cod 121 #1 Posted August 6, 2016 Just out of curiosity, it seems that early 520's had a straight front axle and then at some point they switched to the swept forward style. I assume the swept forward axle allows a larger mower deck but did the change make the tractors harder to steer? I've seen posts about gear reduction steering but was that a by product of the new axle? Thanks in advance - Cod Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shallowwatersailor 3,214 #2 Posted August 7, 2016 The '88 and '89 520-H were just like the regular Wheel Horse tractors with regards to front axles. The 520-HC from '88 and '89 plus the '90 520-H had the swept axle for the 60" deck but didn't have the gear reduction steering. Wheel Horse and Toro compensated by using a larger steering wheel. The 60" mower deck's weight was still too much and so the gear reduction steering further refined the product making it easier to steer. From '91 on, the 520-H had both the swept axle and gear reduction steering. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmaynard 16,321 #3 Posted August 7, 2016 So John, can gear reduction steering be installed into a 520-H with swept-forward axle and no gear reduction steering without modification? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bmsgaffer 2,053 #4 Posted August 7, 2016 I think there are two holes you have to drill to make any not-previously-equipped tractor bolt up the gear reduction steering. I am assuming they did not have the proper mounting holes in place prior to 1991 or on any other models. You would also probably have to swap everything from the front triangle on back to the steering wheel shaft to accomplish this. Don't hold me to that but that is my gathered knowledge. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
roadapples 6,983 #5 Posted August 7, 2016 Agree, I added the complete 520 with gear reduction steering to a 74 C160 and only had to drill two holes for the reduction mounting block... 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MalMac 1,332 #6 Posted August 7, 2016 I have put reduction on a 90 520. Yes you have to switch everything. Upper and lower steering shafts. I also had to grind away a tad bit of the lift bell crank because the upper arm would rub the bevel gear on the reduction steering block. Had the same interference when I put it on a 414. I have heard that some conversions where people have not had to grind the bell crank. It's only just a tad so any slight amount the holes would be off during assembly at the factory would cause this. I put it on my 90 520 because I used a 60 deck and a 2 stage snow blower. It was a bear trying to steer with those attachments on. I have since got rid of that monster 60 inch because it was too hard on the tractor and the 2 stage went by the way side also. Remember there is a give and take effect when putting on steering reduction. You have to turn the wheel more than with standard steering. If you have a lot of in's and out's and round and round to mow around it will work you harder, but you will get use to it. Plus I think it turns a little sharper. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DennisThornton 4,771 #7 Posted August 7, 2016 9 hours ago, roadapples said: Agree, I added the complete 520 with gear reduction steering to a 74 C160 and only had to drill two holes for the reduction mounting block... How big of a difference did it make? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MalMac 1,332 #8 Posted August 7, 2016 Well the 414 I added to is basically the same as a C160, I did it because I put a loader on the 414. Before the loader was on a C141. It was tremendously hard to steer. The reduction steering made it steer 3 times easier and the added wider front stance helped in making it more steady. Plus the bigger bearings and more HD spindle's made it better for loader use. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
roadapples 6,983 #9 Posted August 7, 2016 4 hours ago, DennisThornton said: How big of a difference did it make? MalMac just summed it up. I also added this steering because of a loader. And I added trailer hubs and six ply trailer tires. The tires hold "70 psi" which also made a big difference.... 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MalMac 1,332 #10 Posted August 7, 2016 That is my next step is to add trailer hubs. looks like that may be alittle more HD than the standard wheels. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DennisThornton 4,771 #11 Posted August 8, 2016 7 hours ago, roadapples said: MalMac just summed it up. I also added this steering because of a loader. And I added trailer hubs and six ply trailer tires. The tires hold "70 psi" which also made a big difference.... I've never used a small loader/FEL and what FELs I have used had power steering. Love my TC35! My C with a dozer blade is fine but that's not like a loaded bucket hanging out there either! Glad to here there's some hope for steering a Wheel Horse with a FEL but where does one pickup a swept axle and the gear reduction hardware without buying a whole 520? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
roadapples 6,983 #12 Posted August 8, 2016 I`ve bought two complete with gear reduction off of e-bay, and I`ve seen them at the Big Show... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bmsgaffer 2,053 #13 Posted August 8, 2016 20 minutes ago, DennisThornton said: I've never used a small loader/FEL and what FELs I have used had power steering. Love my TC35! My C with a dozer blade is fine but that's not like a loaded bucket hanging out there either! Glad to here there's some hope for steering a Wheel Horse with a FEL but where does one pickup a swept axle and the gear reduction hardware without buying a whole 520? You can sometimes grab them off of sale ads here or a wanted ad, but they usually command a fairly high price because of how desired the 'kit' is. I am likely putting one on a black-hood because it does turn a bit sharper, and I like the feel of it. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
