Kelly 1,029 #1 Posted August 7, 2013 I got a call last week about a 520HC with 60" deck, needs a engine, he was the orig. owner, garage kept all it's life, and routine maintenance done, I told him I was busy with the MI WH show so it would have to be this week before I could pick it up, but we agreed on a price over the phone, I got it last night, I have 5 520's right now and have had about 6 others, but this is my first 520 HC it is a plain jane tractor, but it is in pretty good shape considering it has just shy of 1200 hours on it, it sat in his barn for the past 3 years because it had a knock in the engine and he did not want to ruin it, but after pricing Onan stuff it just sat. Tonight I figured I would start it to see what it sounded like, after charging the batt. and cranking it till fuel came up in the filter, it fired right up, no smoke, and no knock??? till I throttled it up and down, then it made a noise but it was not in tune with the engine, I spun the PTO bell and it was noisy so I pulled it thinking no way could it be this easy, well it wasn't, noise still there, but squatted down by the PTO end of the engine running it up and down, I could see the end of the crank moving, and not like it should, but then I noticed the bearing plate was moving with it, so I snugged up the bolts I could get to easy, and tried it again, well the noise is gone, WOO HOO I still need to fix it right and replace the gasket in there and check everything over, but even with 3 year old gas in it, it runs great, trans seems strong, I had planned on parting it out but I may just keep it, I have been looking for a 520 to build in to something and this may be it, The monster 60" deck is going by by, so if you want one send me a PM it will be checked out and listed in the classifieds soon, and the price will be fairly cheap. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sparky-(Admin) 21,300 #2 Posted August 7, 2013 Did you take it for a full throttle spin? They are supposed to be faster than the standard horse. Mike............. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kelly 1,029 #3 Posted August 7, 2013 just got back in from running it pretty hard, it does seem faster, I heard that about them also, I drove it for about 15 min. got it good and warm driving up and down hills, full and part throttle, then I put the front tires against the rear tire on the Farmall H at idle and pushed the DCL forwards all the way, the engine never made a noise and the tires just slowly dug holes, all at idle, so I think the engine will be fine and the trans is strong, steering is nice and tight, all in all a pretty nice machine. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KC9KAS 4,741 #4 Posted August 7, 2013 WOW, sounds like you got a nice 520. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JackC 617 #5 Posted August 7, 2013 The 520HC will do 7.5 mph vs 6.4 and 5.6 for the newer 520H tractors. My 520HC is my favorite machine. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tankman 3,518 #6 Posted August 8, 2013 Well not much to say 'cept someone is blessed. Wow! What a find! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevebo-(Moderator) 8,330 #7 Posted August 8, 2013 I am with Jack... My 520HC is my favorite tractor for mowing. Faster than the newer ones and they seem to have a lower center of gravity too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
decksetter 50 #8 Posted August 8, 2013 I am with Jack... My 520HC is my favorite tractor for mowing. Faster than the newer ones and they seem to have a lower center of gravity too. What would you attribute lower center of gravity to? Is anything different? I've never been on an hc. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
welderman85 53 #9 Posted August 8, 2013 great score Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kelly 1,029 #10 Posted August 8, 2013 With a 300 lb deck under it, I'm sure the center of gravity is pretty low, and this one has the widest front tires I've ever had on a 520 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevebo-(Moderator) 8,330 #11 Posted August 8, 2013 Yes-Heavy deck, wider rear tires and I installed a lower seat without all the extra springs.... It just feels "right" 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kelly 1,029 #12 Posted August 8, 2013 Ya the bushings are worn out, or should I say gone in the seat pivot, it has slider adjustments on the stock U shaped springs, AND big coil springs under the seat flip up, hit a bump and it's like riding a roller coaster, I'll be changing some of that stuff out very soon. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hodge71 664 #13 Posted August 8, 2013 What an awesome score Kelly!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
clemedc 29 #14 Posted August 9, 2013 Yuuuup nice score I mowed with my 520H for the first time a few days ago and with a 48" deck it seemed to cut the mowing time to 1/3 the normal time it would take for my c125 and a 42" deck. It just cut so smooth and would mow much faster. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mrc 810 #15 Posted August 9, 2013 (edited) hi kelly, great score! what size are the front tires? best regards. mike in mass Edited August 9, 2013 by mrc Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kelly 1,029 #16 Posted August 9, 2013 fronts are 16x7.50x8 rears are 23x10.50x12 my other 520's have 16x6.50x8's in that tread, or some have 16x7.50x8 in the dico but don't look as big as these do, I kinda like them, looks like a steam roller with all the wide tires on it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shorts 182 #17 Posted August 9, 2013 (edited) good looking tractor, Edited August 9, 2013 by shorts Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
