Busted frame 520 deal or no deal?

[bigfkd22 11]

I went to look at a 92 520 today. The tin was in really good shape the motor looked pretty clean and 625 hours. Started right up no smoke sounded really nice. It came with a plow,chains and a 60 inch deck. So I had a price negotiated ok 1k. The deck needed some work including a busted scalper wheel. There were almost no kotter keys/pens but rather screws and home made pens all over the tractor. Not a big deal but annoying.

Now the kicker I looked at the frame. It was cracked and had been welded. There was drilled hole above the crack but the crack cont on through it and appear to involve 80% or so of that section. It was right in the middle over the foot rest.

So when I asked the guy if there was anything wrong with it he said no not at all. So this was also kinda frustrating maybe I am just picky?

So I don't have a welder or the skills or access to a welder. I ended up walking away from the deal after 50 dollars in gas. I was pretty bummed out. So did I make a mistake? Thanks

[Rock farmer 41]

I think I would have walked away from that too.

He probably got it as a wreck . And fixed it up.

That's a lot of money for a tractor that must have seen some abuse in its past!

Joe

[bigfkd22 11]

The funny thing is though that the tractor looked great other than the busted frame and most of kotter pins were junk. There was no surface rust and to me looked original he said he bought it new. When I mentioned it he said he thought it was a "stress fracture" from the 60 inch deck. He had a buddy put a weld on it 2 years ago. He actually seemed like a truthful guy I actually think he forgot to mention it to me. I don't know...

[TT-(Moderator) 1,162]

The broken frame at the footrest notch is fairly typical of a hard-use tractor with the heavy 60" deck.

If it was cheap enough, you could have just re-framed it. Frames aren't big sellers and can usually be bought for scrap price - or less.

[bigfkd22 11]

Terry, joe

Thanks. I wasn't sure what to do. I like to have all this worked out before hand. It surprised me and I was scared of getting scr....d!

D

[ericj 1,579]

i re-framed one of my 520 for the same problem. I've been told it come from driving around to fast with the decks up or the heavy 60" decks. if the frame had been welded all ready it probably would have been ok as least till you could have located somebody to weld it or located a new frame to replace it 1 K is a little high could you drive a little better deal from it ? it the rest of the tractor was nice though you probably wouldn't go wrong

eric j

[Kelly 1,033]

I have a pretty nice 1997 520 I think with out looking about 700 hours on it, runs great no deck just the tractor, I'd let go of for less than that, or I have nice frames that will fit the 520 for $20 bare frame, and your only a 20 min. drive from me.

You can swap a frame in a day or less if you stick to it.

[Cable 180]

You would likely need to repair or replace the mid-frame quick attach too. They take a beating from 60 inch decks.

[bigfkd22 11]

I never would have guessed I could snag a frame for 20 bucks. I feel like a JA. I didn't think a nice 520 with decent hours and blade, deck and chains for 1k was bad. I haven't seen many go for much less. I have only been gathering my heard for less than 2 years now I guess I'm just impatient.

Kelly I really want to come out to your place sometime and see what you have. I need to get some parts for my c161anyway.

Thanks fellas.

[jimbo7921 9]

Had the same cracks on my frame and was a really easy fix but u need to have access to a welder to even consider fixing it. Had to replace my my quick attach to wasnt priced that bad i think it was around $80 canadian for the two plates and the handle on the tractor. the killer was the bar on the deck about $120 if i remember but i had a buddy at work turn one for me there and it only cost about 30.

[sorekiwi 761]

Here is my 520:

I havent had any problems with the repaired frame, but I do have another frame that will be swapped onto it when I get round tuit

[dw753 208]

Im a little father south in Plymouth, Indiana I have a 520 frame ill give ya if it help ya out

[Cutlas3391 776]

Well the rule of buying any equipment there's always going to be another good deal and even a better deal out there. The thing that really bother me he knew the frame had an issue with it and he didn't forget. So all together he can be hiding other things that's wrong with the tractor. Any type of frame damaged to any tractor usually is abuse work done with it. I understand he can be driving around to fast with the deck being high but your better off passing on it unless your can get a smoking deal on it. I buy alot of power equipment like cars,tractors,atvs,trailers,snowmobiles,snowblowers and when i fix them up to resell them i try to be truthfull as possible and would of never missed out on a crack frame. I find a lot good deals on horses out there and maybe thats why I have to many of them 30+ and still going.