523-H high roller

[kpinnc 16,526]

Also did a redesign of the hydro pedal. Raised the "toe", and shortened the throw considerably. Effectively moved the pivot back slightly. Also no more linkage sticking out underneath the belt guard. 

 

Looks like it's too close to the belt guard in the pictures, but it's not. 

 

[kpinnc 16,526]

I hadn't posted much on this tractor for a couple years after it was finished. I was actually pretty afraid of the engine build I had done (it started life as a vertical engine, and I bought all the parts to make it horizontal), and I wanted the foot control to be better. 

 

So the last few days I finally decided to "knuckle up", and she's now a runner. A darn nice runner if I say so myself! So today, she drove around for the first time. New hour meter recorded 0.4 hours. Foot control works great but is too tight. Easy fix. 

 

Engine oil pressure is hard to see, but makes 43 PSI at 3000 RPM. 

 

Still a few tiny tweaks to make, but she's all set for work! 

 

 

Edited March 24, 2024 by kpinnc

[ebinmaine 76,508]

Beautiful mo-chine Sir!!

 

Is there a specific work plan in mind? 

[kpinnc 16,526]

5 hours ago, ebinmaine said:

Is there a specific work plan in mind? 

 

Not sure. Originally I assumed this would carry the 60SD and the Exmark 48 with ease. The tire combos gave me extra clearance underneath, but both of those decks are bleeping heavy! 

 

I'll figure out something. All my tractors work, even if it's light duty. 

[ebinmaine 76,508]

43 minutes ago, kpinnc said:

 

Not sure. Originally I assumed this would carry the 60SD and the Exmark 48 with ease. The tire combos gave me extra clearance underneath, but both of those decks are bleeping heavy! 

 

 

What's the Exmark 48? Front or Mid Mount?

 

 

[kpinnc 16,526]

2 hours ago, ebinmaine said:

What's the Exmark 48? Front or Mid Mount?

 

Casters are gone. Got a WH adjuster now, but I don't have a pic.

[kpinnc 16,526]

Had it out again today. The hydro pedal was too tight, so I replaced the bronze bushing and polished the portion of the peg it rides on. Made a big difference. 

 

But I still might move it back towards the rear another inch or so. I'm 6 feet tall, and have to stretch to get full forward...

 

[kpinnc 16,526]

Hopefully the third time is the charm. Made up another bracket so the pedal is moved back about 2 inches. Definitely more comfortable, and full range is easier now. 

 

I gotta pick up some shorter bolts, but this seems to be finished.

 

Wishing I didn't notch the foot rest so much, because it doesn't make contact. Oh well, good enough...

 

Edited March 26, 2024 by kpinnc

[RED-Z06 2,700]

I still need those front tires🤣🤣

[kpinnc 16,526]

4 hours ago, RED-Z06 said:

I still need those front tires🤣🤣

 

I love the look and ride, but must admit they add some definite weight to the steering effort. None of my "520" front ends have reduction steering as with the 1991 and later models. This tractor could benefit from that! 

[RED-Z06 2,700]

17 minutes ago, kpinnc said:

 

I love the look and ride, but must admit they add some definite weight to the steering effort. None of my "520" front ends have reduction steering as with the 1991 and later models. This tractor could benefit from that! 

Tri-Ribs would fix that

[kpinnc 16,526]

2 hours ago, RED-Z06 said:

Tri-Ribs would fix that

 

Yep. Got the Firestone ones on the Bronco. Even with that cast iron K321 and 115lbs of suitcase weights, the tractor steers like it has power steering. Like an old Jeep! 

 

 

[Easton Rich 795]

On 3/24/2024 at 6:09 AM, ebinmaine said:

Beautiful mo-chine Sir!!

 

Is there a specific work plan in mind? 

[kpinnc 16,526]

Not sure if the 523-H will mow or not. At least not under the tractor. That's an odd thing to me because the actual build was intended for increasing cut height.

 

Now I'm leaning towards making the grader setup on it. Who knows, I'll probably change my mind several times... 

[kpinnc 16,526]

Found I had a leaky o-ring on the rear lift cylinder hose, spent a few minutes replacing it. 

 

Really I just wanted an excuse to put up another picture of this thing because I like it so much...  It's a bleeping beast! Forgive the dumb thumb in the corner. 

 

 

Edited March 28, 2024 by kpinnc

[kpinnc 16,526]

Almost ashamed to post this... I completely missed something on this build. Nearly every nut, bolt, and seal has been replaced on this tractor. 

 

I always do an OSI (obvious, um stuff inspection) before any project. And I did with this one. I checked the axle spindles, and they were nice and snug. What never occurred to my tiny mind was big tires + 500lbs of tractor will multiply "snug" considerably. This thing had the heaviest steering I've ever seen. So today I fixed it.

 

The thrust bearings in the axle were so gunked up that they were almost unrecognizable. The grease had dried out, so no amount of lube could reach them. And they were worn to the point that the axle rubbed the knuckle on top. So I picked up a new set, cleaned everything and installed them. I picked the two best "old" races and put them in the bottom as .030 shims. Gap created is just large enough to have no contact now. Pumped full of grease and installed top caps. It steers so much better! Doesn't feel heavy at all now. 

