90’s 520H on marketplace in my area…is it worth the asking price or should I haggle?

[MainelyWheelhorse 2,677]

 

This 90’s 520 tractor is on FB marketplace for $600 about 10 minutes from my house. I’m pretty interested in it as this tractor in remotely nice condition in my area with the same implements is 1000+ and an 4 hour trip to either end of the state. It seems to look pretty solid. Most of my tractors I have now started out in close to the same condition with the exception being the C-141. This comes with a rototiller, and what looks to be a decent sized mowing deck. From the description the seller said the tiller was not locked up and worked great when it was used last. It also “ran great when parked”. I asked about if it has the desirable parts for 520’s and the seller referred me to her husband. I have his cell and I figured I’d call him soon. I figure that worst case scenario I have some more heavier duty parts and more implements to use or sell if I need to. Is it worth the $600 or should I haggle or let it pass? Thanks!

Edited 20 hours ago by MainelyWheelhorse

[TonyToro Jr. 2,472]

Looks to be the same age as my 520 as it doesn’t have a swept front axle. So I believe it’s a 1988. 
Price seems a bit steep for me but depending on the condition of the rototiller id at least look at it and see if the guy is open to offers?

[MainelyWheelhorse 2,677]

 

@TonyToro Jr. The tiller looks solid and not rusted badly too and not beat into the ground. Supposedly it spins free and isn’t locked up. It looks more dirty than any thing else. I’ll have to check it out closer though to know for sure. What do you think would be a good price for the tractor? I thought about starting around $500 as I don’t know if it runs now. The attachments are nice but I don’t necessarily need them. I’ve got other attachments I could use on it.

Edited 19 hours ago by MainelyWheelhorse

[kpinnc 18,480]

Haggle! All they can say is no. 

 

Definitely earlier than 1990. Looks great if it was here in NC. Plenty of good stuff to work with regardless. 

[TonyToro Jr. 2,472]

10 minutes ago, MainelyWheelhorse said:

 

@TonyToro Jr. The tiller looks solid and not rusted badly too and not beat into the ground. Supposedly it spins free and isn’t locked up. It looks more dirty than any thing else. I’ll have to check it out closer though to know for sure. What do you think would be a good price for the tractor? I thought about starting around $500 as I don’t know if it runs now. The attachments are nice but I don’t necessarily need them. I’ve got other attachments I could use on it.

That tiller looks to be in pretty good shape!

Defintely go and look at it and do what @kpinnc says 

Haggle!

[MainelyWheelhorse 2,677]

@kpinnc it seems to be in pretty good condition for up here too. tractors, plows, and cars tend to rust up quick especially if it’s gotten near whatever they use on the roads up here. It seems to be relatively rust free. Yeah, if I can resurrect the C-141 in three months this shouldn’t be too hard.

[MainelyWheelhorse 2,677]

4 minutes ago, TonyToro Jr. said:

That tiller looks to be in pretty good shape!

Defintely go and look at it and do what @kpinnc says 

Haggle!

Ok! You guys talked me into it😁

[oliver2-44 11,540]

The tiller tines do not look too worn, they are not significantly rounded on the ends.

Edited 11 hours ago by oliver2-44

[JERSEYHAWG / Glenn 4,575]

Haggle. Why not. Best of luck. 

[ri702bill 12,249]

How many hours on the tractor?? Buying a Hydro without being able to try it out?? Be cautious... hope it is not just a lawn ornament.

[MainelyWheelhorse 2,677]

1 hour ago, ri702bill said:

How many hours on the tractor?? Buying a Hydro without being able to try it out?? Be cautious... hope it is not just a lawn ornament.

The seller wants me to contact their husband as I think it’s one of those deals that the seller on FB is listing it on FB for someone who doesn’t have it. I haven’t committed to it yet. If it runs I’ll try out the hydro. Like I said earlier if the tractor is a dud I would at least have a parts machine for the black hood C-85,  the C-141/ the other running tractors. If it’s a non running dud there’s no way I’m spending $600 on it.

[Sparky-(Admin) 25,587]

  Doesnt have the swept axle or the gear reduction steering. The wide/deep rear wheels appear to be missing. Looks like a 48”

deck. 
  Being unable to test or hear the Onan engine, hydro trans, deck or tiller it’s all one big gamble. If ya feel you still want it I would shoot lower..like $400 (have your trailer hooked to the truck and cash in hand) and let the seller bring the price up to the 500 number. 
  Good luck! 

[Ed Kennell 46,240]

Yep, '88 or '89 model.      I never believe the "it ran fine when I parked it outside and never moved it for five years".         The Onan could be a simple fix or a money pit.

