Horse Play 393 #1 Posted July 16, 2012 As a kid, we had a Wheel Horse left with my grandparents house that we bought from them. It was a 520-8 I remember it very well because I used it all the time to mow with for six years. It had a 60" deck and chrome hub caps. My grandfather bought it new in 1990 from a local dealer just as a mower to use and that's the way we treated it, however it receive maintenance and washes. Now that I have joined this forum I recently learned these were rare models and I'm really shocked. So I was curious if many members here have a 520-8 and if their's have history of being from central Pennsylvania. I figured with only 225 built, somebody on here might own it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sparky-(Admin) 21,300 #2 Posted July 16, 2012 It's a bummer its not still around. We have a few members with them but with E-bay and the internet tractors dont always sell locally. I'm in the middle of Connecticut and have driven a few hundred miles(into PA) for tractors so your 520-8 could be far away now. Good luck in the search. Mike............ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TT-(Moderator) 1,131 #3 Posted July 17, 2012 I can't be any more central in PA and one lived here for a while - but it was not the one you speak of. Mine had a 48" deck, no hubcaps, and originally came from the SE PA area. ID tag photo (added for reference): When it left here, it was headed for western NY ~ somewhere north of Bradford, PA Low production does in a sense equal rare, but I don't believe it was intentional with this model. I have said all along that there was only 225 of them produced because very few people wanted them. For a few more "coins", you got hydraulic lift, armrests, chrome goodies, more gauges, etc. on the 520-H Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SALTYWRIGHT 859 #4 Posted July 17, 2012 I HAVE A 520-8 NOW. IT IS FROM FLA. (IT IS STILL DOWN THERE) IT WAS GIVEN TO ME. IT HAS LESS THAN 20 HOURS USE. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wheelhorse84 87 #5 Posted July 17, 2012 I would love to find one of those. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tunahead72 2,400 #6 Posted July 17, 2012 Stranger things have happened... A neighbor of mine, who passed away a couple of years ago, grew up on his family's farm near here. He spent a good deal of his later adult years restoring old John Deere farm tractors, and told me a story once about one of his restoration projects. It turns out that after a good deal of research, he realized that the tractor he had just bought originally belonged to his dad, and in fact he (my neighbor) had driven this tractor as a kid! Do you happen to have any old paperwork on your 520-8, anything at all -- original bill of sale, service records, anything with a serial number or other information that would help you identify it if you saw it? Is the dealer still in business? Good luck! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevebo-(Moderator) 8,330 #7 Posted July 17, 2012 Another member here Riley08 from CT had one that he restored and looked great. He ended up selling it on ebay about 2 weeks ago for good money and the buyer was from MI. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Horse Play 393 #8 Posted July 17, 2012 I asked my mom and she didn't have any paperwork left, she said they gave it all to the dealer when it was traded in. I'm wanting to call my grandfather and see what he remembers. It was bought new in Pleasant Gap, PA (just outside of State College) and in 2000 we traded it in for a Kubota at McCoys down in Roaring Springs. We had a two-acre yard and it worked great, but we did have a lot of steep hills; the brakes were a deathtrap! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wheel Horse Kid 105 #9 Posted July 17, 2012 Another member here Riley08 from CT had one that he restored and looked great. He ended up selling it on ebay about 2 weeks ago for good money and the buyer was from MI. I saw that one on Ebay too. It was a great looking machine! Always thought that a 520-8 would be a nice tractor to have. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kpinnc 11,873 #10 Posted July 17, 2012 I'll bet that 60-inch deck on a 520-8 was fun to raise with a manual lift... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Timothy Box 4 #11 Posted November 14, 2012 hey i bought a wheel horse 520-8 out of state college this is what it lloks like now 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
boovuc 1,090 #12 Posted November 15, 2012 I'm 20 minutes from Pleasant Gap and so is TT. I haven't run across a 520-8 Speed personally but I do know that there were a few around several years ago as Timothy above this post points out! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Horse Play 393 #13 Posted November 15, 2012 hey i bought a wheel horse 520-8 out of state college this is what it lloks like now That's a good looking tractor! Ours had hubcaps, no armrest, and a 60" deck - what size deck is yours? We traded ours in 2000 at McCoy's in Roaring Springs. I remember my dad bought a power washer and tried it out on the 520; he accidentally peeled the hood decals a little. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Horse Play 393 #14 Posted November 15, 2012 I'm 20 minutes from Pleasant Gap and so is TT. I haven't run across a 520-8 Speed personally but I do know that there were a few around several years ago as Timothy above this post points out! My grandfather bought it new at Pennwoods in Pleasant Gap back when they sold Wheel Horses. I see you are from Mill Hall, I am originally from Howard and later moved to State College. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
