Opinions on Wheel Horse 518H

[Wheel Horse Kid 105]

Hi,

 

I am looking to replace my 520H that blew the motor (value seats, crankshaft, piston, and head) and came across a Wheel Horse 518H yesterday in a local classified magazine. It is at a Case/International Farm Tractor Dealer here in Indiana. It looks to be in overall nice condition judging from the picture (Planning to go look at it on Monday morning) . The tractor has 798 hours on it and comes with a 42" side discharge deck. He is asking $750 for it. I am not sure of the year.

 

Have any of you guys had a 518H and if so, how did you like it? I know it has a weaker trans (Eaton 700 instead of Eaton 1100) than the 520H and also not as many bells/whistles and heavy components as the 520H, but I only plan to use it for mowing and snow blowing.

 

Also, what do you guys think of the amount of hours on the tractor (are they too high?) and also what do you think of the price?

 

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

 

Thanks,

Taylor

[Cable 179]

Didn't Wheel Horse make the 518H in 1988, 1989 and 1990 using the Onan P218 engine?  Seems the best thing to do with it is to put the P218 engine on your 520H.  I doubt the difference in horse power would even be noticed. It should be a very easy switch if the 9-pin connector is in good shape on both tractors.

 

The 520H is equipped with a tachometer but I don't think the 518H was. Check the regulator for a gray wire running directly to the 9-pin.  It is for the tachometer.  If missing you can add the wire. 

 

798 hours are not bad if the tractor was well cared for.

 

As for price, I couldn't even make a guess.

[546cowboy 301]

From looking at the specs on both engines in the past the two engines are the same bore and stroke if I remember right. I think the difference between the 18 and the 20 is in the carb, maybe the intake or the camshaft, I am doing that from my memory ( hope I'm not having a senior moment here ).   You can also put the 520 Eaton 1100 it the 518 if that bothers you. Personally I would wait to find another Onan 20 or do an engine swap in the 520. While I was waiting for an engine I would refurbish the 520 myself but that's just my opinion.

 

As far as price,I think that's higher than I would pay for one. The tractor would have to be in really nice shape, with maintenance records to bring that price. But if you don't have another horse to mow with, that would make a difference too. I see you have 7 in your herd so waiting for an engine to replace the 20 shouldn't be a problem.

 

Dealers are notoriously high on there prices for the simple fact that they have high overhead and will have to stand behind your purchase. If they say you are buying "as is" if there is something major go wrong in a short period of time, you're stuck with it. Of course you could make them an offer for it. All they can do is say no.

Edited June 16, 2013 by 546cowboy

[leeave96 488]

I think the 518H is a decent tractor.  Didn't know it had an Onan, but I don't consider that a problem - if it otherwise runs good.  One of the problems I've got (if it's really a problem) is I've got a fleet of tractors.  Sometimes I think, if I had a brain, I'd settle on a couple of tractors and spare no expense keeping the going forever - regardless of the cost.  Can't do that if I've got a fleet.  The plus side is - for a fraction of the price of a replacement or rebuild engine, many times you can find another tractor.  I did this recently with an IH Cub Cadet.  I needed an engine and found a donor tractor.  Pulled the engine and with the intent of parting out the donor tractor.  It may be that you could buy the 518, transplant the engine and enjoy the benefits of the 520H - like the swept forward axle, gear reduction steering - if yours have it.  You could also keep the best of the tires, seat and deck.  If the 518 has a clevis hitch, you could that one too.  You also might find some Onan parts will be worth keeping off your blown Onan, like starter, carb, etc.

 

OTOH, we've read, IMHO, some great repower posts with the Honda engines - so that is a route too.

 

Just some thoughts.

 

Good luck!

Bill

 

[Ken B 3,166]

Personally, I wouldn't spend 750 bucks on the 518 to put that motor on your 520. That is spending 750 bucks for an Onan with 800 hrs. on it. That motor could puke the day after you buy it. Sure, any motor can, but more likely to happen with an Onan. (Not too mention who knows how long the 700 is going to hold up.) I don't know what your budget is, if it is tight like mine I think I'd hold out altogether and find a tractor with a Kohler on it. All that and I own a 520......

[can whlvr 993]

i agree with the others on dont buy it,300 would be more in the ball park,ya it has a deck,but it isnt a great price for that machine,if it had a 16 hp kohler one lung then maybe,but its an onan with some hours on it and you dont know if they treated her well or not,if its been over heated too many times she could pop a valve seat,but thats only my opinion

[boovuc 1,090]

A 518-H with well UNDER a 1000 hours on it and a deck for 750 bucks from a DEALER is actually pretty good. Folks pay that much for a working Onan P216, P218 or P220 alone. IMHO, I would buy the tractor and transplant the P218 into the 520H and keep the whole rear end of the 518 as a spare tranny.

I would make absolutely sure that the hour meter is working and wasn't recently transplanted into it. (Look for the same amount of grim and colors on it as the rest of the gauges). I would also confirm through that dealer that you have good if not great compression in BOTH cylinders. (Do the test in front of me please). I would also drive that tractor making sure you get that tranny oil nice and hot then see if it losses power on hills or inclines. I doubt you'll find that tractor is as nice as the picture indicates or a DEALER would want a lot more for a Wheelhorse Hydro Twin Onan. I have yet to have observed a 500 series WH at a lawn & garden dealership that wouldn't have 1000 bucks+ on a cosmetically nice garage kept 518 or 520.

Do your homework and put the onus on the dealer to assure you that it is a good tractor and you'll have your 520 issue taken care of cheaper than a rebuild and have a spare tractor for parts.

[Wheel Horse Kid 105]

Thank everyone for all the great input! I really appreciate it and it really helped me in deciding what to do about the 518! Sorry I was not able to respond sooner, but we had a family health crisis over the last few days so things have been pretty hectic up until now...

 

Here's my Idea Concerning the 518H:

 

I am planning to go look at the 518H on Wens morning, and if it looks to be in good shape and well maintained (especially the motor and deck), I think I am going to purchase it. My reason to go this route is that a good used Onan to replace the one in my 520H will probably cost me about $600 (That is what they are going for one Ebay) and a nice 42" deck (I currently don't have a deck for the 520H) will probably run close to $200. So I figure if I spend $750 on the 518H, I will basically be paying what it will cost me to buy a deck and motor for my 520H. I will then put the motor and deck on my 520H. I will also be able to use some other things off the 518H that I need for the 520H (like the seat, belt guard etc.) and then I will part out the rest of the 518H and my bad 20 H.P. Onan and hopefully recoup some or most of purchase price of the 518H. Hopefully, I will be able to get the dealer down a bit on his price too!

 

Does anyone see any red flags with this idea? I am on a pretty limited budget, so I don't want to be making any mistakes! LOL!

 

Thanks Again for all the Help and I will be sure to let you guys know whether or not I get the 518H on Wednesday!

 

Taylor

[boovuc 1,090]

No red flags at all. I hope that tractor is still there on Wednesday.

[Wheel Horse Kid 105]

No red flags at all. I hope that tractor is still there on Wednesday.

 

I hope it is still there on Wednesday too. I was all ready to go and look at it today and called the dealer to make sure it was still for sale and the salesman told me that they loaned it out to a customer who's tractor was being repaired and the 518 would not be returned till later. I can't go tomorrow because I have to help my Grandparent's do some things, so with that being said, I won't be able to go and see it till Wednesday.