leeave96 490 #1 Posted October 18, 2013 I've got a line on a 520H with swept forward front axle for a parts tractor. One of the things I'm considering is swapping the steering from front wheels to steering wheel from the 520H to my 314-8. I am sure some of you folks have done this swap. Question is, how difficult was it, is it a direct bolt-on replacement, do I need to replace all steering components between the two, if you did this mod, was it beneficial in the end? Kind of hate to mod the 314-8 as that was my first Wheel horse tractor and bought it new, but would appreciate the gear reduction steering and tighter turning radius. I would also swap the wider rear tires from the 520H to the 314-8. Any input/advice would be much appreciated. Thanks! Bill Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zieg72 209 #2 Posted October 18, 2013 I am in the middle of that swap onto a 416-8. Looks to be pretty straight forward however a decent amount of work. Well worth it in the end as I have 2 520's right now and I prefer the ease of the steering Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bitten 134 #3 Posted October 19, 2013 I just finished this conversion on an 8 speed the other day. The front axle was a direct bolt on. The gear reduction I had to drill 2 holes in the frame and trim the bell crank. You will need all the steering components from the 520. The tractor isnt finished yet but just sitting there with some weight on it it seems to be a lot easier to steer but more revolutions from lock to lock. Really not bad to do. I also put bushings in the axle for the axle pin to ride in and for the spindles. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
leeave96 490 #4 Posted October 20, 2013 Great info - thanks!!!!! Bill Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wheel-N-It 2,976 #5 Posted October 20, 2013 Good idea Bill !!! I've thought about doing the same thing to my rolling 520 but just cant make myself turn it into a tractor that will never run again. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
leeave96 490 #6 Posted October 20, 2013 (edited) Good idea Bill !!! I've thought about doing the same thing to my rolling 520 but just cant make myself turn it into a tractor that will never run again. Van, I'm walking a fine line with Momma around here - LOL. I've got a couple of IHCC's on the block now. I'm thinking it would be ok if I move out one other color tractor and replace it with it with a Wheelhorse... I'm in the same boat - but a little different, I struggle if I should modify a complete tractor, and the first Wheelhorse I ever bought. In as much as the parts Wheelhorse started and drove off the trailer, probably won't be any mods ... For now :) Edited October 20, 2013 by leeave96 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MalMac 1,332 #7 Posted October 20, 2013 The steering reduction is nice, I just put it on my 90 520H. Putting it on was not too bad. Had to trim here and grind there. It's a great addition because the tractor is used with a 2 stage snow blower. Now I use to have a newer 520H that had reduction on it for mowing and hated it. Seemed like to my you had to work your arms to death steering that thing compared to regular fan gear steering. Suppose I could have put a spinner knob on but you still got to spin the heck out of that wheel. If your going to be putting weight on the front then reduction is the way to go. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hydro 131 #8 Posted October 20, 2013 I converted my 97 314H and installed a 520 front end and gear reduction steering along with Matt's motion pedal. The 97 has the smaller steering wheel and I love mowing with it. I just palm the wheel around easily. The only mod I had to make was I shortened the steering wheel shaft and drilled a new hole for the drift pin. That was it. The extra two holes where already in my frame for the 4 bolts that hold the gear reduction part. It was a bit of work but not really difficult. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
leeave96 490 #9 Posted October 21, 2013 I converted my 97 314H and installed a 520 front end and gear reduction steering along with Matt's motion pedal. The 97 has the smaller steering wheel and I love mowing with it. I just palm the wheel around easily. The only mod I had to make was I shortened the steering wheel shaft and drilled a new hole for the drift pin. That was it. The extra two holes where already in my frame for the 4 bolts that hold the gear reduction part. It was a bit of work but not really difficult. Can you post some pics of this? I've got a 97 314-8, ought to look similar. Thanks! Bill Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hydro 131 #10 Posted October 21, 2013 (edited) Not sure exactly what you're wanting to see but here are a three pics Edited October 21, 2013 by Hydro Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
