared that the rod from the motion control lever to the cam plate was binding up on the cam plate end.Looks like a previous owner had operated on this before.It was missing a spacer between the cam plate and the hiem joint on the end of the linkage,thus binding up.I took the bolt out and cut a 1/2 inch long piece of 1/4 in steel pipe nipple.That was it.Lever moves all the way forward now.This tractor is F-A-S-T.Probably why the last guy sold it.Oh well.Win some,lose some.

[Ken B 3,202]

Pete you are going to love that 520. I can't wait to push some snow with mine!

[WheelHorse_of_course 100]

I had the same symptom on my 69 Charger and it was a twig that got under the plate somehow.