There's a reason wheel horses have such a strong following despite their faults. Those Onans run hot, have valve issues, and are super thirsty, but they'll pull most modern lawn tractors in circles and will last a long time if cared for. Biggest downfalls with the 520H are the hydro linkage is finicky and the electrical system on the Onan-equipped tractors is notoriously bad.
Success! Might have been a brush stuck in the starter. I always check the engines on my lawn mowers in the spring for mouse nests under the cowl that will cause them to overheat if left undiscovered.
I've still got the old Hobo Freight jump pack like that... Haven't used it in years. Probably dead.. Fresh gas is always good anymore... Used to be the old stale stuff worked fine, but that's back when gas was real
Awesome machine. I picked one up at my work it’s a toro dealer and the guy gave up on it. It had all the symptoms of a bad valve. But turned out to be the ignition tractor those in and run so smooth glad you got her going. To many people give up on this stuff. These were actually commercial built units to whitest and thousands of hours truly a desirable machine I love mine it has only 900 ish hours and I’ve decreased and cleaned it real nice I take it to shows and things. I have 13 different garden tractors form various different time periods I like them a lot parts are cheaper than being into the car hobby. Thanks for taking us along!!
Man yeah Mr Chris!! That thing purrs like a kitten!!! I couldn't believe it fired up like that!! Isn't that a testimony to a real garden tractor...cast iron front axle!! 😁😁😁 Nothing like a good wrap with the hammer to get it fired up!! Always gotta watch trying to go in backwards with things like that relay🤦😉😁🤣 Thank you sir, for bringing us along!! I am really looking fwd to seeing more on this one for sure!! 😁😁😁👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
It does run great, even after all these years. Very well built. Stupid starter....Should have checked that first 🤦 🤣 Thank you sir! Like that new logo too!!
Im in West Texas but during winter I put all equipment batteries in heated sheld and charge them for 30 minutes every month They last twice the average age of the batteries, I connect them in series to charge all at same time
Check the 8 pin connector make sure that's not corroded that's a big problem with those tractors check all your safety switches like on the seat PT o's Hopefully that helps you little
glad you got it started, i had a similar problem starting my old Bolens , never did figure it out , one day no start then next day it started and has started ever since
Just a tip I though I’d share is the onan engine like yours will not start if you do not have 12.5 volts present due to the way they have the ignition system made that was an issue I ran across in mine it would crank fine and fast but no start mine read 11.7 volts
At 13:45, you said theres the oil pressure. That is the load or vacuum gauge. It just shows how hard the engine is working. At idle or mid RPM, it should be around the zero mark. Being that its reading that high makes me wonder if the line has a small hole in it.
I got the same one , I put a new battery in and it didn't start , the engine is fine because I turned it on manually but the ignition key does not turn on the tractor
Excellent video, however, I must say - you jinxed the starting from the get-go when you referred to a Wheelhorse tractor as a Toro...😎. I have 3 of those 520H tractors - excellent machines and the Onan is in a class by itself...👍
Great day to work outside ?? That roof is going to crash Would love to have it and fix her up but don’t need it because I got several different sizes of real tractors, yet it’s still on my bucket list
That’s a wheel horse not a toro. It may have a toro badge but it’s kind of an insult to call a wheelhorse a toro. I’ve owned about 8 of these through the years. Currently have a 520xi that is a toro with wheelhorse attributes
Those old Wheel Horses are pretty good tractors. Way better then what's available now. Well worth the money to keep it going.
I agree- a lot of overpriced junk now 🤣
That’s back when they made mowers. Glad you got it started.
Definitely! I'm glad I finally got it going. Thanks 🙂
There's a reason wheel horses have such a strong following despite their faults. Those Onans run hot, have valve issues, and are super thirsty, but they'll pull most modern lawn tractors in circles and will last a long time if cared for. Biggest downfalls with the 520H are the hydro linkage is finicky and the electrical system on the Onan-equipped tractors is notoriously bad.
Very nice Chris, never know you have one of those, it will be great to see more of this
Thank you Jan. I think I have only ever had it in one video many years ago 🙂
Success! Might have been a brush stuck in the starter. I always check the engines on my lawn mowers in the spring for mouse nests under the cowl that will cause them to overheat if left undiscovered.
No doubt Pete. Shop vac, or air hose.
Maybe... I guess I should have checked the starter first 🤦♂️ I know what you mean- darn mice! Thanks Pete 🙂
I had a 62 Wheelhorse with stuck front tires. Looks you have a good unit. The problem I have is I don't use things enough.
Thank you Chris.
