Need help with purchase of a 5XI series tractor

[Daddy Don 909]

:hide:

[CRE1992 135]

Well, it looks like I am back going for the 523DXI the owner of the 520H just called me and said that someone dropped by to see it and picked it up this morning after telling me I could come see it tonight.

Thanks.

Charles Elliott

P.s I will let you guys know how it goes

[ArnoldZiffel 0]

Charles,

Why the rush to buy something? Respectfully, may I suggest you take the time to find a great machine at a fair price that fits your college student budget.

There appear to be many 520H's on craigs many of which are a great value -- worth more than what's being asked.

In my opinion you're not going to run out of choices, you just need to be patient and find the right opportunity.

Just my opinion. No disrespect intended.

Arnold Z.

[CRE1992 135]

Thanks for your input Arnold Ziffel, the thing is, I have approximately 2 weeks at most before I have to pull the trigger on something. So no disrespect taken. Believe me I would love to weed through them, just for now, time is not on my side.

[CRE1992 135]

Why I need a mower...

The first picture is part of the 2.5 acres around the pond that I mowed this past Sunday with a old 22 inch push mower, and the second picture is of one of the old plow storage sheds that is seriously overgrown, the grass may not look that tall in the picture but it is close to four feet tall.

[ArnoldZiffel 0]

Charles,

Your pictures make clear you have a lot of mowing to do. I think I'm going to join the others that are suggesting a zero turn. Here are my thoughts:

- Faster (much). (At 19 you have many interests I'm sure and good time management probably is a high priority.)

- High quality cut.

- Some models have a true suspension which makes them comfortable.

- Most manufacturers are offering 0% financing and lengthy payment terms.

- A warranty, and if you shop carefully a great local dealer that will take care of you.

- The peace of mind and enjoyment that comes with something new "out of the box".

- The right purchase will last you years and years.

Earlier you mentioned a desire to have a machine that can tow a cart (?).

My neighbor tows a large "dump" cart with his zero turn. Seems to work fine.

At a minimum get yourself to a good local dealer and at least try a high quality zero turn.

My 2 cents.

- Arnold Z.

[Forest Road 594]

Your 19... tight budget... look for a used belt driven walk behind mower.They last a good long time and are easy to maintain and repair. For the lazy days keep your eyes open for a sulky or velke to drag you around. You'll be done mowing in half the time vs. any ride on tractor.

[chesbaycruiser 83]

I heard your concerns about some areas of soft ground, but if you can get around those areas (with one of the bigger units?) I'm also solidly in the ZTR camp. I love my wheel horses, but for my money, pound-for-pound there's not a tractor out there that can touch a zero-turn for grass cutting!

Which ever way you choose to go....good luck!!!

[HorseFixer 2,013]

Well, it looks like I am back going for the 523DXI the owner of the 520H just called me and said that someone dropped by to see it and picked it up this morning after telling me I could come see it tonight.

Thanks.

Charles Elliott

P.s I will let you guys know how it goes

don't ya just love it when that happens! <_< #$%^@*&! I have 0 ZERO tolerance for people like that. I guess that shows how good his word is. Anyways was hoping that would turn out for you. I have an almost brand new snow cab for the XI model that was going to convert on a 520 which is what I would like to have eventually. Oh and by the way and good luck in your search!

Cheers ~Duke

:disgust:

[HankB 16]

Why I need a mower...

... the grass may not look that tall in the picture but it is close to four feet tall.

Maybe there are other options. My son has 6 acres in MI and they had two horses. Rather than mow the couple acres that weren't fenced in pasture, they let it grow and had a neighbor mow and bale it for hay. They paid for that because they kept the hay. If you let the guy that mows it keep the hay, they'd probably do it for free. It might be an alternative to just mowing it which at 4' is going to be a slow process with a garden tractor.

