520H Heart Transplant and Face Lift

[leeave96 490]

So I'm thinking about repowering one of my Wheelhorse 520H tractors and just for kicks mulling around this:

Finding a donor 300 or 400 series with Kohler cylinder Magnum. Transplanting the engine, PTO, wiring harness, complete dash tower and related gauges and hood with headlights. This gets me a low cost repowering, a non-louvered hood (which I posted about earlier), Kohler set-up that could use a 10, 12, 14 or 16 hp engine, depending on what's available and what I want to put on the tractor, a simpler set of gauges and wiring harness (I think), more access and service area under the hood.

Sound do-able?

Thanks!

Bill

[bmsgaffer 2,053]

Seems to me that you could just buy a decent 3 or 400 series tractor and everything is already done for you... Sell your 520's whole or part out and you might even be ahead.

 

There is nothing (mechanically) different about the 520's except the swept axle (if it applies) and wide rear wheels.

Edited March 31, 2014 by bmsgaffer

[Ed Kennell 41,961]

Sounds doable, but wouldn't it be easier to put the 520Hs eaton in the donor ?

[312Hydro 474]

Sure ,that should work. I looked at my 312H and 520H and didn't see any obvious problems to doing that.

Edited March 31, 2014 by 312Hydro

[leeave96 490]

Yes - I hear you guys on ridding the 520H or transplanting the hydro, which any possibility is on the table.

I've got a 314-8 and (for me), this is the ultimate Wheelhorse once I add a swept fwd axle and gear reduction steering.

My thought is - at least around my neck of the woods, is this:

300-400 series hydros are hard to come by. Gear drives are plentiful. So the donor would most likely be a gear drive. If (again - for me) the 314-8 is he ultimate gear drive garden tractor, the so is the 314-H (talking 8 pinion trannys and 1-1/8 inch axles.)

So the 520H gives me gear reduction steering and 1-1/8 axles tranny and swept fwd axle (later models) and the gear drive 300-400 series give me the Kohler heart transplant and facelift.

Sooooo - what would I call this tractor? Wheelhorse. I would get a set of maroon style Wheelhorse decals void of a model number!

[bmsgaffer 2,053]

I've been considering putting the swept axle on a black hood. I already have the wide rear wheels. I am looking to put a twin kohler on one though, maybe save up my pennies and put an EFI 29HP under the hood (lots of HP sips gas).

 

If your 520 frame is in good shape (which it sounds like it is) then I would find a 16 horse magnum or K341  to at least retain a similar amount of power to the 520. (just dont go try spinning a 60" deck )

I have a 12HP black hood that would be a good donor if you are OK with 12hp. I would even consider parting it out

[ericj 1,579]

if you are going to swap everything you are talking about i say swap the tranny and the steering over into a 300 or 400 series tractor, it would be less work that way. no need to change dash tower, wiring, and guages. just my take on it. it's your tractor do what ever you want to do in the long run

 

 

 

 

eric j 

[leeave96 490]

if you are going to swap everything you are talking about i say swap the tranny and the steering over into a 300 or 400 series tractor, it would be less work that way. no need to change dash tower, wiring, and guages. just my take on it. it's your tractor do what ever you want to do in the long run

eric j

So changing a gear drive out with a hydro would be simpler?

[ericj 1,579]

depends on which year 520 you are using 88, 89 the motion control lever ,mcl, are in the console where as the 90 and newer have the mcl levers up by the steering wheel as i'm sure you already know. if you replace the dash tower and dash you just eliminated the mcl. or you could just go with matt's foot control i guess. you could just get the parts for the mcl from somebody on here and change the 300 or 400 series tractor over using the 520 tans. the 516 only used a gas gauge and amp gauge and have the mcl down on the console. its not impossible, you can do anything you want however you want its your tractor just trying to help you do it the easiest way i can think of. as i have said before that my opinion and a dollar will buy you a cup of coffee

 

 

 

eric j

[richmondred01 2,307]

I have a 275 hour onan p216. New starter and coil. Pm me if interested I will send you video of it running

[cheesegrader 433]

This seems like a huge amount of work to end up with an underpowered "514"

I use all the horsepower I can get with a 60" deck, a two-stage blower, a #1000 roller, and a bunch of other attachments.

Red-bovine did a 520 repower with a Honda, and posted a great thread on it here.

I think it is 22 or 23 HP after the transplant.  

I'd rather have a  "522" than a "514"

It is still a fair amount of work, but seems easier than what you are proposing.

[leeave96 490]

This seems like a huge amount of work to end up with an underpowered "514"

I use all the horsepower I can get with a 60" deck, a two-stage blower, a #1000 roller, and a bunch of other attachments.

Red-bovine did a 520 repower with a Honda, and posted a great thread on it here.

I think it is 22 or 23 HP after the transplant.

I'd rather have a "522" than a "514"

It is still a fair amount of work, but seems easier than what you are proposing.

A 14 hp Wheelhorse is far from underpowered, especially if you limit it to a 48 inch deck.

If I had one or two tractors, I'd do a repowering with a vanguard or Honda twin. But I've only got 10 or 11 tractors and really what I need to do is thin out the fleet - LOL!!!!

I've got 3 Wheelhorse tractors that are in great shape and I would spend a fair amount do $$$'s to keep as original as possible, less adding a swept fwd axle and gear reduction steering. One is a '88 year 520H, one is a ’92 year make 520H and the other is my beloved 314-8 which I bought new. I have two other 520H tractors that are late models and these are my lab for trying out any new ideas like this heart transplant and face lift.

Thanks everyone!!!!!

[Red-Bovine 334]

I am loving the Honda Repower!!

 

Red

[Don1977 605]

I say go for it's not that you won't have a tractor or three to use if it takes longer to complete.