I consider it a $150 roller and if the tiller and the 48"deck turn free add $300.   I would start at $400.

[953 nut 66,664]

11 hours ago, MainelyWheelhorse said:

“ran great when parked”.

Those four words are a warning that something ain't right now         but you won't know until you get it home.

If you need a tiller and a deck they have value. If you plan on reselling them they are a bit less valuable because time will tell how good a deal it was.  

The fact that it is setting in an open field and they didn't even clean it up makes me think a realistic seller will take whatever they can get for it. Unless you have an overwhelming desire to have this 520 I would start at $ 200.00 and walk away at $ 400.00.  Just too many unknowns and the seller is obviously not motivated enough to seek a higher price by having it "run great when sold."

Edited 9 hours ago by 953 nut
fat finger

[pfrederi 20,677]

Looks like not the only "Ran when parked" tractor he has rusting away (John Deere in the back ground)

 

To me you are buying a tiller (with out all the pulleys)  and a parts tractor.... The deck buried in wet leaves probably not in good shape

[lynnmor 8,852]

I'll never work on another Onan that was left in the weather, too many fasteners rusted fast.  Folks that abuse tractors like that one do not deserve more than a token amount for their careless style.

[Chaz54 100]

It’s a 1988 with the tapered shift knob on the top.

[MainelyWheelhorse 2,677]

I took all of your advice into consideration, and I've been taking to @ebinmaine. I've decided to pass on it as some of the points brought up, like the engine and electronics possibly being a money pit would probably end of being more of a project than I have time and money for.  I've got other half done projects that could use the attention more. Thanks to @ebinmaine@Sparky@TonyToro Jr.@ri702bill@Ed Kennell@953 nut@pfrederi@lynnmor@oliver2-44@JERSEYHAWG / Glenn@Chaz54and @kpinnc. The advice was much appreciated.

[Sparky-(Admin) 25,587]

@MainelyWheelhorse

 

  If ya ever see something that’s for sale close to me in Central Ct don’t be afraid to ask me to check out it…I can always haul it up to Jim’s meet/greet. 

[kpinnc 18,480]

1 hour ago, MainelyWheelhorse said:

took all of your advice into consideration,

 

Had that 520 had the swept front axle and wide rear wheels, I would have said jump all over it. Sadly the pre-1990 520H was nothing of an improvement over any classic hydro equipped machine. 

 

Nothing wrong with it of course, but also nothing out of the ordinary. 

 

I have two P220 Onan engines that aren't currently running but both have compression and are serviceable, a couple spare blocks and some cranks and pistons as well as a 4 foot drawer full of Onan parts. Needless to say, since the support dried up I am no longer a fan. While I do like the 1990 and up 520 and the earlier HC, if I find one it will likely get a repower if the engine isn't perfect. 

[Handy Don 16,758]

14 minutes ago, kpinnc said:

Had that 520 had the swept front axle and wide rear wheels, I would have said jump all over it. Sadly the pre-1990 520H was nothing of an improvement over any classic hydro equipped machine. 

Nothing wrong with it of course, but also nothing out of the ordinary. 

[MainelyWheelhorse 2,677]

45 minutes ago, Sparky said:

@MainelyWheelhorse

 

  If ya ever see something that’s for sale close to me in Central Ct don’t be afraid to ask me to check out it…I can always haul it up to Jim’s meet/greet. 

Thanks, I’ll keep that in mind.

[MainelyWheelhorse 2,677]

@kpinnc Ok, I figured if it wasn’t a step up I’ve already got a working Hydro with the C-141 that could be motor swapped to a bigger more reliable 20hp engine like a big Kohler later as most of it isn’t original. It is the beginning of mowing season, people are going to start to want to update or upgrade from the older stuff.😁Something better could come along.

[Lee1977 7,644]

As has already been said a nonrunning 88 520 is nothing special.. Onans can be a problem even well cared for.  1100 Eaton untested and not stored in side  That deck buired in crap may not be worth much.

100 for the parts tractor and 200 for the tiller. 

[MainelyWheelhorse 2,677]

11 minutes ago, Lee1977 said:

As has already been said a nonrunning 88 520 is nothing special.. Onans can be a problem even well cared for.  1100 Eaton untested and not stored in side  That deck buired in crap may not be worth much.

100 for the parts tractor and 200 for the tiller. 

Yeah, I figured it had the potential to be a headache. Fortunately, I hadn’t agreed to anything before I ran it by here and potentially dodged a bullet.