Another 520 finds a home

[Dieselcowboy 210]

Finally bought a 520. Been looking for a few years. Now I need some help.  Can anyone get a year on this one?  Serial # of 41200xxx1 and 14157.  And why would it have a swept front axle and no gear reduction? It is a Toro model.  It has a 48" deck. 860 hours,

[Shuboxlover 481]

Must be a 520-HC or like a 90 520-H

 

They had swept axle and no steering reduction....but they are fast!!!

[Dieselcowboy 210]

Just an H. Not an HC. Has all the chrome. Have seen others this way also.

[ericj 1,579]

they did't start putting the gear reduction steering in until 92 so the 90 and 91 had the forward swept axle but not the gear reduction steering. pictures please

 

eric j

[cheesegrader 433]

My '91 has both a forward swept axle AND gear reduction steering.

It is model 41-20OE02

I'm guessing you have a '90, and the model should be 41-20OE01.

'88 and '89 have the hydro lever between the legs.

'90 should be on the right hand side of the column

[MalMac 1,332]

What cheesegrader said, you got a 90. I personally like the steering. Unless you are using it for a 2 stage, front end loader or 60" deck I don't see where you need it. I have had both and the reduction is great for those attachments. It's more a matter of personnel preference I can see the ease of the steering with reduction, just twice the work. Congats on your 520, It's kind of a landmark tractor. First to have the controls on the steering column.

[546cowboy 302]

Yes that would be a 1990 and that was the first Wheel Horse I ever owned. Really a nice tractor and that is why I have owned 5 of them. I still have two, a 1989 and a 1988 HC roller. 1991 was the first year for the gear reduction steering and it does make a difference IMO but some like the regular steering. I always put a spinner knob on mine with whatever steering I have. With the gear reduction it is a one-handed operation to steer.

[AMC RULES 37,196]

[Dieselcowboy 210]

Thanks guys, I will be getting pics on here. Not like you have never seen one but I sure am proud to have one. Little show off never hurt anyone.  I do have an ARK 550 loader that will eventually be put on this. The gear reduction is on the bench wait to be installed. Bought one a while back for the c160 and never got it in.

[oneroadkingman 53]

sounds like a nice find for sure i personally have never seen one yet .cant wait for some pic's.

[Dieselcowboy 210]

Here is the pic. It needs some work but what doesn't that is 23 years old. Should be plenty one topics on the forum to help me fix the problems it has. Engine fires are runs perfectly though. Thats a good start. Most of what I have is going to be electrical.

[AMC RULES 37,196]

Nice lookin'  machine, congratulations. 

[Jake Kuhn 1,579]

Looks pretty nice!

[Sparky-(Admin) 23,196]

The first thing I would do if I was the new owner of that tractor is take the engine tins off and totally clean every nook and cranny of grass clippings and all buildup of crud. Pretty much clean the whole block and cooling fins to be sure there are no cooling issues which seems to be what causes the most headaches for ONAN owners. Maybe even vent the beltguard by the rear cylinder.

 Good luck with her!

Mike........

[cheesegrader 433]

I agree with Sparky.  Clean the holy crap out of it!

Change all the fluids and filters, consider synthetic oil in the hydro, especially if you use it in the cold.

Clean the fuse box and replace the fuses.  Amazing how much grief debris in the fuse block has caused me.

Grease everything.  Put anti-seize on the hitch pin.  Put a spinner kob at 8 o'clock on the wheel and.....

DRIVE IT LIKE YOU STOLE IT!!!!!!!!

THE POWER!  THE POWER!!! AH HA HA HA HA HAAAAAAA!!!!

 

(and get rid of the stupid screws holding the covers over the rockshaft.  You will curse every time you strip one.

Trust me.  Mine are now stainless steel button head hex bolts)

[cdsl810 181]

I've got a 1990 520-H as well and love it. The only issue I have had is with the wiring. I ended up replacing the fuse block with weather tight individual fuse holders. And I applied dielectric grease to all 9 connections on the 9-way block. No more electrical issues. I considered changing out the steering to the gear reduction version, but haven't... It's actually easier to mow around obstacles with the standard steering rack.

The only other design snafu besides the two main electrical complaints is the parking brake setup. Not a fan, mine is very finicky.

Running synthetic oil in the hydro makes a difference.

The 520 is a beast! Enjoy it.

[Dieselcowboy 210]

What weight of oil goes in the hydro? I am assuming it will be engine oil?  Should I stick with a WH filter on that or Cross over to a Napa brand? I did clean everything out tonight with air and the pressure washer. Do have a few more questions for the experienced ones here. It will Not start off the key switch. It is not getting power to the solenoid wire at the starter. Any ideas here?

Also I think my charging issue is the regulator. It has 40ac volts out of the stator and under 9-10 out of the B+ of the regulator. Am I on the right track?

The brake pedal also wants to push the hydro handle forward. Must be an adjustment to it.

It is very powerful and thirsty just as most have said here. Thirty is not good at $4.25 a gallon though! Anything worth having you have to pay for I guess.

[cdsl810 181]

10W-30 for the hydro, it takes about 5 quarts. The NAPA filter is good, but I prefer WIX. They make a hydro specific filter. The WH filter is too pricey for me ($24 at the Toro dealer). I had a charging issue and it ended up being the fuse block. But the regulators are not bulletproof by any means.

[Dieselcowboy 210]

Do you know what the part # is for the hydro filter?

[cdsl810 181]

Wix#: 51410

The big chain auto stores don't seem to stock it. I buy mine at a local old-school auto parts place, you know the kind that has stacks of yellowed parts catalogs at the counter.