STEPS to TAKE to Get an Old Tractor RUNNING AGAIN - 1990 Wheel Horse 520H

This is a 1990 Wheel Horse 520-H I picked up recently. Yep, 32 years old. In this video we'll walk the steps I typically take in getting up and running any tractor that has sat a long time without use. Use chapter selections to jump to any section of interest to you, or jump to the end to see our success! Thanks for watching Buck's Small Engine DIY, Putting the "Do" into "Do-It-Yourself"
0:00 Intro to the Tractor
4:28 Charge Battery
4:58 Drain Old Fuel
6:33 Clean Cable Connections
7:24 Spark Plugs and Air Filter
9:17 Battery Ready to Go
9:51 Oil Change Messiness
10:55 Drain Oil & Remove Filter
13:34 Install Oil Filter
14:20 Oil Drain Pipe Extension
16:31 Add Fuel & Start It Up
19:40 Running only while Choked
21:55 Test Drive (Engine still choked)
24:13 Running Good After Carb Cleaning
26:36 Wrap-up

[@davejohn255]

I have a '92 that I have used for years. Originally got it for $500 as a worn out neglected farm tractor. Cleaned painted ,decaled and after the 2nd valve job sold the engine and replaced it with a 13HP Predator that sips fuel, (The 20 HP Onan sucks gas. I use it as a back up mower for my JD 1026R. Always loved the WH's.

[@stephenmerkh9766]

Great job! Glad to see that tractor with someone who can use and appreciate it. Looking forward to the follow up videos!

[@Buckwsr]

Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@charliesmith5849]

Buck , you will learn pretty quick, a Wheel Horse will drive you to get rid of all those MTD units you have sitting around!

[@Coco-oy5sm]

I'd double check that - looks like an 88 to me. 89+ had the forward/reverse on the column and 90+ had the forward-swept front axle and Toro stickers. I'm no expert and it's all more or less interchangeable so I couldn't say for sure. It's a solid unit either way, just maybe an earlier iteration. Definitely got the better end of the deal regardless
My brother and I dragged the 1990 520H out of my dad's garage a few years ago. It had been collecting dust for 24 years. Fresh gas, two (lightly) used plugs from my s10, and it was running in 20 minutes. I gave it new filters, fuel hose, and one tire, and it's been running fine ever since. Likes some choke - carb needs gone over - but it's been unstoppable so far.

[@philliphall5198]

Love the seat. Very nice ride😊

[@elitesless1539]

Dude, Great video! I feel like my dad has the same brand tractor growing up except it was silver. Was that a rooster!?!🤣 I love it!!!

[@Buckwsr]

Hey, Thanks. Yeah, we have chickens. Those roosters make noise in a lot of my videos, ha ha!

[@josephdeluca2710]

I have owned my 1988 520-H since 1995. It’s been pretty much gas and oil for 28 years and still going strong. 1200 hours on the clock. I noticed your oil filter is a bit short. I use Wix 51762 which is the same size and meets all specs as the Onan filters that are no longer available. Amazon purchase. I love this tractor.

[@Buckwsr]

Thanks for the tip on the oil filter. I'll have to remember that. I've got this tractor running real nice now, and I'm very happy with it.

[@Coco-oy5sm]

I buy NOS Toro and Onan filters because they're still readily available and not very expensive. Just a note for purists. But for the non-purists, Wix is an excellent brand, and there are tons of other perfectly serviceable names that are compatible, including ACDelco, Ford, and NAPA

[@geralddeitz9169]

I own the same one with all attachments.

[@Buckwsr]

I've got the snow blower, and the dozer blade. I've installed the dozer blade to push snow this winter....if we get any...

[@richardyoung5586]

Yes you got lucky with the carburetor I have the same model I ended up having to replace the whole car later I wasn't so lucky but taken blow air compressed air behind all of 10 make sure there's no grass filled up in there clean all that out these things are common for their back cylinders getting hot Hope that helps

[@Buckwsr]

Thanks for the tips. I ended up doing more work on this fella. Replaced the muffler (broken bolts made it a challenge), removed and thoroughly cleaned the carburetor. New exhaust and intake gaskets. It's running great now. I am really happy with this tractor.

[@bazzer606]

Hi I have a similar model here in the uk 1997 I think 227-5 runs fine but steering rack is worn and if I turn to hard the teeth slip it looks a difficult job to undertake and spares are hard to acquire