leeave96 490 #11 Posted October 21, 2013 Not sure exactly what you're wanting to see but here are a three pics Nice pics. The heavier front axle and gear reduction must make handling that big snowblower a lot easier. I like the front wheels too! Just wanted to see what the final outcome was in your conversion. So you were able to use the '97 steering wheel too. At first I bought the 520H for a parts tractor, but then drove it off the tractor and was thinking about a repower, since the engine is running on one cylinder (I think - still need to troubleshoot). I was going to put the front axle/steering on my 314-8 and the wider rear tires from the 520H too. Been thinking about this mod - moving steering from the 520H to the 314-8 some and when driving the 520H off the trailer, once again, I was teased with the gear reduction steering. Don't really mind the additional turns to get the reduced effort. My 314-8 is my favorite tractor and I really don't want to mod it, since I bought it new and it is otherwise complete - but... The 314-8 would definately benefit from the steering and rear wheel upgrade. So here are my options I am thinking about: 1. Leave 314-8 as is and fix/repower the 520H 2. Do the steering/rear wheel option and part out the balance of the 520H 3. SWAP the steering from the 520H to the 314-8 and reinstall the 314-8 back into the 520H and swap rear tires. #3 sounds kind of interesting in that, if I fix/repower the engine on the 520H, with the 314-8's front axle and tires, I'd at least have an additional worker. #4 Fix the 520H, find another 520H roller that actually DOES NOT RUN or is MISSING AN ENGINE so I'm not tempted to fix another parts tractor.... So many options - so little time... Bill Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hydro 131 #12 Posted October 21, 2013 I can't help you there. I had a 520 and a 416, both Onans. I have had a 312, 314 and a 416-8 all Kohlers. You can keep all of the 314 parts you swap out with 520 parts and restore your 314 back to original anytime you want. The only thing you are changing is the lenght of the 520 steering shaft and really you don't have to do that, you can just leave it longer if you want or pick up another shaft to keep original. I like my 314 too and likely at some point I will put the 16 Kohler back in the 416 where it belongs because it is a 1988 the last year they produced the Wheel Horse and used the Magnum 16. The 14 is a smoother and quieter engine but if I had another 520 front end I would put it on my 416 I like it that much. I like really like the wider stance and they turn sharper too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Warning:Unsupervised 82 #13 Posted January 6, 2020 Surely those wider front tires help grip more than skinny tires moving snow but' idk thankfully my neighbors on either side of me does my 150 yard driveway with either their Kubota or John Deere (luv thy neighbors we do), but' fwiw for steering easier discussed here I have a 1988 414-8 and a 1976 B100-8 (big C frame) that I've had both these size tires on. Wide 16x6.5x8 vs 400x8 Narrow... 400x8 is basic trailer wheels found at Farm stores fyi but' measure axle spindle length/diameter before buying. I once thought about upgrading to a swept axle myself on my 414-8 for steering ease due to a couple busted discs in my neck but I first switched my front wheels out to the narrow 400-8 like old Wheel Horses had and man what a difference just doing that makes on them. I can steer around now one handed where the original 6.5x8 wider tires took both hands, ok' it just sucked...lol I even considered adding a suicide knob since I've had one in a box for years but just never felt the need for it so never mounted it. Maybe food for thought for someone else, just saying? I'm just letting folks here know the narrow 400x8 front tires do make a big difference and it's all I needed to change for so much easier steering even with my health issues but' here again I'm not running any implements up front at all so I have no need for wider tires. I have a few large hills but not enough I need the extra stability from wide tires either. That's why Wheel Horse changed to wider fronts judging buy their advertising them as doing such btw... The biggest benefit the swept axle setup has over a simple wheel swap I speak of is I read the swept axle is a must for the 60" deck if you ever have the need to run one. Well' if you ever have the need to turn anyways?..lol I could really use a 60" here but hells bells' I have nothing else to do but mow and tinker being retired now but I sure wouldn't pass one up for anything then upgrade one of my tractors steering for it. Oh yaaa!! Besides I have enough