Pcoz88 0 #1 Posted March 21, 2010 Whats the best year for a 520h?I need one thats going to be reliable.I'll take very good car of it.I just need something thats going to last for years and not nickel and dime us to death.Thanks. Pete In ohio Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rickv1957 72 #2 Posted March 21, 2010 While all the 520s are great tractors,I would say a 91 or newer as they have the forward swept axle so you can run a 60" deck if wanted,Rick Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Docwheelhorse 2,660 #3 Posted March 22, 2010 Just my .02---do you really want to have a 20 hp Onan? Tony Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Save Old Iron 1,566 #4 Posted March 22, 2010 with gas prices up - the cost of gas on the 20Hp may nickel and dime you to death. electrical issues are common and are sometimes evasive - always expense to fix. unless you absolutely need the 520 for its raw power - look elsewhere. p.s. I own a 520H Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Operator 7 #5 Posted March 22, 2010 Look at my signature, that will tell you what I think of them! Great tractors yes, but like earlier said they do have electric issues. First problem I learned on - battery tray drain was right over the square electric connector and took that out from acid drips. Needed tube on end of drain. The second thing is I like my stuff clean so I wash them when I'm done working, I burned out the rectifier on the engine from temp. change - cold water on hot stuff is not a good idea, my fault though. I keep all fuses and wire connections lubed with dielectric grease and use air to clean now more than water. When I do wash them they are cooled down and wait to dry before fireing them up. Live and learn I guess. But it was expensive while learning 520H swept axle - great tractor!! Randy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pcoz88 0 #6 Posted March 22, 2010 Thanks for all the reply's!!I'll just stick with the 416-H I found then.Hopefully I can get it alittle cheaper then what the guy said he wanted. Pete Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Docwheelhorse 2,660 #7 Posted March 22, 2010 Hey Randy... how many valve seat repairs and carb cleanouts/rebuilds have you done? Great Tractor Yes.... Great Engine Yes... Great Combination.... NOPE! Tony Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Operator 7 #8 Posted March 23, 2010 Hey Randy... how many valve seat repairs and carb cleanouts/rebuilds have you done? Great Tractor Yes.... Great Engine Yes... Great Combination.... NOPE! Tony One 520 One carb clean out very fine grit! No valve problems - - - - yet. They have anywhere from 1100 hrs to 1350 hrs. No oil usage. Run good, start good even all winter. They get regular oil and filter changes plus get blowed out in the fin areas. I did start to get nervous last spring with one, smokeing on start up and a little there after, but came out of it after a month. Bad gas! Randy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rickv1957 72 #9 Posted March 23, 2010 Randy,I looked at a 520 a while back with 2600 hours showing and ran well,Rick Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Confused99 2 #10 Posted March 24, 2010 My 520 has almost exactly 1400 hours and runs great. I bought it from the original owner and it has never needed the valve seat replaced (knock on wood) Jason Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wh5208speed 645 #11 Posted March 25, 2010 :omg: The 520-H is a great tractor. I would guess at one time or another I have owned 20-25 of them (not all at once). Maintence & owner care seemed to be more important with this tractor because of all the nice bells & whistles...... When there are more features....there is more things to go wrong. I would make the point that if you find a 520-H that has been well maintained and cared for you will find them to be just as reliable as any other Wheelhorse. If you they have been abused and left outside....they tend to have more electrical wire issues than your standard 300-400-C-series. As far as best year....here are some suttle differences. 1988-89 no forward swept axle and no gear reduction steering motion lever between legs hydraulic lift is on the side of the dash 520-HC did have the foward swept axle 1990 started the forward swept axle still no gear reduction steering motion lever and hydraulic lift moved to the steering column 1991 got the gear reduction steering 1993-95 -got the seat mounts beefed up to prevent breaking off like the earlier models did. That seemed to be very common on the early 520's (You can retro fit with the newer model) 1996-97 improved ergonomics (more comfortable controls-motion lever, hydraulic lift lever, pto-lever, very nice padded steering wheel, more comfortable high back seat, full-length rubber foot pads, bigger break pedal, PTO cover) My faviorate would be the 1996 model as I love the Gold 50th anniversery trim. Thad (Been through a few 520's, in Southern Ohio) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Operator 7 #12 Posted March 25, 2010 WH5208speed Fittin right in "newbie" That was interesting , Other than the swept ax and steering I thought they were all the same! Learn something new everyday here. Randy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
