Whitfield 14 #1 Posted March 29, 2014 Wifey was scrolling though the classifieds and tripped over this little guy for $100. 1991 520-H with rear discharge 42" deck. 40 miles round trip, but I could not get out there fast enough. Previous owner says he is not mechanically inclined. It tossed a belt and he then let the battery sit dead over the winter. He installed a new battery this year but no start ~ thus the sale. I bought a deck belt from the toro dealer this morning, I still need to source a drive belt. It needs lots of cleaning but over all it looks to be in good shape (Seat is clean / no rips). Came with original sales brochure and owners / service manual. Wifey was reading about them BAJA testing the WHeelhorse mowers 500 miles ~ to advertise that they were Baja tough. Funny cause I don't recall seeing many lawns out in Baja back country. ~ I picked up a late 80's 38" Wheel Horse back in 2008 for Wifey's aunt. It has been a solid performer. Here is Wifey's find ~ still in the back of the truck. It needs some cleaning and TLC. I'm hoping to find all of the tricks to make it back to a prized possession worthy of a place in Grandad's garage. 10 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
varosd 1,185 #2 Posted March 29, 2014 Ah, Sir did you also stop by the jewelery store for a gift for the wife?!?! what a find! My wife would have tried to delete the ad before I saw it! 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steelman 252 #3 Posted March 29, 2014 That is an awesome find! I suggest taking the wifey out for a nice dinner. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AMC RULES 37,196 #4 Posted March 29, 2014 Definintely scored a keeper there... both the and the wife. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fabricator2009 48 #5 Posted March 29, 2014 Well done. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 42,107 #6 Posted March 29, 2014 Nuther steal....did you give Wifey the $300 you saved on that one ? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jparkes43 329 #7 Posted March 29, 2014 Omg one of my favourite tractors, lucky find James Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
leeave96 490 #8 Posted March 29, 2014 Not fair - not fair!!!!! Nice looking machine. You probably ought to pull the seat pan and clean out around the hydro from the rear discharge clippings. Probably never been done. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rexman72 210 #9 Posted March 29, 2014 what a great tractor and you will enjoy that Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JackC 617 #10 Posted March 29, 2014 Absolutely amazing. They do not come much cleaner than that one. Wife deserves a reward. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HorseFixer 2,013 #11 Posted March 29, 2014 The 520-H is a Great Tractor! ~Duke Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
danjmah 74 #12 Posted March 29, 2014 Congrats! Excellent deal and nice find! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
boovuc 1,090 #13 Posted March 29, 2014 Boy you can't beat that sale! That was an excellent pickup and I think both a dinner and some earrings are in order for your better half! (In other words...........you owe her and she probably knows it!) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wishin4a416 2,191 #14 Posted March 29, 2014 Wow!! What a score!! Don't forget to play the lottery tonite. Nice machine. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Whitfield 14 #15 Posted March 29, 2014 (edited) Thanks for the warm welcome guys! Wifey said don't worry she is cashing in on that one very soon. It has been pouring down rain all day but I still managed to get outside, climb up in the truck and pull the carb top ~ then it began to rain harder so i covered it up and ran back inside. Then I found Martins post on his 520H restoration which morphed in to another restoration.. I think I got lost in his rebuild write up, WoW 4.5 Hours later..... Amazing work and great WH tech stuff. I'm making a list... Pilot jet was clean, main jet screw drive slot has been stripped where someone once before tried to remove it so I left it alone. Float bowl is a little scaley but usable as is for now. I reassembled the carb and hooked up the jump pack, then it poured down rain, but I soldiered on. I checked the oil ~ quickly, and it looks like it is overfull. Key on gave full instrumentation but no signal to the starter. Everything is covered in a good layer of grease oil and grass so I will clean it up and check the safety switches another day. Pulled out my power probe test light and powered the starter solenoid and the engine turned over. I let it spin over a few times and then I bottle fed it a small shot of fuel. The Onan immediately sprang to life at 1/4 throttle and 3/4 choke. Once it drank the small shot it cut off but I can now see it has fuel up to the filter. One more small shot and it is up and running on it's own. Everything sounds good ~ runs smooth, much more sewing machine like than the Craftsman Kohlers I've played with. I let it run about 1 min and was able to take it off choke and bring it down to idle with no issues. All while still in the back of the truck so no test runs yet. It will get a complete oil change and fresh fuel filter with a temporary secondary small can filter to catch water / moisture before the test drive. So far the to do list is: Tube for right front tire which is off the bead Oil change / Filter / Replace oil filter base gasket Hydro filter and fluid change Pull the tin and clean the fins Pull the seat and read sheet metal and clean out around the hydro unit Anything else I'm over looking? Any preferred or forum support vendor for parts? Edited March 29, 2014 by Whitfield 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
can whlvr 994 #16 Posted March 30, 2014 I highly recommend that you pull the tins and give her a good cleaning,make sure that all the engine fins are clean,this is very important for an onan Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 42,107 #17 Posted March 30, 2014 (edited) You may want to consider venting the belt guard. I just added holes to mine and was amazed at the amount of air that now comes across the rear cyl. onanparts.com have good price and excellent delivery. Seems oil leaks are common where the oil filter base bolts to the block. onanparts has this gasket. They also have a gasket that slides over the oil filter and seals to the air shroud increasing the air flow across the rear cyl. Edited March 30, 2014 by ekennell Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HokieAg07 129 #18 Posted March 30, 2014 Good score, too bad I missed it! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sethro 4 #19 Posted March 30, 2014 Baja Tough. Holy cow, and I thought the sticker on the hood of my 91 416H was put on by some moron that thought it would be cool. That makes me think it very well could have come from the factory with the "Baja Tough" decal applied on the hood. I've since taken it off, but maybe I screwed up by not keeping it original. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KC9KAS 4,744 #20 Posted March 30, 2014 Definintely scored a keeper there... both the and the wife. I have to agree on both! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chazm 413 #21 Posted March 30, 2014 WELCOME TO :rs:I know I asked this before but... Does your wife have a sister ... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AMC RULES 37,196 #22 Posted March 30, 2014 (edited) Baja Tough. Holy cow, and I thought the sticker on the hood of my 91 416H was put on by some moron that thought it would be cool. That makes me think it very well could have come from the factory with the "Baja Tough" decal applied on the hood. I've since taken it off, but maybe I screwed up by not keeping it original. If you're wondering what the decals looked like? There's a set of 'em on Ebay...listed there with a Toro part # 78-7610. Edited March 30, 2014 by AMC RULES Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RMCIII 838 #23 Posted March 30, 2014 Sounds like you may be in over your head trying to get it running again.... I'd help you out and take it off your hands, give you the $100.00, plus whatever gas you used, on the trip... Not to mention a finders fee for your wifey... Would not want you to get disappointed in a non-running 520!!! ... LOL, great score.... Welcome and have fun! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
varosd 1,185 #24 Posted March 30, 2014 I would also replace the fuel lines/ fuel filter. drain and inspect and clean out the gas tank. Onan carbs are finicky when it come to crud. keep the pictures coming! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tankman 3,523 #25 Posted March 30, 2014 Great deal steal! Would have yanked that Stallion home in a minute! Wife needs a night on the town along with some new jewelry too! Be really nice! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
