What’s this 520H Worth?

[oliver2-44 11,023]

So I know how much yall like these “what’s it worth threads  

2 weeks ago at a tractor show I was talking with a fella on a WH B80. He said he had this 520H that he hadn’t done anything with since about the same time he got a running Cub. It sat 5 years before he got it and it has sat another year for him. Of course I had to ask if it was for sale or trade for something. I’ve been looking for something with an Eaton Hydro. This is the first one I’ve come across within a few hours from me. Not sure this is the one or not,  appreciate yalls comments. 

Notice front hood at lights bent,  hole patched in deck and shot seat.  What else do yall see?

This comes up as a 1993 model, so it would have the forward swept front axle and the gear reduction steering which I want. (I was lazy and used ChatGPT to look it up for me) 

If the engine is toast I would put a 16 hp Kohler K341 in it. 

 

Rear axles don’t look like they are leaking in this picture. 

Does the 520 have a mechanical hour meter that can be read anytime, or a digital electronic one?
Tractor doesn’t look to to rusty, even has 4 rusty hubcaps.  But I suspect it would get worker painted over time. 

[Easton Rich 754]

I love my 520. They have mechanical hour meters, but I wouldn’t gets your hopes too high on that one working… If the engine is good that P220 Onan is a great strong motor. Check spark, the have a little module that commonly goes bad. 

[kpinnc 15,931]

The 520-H is a beast. If the engine requires any major work, then a K341 repower would be a great idea. 

 

My last 3 builds are derivatives of a 520 in some form. Two are 8 speeds but all three have the swept axle and anything I could shoe horn into it. 

 

My last 520-H is in a sad state with the Onan having electrical issues but otherwise solid. It will likely get a repower and another foot control, but retain it's worker status. 

 

Even if that Onan is junk the rest of the machine has alot to offer. Of course it's current state plays advantage to a buyer. I can't speak for your area, but $200-300 would be all it is currently worth to my wallet. At least then even if you had a bad engine and a bad tranny the parts could still recoup your money. 

 

 

[ebinmaine 74,925]

I look at a non runner as a "parts" value. 

That way even if the machine doesn't work for me I can recoup. 

 

Splayed forward front axles & gear reduced steering setups are getting $400 - $450. 

 

The wiiiiide rear wheels are worth another $150 or so. 

 

IMHO that's a $600 value in parts MINIMUM. 

 

 

[ri702bill 10,232]

38 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

that's a $600 value in parts MINIMUM. 

To the right buyer. Still have to factor in the true cost of ownership - transportation, disassembly, shipping, etc. Time is money - I agree with Eric that a non-runner is just a parts machine, nothing more. Go with a lowball offer or walk away.

[953 nut 62,561]

2 hours ago, ri702bill said:

Go with a lowball offer or walk away.

9 hours ago, oliver2-44 said:

he hadn’t done anything with since about the same time he got a running Cub. It sat 5 years before he got it and it has sat another year for him.

 

The fact that it is, and probably has been, sitting outside would tell me to avoid it unless my intention was to part it out. Engine and Eaton could both have water in them and the wiring has probably been chewed up. The seller probably attempted to get it running and let it sit because he figured out it was a money pit.

       If you want a 520 you would probably be ahead of the game to take a long road trip to pick up a good one. The time and money you would dump into this one will be more than the cost of the round trip and a good runner.

[Ed Kennell 43,312]

Looks like a $200 parts machine to me.

[ebinmaine 74,925]

19 minutes ago, Ed Kennell said:

Looks like a $200 parts machine to me.

 

 

Times like this I get a little envious of you guys down in Pennsylvania and surrounding areas.

 

I've never seen a machine with gear reduction and a forward swept axle for less than $400 and I can honestly say that was several hundred miles away and had no engine.

[MainelyWheelhorse 2,142]

6 hours ago, ebinmaine said:

I look at a non runner as a "parts" value. 

That way even if the machine doesn't work for me I can recoup. 

@oliver2-44 Same here, unless I get ambitious and bring it back from the dead. right @ebinmaine 😁 It helps too to have more than one of the same model (ex 3/4/500’s) then there’s a good reason to buy it as the parts can be put to good use. 

Edited October 15 by MainelyWheelhorse

[ri702bill 10,232]

32 minutes ago, MainelyWheelhorse said:

 It helps too to have more than one of the same model (ex 3/4/500’s) then there’s a good reason to buy it as the parts can be put to good use. 

The C81 I bought from @Sparky this summer is just an example.I got it at a fair price knowing there were missing parts and numerous issues from the neglect  / hack fixes of the previous owner. I already had its identical twin, a roller that I have had apart for years. That one gave up some parts for the new one....

[oliver2-44 11,023]

Seller just text me it has 405 hours on meter. Of course has the meter worked in its later years. 
Im leaning towards trying to trade him some implements I have multiples of and treat it as a parts machine. If he bites he’s would actually be helping me get stuff out of the barn. 

Edited October 15 by oliver2-44

[ebinmaine 74,925]

1 hour ago, oliver2-44 said:

Seller just text me it has 405 hours on meter. Of course has the meter worked in its later years. 
Im leaning towards trying to trade him some implements I have multiples of and treat it as a parts machine. If he bites he’s would actually be helping me get stuff out of the barn. 

 

 

That's a  "no lose" situation for you 

[MainelyWheelhorse 2,142]

4 hours ago, ri702bill said:

The C81 I bought from @Sparky this summer is just an example.I got it at a fair price knowing there were missing parts and numerous issues from the neglect  / hack fixes of the previous owner. I already had its identical twin, a roller that I have had apart for years. That one gave up some parts for the new one....

I did kinda the same with the C-85 I bought from @JCM at the M&G this year. I liked the look of the black hoods An added plus too is it’s mechanically similar enough to what I already have, that if I don't make it a runner. The majority of the parts on it can be donated to any of the others. So far it’s more complete than the C-141 was so it would make a good runner.

[sqrlgtr 1,128]

I wouldn't give over $10 for it. PM me his name address and number and I will talk to him about it for you no charge....

 

On 10/15/2025 at 8:21 AM, ebinmaine said:

 

 

Times like this I get a little envious of you guys down in Pennsylvania and surrounding areas.

 

I've never seen a machine with gear reduction and a forward swept axle for less than $400 and I can honestly say that was several hundred miles away and had no engine.

 

I know how you feel eb, guess that's why i went a little over board at the Big Show in PA.

[cheesegrader 434]

He should pay you to haul that out of his yard!

What has value here?

Engine is 0

Electrical components are 0

Transmission is?.  Has not run in 6 years, and was left outside.

Tins look bad.  Tires look bad.  Deck is bad.

Running 520's can be had for $500.  Nice, well kept 520's are $8-900.  This thing is a money pit.

The salvageable pieces-frame, axle, steering components-are the easy to find parts off any old abused roller.