HueyR9 8 #1 Posted June 18, 2019 I bought this 520H 20hp Onan Wheel Horse this last weekend for $1400. When I picked it up I, along with a friend that knows more about Wheel Horses than I do, test drove it and it started right off and everything worked and ran perfectly. We then had to drive it about four hours home. Also, due to my error, we had to remove the deck to get it on the trailer. When I got it home it started fine and came off the trailer without issue. The next day I tried to reattached the deck and was having issues getting everything aligned correctly. I also tried to start it and it would not run. I had to have the choke fully open, it would pop off, and then stutter out. This morning I got the deck attached correctly, I believe. The left side of the deck hangs a little lower than the right side (as you are sitting on it). I started it up and it ran for a couple minutes just fine and then stuttered out. After a trip to the gas station and filling up the tank to ensure there was enough fuel in the mower, I was able to get the engine to run for approximately 5 minutes from half throttle to full throttle with the PTO engaged. After shutting the PTO off and idling the engine down it stuttered out again. After several attempts to get it going again it would not even turn over so I walked away for a couple minutes. I then tried again and it would only run with the choke fully open. Trying to lower the choke caused the engine to stutter out again. Any help trouble shooting this would be greatly appreciated. Also, this is my first Wheel Horse and first time posting on this forum so I apologize for anything I may not have added that would be pertinent to know. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peter lena 9,319 #2 Posted June 18, 2019 hueyr9, terrific looking tractor , actually looks little used , how many hours? sounds like a fuel issue, could be a plugged fuel filter or dirt from tank , build up in carb. you might try to use berrymans fuel system cleaner spray , while its running . that would tell you if its a fuel issue. i used that cleaner with the long spray tube and it really helped out with a similar problem. its tough seeing a problem with this like new looking unit. good luck with it, let us know , pete 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lynnmor 7,859 #3 Posted June 18, 2019 I think you are saying it backwards in regard to the choke. The choke closes as you move the lever up causing a richer mixture. I think you have some junk in the carburetor and it should be removed to clean it properly. I'm not much of a believer in snake oil fixes. The lawnmower wheels on the deck won't last a long time, order the proper wheels so you have them. In regards to the deck hanging crooked, I guess you mean in the raised position. Adjust the raised position by using the nut after you remove the console panels. The deck should have rubber bumpers that touch the floorboards in the raised position. It appears that you may not have the fork on the hitch catching the bar that goes across, check that first before doing any adjustments. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 51,916 #4 Posted June 18, 2019 First off Huey. Aside from the bash in the hood that does look to be a cleaner one than we have seen lately. Second thing is if you don't have the manuals for the tractor or the deck lets get them for you. Put up a pic of the tag under the seat and off the deck so we can get you the right ones. The procedure for installing, removal & adjusting of the deck will be in the manuals and is quite easy once you have done it a few times. You may want to get a engine manual as well if you are even slightly mechanically inclined. All can be found here as well as the some of best 520 mechanics found. Sounds like you might have a dirty carb. A little sea foam may not help but it sure won't hurt. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
857 horse 2,588 #5 Posted June 18, 2019 WHAT A PRIZE,,,,,,,,IT LOOKS NEW OUT F A BOX.......... WE ENVY YOU..................... 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Tuul Crib 7,339 #6 Posted June 18, 2019 Beautiful!! Super looking tractor! Again how many hours on it? Cant be alot for how well it looks! to the best tractor site on the interweb !! !!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 42,212 #7 Posted June 18, 2019 to the Beautiful tractor. Don't get discouraged. This certainly sounds like a fuel delivery problem. And this can happen when a tractor is loaded and moved on a trailer. In this case, I would remove the fuel line at the carb , hold it in a container and crank the engine. If you have a good supply of fuel spurting, then it is time to clean the carb. If there is not a good fuel supply, then check the fuel pump, fuel filter, fuel lines and fuel tank cap vent. 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oneroadkingman 53 #8 Posted June 18, 2019 nice looking tractor, check fuel pump,clean carb ,gas lines, try using some seafoam, it has worked great for me in the past ! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
71_Bronco 1,072 #9 Posted June 18, 2019 Nice clean tractor you got there, I'm sure you'll enjoy it. Is it me or does it look like something is up with your front tires? One looks bulged and one looks like its low on air. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HueyR9 8 #10 Posted June 18, 2019 Sorry I forgot to mention how many hours are on the tractor. The answer is approximately 550 hours. I am at work at the moment and cannot remember the exact number. Also, thank you all for the responses. Looks like I have plenty of things to check into. Very glad I joined this forum. 3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
roadapples 6,983 #11 Posted June 18, 2019 27 minutes ago, 71_Bronco said: Is it me or does it look like something is up with your front tires? One looks bulged and one looks like its low on air. Agree. Look to be different widths... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HueyR9 8 #12 Posted June 18, 2019 37 minutes ago, 71_Bronco said: Nice clean tractor you got there, I'm sure you'll enjoy it. Is it me or does it look like something is up with your front tires? One looks bulged and one looks like its low on air. As for the front tires, the right front tire is currently running low on air. Haven't had time to address that issue yet. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lynnmor 7,859 #13 Posted June 19, 2019 (edited) That battery hold down is to have the angle on the front corner. If the current installation slips, there will be fireworks when it hits the battery posts. The mower belt is in the wrong groove, it will run too slow there. The PTO rod should have the hairpin on the top. Edited June 19, 2019 by lynnmor 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 51,916 #14 Posted June 19, 2019 (edited) Anyone notice the fuel pump? Sure doesn't look like the one on any of my three? Not nitpicking your tractor here Huey just trying to help you get it correct & running decent. Hopefully it will and you can appreciate the power that motor has. I have been known to blow snow with mine in places it doesn't belong just to hear the motor work! Edited June 19, 2019 by WHX24 speeling 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HueyR9 8 #15 Posted June 19, 2019 14 minutes ago, WHX24 said: Anyone notice the fuel pump? Sure doesn't look like the one on any of my three? Not nitpicking your tractor here Huey just trying to help you get it correct & running decent. Hopefully it will and you can appreciate the power that motor has. I have been know to blow snow with mine in places it doesn't belong just to hear the motor work! One thing the previous owner told me was that he put that Briggs and Straton fuel pump on himself when he replaced the old fuel pump. The previous owner says he was retired from a Caterpillar plant and working on mowers was his retirement hobby. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 51,916 #16 Posted June 19, 2019 Interesting, then take Ed's advice and do what he suggested. If it is indeed a problem we know where we can get correct ones very reasonable. What he is is suggesting is sometimes when a tractor gets hauled it can jiggle stuff loose in the fuel system giving problems 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
71_Bronco 1,072 #17 Posted June 19, 2019 1 hour ago, WHX24 said: Not nitpicking your tractor here Huey just trying to help you get it correct & running decent. Agreed, I wasnt trying to nitpick with the comment about the tires. I know when I went to buy my Commando 8 recently, I overlooked some minor details that I found later when I tore into it. Wasn't sure if you had noticed the tires when you were there looking at it, that's all. Hopefully it's a simple fix Enjoy it, you have a very nice machine there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 51,916 #18 Posted June 19, 2019 Truths be told fellas when I go to a potential score I have a tendency to overlook the negatives and and look at the positives.. I should really turn that around ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HueyR9 8 #19 Posted June 19, 2019 7 hours ago, lynnmor said: I think you are saying it backwards in regard to the choke. The choke closes as you move the lever up causing a richer mixture. I think you have some junk in the carburetor and it should be removed to clean it properly. I'm not much of a believer in snake oil fixes. The lawnmower wheels on the deck won't last a long time, order the proper wheels so you have them. In regards to the deck hanging crooked, I guess you mean in the raised position. Adjust the raised position by using the nut after you remove the console panels. The deck should have rubber bumpers that touch the floorboards in the raised position. It appears that you may not have the fork on the hitch catching the bar that goes across, check that first before doing any adjustments. I probably have the choke terms backwards, sorry. When the lever is up it would run longer but would sputter out when I lowered the lever. I will look into the correct wheels for the deck. In regards to how the deck is hanging, I do mean in the raised position. The deck does have rubber bumpers, I remember seeing them when I was taking the deck off and putting it back on. Likewise, the first time I tried putting the deck on I did not have the fork lined up correctly. I took the deck off and ensured it was lined up correctly the second time. I will have to look into the nut under the console panels. Thank you for the advise. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
daveoman1966 3,841 #20 Posted June 19, 2019 These 2 pics may help wiith the correct mower deck installation.... It is IMPERATIVE the FORK is engaged as shown in the schematic ....and that the HITCH SHAFT is centered and locked in to the Tach-O-Matic hitch. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HueyR9 8 #21 Posted June 19, 2019 7 hours ago, WHX24 said: First off Huey. Aside from the bash in the hood that does look to be a cleaner one than we have seen lately. Second thing is if you don't have the manuals for the tractor or the deck lets get them for you. Put up a pic of the tag under the seat and off the deck so we can get you the right ones. The procedure for installing, removal & adjusting of the deck will be in the manuals and is quite easy once you have done it a few times. You may want to get a engine manual as well if you are even slightly mechanically inclined. All can be found here as well as the some of best 520 mechanics found. Sounds like you might have a dirty carb. A little sea foam may not help but it sure won't hurt. I do not have any manuals for the tractor. I will upload pictures of the tags when I get time. Thank you for the help. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HueyR9 8 #22 Posted June 19, 2019 2 minutes ago, daveoman1966 said: These 2 pics may help wiith the correct mower deck installation.... It is IMPERATIVE the FORK is engaged as shown in the schematic ....and that the HITCH SHAFT is centered and locked in to the Tach-O-Matic hitch. Thank you for the diagrams. I do have the deck properly installed at this time. I will retain these though for future reference. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HueyR9 8 #23 Posted June 19, 2019 6 hours ago, Ed Kennell said: to the Beautiful tractor. Don't get discouraged. This certainly sounds like a fuel delivery problem. And this can happen when a tractor is loaded and moved on a trailer. In this case, I would remove the fuel line at the carb , hold it in a container and crank the engine. If you have a good supply of fuel spurting, then it is time to clean the carb. If there is not a good fuel supply, then check the fuel pump, fuel filter, fuel lines and fuel tank cap vent. 2 hours ago, WHX24 said: Interesting, then take Ed's advice and do what he suggested. If it is indeed a problem we know where we can get correct ones very reasonable. What he is is suggesting is sometimes when a tractor gets hauled it can jiggle stuff loose in the fuel system giving problems My friend that turned me on to the Wheel Horse, found this tractor for me, and told me about this forum said he thinks it may be an issue from the haul home. I will follow Ed's advise and go from there. Thank you both. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HueyR9 8 #24 Posted June 19, 2019 I truly appreciate all of the input everyone has given me tonight. I have plenty of things to learn and look into for this issue. Again, thank you all. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lynnmor 7,859 #25 Posted June 19, 2019 Looks like you have the short oil filter, is the rubber grommet in place sealing off the gap around the filter? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
