papaglide 542 #26 Posted June 10, 2013 Thanks again everyone. I didn't realize the quality of the machine I lucked into. Looks like I am going to need to learn about what all this tractor can do so that I can take full advantage of it. Looks like I'm going to have to tell my wife I have a new hobby. J. Henry, you made a GREAT decision and one that you will not regret! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
whtractors24 3,391 #27 Posted June 10, 2013 id be intrested in unit i pm you! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AMC RULES 37,196 #28 Posted June 10, 2013 Thanks again everyone. I didn't realize the quality of the machine I lucked into. Looks like I am going to need to learn about what all this tractor can do so that I can take full advantage of it. Looks like I'm going to have to tell my wife I have a new hobby. Smart man. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cdsl810 181 #29 Posted June 11, 2013 I actually bought a 520 with 500 hours on it instead of the latest craftsman GT6000. I was also looking at the "best" the big boxes had. The 520 is a better machine in every way except one... No drink holder! Keep it. Use it. You will love it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
J.Henry 8 #30 Posted June 11, 2013 Oddly enough mine does have a drink holder. All it needs is a sidecar so I can take the wife out on the town. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ken B 3,189 #31 Posted June 11, 2013 I actually bought a 520 with 500 hours on it instead of the latest craftsman GT6000. I was also looking at the "best" the big boxes had. The 520 is a better machine in every way except one... No drink holder! Keep it. Use it. You will love it. Drink holders did come on some models and or yrs. may have also of been an option. My 520 could use one as well but I can't bring myself to drill holes in the fenders, it seems kinda yuppyish.... Besides, we are all born with our own personal drink holder, right between the legs! (still, would be nice to have a place to put a drink as I'm always unpluggin the air intake screen!) Now, a cigar lighter, yesirre. That is what I really need. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cdsl810 181 #32 Posted June 11, 2013 I actually found a stick on drink holder with a... Ehem... JD logo on the front. I placed a WH logo sticker over the leaping deer, and voila. I pulled the adhesive pad off the bottom and used velcro instead so I can take it off. It is mounted on the cover in front of the seat, which I find to be a much better location than the fender. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
leeave96 490 #33 Posted June 11, 2013 I'm a little late to this thread, but what jumps out at me is the 195 hrs. That tractor might as well be brand new. You will very much like it!!!! Good luck, Bill Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wheel Horse Kid 105 #34 Posted June 12, 2013 Great choice on keeping it!! Like the others said, you will not regret it! I bought a 520H a week or two ago (it is the one in my profile pic) and I just love it! They are an awesome tractor! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Save Old Iron 1,571 #35 Posted June 12, 2013 You supposedly have everyone's "dream machine." Folks already have you putting a front loader on it and already have plans for re-masked JD cup holders. What I heard was the machine is too large for your needs. You confirmed this by the presence of this thread. You may have already made some concessions to the selling price of the house due to the deal sweetening of the previous home owner leaving behind his "dream tractor". Here's a devil"s advocate alternate view of your situation. The machine is too large for your needs and between storage of the unit and not being able to accurately navigate thru the slalom course your flower beds will develop into, the unit will become an increasing source of frustration to you. That walk behind is looking better every time you have to make 5 passes thru the flower beds to get the edges cut without ravaging your newly planted beds. One night, right before you fall asleep, a thought pops into your head - "What if I wasn't so quick to agree to the previous home owner's final deal when he threw in the tractor? What if I was able to talk him down another $5K on the sell price of the house if he took the tractor that I really don't need?" By possibly adding on an additional 3 - 5 thousand dollar tractor to your mortgage payment - assuming you snagged a good fixed rate of 4.5% over 30 years, that extra 5 thou on the mortgage will end up costing you about $9,200 over thirty years. With the Onan engine in the tractor, it is safe to say you will not have the same engine in that tractor in 30 years - but you will still be paying for it. Another thought enters the mind. "Darn, that big clumsy thing! I should have sold it a year ago. I'll be paying for it the rest of my mortaged life. Could end up costing me nearly $10,000 extra on my home mortgage - and it's not REALLY what I wanted in the first place". Best thing to do (IMHO) if it is not the "tractor of your dreams" and takes up too much valuable storage space, sell it immediately and pay off $1500 to $2000 of your mortgage as soon as you get the cash in hand. You will save almost $5,000 over the life of your home loan and be happier during the early years of your occupancy in the new home. Just an alternate opinion.Think right tool for the right application. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DoctorHfuhruhurr 137 #36 Posted June 12, 2013 You supposedly have everyone's "dream machine." Folks already have you putting a front loader on it and already have plans for re-masked JD cup holders. What I heard was the machine is too large for your needs. You confirmed this by the presence of this thread. You may have already made some concessions to the selling price of the house due to the deal sweetening of the previous home owner leaving behind his "dream tractor". Here's a devil"s advocate alternate view of your situation. The machine is too large for your needs and between storage of the unit and not being able to accurately navigate thru the slalom course your flower beds will develop into, the unit will become an increasing source of frustration to you. That walk behind is looking better every time you have to make 5 passes thru the flower beds to get the edges cut without ravaging your newly planted beds. One night, right before you fall asleep, a thought pops into your head - "What if I wasn't so quick to agree to the previous home owner's final deal when he threw in the tractor? What if I was able to talk him down another $5K on the sell price of the house if he took the tractor that I really don't need?" By throwing in what is considered a 3 - 5 thousand dollar tractor onto your mortgage payment - assuming you snagged a good fixed rate of 4.5% over 30 years, that extra 5 thou on the mortgage will end up costing you about $9,200 over thirty years. With the Onan engine in the tractor, it is safe to say you will not have the same engine in that tractor in 30 years - but you will still be paying for it. Another thought enters the mind. "Darn, that big clumsy thing! I should have sold it a year ago. I'll be paying for it the rest of my mortaged life. Could end up costing me nearly $10,000 extra on my home mortgage - and it's not REALLY what I wanted in the first place". Best thing to do (IMHO) if it is not the "tractor of your dreams" and takes up too much valuable storage space, sell it immediately and pay off $1500 to $2000 of your mortgage as soon as you get the cash in hand. You will save almost $10,000 over the life of your home loan and be happier during the early years of your occupancy in the new home. Just an alternate opinion.Think right tool for the right application. You forgot to subtract the tax benefits of writing of the mortgage interest (at least until it's taken away from us). I'd use the 520 as an excuse to get a house with more property. $2000 amortized over 30 years at 4.25% would be $1,541.97 in interest (minus any tax savings by writing off the mortgage interest). I didn't account for leap year of tides. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Save Old Iron 1,571 #37 Posted June 12, 2013 The important point is to awaken folks to the hidden interest burden one can encounter when they begin to add ancillaries onto a home mortgage. Don't give away serious big dollar, long term bargaining chips when small change toys are substituted in their stead. Given your scenario, the true cost of the tractor will be at least $3500 not considering the inevitable $2000 dealer Onan rebuild in the future, plus routine maintenance and repairs all of us experience thru the years - coils, ignition modules (he knows those two have already been replaced once), bagger nylon mesh bags, etc - so around $6500 minus deductions of about what, 2% of the overall yearly home mortgage refund? All for something the owner leads off the conversation by saying he thinks is "too much" for the lawn he has. What he has is indeed a solid piece of equipment. Let us be cautious so as not to make him yet one more unknowing RS member who becomes an International Harvester Red "skid mark" ending at the cliff so many other lemmings have jumped from. Jumped in pursuit of the siren's song of tractor fame and fortune only to end up sacrificed on the alter of Onan parts cost and carburetor idiosyncrasies. I wonder how much an Onan ignition module is going to cost in 2030? Will society have already deteriorated into a Mad Max type existence where bands of tractor enthusiasts roam the country to pillage for Kolher ignition points and over-sized Onan valve seats? Who will make away with the last known quart of Regal Red enamel taken from the grips of Tina Turners minions. I will enjoy the show! J. Henry - listen to your gut sir. You know what is ultimately in your best interest as you make plans for the future in your new home. I wish you good luck in all your endeavors. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
