520xi

[Wheelhorse84 87]

I was just wondering if those newer 520 xi'S are a good tractor? Was thinking of getting a newer tractor bit wanna stay red.

[leeave96 487]

I think they are good tractors. Keep in mind earlier implements don't necessarily work with the 5xi tractors.

[Challenger 27]

As a modern, "worker" tractor, they can't be beat. If you have the chance to try one you should.

I can help you locate one.

[smoreau 658]

Lots of guys swear by them! They look very impressive but attachments are not that plentiful. I have been eye billing one for months and think I am going to get it

Edited February 16, 2013 by smoreau

[Brrly1 1,146]

Scott, go get it you won't regret it! 520xi is my snow pusher. I enjoy it totally. Only if I could get some snow to push!

[Forest Road 594]

Absolutely love mine! They're extremely well built.

[doc724 925]

I love mine. There has been a few for sale recently here in MA. One went in less than a day. It was a 520Lxi (liquid cooled). As another poster said, attachments are not as plentiful as the classic tractors and the attachments for the classic tractors will not mount to a 5xi

[whlpny 203]

^{We need to be a little more specific when telling people new to the market of an xi as to what fits and what won't. The snowblower and mower deck are tractor specific for the xi series. It will share the same rear tiller as a Classic WH but uses a different mid-mount mule drive. With the addition of a rear slot hitch it can run a plow, cultivator etc- any rear mount attachment that a Classic can.}

[shallowwatersailor 3,213]

My thoughts are to stick with the Kohler or if you can find one, the Daihatsu/B&S Vanguard versions. I don't think the Kawasaki 520Lxi are very plentiful but they are the same era as the JD 400 series that had problems with the plastic cam gear. I don't know for sure if this is the case but certainly something to investigate. After owning my 518xi (which is great), I think that I would enjoy it even more with the power steering. I guess I'm getting soft . I'm always on the lookout for a second one!

[Challenger 27]

Shallowwater's point about the Kawasaki engines is important to consider. On certain 18hp John Deere/Kawasaki liquid cooled units there was a plastic cam gear problem. John Deere/Kawasaki 20hp engines used metal cam gears I believe. However, a John Deere/Kawasaki set-up OF ANY HORSEPOWER may or may not be identical to a Toro Wheel Horse/Kawasaki set-up. (Toro Wheel Horse used a 20hp Kawasaki liquid cooled engine.)

Worth some careful investigation.

[Rick_in_CT 156]

I'm very pleased with my 522xi, so pleased I bought a second one this past fall. They are built real solid, the Kohler's run great, love the hydro, hydro lift, and power steering. Not sure if the 520xi has power steering. There are used attachments out there, you just have to watch for them. You can also use the New Holland GT series attachments, as this was a 5xi series with blue paint. I just bought a brand new 60" New Holland mower deck, got a great deal on it. I would say if you can find one, you won't be dissapointed.

[shallowwatersailor 3,213]

I did more research on the Kawasaki engine. It was actually the 425-445 series that had a liquid-cooled Kawasaki engine. The plastic gear ended with engine #150198 in John Deere's around 1998. That means that the first year's production in 1998, and maybe 1999, for the 520Lxi could be included. Power steering was only installed on the 522xi, 520Lxi, and 523Dxi.

[Snowmobileaddict 403]

5xi's are great tractors. I've owned my 2003 522 for exactly one year.

The only thing I wish these had was a diff lock feature. Heavy duty and outstanding build quality.

[Wheelhorse84 87]

That's a beauty

[whfan74 2,068]

Picked up a 2000 522xi with a 60" deck last fall.  Great machine as far as power, comfort, steering, etc....  Grabbed a snow plow for it from a fellow member on here and it is by far the most enjoyable tractor to plow with.  If you can grab one, do it.  You won't regret the purchase.

 

Edited February 19, 2013 by whfan74

[Brrly1 1,146]

I"ll second That!!!