New to me 520h

[dodgecharger 33]

I just bought a 1997 520h with a 60 inch deck. Tractor is decent, deck needs a bit of work. My yard is quite rough, over 2 acres. How hard is that big deck on a 520h? Is it a given that it will break the tractor frame?

[JoeM 7,874]

300 lbs, but the issue is not the machine.....usually the operator.

Anything can break. Those 60's cut nice and are heavy duty. Most of the stress is the pulling it around, much of the weight is on the ground wheels. Plus it is a good load on the drivetrain. 

Check a few things. The area where the frame bolts to the transaxle for cracks. The rear axle hubs for play.  Clean the engine shroud cooling fins. Clean the hydro cooling fins. Run good quality clean engine and hydro oil and keep it topped off. 

Avoid roots and let r eat!

[Achto 27,601]

One other place that I've seen issues is where the front floor board mounts sick put of the frame on each side. The frame is cut out for this bar & there for the frame is a little narrower in this spot. I have seen some frames crack in this spot when running a 60" deck. Like stated above, operator error can contribute to the frame cracking.

[lynnmor 7,307]

I mowed the same for many years without issue.  I grease the three fittings on the front axles and the mower wheels each time I mow since they carry a heavy load.  The front of the tractor should be raised by the frame at least every other time while greasing, I jack under the front hitch.  I now use a commercial zero-turn and put the Wheel Horses on light duty.

[dodgecharger 33]

Thank you guys. I appreciate it.

[dodgecharger 33]

If anyone else has insight I'm all ears. From what I can tell these old horses are quite well built.