leeave96 490 #1 Posted November 2, 2013 Anyone ever converted a 520H to an 8 speed tractor? Might be an interesting project. I've posted about moving the swept forward axle/steering reduction from a 520H to a 314-8, but what about taking the 8 speed tranny and putting it into a 520H making it a 520-8? I have no intention of taking my fine 314-8 apart, but am window shopping the possibility of using a parts tractor to potentially do so. Imagine this configuration between two roller tractors, a late model 520H with swept forward axle, steering reduction and tight turning radius and a late model 8 speed tractor, like my 314-8. So you swap out the hydro, BUT for the engine, you drop-in a Honda or Briggs Vanguard 20+ hp engine AND mount a 60 inch deck. This would be one cool mowing machine IMHO. Thoughts? Anyone changed out the hydro from a 520H to an 8 speed? Might be an interesting winter project. Thanks! Bill Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MalMac 1,332 #2 Posted November 2, 2013 A member on here did. Try to PM. gomergump he did one. He is not on here much. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zieg72 209 #3 Posted November 2, 2013 Should be straight forward enough. A couple of differences would be the smaller engine pulley for the 8 speed, the clutch switch as opposed to the neutral switch. I am in the middle of a forward swept axle swap on a 416-8. I slightly more simple electrical system. The bugger would seem to me loosing the hydraulic lift and changing to a manual lift Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AMC RULES 37,196 #4 Posted November 2, 2013 You could always set up an early HY-2 type configuration to retain your hydraulic lift option.. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cheesegrader 433 #5 Posted November 2, 2013 I wouldn't want to mow with an 8-speed using a 60" deck. You have to be sooooo careful around obstacles. The hydro drive makes fine control in tight spaces much easier. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
i967mustang 21 #6 Posted November 2, 2013 (edited) I just finished a C160 project where I took all the hydro out of one and put it in place of an 8 speed then put the 8 speed stuff back in the hydro. Still had two running C160s but the one I wanted to keep is now a hydro with hydro lift. My brother now has an 8 speed manual lift C160, and I have my tractor the way I wanted it with the hydro setup. with two tractors sitting side by side it is time consuming but not hard, there are a lot of things different on the two. The shifter box and steering tower combo was a shocker to me the hydro tractor part is an inch taller than the 8 speed. Engine pulley is different, seat pan mount has to be inverted, rear fender pan mount has to be changed, clutch needed to be changed one was electric the other manual, alot of the tractor had to be changed. In the end it was worth it to me because I wanted my tractor with the hydro stuff and my brother loves the gears. I also went from fixed seat pan to the hydro being a flip pan, so I had to convert that all back. I wanted my fixed seat pan also, It was a lot of unbolting and swapping over but they both run and cut and I have the pretty tractor out of the two. I also had to changer running boards for the hydro lift cylinder. Edited November 2, 2013 by i967mustang 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