[CRE1992 135]

Well guys, I would like to thank you for giving me your ideas and welcoming me . I am now split between the 523DXI and a Toro Z master 355Z . Im still leaning towards the the 523DXI mainly because I am only home for 3-4 months a year since I am away at college, meaning my mom would have to cut grass and possibly plow snow. So being as she doesn't want to drive any of the larger tractors, she would probably feel more comfortable driving it around. I don't really care too much about bagging grass clippings either, but the Z master does have a rear catcher which would be really nice for the leaves in the fall.

I thought about the hay idea, but I cant do that because there are no other farms near me! and we don't have any horses on the farm. We have race horses but they are at my fathers stable 25 minutes away (My parents are divorced). The town I live in is no longer rural, 30 years ago it was farms galore. Now, not so much. I will possibly be making some phone calls this weekend if my paycheck ever comes in... and will let you guys know how it goes.

-Charles

[ArnoldZiffel 0]

Hey,

I'm probably breaking this forum's rules (forgive me) but what came of the new Simplicity Champion you were considering?

Simplicity and Ferris are owned by the same company. Ferris machines are built about an hour from me and around here are considered to be excellent machines.

My point is a question: Are Simplicity zero turns perhaps built by Ferris for Simplicity? I don't know the answer, but if yes this would be an extremely strong and durable machine.

Just a thought. (Again forgive any broken rules)

- Arnold Z.

[CRE1992 135]

I called earlier, and they guy I talked to said he remembered talking to me and said they both sold a day after I called a week or two ago.

[Forest Road 594]

Im in north jersey. In my brief experience with WH tractors you really have to jump when you come across a clean one. I know people who've been cuttin 2+acres with 10 - 14 hp tractors for 20 yrs. Although the twin onans are nice don't turn a blind eye to an old kohler for a couple hundred bucks. Anything in the low hundreds is pretty much gaurenteed to hold its value should you not like it.

[CRE1992 135]

Thanks again Coles Dad and everyone else for trying to help me. I thought about the 523DXI, but there is no way I could afford it. If anyone wants info on it PM me and Ill tell you what I was told about it. So anyways... I found a 1995 520H with a 60 inch deck, that I am going to pick up on Sunday ! And guys, and gals, Do not fret I will post pictures when I get home with it!! Because I all know what you all want " " :hide:

[HorseFixer 2,013]

Congradulations! What did you have to pay for it? Reason I asked I am in the Market for one.

Cheers ~Duke

:disgust:

[CRE1992 135]

Thanks Horsefixer, I sent you a pm. I hope it is to your liking...

[ArnoldZiffel 0]

HorseFixer,

We paid $1800 last October for ours.

-520H with low hours

-60" deck

- 2 stage blower, weights, chains

- cab

-dozer/snow blade

Now may be a good time to buy a 520H. Prices have come down.

Arnold Z.

[CRE1992 135]

:hide: , I wish I found that good of a deal . I'm going to get it tomorrow morning. I'm buying the 520H for $1900, it literally looks brand new, always waxed and washed. It has 580 hours and comes with the 60 inch deck and new rear ag tires, but that is all I need at the moment, and time is running out, the lawn is starting to look like a jungle!

[ArnoldZiffel 0]

Charles,

I think you got a fine deal. You got a machine for less than 25% the cost of new, (if they were still available).

With care the Onan engine will go 2000 - 3000 hours (don't you love the sound of that engine under load at full throttle!).

Be sure to keep the engine clean as the rear cylinder can overheat if the cooling fins are dirty. This could lead to premature engine repairs.

I enjoyed re-reading this thread, you've had an interesting journey with a great ending.

Good luck.

- Arnold Z.

[ArnoldZiffel 0]

Charles,

Just saw the photos of your 520H. All I can say is WOW! That's one of the cleanest, best looking 520's I've ever seen.

The previous owner must have put more hours into waxing the machine than mowing with it.

Congratulations on a great find.

- Arnold Z.

[CRE1992 135]

Here the link to the 520H I bought!

New 520H