520XI or 520H?

[DeltaNu1142 28]

Hello - I’m brand-new here, and came to this forum because I’m looking at a WH tractor. A couple of years ago, I picked up a 518XI with deck and snow thrower for my father, and the thing is a tank. I was blown away at how far it tosses snow. I never got to cut grass with it before I delivered it to Dad. And he’s never used the deck because he has a mower he uses in the warmer months, so neither of us knows how it mows.

 

 A week or so ago, I’d had enough of messing with my cheap red Craftsman rider and sold it  on FB for probably too low a price… someone came and bought it within an hour. So now I’m looking for a lawn tractor, and there are a few options up for sale nearby.

 

Between the 520/522XI, or even the LXI, and the 520H… which would make me a better yard machine? I’m mainly looking for a mower, but if I can replace my walk-behind Ariens snowblower that’s a bonus. Between the two model lines, there’s a clear weight difference. That’s a little intimidating for a couple cambered areas I mow along the driveway, but my lawn is mostly flat and gently sloped. And I can use a line trimmer for the driveway if I have to.

 

I likely won’t look for other attachments… though a tiller might come in handy one day.

 

 Thanks for any ideas.

[ebinmaine 72,728]

. From another in Maine. Roughly where are ya?

 

Given what you're looking to do I'd say don't limit yourself to the 500 series. 

 

There are quite a few models that'll readily and easily accomplish the goals and be easier to repair and maintain. 

If there is ANY possibility of your expanding tasks then the non XI series would be a better bet.  

 

 

If you're strictly interested in compatibility with your family's existing machinery then you'll have to stick to the appropriate XI lineage. I'm not familiar with them.  Others can help there.  

 

 

 

[parsonsponyz 203]

 

Glad to have another join.  I have both machines and they are both very capable.  If you have any doubts regarding the slopes use weights and chains.  I have some slopes and always have both on during the year.  I might get some strange looks from those driving by but don't have to worry about sliding or getting stuck as the yard will lay wet at times.  I agree with ebinmaine  if you want to interchange with what you have already go with XI because they won't interchange with the 520H.  I really like the 520H and it's my daily machine however it has some points of attention, the 9 pin connector, the onan engine and the fuse box (other electrical gremlins also).  The XI also has similar areas so it would be a personal preference when it comes down to it.

[Ed Kennell 42,047]

In my area, implements for the XIs do not exist but the 3,4,and 500 series are all available.

 

to the 

[Pullstart 66,839]

I’ve not had any 520H tractors, but I do love my 520Xi!  The frame is more truck like and is super stout.

[lynnmor 7,825]

For nothing but mowing get a zero turn.  If you want snowblowing it is no fun without a cab.

[SylvanLakeWH 28,443]

[DeltaNu1142 28]

4 hours ago, ebinmaine said:

From another in Maine. Roughly where are ya?

Posting from the house I grew up in, in the far northern part of the North Maine Woods. But I live in the southernmost part of the state now. After posting this I looked around and saw your posts/username, good to see Maine represented here!

3 hours ago, parsonsponyz said:

If you have any doubts regarding the slopes use weights and chains.

For sure. Not worried about traction for my lawn, so much as tipping. 95% of the lawn is flat-ish. 

1 hour ago, Ed Kennell said:

In my area, implements for the XIs do not exist but the 3,4,and 500 series are all available.

Similar here. They seem to come up once in awhile, but they sell quick. I'd be in the market for a snow thrower, whatever I end up with... but it may take awhile to find one. My father is running a generic black fabric cab on his 518XI and it works well for him.

[DeltaNu1142 28]

4 hours ago, ebinmaine said:

There are quite a few models that'll readily and easily accomplish the goals and be easier to repair and maintain. 

I found a 266-H with low hours and a single-stage thrower nearby... but the seller hasn't gotten back to me yet.

 

Definitely interested in any other suggestions. I'm making my way from the northern border of Maine to the southern border on 7/5 with a trailer... but it'll already be loaded with a motorcycle I'm hoping to sell/trade for the tractor!

