cleat 5,808 #1 Posted October 16, 2013 (edited) I currently have two tractors, both 520-H. One is an early model with the motion lever between your legs and only says wheel horse on it. The other one has the levers on the steering column and says toro on it. The Toro one seems to have a heavier front end and steering seems more geared down. Toro one has a 60" deck and a mid mount grader blade with it. the wheel horse one has a 44" snow blower on it. Toro one needs some engine work, Wheel horse one has a good running engine. I want to build one tractor from these two. Which one is better ? I am also considering adding Matthew's foot control. Edited October 16, 2013 by cleat Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hydro 131 #2 Posted October 16, 2013 You have two great choices. The older W/H with the consul stick is likely an 88 or the last year before Toro took them over. The Toro W/H has basically the same components plus the HD front end which is a real benefit for the 44" blower. Depending on overall condition you could either swap engines or the front end. I have Matts motion pedal conversion and it was the best investment I have ever made. The operation of the tractor is much smoother. The consul stick is smoother than the column but that's my opinion. Neither equal what Matt has done in his conversion. I'm thinking I would bring forward the engine and the blower to the newer tractor and keep the other for parts. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 55,045 #3 Posted October 16, 2013 Since the runs and Onterio gets a lot of snow I would spend the winter restoring the Toro and by spring you will be hopelessly addicted to and wan to restor it too. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Foozerush 40 #4 Posted October 16, 2013 Their both basically the same tractor. In my opinion, use the newer one as your platform, gonna guess it has less miles, but could be wrong. Why not just keep both alive and working? Show some pics.... Condition of units is important for opinions.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
546cowboy 301 #5 Posted October 16, 2013 (edited) If you want the best tractor possible, first I would find out just what is wrong with the engine in the Toro. If you don't want to spend the time to fix that one, take the engine out of the '88 or '89 ( yes 1989 520's had the motion lever between your legs ) put it in the newer one with Toro on it. You failed to mention how many hours either of them has which could make a difference. From what you said the Toro is a 1991 or newer. It has the gear reduction steering and swept forward axle with the 1" spindles, real wheel bearings and heavy tie rods. That is what you want for that snow blower on the front. Of course to make a better guess as to what to do!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Then you can decide what to do with the other one. Personally I would fix both tractors and have another working tractor to sell. Edited October 16, 2013 by 546cowboy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