312Hydro 474 #15 Posted November 15, 2012 hey i bought a wheel horse 520-8 out of state college this is what it lloks like now Great looking 520. What brand and size are those rear tires? They look good. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cable 179 #16 Posted November 15, 2012 I have one that was purchased several months ago from north of Johnstown, PA. Serial numbe appears to be 10083. Some damage to the hood needed fixing. The problem that came up is where can you get good replaclement decals? Vinyl Guy makes them but they aren't exact reproductions. It sure stands out when "Toro" is missing. Mayhew's Reproductions has failed to return my phone call on the subject. I have pretty much given up on Ed. These part numbers are no longer available from Toro. Does anyone know a source for decals? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
855ownerJoel 32 #17 Posted November 15, 2012 I get all my decals made at Vintage Productions. www.clickitandstickit.com He doesn't have alot of Wheel Horse on web but has custom made several to me that are exact matches. You can email him at cf@clickitandstickit.com tell him Joel from Slinger sent you. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Duff 206 #18 Posted November 15, 2012 Cable, contact Terry (Vinylguy) directly. He's been known to one-off decals for us at a fair price. He may not have set up a run of these because of the low demand. Terry's darned good people to work with! ~Duff :thumbs: 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tankman 3,518 #19 Posted January 6, 2013 Just made a purchase, decent shape for it's age but, wo.....wo.....work ahead. Going to be a bit of a project. 520-8 with a 48" SD deck, $200 running. Deck will need a little patching, Paint for the deck and most of the tractor; seat pan, belt guards, more. At the price, tickled pink. I know, I know, useless without pic's. Delivery later this week, at that time, I'll update with pictures. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ericj 1,578 #20 Posted January 6, 2013 did you buy the tractor or get it in a hold up $200.00. i thought i did good when i bought my 520-8 for $ 300.00 and parts swap but mine was torn apart and the wiring and throttle and choke cables cut. GOOD DEAL NO GREAT DEAL, good luck with your project. my brother is suppose to restore mine in exchange for my 96 520-H and a 60" deck and i get dad's 86 or 87 417-8 back eric Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wishin4a416 2,191 #21 Posted January 6, 2013 I looked at a 518-8 about a month ago. I looked at Tractor data before and after looking at it and saw no reference for it. All I found were for the 518-H. It lost the motor sometime in its life as it had a 18 B&S on it. He said the hood was not correct. Makes me wonder now if someone changed the decals or could it have been a 520 or if it was lagit with the motor changed. Who knows I guess. Maybe a Frankentractor but it was clean. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tankman 3,518 #22 Posted January 7, 2013 did you buy the tractor or get it in a hold up $200.00. i thought i did good when i bought my 520-8 for $ 300.00 and parts swap but mine was torn apart and the wiring and throttle and choke cables cut. GOOD DEAL NO GREAT DEAL, good luck with your project. my brother is suppose to restore mine in exchange for my 96 520-H and a 60" deck and i get dad's 86 or 87 417-8 back eric The owner is on the edge of a farm, I stopped 'n asked. He owns some larger Farmall's and Deere's. For grass he's using a big (wide) rear wheel mower. A Yazoo I think it was(?). Turned out he knows a friend of mine. Said, "Make me an offer." I did and he accepted. I'm not more than a mile or two away, he's delivering to my barn later this week. This Stallion will enjoy kabitzin' with the other Horses I'm sure. Me too! The 500 looks very nice, will look great after cleanin' and Regal Red, decals, power wash, the seat too is in decent shape. Rather looking forward to crusin' 'round this coming spring. I took my other four 's out for fresh air, idled the engines on this nice sunny day.........a bit of a celebration. Bring on the 520-8! :ychain: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kevbo 80 #23 Posted January 7, 2013 Just made a purchase, decent shape for it's age but, wo.....wo.....work ahead. Going to be a bit of a project. 520-8 with a 48" SD deck, $200 running. Deck will need a little patching, Paint for the deck and most of the tractor; seat pan, belt guards, more. At the price, tickled pink. I know, I know, useless without pic's. Delivery later this week, at that time, I'll update with pictures. I was so excited to see a thread on the 520-8 because this was like my dream tractor to find. I love the manual transmissions on the Wheel Horses and to get the biggest HP and still have a manual tranny is awesome! I live on a super steep hill and the hyrdros tend to get stressed out... I envy all who own a 520-8 and Tankman congrats on yours as you live relatively close to me! I am just outside Reading, PA. Hopefully Horse Play can track down his old 520-8! That would be so neat! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wheel-N-It 2,968 #24 Posted January 7, 2013 Congragulations Tankman on your new addition to the herd!!! Now hurry up with them pics! :thumbs: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tankman 3,518 #25 Posted February 21, 2013 Congragulations Tankman on your new addition to the herd!!! Now hurry up with them pics! Thanks Van, 520-8 today. Moving along nicely. So nice, I take the Stallion for a little winter drive now 'n then. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
