Identifying Year 520 with no ID tags

[Anvil 9]

Gentlemen, You have been very helpful in the past for answering my questions. I am looking at a used 520H that the serial # info was sanded off to paint the pan. This machine has a PTO to Mule Drive plastic cover, no hour meter, foot pads that are not the fine ribbed type but have the wide grooves with buttons holding them down. The lower control knobs are not round but bulb shaped black plastic. The 3 gauges say Toro on them. The top right gauge is a blank black plastic filler. The steering wheel is a three spoke, heavy on the bottom and the wheel is "fat". The mule drive does not have the heavy curved metal shield over the pulleys-possibly a casualty of replacement at one time. The hood is louvered like my 417.

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,062]

The 1996 and 1997 model 73502 used that style of traction on the foot rest. The 1996 73501 did not.

Hour meters seem to be on all

 

Garry

[Cee245 818]

I 2nd Garry in this...  Although I Did not know about the 73501 not having the rubber/plastic foot rests. 

 

Cory

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,062]

From the info available the two 73502 models in 1996 and 1997 used the Onan P220G-I/10955G

The same engine was used on the 1996 model 73501.

When you see the 73520 and 73521 models they were export models and often identified by 520-He. Toro started doing this to reduce confusion.

 

Garry

[Anvil 9]

Thank you gentlemen. I'm trying to get the #'s off the engine as well but the machine is 4.5 hours from me in NJ so I'm subject to the sellers assistance. I also thought it a bit odd not to have an hour meter. I'm told by the current owner the engine began to run rough intermittently about a week before he parked it. He said it seemed to work itself back to health after it got fully warmed up. He also said he didn't hear any noise coming from the engine like tappet or knocking sounds. Wouldn't it be cool if it was a bad plug wire???? Those Onans scare me. My 417 has a nice Kohler twin that runs like a top and doesn't use any oil at 980 hours. I'm hoping if I get the opportunity to purchase it I might part out the deck, which is a 60" "commercial" so I'm told. I read on the forum that the 60" deck used a different Mule Drive. Maybe that's why it didn't have a metal shield as my 48" setup has and all the 300 series I've ever owned. Any other thoughts on the year would be much appreciated.

Anvil

[Cee245 818]

It's A LOT odd to not have a hour meter. 

Sounds like when running rough, FIRST, clean carb thoroughly. 

Does the seller have a reasonable guess to hours?

I would be very suspicious of this deal.

 

Cory

[Ed Kennell 38,305]

2 hours ago, Anvil said:

 I read on the forum that the 60" deck used a different Mule Drive.

Yes, the pulleys are spring loaded on the mule drive for the 60" deck.

[Anvil 9]

The seller tells me he has no idea how many hours are on it. He said the tires are original and in great shape, the paint is fine with the exception of the seat pan that was painted just in front of the seat, which is why the sticker is gone/coated. The seller also told me he has only had the machine since late spring.

[ericj 1,578]

if you can't start it do a compression test on it. if you can get it started gently feel both exhaust pipes coming into the muffler to see if both are hot. good luck

 

 

 

 

 

eric j  

[Anvil 9]

Thank you eric j. The machine is 4.5 hours drive from me so I'm working on gathering enough info to determine if I should even bother. Providing the rest of the machine is in OK condition, I have in stock a great running K341 kohler with everything I need to swap it over. I hate to bastardize stuff but I was keeping this old K in the event my 417-8 conked out. So far the 417 is running strong. I always like a plan "B".

 

[Forest Road 594]

9 hours travel time is out of my comfort zone for a questioanble machine. Have patience a better machine will pop up. They always do! 

[Anvil 9]

I don't mind the ride as long as the machine is salvageable. I have a K341 in great shape that I thought would go well in the 520 shell. I really don't need another machine as I have a 312-8 and a 417-8, both work well. Always wanted a 520. Too bad the Onan is the only factory option. I know of aftermarkets and they are not out of the realm of possibilities. My quest is to find the best tractor, even if the engine is shot. $500One that I am looking at is a 1996-97 520 with problems running rough. I figured for $500 and another $100 for the long ride and fuel it might not be so bad. For me its a 1 day turn, which I have no problem with. Wouldn't you think a machine in good condition with a bad engine be worth $600? It has a 60" deck on one and the other a 48".

Your thoughts?

[Forest Road 594]

I had one w 102 hours traded for 314h w 175 hours. Just because I don’t trust the  Onans. My friend is finally ready to part w that machine and I’m tempted to jump on it. When Onans are running right there’s nothing like it. That being said a 341 is a great alternative. 

 

Sounds like a plan. Go for it. The steering and heavy duty spindles are a big improvement. Those transmissions rarely fail. And if it does they’re a dime a dozen. Good luck! 

[Anvil 9]

Thanks Forest Road. I'm attempting to work out the logistics now. I'm guessing with the deck it probably weighs about 750-800 lbs. I wish I had my pickup back. Only have a jeep now.

[Cee245 818]

A 520H weighs about 650#. And the 60" inch deck is in the vicinity of 275#.  I'm not positive of deck weight, but I know a 48" deck weighs 168#.

 

 

Cory

[WVHillbilly520H 10,373]

1 hour ago, Forest Road said:

I had one w 102 hours traded for 314h w 175 hours. Just because I don’t trust the  Onans.

Bought the anniversary new 20 years ago other than the 9 pin molex and an ignition module(electrical) nothing mechanical has given me any trouble and it was an "ALL SEASON" worker, till I got the remaining '95 with with less hours that's now my trim mower and the anniversary is the snow blower...

 

1 hour ago, Forest Road said:

 My friend is finally ready to part w that machine and I’m tempted to jump on it. When Onans are running right there’s nothing like it. 

100% agree but usually it was how it was treated is how they stay running...

 

1 hour ago, Forest Road said:

 

Sounds like a plan. Go for it. The steering and heavy duty spindles are a big improvement. Those transmissions rarely fail. 

Nearly bullet proof but needs the fenders pulled occasionally for a good cleaning around the pump...     I'm from the old hotrod mentality there's no replacement for displacement wish they would have put the big 24 HP Onans in the 500 series...I'll now step off my  and let you go bring it home, Jeff.