 

I may still add reduction steering. Not sure yet.

 

Of course I feel like a dummy for missing something like that, but fixed is fixed! 

 

Edited March 28, 2024 by kpinnc

[kpinnc 16,526]

Added my own tweak on the park brake. Modified a thumb throttle lever from an ATV... 

 

Pressed in a steel bushing for a little more strength. Works great. Brake is set in the pic, hence the nose up position. 

[kpinnc 16,526]

Eric @ebinmaine made me do it... 

 

He has another thread adding reduction steering to his C series, and it reminded me that I had all the parts to add reduction steering but didn't when I originally built the 523-H. 

 

I have 3 tractors with the 520 front axle, but none had reduction steering. This tractor has 18 inch front wheels, and though it steers pretty easily, it's the best candidate for the upgrade. 

 

I also had an issue with my hydro foot pedal. It binds up with about 1/8 inch of the last travel in the cam, which is quite a bit of the top end speed. I thought maybe this transmission was just a little slow, but now I'm not so sure. Regardless, I've got some tweaking to do on the rear end as well. 

 

So now I've taken this tractor almost back to the frame. No chance of getting that lower steering shaft swapped without removing the engine. That and the hydro linkage work mean almost a full tear down. It looks sad! 

 

First thing I noticed is that although the upper steering shaft is shorter than the original, it is still 1.5 inches taller are the steering wheel. I had planned to add about 3 inches anyway, because the wheel is just too low. I assumed it being shorter meant the wheel would be in the same place... 

 

Also, the bellcrank for the belly hitch comes very close the the back of the gear reduction base. It almost touches it at full down. Anybody else seen this with reduction steering 520-H tractors? 

 

Anyway. It'll be a few days before I get this back together. I'm gonna add a bearing at the top below the steering wheel and a few other tweaks, but it's nice to be tinkering again! 

 

 

Edited 11 hours ago by kpinnc

[Lee1977 7,502]

We talked about this bearing and bracket, though I would send the picture any way.

[cleat 8,352]

1 hour ago, kpinnc said:

Eric @ebinmaine made me do it... 

 

He has another thread adding reduction steering to his C series, and it reminded me that I had all the parts to add reduction steering but didn't when I originally built the 523-H. 

 

I have 3 tractors with the 520 front axle, but none had reduction steering. This tractor has 18 inch front wheels, and though it steers pretty easily, it's the best candidate for the upgrade. 

 

I also had an issue with my hydro foot pedal. It binds up with about 1/8 inch of the last travel in the cam, which is quite a bit of the top end speed. I thought maybe this transmission was just a little slow, but now I'm not so sure. Regardless, I've got some tweaking to do on the rear end as well. 

 

So now I've taken this tractor almost back to the frame. No chance of getting that lower steering shaft swapped without removing the engine. That and the hydro linkage work mean almost a full tear down. It looks sad! 

 

First thing I noticed is that although the upper steering shaft is shorter than the original, it is still 1.5 inches taller are the steering wheel. I had planned to add about 3 inches anyway, because the wheel is just too low. I assumed it being shorter meant the wheel would be in the same place... 

 

Also, the bellcrank for the belly hitch comes very close the the back of the gear reduction base. It almost touches it at full down. Anybody else seen this with reduction steering 520-H tractors? 

 

Anyway. It'll be a few days before I get this back together. I'm gonna add a bearing at the top below the steering wheel and a few other tweaks, but it's nice to be tinkering again! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes, the lift bellcrank is slightly shorter on the reduction steering models.

I found that out the hard way also.

[cleat 8,352]

15 minutes ago, Lee1977 said:

We talked about this bearing and bracket, though I would send the picture any way.

 

I did that as well on a couple of my 520's

Drill out to 1-3/8 then you can use a regular wheel horse front wheel bearing as the steering bearing.

Works very smooth with no play.

 

[Lee1977 7,502]

2 minutes ago, cleat said:

 

I did that as well on a couple of my 520's

Drill out to 1-3/8 then you can use a regular wheel horse front wheel bearing as the steering bearing.

Works very smooth with no play.

 

 

I used a out side PTO bearing and welded in a couple pieces of pipe to hold the bearing.  Either way it's hard to adjust the 3/4" collar.

[ebinmaine 76,508]

7 hours ago, kpinnc said:

Eric @ebinmaine made me do it... 

 

 

 

Yep. 

 

6 hours ago, cleat said:

 

Yes, the lift bellcrank is slightly shorter on the reduction steering models.

 

Now there's some interesting information  🤔 

 

On my 1974 C160-8  the gear ⚙️  has strong contact with the lift lever. I haven't decided how to solve that just yet.  

 

 

[Bill D 2,501]

I'll be following along to see what you find wrong with your hydro pedal linkage. 

[Handy Don 15,608]

11 hours ago, kpinnc said:

Also, the bellcrank for the belly hitch comes very close the the back of the gear reduction base. It almost touches it at full down. Anybody else seen this with reduction steering 520-H tractors? 

I was in there when building our 520-based machine and it was close, but not whisker close, so I was puzzled. 

Glad I also read the responses. (Thanks @cleat)