Research before buying a 520xi

[bas157 0]

Hello,

I found a 520xi that I'm thinking about buying. Figure I could try to find some decent info on it here in my research before buying.

I think its an '06 (based on how long he owned it and how long he thinks his brother-in-law owned before passing away), somewhere around 450 hours. He said it has the 20hp air cooled Kohler, power steering and 60" deck. He said he is pretty firm on the price at $1800. Does that sound like a good price?

I thought the 520xi didn't have power steering so we'll have to see about this part of his ad.

I've read some posts about the 60" deck having rust issues, where do they tend to rust out if that is an issue at all?

 

Any specific areas to pay attention to on the 520xi? What parts tend to wear out first?

 

Hoping to look at it tomorrow but the owner lives on the west coast and the tractor is in PA so he needs to arrange someone to show it to me. Looks clean in the pictures but pictures don't always show the whole story.

 

I've got some answers on the above from my intro post but hoping to get some more feedback from this forum.

 

Thank you!

[papaglide 542]

I was going to purchase one too. I sat on it and it was the most comfortable garden tractor that I have ever sat on. I am 6-2 and I fit nicely. I test drove it and it was awesome! I left and came back the next day to seal the deal and it was gone! Someone else " stole" it from underneath my nose! Buy it, you won't regret it.

[Challenger 27]

The search function at the upper right side of the Red Square HOME PAGE will yield a decent number of opinions regarding the various 5xi models.  That will keep your research moving forward until any new opinions appear here.

 

Good Luck!

[shallowwatersailor 3,214]

As with all purchases, make sure that the 5xi is in decent shape. I passed on the first one I saw (which actually was picked up by another member) and bought the one I have now. Two years ago I came close to picking up a 523Dxi and passed on it as well. The maintenance history was sketchy on that one and the hydraulic oil wasn't showing on the dipstick. Common areas of wear are mostly cosmetic such as: the seat upholstery may be cracked, front valance is sometimes damaged and expensive, hoods may have scratches due to mowing near bushes, and grille may have a mounting post broken. Mechanically it is usually pretty sound: some have steering rod issues, the carb may need some attention, check to see if grass has accumulated around the fan and that the fan isn't missing blades, there is a grease fitting that is often over looked under the access panel on the platform, and the power steering screen (if a 522xi, 520Lxi, or 523Dxi) may need cleaning.

 

I would change the fluids and use synthetic 10W-30 in the Eaton 11. Make sure that it operates in both ranges.

 

The 60" deck is HEAVY is all I can say to that. $1800 is a decent price - if in decent shape.

 

Good Luck!

[boovuc 1,090]

The 5Xi could be ordered with Power Steering. As you may have researched on your own, the down side to these tractors is that short run they had which makes attchments for them "harder" to find and more expensive than the C series, 300, 400 and 500 series Wheelhorses.