That must have been a neat tractor. I don't use this one enough either. Thanks Bryce 🙂
Those are some good mowers. Those early toro/wheel horse mowers
They sure are! I'm glad I still have this one. Thanks 🙂
I've still got the old Hobo Freight jump pack like that... Haven't used it in years. Probably dead..
Fresh gas is always good anymore... Used to be the old stale stuff worked fine, but that's back when gas was real
Mine doesn't seem to hold a charge very long anymore. I think it's time for a new one. If I had a big channel, maybe some company would send me one 😁
Awesome machine. I picked one up at my work it’s a toro dealer and the guy gave up on it. It had all the symptoms of a bad valve. But turned out to be the ignition tractor those in and run so smooth glad you got her going. To many people give up on this stuff. These were actually commercial built units to whitest and thousands of hours truly a desirable machine I love mine it has only 900 ish hours and I’ve decreased and cleaned it real nice I take it to shows and things. I have 13 different garden tractors form various different time periods I like them a lot parts are cheaper than being into the car hobby. Thanks for taking us along!!
Good reliable machine.
They sure are! Thanks 🙂
Also I noticed a lot of mouse nests flying around,
take compress there if you got it and blow out all behind all of them Tins
Man yeah Mr Chris!! That thing purrs like a kitten!!! I couldn't believe it fired up like that!! Isn't that a testimony to a real garden tractor...cast iron front axle!! 😁😁😁 Nothing like a good wrap with the hammer to get it fired up!! Always gotta watch trying to go in backwards with things like that relay🤦😉😁🤣 Thank you sir, for bringing us along!! I am really looking fwd to seeing more on this one for sure!! 😁😁😁👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
It does run great, even after all these years. Very well built. Stupid starter....Should have checked that first 🤦 🤣 Thank you sir! Like that new logo too!!
@@dehavenfamilyfarm 🤦🤦🤣🤣🤣 Yes sir it does run good!! Thank you very much!!
Great job Chris. Take care and have a blessed week my friend.
Thank you- you too!! 🙂
Im in West Texas but during winter I put all equipment batteries in heated sheld and charge them for 30 minutes every month
They last twice the average age of the batteries, I connect them in series to charge all at same time
Check the 8 pin connector make sure that's not corroded that's a big problem with those tractors check all your safety switches like on the seat PT o's Hopefully that helps you little
glad you got it started, i had a similar problem starting my old Bolens , never did figure it out , one day no start then next day it started and has started ever since
Me too! Funny how things happen, but at least yours is working again!! Thanks 🙂
Just think, if you would have tapped it to begin with... Lol..
Start with the cheapest and easiest first, then change parts..
Nice little mower👍
I know 🤦♂️ I just didn't think of it. Thanks Ed!
Top of the line machine back in the day. Those 500 series can take loader machines ect.. Great machines
Need you a GOOLOO GT4000S 😁
I actually just bought a Noco Genius charger/tender because I needed something for the 6 volt tractors 🙂
Just a tip I though I’d share is the onan engine like yours will not start if you do not have 12.5 volts present due to the way they have the ignition system made that was an issue I ran across in mine it would crank fine and fast but no start mine read 11.7 volts
They are great tractors, mine has electrical gremlins too !
They sure are. I'm glad to hear mine isn't the only one with electrical issues 😆 Thanks for watching!
At 13:45, you said theres the oil pressure. That is the load or vacuum gauge. It just shows how hard the engine is working. At idle or mid RPM, it should be around the zero mark. Being that its reading that high makes me wonder if the line has a small hole in it.
Just got one from a older feller gonna see if I can get it going again
Push the left brake pedal. Innerlocked to death. Love the 520-H Big ONANS! Every mans dream.
I got the same one , I put a new battery in and it didn't start , the engine is fine because I turned it on manually but the ignition key does not turn on the tractor
Excellent video, however, I must say - you jinxed the starting from the get-go when you referred to a Wheelhorse tractor as a Toro...😎. I have 3 of those 520H tractors - excellent machines and the Onan is in a class by itself...👍
🤣🤣🤣 That must have been what caused it! They are definitely well built. Thanks for watching sir 🙂
Great day to work outside ??
That roof is going to crash
Would love to have it and fix her up but don’t need it because I got several different sizes of real tractors, yet it’s still on my bucket list
Sit on the seat and try
Did the come from Canfield's ganden tractors
Seat bottom has safety switch
That’s a wheel horse not a toro. It may have a toro badge but it’s kind of an insult to call a wheelhorse a toro. I’ve owned about 8 of these through the years. Currently have a 520xi that is a toro with wheelhorse attributes
They are great little garden tractors for sure. Thanks Brian!
Im not trying to be a ass but it’s very unsafe to change a battery next to fuel cans