[oliver2-44 10,734]

Just an FYI, The New Holland GT18, GT20,GT22 were made by Toro and are just 5LXI series with blue paint on them.

[ebinmaine 72,728]

21 minutes ago, DeltaNu1142 said:

266-H

 

Just remember that's more of a lawn tractor. Light duty. My suit your needs fine. Just for information.

 

 

 

28 minutes ago, DeltaNu1142 said:

. I'd be in the market for a snow thrower, whatever I end up with... but it may take awhile to find one

 

They're around.

I have a two-stage here that would fit a 300 400 but I've considered selling quite a few times.

@AHS is located closer to Bangor. He runs into these tractors and or implements more often than I do.

 

 

 

29 minutes ago, DeltaNu1142 said:

your posts/username, good to see Maine represented here!

 

There are several of us on here that are fairly regular posters.

@MainelyWheelhorse

@Stepney

 

@JCM

 

@OldWorkHorse

@Oldskool

[MainelyWheelhorse 1,525]

@DeltaNu1142 check FB Marketplace for implements/tractors. Along the coast and Bangor and higher seem to have more implements and tractors than Central Maine does. I only have my three because I lucked out/ word got out I was looking for Wheel Horse. 

[DeltaNu1142 28]

I’ve found a 520LXI with a charging issue—apparently it starts ands runs well otherwise, but will die after a little while and need a jump to restart. There’s a low-hour 520XI nearby and a 520H with all the trimmings (cab, thrower, deck, chains, weights) within a reasonable distance.

 

Unfortunately I can’t be patient. My lawn is out of hand and I need to pull the trigger on something this weekend!

[ebinmaine 72,728]

4 minutes ago, DeltaNu1142 said:

I’ve found a 520LXI with a charging issue—apparently it starts ands runs well otherwise, but will die after a little while and need a jump to restart. There’s a low-hour 520XI nearby and a 520H with all the trimmings (cab, thrower, deck, chains, weights) within a reasonable distance.

 

Unfortunately I can’t be patient. My lawn is out of hand and I need to pull the trigger on something this weekend!

 

 

How's the pricing on the 520H?

 

Any pics?

[DeltaNu1142 28]

1 hour ago, ebinmaine said:

How's the pricing on the 520H?

Any pics?

Sure—sending you a message now, if I can.

[Wayne0 1,205]

On 6/29/2025 at 11:17 AM, ebinmaine said:

 

Just remember that's more of a lawn tractor. Light duty. My suit your needs fine. Just for information.

 

 

 

 

They're around.

I have a two-stage here that would fit a 300 400 but I've considered selling quite a few times.

@AHS is located closer to Bangor. He runs into these tractors and or implements more often than I do.

 

 

 

 

There are several of us on here that are fairly regular posters.

@MainelyWheelhorse

@Stepney

 

@JCM

 

@OldWorkHorse

@Oldskool

And a bunch that are an hour away.

I mow my slopes on the diagonal with a Work Horse. Chains and weights too.  It is a smaller tractor than the 520H. My 520H is dedicated to blowing snow and it's a beast!

Edited July 1 by Wayne0

[ebinmaine 72,728]

1 hour ago, Wayne0 said:

And a bunch that are an hour away.

I mow my slopes on the diagonal with a Work Horse. Chains and weights too.  It is a smaller tractor than the 520H. My 520H is dedicated to blowing snow and it's a beast!

 

Which Workhorse do you have again?

 

 

[DeltaNu1142 28]

I'm headed out in a few hours to check out a 520Lxi with some implements. The seller indicates a charging issue, and I've opened another thread about that. On my list to check are:

• bringing a voltmeter to see what the voltage regulator output is
• model year, to see if it's affected by the plastic cam, water pump, and oil pump gears
• front axle pivot...to the degree that I can

These items all come from reading these forums, so... thanks! If there's anything else I need to look for, let me know.