Joined the 520-H Club

[shallowwatersailor 3,213]

Today my herd grew with a 520-H that I bought from "Cable." It is slated to receive the Johnny Bucket that is currently on my 312A. I plan on adding a few inches of topsoil this fall to the front lawn and need the extra    horsepower.

 

[rmaynard 15,424]

Nice pick-up John. 

[AMC RULES 37,127]

Nice score John, welcome aboard.    

[clemedc 29]

gotta love them 520`s

[Tankman 3,518]

Very nice, could've used one when I was in Denton.

 

I have a 520-8, runs great. I'm sure your 520-H will be your "go to" Stallion!

 

Just go easy on the Tidewater! 

[JackC 617]

Nice.  How would you compare the 520H with the 518xi?

[Vinylguy 4,674]

Welcome to the Club John

 

Here is your Members card

 

Edited July 23, 2013 by VINYLGUY

[Kelly 1,029]

I have a few 520's they are beast, I will never be with out at least one, or maybe two  

[leeave96 487]

Very nice!  You will like that tractor and if you get yourself Matt's foot control kit, you'll ask yourself how you ever lived without a mighty foot controlled 520H.

 

Good luck,

Bill

[Jake Kuhn 1,554]

Nice looking tractor!

[cheesegrader 433]

So, it begins.

The first 520.  Then a loader.

But the other attachments are lonely, and it would be so much easier to have second tractor.

One that could share parts.  And help with electrical diagnoses.

Why not another 520.  There is room.

But if you have two, you might as well get that cheap roller for spare pieces.

And another garage to store them.

And.....

[shallowwatersailor 3,213]

Nice.  How would you compare the 520H with the 518xi?

I hope that I don't get anyone upset.

 

These are definitely two different tractors but Toro kept the best parts, I feel, from Wheel Horse on the 5xi series. The 5xi rides better, turns sharper (with some models having power steering), has an Eaton 1100 two-range transaxle with neutral - so that it can be pushed by hand (although it weighs almost 500 pounds more), a comfortable treadle pedal, FAST, and has the Attach-A-Matic system. But all of the attachments are specific to the 5xi because the frame is wider so incompatible with older WH attachments; and missing what the green competition offered  - hydraulic attachments including a 3-point hitch, locking rear, and 18X8.50-8 front tires with 26X12.00-12 rear tires. I would like to have seen a 5xi with an Onan! The 5xi did have a wide choice of engines including a diesel though.

 

The 520-H is a classic with an Onan that is lighter than a Kohler twin (plus the sound!), attachments are compatible with older models, and the strong Eaton 1100. The column motion control is awkward and I prefer the motion control on my 312A. I definitely will be ordering one of Matt's foot control kits. Mine is a 1990 so it does not have gear reduction steering. That may be handy for using the Johnny Bucket. But it definitely is a Wheel Horse!

 

Unfortunately, Johnny Bucket doesn't offer one to fit the 5xi. I was told that not many 5xi sold in his area of Wisconsin. He was unable to find one to use for a model. Hence, my 520-H.

Edited July 23, 2013 by shallowwatersailor

[boovuc 1,090]

You won't offend anyone. The Xi's were a better machine but they weren't supported well and they definitely weren't marketed well by Toro. Hence why there aren't many out there and the attachments are even fewer.

[Tankman 3,518]

All this talk 'bout the 5xi's and 520-H's I feel like an orphan.

 

Not much to say but, WOW 'bout my lonely 520-8. Hey, it's a Stallion too!

 

The poor '90 520-8 Horse is last in the barn so it can get out first. Wo....wo.....work!

Never a complaint from the poor thing, feeling so lonely but never neglected.

 

Clean and exercised regularly....

[JackC 617]

John, thanks for the comparison.  I also prefer the older single stick hydro control over the newer on the column version.