WVHillbilly520H 10,376 #1 Posted May 13, 2016 When I was cleaning up the Good Friday 520H and deck I found that the mower wouldn't come up to the highest setting in the quadrant, the leveling rod was broken off short and the trunion was woren badly, so to get mowing I borrowed the 1 off my '97 deck, so I decided to make a new rod 3/8" diameter by 9" lg threaded 3/8"-16 for 2.25" and a 90° bend 1" lg then the trunion (made 2) 3/4" diameter by 1.4" lg turned 1 end down to 3/8" diameter by 1/2" long and drilled 25/64" hole 3/8" center from big end for rod,cheaper than TORO replacements, Jeff. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tankman 3,523 #2 Posted May 13, 2016 (edited) Great work and probably faster than ordering! Before retiring I made lots of 316 SS Horse parts, no rust. Excellent! Just be sure to use Never-Seez on the threads . Edited May 13, 2016 by Tankman 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WVHillbilly520H 10,376 #3 Posted May 13, 2016 Tankman thank you sir,Unfortunately mine are cold rolled steel we don't have any of the "exotic" materials except for standard "tool" steels,was going for 4140 or "drill" rod but the "cupboard" is getting bare don't know how much longer the machine shop will be around, going to make everything I need till then, Jeff. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tankman 3,523 #4 Posted May 13, 2016 (edited) Hope all works out for your employer and you. I don't think job hunting is something I would like nowadays. I was sheetmetal, chemical industry, lots of 316 SS. Our shop was also a machine shop. If I couldn't make a machined part, my machining friends made it for me. Years ago made 12 ga SS mower decks, belt guards, bumpers, 10 ga SS snow plows. Great times and on the clock too. We had CRS (cold rolled steel) too but, why bother with that? The SS was free too; sheets, flatbar, rod, whatever. Edited May 13, 2016 by Tankman 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WVHillbilly520H 10,376 #5 Posted May 13, 2016 I didn't go to school for machinist so no papers/apprenticeship so that makes it difficult to find a job making the $ I am now,I don't think they look at on the job experience/training as much as school and diplomas now,but my wife started an office job at an airplane upfitter so maybe she can help me there,lol, anyways I guess I can always go back out into production making exhaust systems for cars and trucks, Jeff. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DougC 2,643 #6 Posted May 13, 2016 I have one break about every two years on my 95 520H, always in the same place in the threads. I keep an extra new rod and lock nut in my toolbox for the next certain failure which always seems to happen on a Saturday afternoon or Sunday when the Toro dealer is closed....... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WVHillbilly520H 10,376 #7 Posted May 13, 2016 I have the '97 (by serial #) anniversary model new since '98 and knock on wood ,hasn't failed yet, and I borrowed it for the '95 till I made the new 1, both trunions were "worn" though that's why I made 2 of those, but 9" of 3/8" cold rolled steel rod a 3/8"-16 threading die a propane torch and 1/8" drill bit could have you back up and running in a pinch,Jeff. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lynnmor 7,788 #8 Posted May 13, 2016 The last couple of years those parts were made stronger. I have one of each. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,441 #9 Posted May 14, 2016 Revised 1/2"-13 rod and nut Garry 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WVHillbilly520H 10,376 #10 Posted May 14, 2016 Gary, Well good to know I'm sure I can fab up a couple that size too, thanks for the info,Jeff. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