tractors/mowers here to trim with, a 60's no fun there man. Now' fwiw too my narrow rims aren't running the 400x8 Deestone Tri-Ribs (yet) many here run they are a regular trailer tread (saw tooth) pattern but from posts I read the tri-ribs steer even easier, I've not confirmed and maybe others here know better? I would assume traction is better in mud/dirt/snow, not sure if or how it affects steering ease but it just might? Seems for many on site here the 400x8 Tri-rib is good enough for moving snow anyway because there are many tractors set up for snow happily running them on narrow rims like mine. Hope this helps somebody to ease their steering a bit, I know how it is for some of us, just another route to take especially if your like me and all your damn money is in someone else's hands at any given moment. My cost, I got lucky? About 6 years ago I paid $60 to the door for both my 4.00x8 rims with brand new tires/tubes freshly mounted off of Ebay and even better is they aren't basic tractor/mower wheels the old Wheel Horse wheels have the old USA Timken tapered vehicle wheel bearings to boot. I did cut a small spacer to fit the newer tractors (smaller axle spindle) but very easy, mainly I just cleaned and re-packed the bearings, slapped them on and just roll'd with it. Hope this helps somebody needing it to steer easier and they get even luckier and get freebies? Its worth every penny...lol Take care folks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WildmanC120 613 #14 Posted January 8, 2020 Put a 22hp predator on the 520 and have both tractors. Well worth the money. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tom2p 2,394 #15 Posted January 8, 2020 27 minutes ago, WildmanC120 said: Put a 22hp predator on the 520 and have both tractors. Well worth the money. is a predator swap a better option than Onan 20 repair ? ( unless the Onan is completely trashed ) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WVHillbilly520H 10,376 #16 Posted January 8, 2020 7 minutes ago, tom2p said: is a predator swap a better option than Onan 20 repair ? ( unless the Onan is completely trashed ) Budget wise... Plus the aftermarket has support for the Predators much like GM SBC/LS. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tom2p 2,394 #17 Posted January 8, 2020 10 minutes ago, WVHillbilly520H said: Budget wise... Plus the aftermarket has support for the Predators much like GM SBC/LS. budget wise ? a complete predator - and all the necessary / required 'accoutrements' - is less expensive than Onan 20 repair ? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WVHillbilly520H 10,376 #18 Posted January 8, 2020 18 minutes ago, tom2p said: budget wise ? a complete predator - and all the necessary / required 'accoutrements' - is less expensive than Onan 20 repair ? Depends on the amount of repair rebuild. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tom2p 2,394 #19 Posted January 8, 2020 13 minutes ago, WVHillbilly520H said: Depends on the amount of repair rebuild. loose valve seat appears to be a fairly common issue (?) anyone have a ballpark figure to repair Onan 20 with problem valve seat ? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WildmanC120 613 #20 Posted January 8, 2020 55 minutes ago, tom2p said: is a predator swap a better option than Onan 20 repair ? ( unless the Onan is completely trashed ) I would say yes. Parts for rebuild alone on Onan will probably cost more then the purchase price of the predator. Not including machine work and valve seat repair. Plus not having to worry about valve seat issues. When/if the Onan does in my 416 I'm just gonna put another predator in it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chip61 666 #21 Posted January 8, 2020 If you run the Predator, do you have to use an electric pto clutch or does it have the thrust bearing?? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WildmanC120 613 #22 Posted January 9, 2020 5 hours ago, chip61 said: If you run the Predator, do you have to use an electric pto clutch or does it have the thrust bearing?? I can't find an honest answer for this. Some people say yes and some say no. I listened to the hype and went with the electric clutch. Meanwhile a guy local to me has his 520 for sale with a predator swap and has been using the manual clutch for 2 years and running a 60" deck issue free. I can't find any history of issues running a manual clutch on the internet either. If I were to do it again I would take my chances with the manual clutch setup. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 18,718 #23 Posted January 9, 2020 Do predators have ball bearings on the crankshaft? if yes the use a manual PTO no problem. no ball bearings on the crank use an Electric PTO Share this post Link to post Share on other sites