leeave96 490 #38 Posted June 12, 2013 I recently purchased a new house and to sweeten the deal the previous owner threw his Toro Wheelhorse 520H in on the deal. Mercy! The tractor came with the house! Don't ruin the man's tractor experience - LOL!!! You got a great tractor - keep it, run it enjoy the ride!!! Good luck, Bill Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ken B 3,189 #39 Posted June 12, 2013 Ya know what I think? A man's got to have some fun! The hell with all logic, enjoy that tractor. I have a 520 with 230 hrs on it, I don't REALLY need it, I could get away with a lesser machine, but for right now it makes me real happy. If you have any problems with the tractor deal with them as they come just as I'm gonna if my 520 starts to act up. If you have a driveway that is large enough you can throw a snow blade on that 520 and use it to clear the drive. I used mine to clear 26 inches of snow this past winter. I waited till the snow stopped because I really wanted to see what my 520 was capable of. Shoot, I may have SPUN the tires a little but at the end of my drive the snow was so deep it was coming up and over the hood. My neighbor was watching me and he couldn't believe it. I never got stuck. The 520 is a snow pushin beast and clearly the best snow tractor I've ever owned, and there have been MANY. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wheel Horse Kid 105 #40 Posted June 12, 2013 Could not have said it better Ken B!!! We have a rather small place too, and I could also get away with a much smaller tractor, but there is no way I am selling my 520H!!! Like you said, you gotta have some fun! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sned 15 #41 Posted June 12, 2013 Old iron I have to agree with you. Especially if he is not a tractor fan. If this is going to be a hobby it's worth everything you described. If he is keeping it because everyone praised it the value will drop quickly. The onan quirks are going to discourage him if he is not in it. Better to sell it while it's perfect than to use it, start to hate it, and unload it for far less. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
leeave96 490 #42 Posted June 12, 2013 Maybe we should all rid ourselves of these Wheelhorse tractors and find a used MTD for $100 or less... Heck - my yard is about 75 x 100 and taking up green space is the house, long driveway, garden, wood pile and 5 x 10 utility trailer. But I'm happy as a clam with my two 520H tractors, 314-8 tractor, couple Simplicity tractors, couple of Cub Cadet tractors, several push mowers.... Were it not for some camp duty mowing and some Church mowing from time to time - my 89 year model 520H would have even less that the 62 hrs it has on it now - LOL KEEP THE TRACTOR - ENJOY THE RIDE!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
312Hydro 474 #43 Posted June 12, 2013 I read the entire thread and was wondering why it's too big for your needs. There must be enough yard that the previous owner felt he needed it. When I lived in the 'burbs I didn't have as much yard as I do now. I couldn't justify the price(new) of the 520H and went with a 312H and 37" deck.Worked fine at the time. I can appreciate the 520H /48" deck now that I have more ground though. I get done faster and still use the same amount of fuel. Do I need it? Not really. Do I enjoy it? OH YEAH! That said.I'm currently taking the carb off to soak it. Still love my "Dream Machine" but I've got "Old Reliable" (312H)to back it up.Been thinking about the 42" RD deck because of flower beds. You have a vac which is great if you compost. Basically,Only you know whats best for your situation. to though! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sned 15 #44 Posted June 12, 2013 +1 for every post here. Just appreciated being reeled back in by old iron. This is a forum full of fanatics. I would mow a 10x10 square with a garden tractor if that is all the grass I had. The point was not everyone is a tractor fanatic and if you are not sell it, make money, and pass it on to someone who is. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
richmondred01 2,307 #45 Posted June 14, 2013 Don't take anything less then 1875.00 for that tractor. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Trouty56 567 #46 Posted June 14, 2013 On one hand you could sell it as some say...then quickly pay down the mortgage....then buy a walk behind and spend weekends walking or buy another smaller rider to ride. When fall comes spend weekends gathering your leaves with a rake (and invariably your neighbors) and bagging them up. Better get a snow blower for winter to to walk behind it before work or afterwards.....never a convenient time for that. Or keep the tractor...mow quickly with it....gather leaves quickly in the fall....purchase a snow removal attachment and quickly take care of the winter snowfalls and enjoy your golf game, time with family, etc. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WH nut 553 #47 Posted June 14, 2013 Ok so we are back to I will give you 600.00 for it lol Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
