520lxi

[vic3500 0]

Hi, new to the forum, sorry to rush in here, but I am taking the night to sleep on the idea of buying a 520lxi in the morning.  It is a 2000 with 500 hours . Looks to be in decent shape, but I know nothing about these machines.  The sale price is 2700 with a rear dump blower / bagger.  The seller is a local dealer, but not a Toro dealer, so he has no knowledge of the machine and very little interest in the sale.  He wont negotiate or even entertain any kind of warranty or guarantee.  I know from searching the forum that this is a lot of machine for the money, just looking for some quick advice.

 

My main concerns are:

 

1. Deck seemed real low, compared to my last Deere.  Any troubles with clearance on less than flat property?

 

2.    While he did a quick test run, I noticed a bit of "creep" when he stopped...is this normal?  Im used to my Deere just stopping in it's tracks.

 

Thanks for any advice you can give.

 

vic

[Jake Kuhn 1,579]

[vic3500 0]

thanks for the welcome Jake!     Hoping to get some good advice here !! Cheers

[boovuc 1,090]

Welcome to Redsquare!

The creep is an easy adjustment on any hydro's controls or at the linkage adjustment above the tranny. The lift is hydro also and I'm sure the dealer had the deck down all the way and it is fully adjustable plus the deck's height adjustment can be adjusted. Modern WH decks as did many of the much older decks were floaters and can mow different angles without turning into a tiller.

I am no expert on the XI series but many here will tell you that that series was Toro/Wheelhorse's best and most rugged garden tractors. Very heavy! They were not made contiguously as long as the C, D, 300, 400 and 500 series tractors which makes finding implements for them harder and those implements command a bigger price tag. (Supply and demand).

Some of the Xi owners will chime in and let you know if the price seems reasonable or not. Without a few pictures, it is hard to put a price on a tractor and I'm not sure of the engine in it or if you get power steering, etc.

Good Luck!

[vic3500 0]

Thanks Boovuc.   Here's the only pic i have.  This model has power steering and the Kawi liquid cooled 20 hp.  The blower has a a couple small cracks where it attaches to the deck and on the shaft.  A little bit of surface rust on the deck, very minor.  This unit also has the attach a magic ?  Looks like it could be useful.  Thanks again

[vic3500 0]

Heres the pic

 

[leeave96 490]

500 hrs is good. From the pic, it looks like the deck wheels are set so the deck cuts close.

Is the deck a 42 or 48 inch width?

$2,700 for this tractor seems a bit in the high side IMHO.

Good luck,

Bill

[vic3500 0]

Thx Bill.  Its a 48".   In the pic it might be set low, but i raised the deck as high as it would go and set the cut length high, and the wheels still rode the ground.  I guess that's the way this deck operates?  

 

As for the price....this guy wont budge, and this is the only Wheel Horse I've seen in at least 5 months of looking.  Nothing in the immediate area or greater Seattle for that matter. lol   

[AMC RULES 37,196]

Is a nice looking machine.

 

[Challenger 27]

Proceed with caution perhaps?  I'm NOT an expert but I do have experience with XI machines.

 

The 520lxi is powered by a Kawasaki LIQUID cooled engine.  Many Kawasaki engines in the 20hp series had a high cam gear failure rate.   This was due to some poor quality parts that suffered premature failures.  At some point Kawasaki changed the engine to better machined steel cam gear parts.  At the moment I don't recall when the engine assembly was changed  to steel cam gear parts but an internet search will help you. (John Deere garden tractors used this series engine and you may find more information on their garden tractor forums.)  There are engine serial number lists of the affected engines.  (Please remember I'm not an expert nor technician.  Others here can give a much more precise response to this concern).

 

If the machine has the updated engine I'd say the dealer's price is about right.  In fact prices in Canada can run higher.

Edited August 2, 2013 by Challenger

[RMCIII 838]

Morning and welcome to Red Square Vic. Couple thoughts. First, unless the deck was on level ground when you adjusted the deck wheels, there still is a possibility that the overall deck would ride low. The deck has a front to back adjustment and a side to side adjustment to provide the best cut possible. Once it is set correct, the front deck wheels should ride about 1/8" above the ground after you have set your desired cutting height using the rear height adjustment. Also, there are cams on either side of the tractor, under the footrests, that are adjustable for transport height. If the cams are out of whack, that can also affect the lift/transport height. As for the price, as stated by Boo, supply and demand. You said it yourself, this is the first WH you have located in 5 months.

 

Good luck. Oh-the xi series is a workhorse. You won't be disappointed.

[leeave96 490]

Considering the difficulty in finding a Wheelhorse, the price might be OK. Certainly the hours are low.

[vic3500 0]

Thanks to all. Yes I went online and did a nationwide craigslist search and couldn't find the 520Lxi anywhere.  Nore Ebay.  Kinda scares me a bit.

 I do have an authorize repair center nearby, just somewhat worried about parts etc.   

Also with the Attach a Matic, what and where could I buy accessories?

[wh500special 2,277]

You won’t find a bigger champion for the 5xi series than me on this forum.  A lot of my commentary surrounds these things.  But I’m not really an expert, so use your own judgment when reading what I have to say…

 

Price is hard to pin down.  I think he’s a bit high – personally – but the tractor is probably “worth it†given its condition, hours, and capabilities.  Summer is going to be drawing to an end soon, so he’s going to have to store it over winter if it doesn’t sell.  You might get lucky if you show up with cash in hand and a slightly lower offer. These are directly competitive to the Deere 345 type of tractor, so should sell at a similar price.

 

That looks like a 48†deck to me.  That’s a good choice on this model of machine.  I am not a fan of the 44†model that was offered as it seems to blow more grass out the front than it does out of the discharge chute.  The baggers are hard to come by and are very desirable, so that attachment may be what’s driving the price on this tractor.

 

500 hours is nothing on one of these.  Even if maintenance hasn’t been the best, these are quite heavily built machines so it ought to still be in good shape.  Regarding the engine, the 20-horse Kawasaki in these seems more powerful than you’d expect.  My 520Lxi has north of 2000 hours on it and still runs like a top with plenty of oomph.

 

Wheel Horse decks have a lower range of cut than competitive brands.    The gauge wheels on the rear of the deck – adjusted by the deck lever – set the height of cut.  I think the longest grass setting (top notch on the deck lever) is probably a bit longer than 3 inches.  They can be dropped all the way down to pretty much shave the turf to the roots.  The deck style itself has been around for decades and was designed to cut with the deck height lever in the middle positions.

 

The gauge wheels always ride the ground when mowing.  The attachment lift lever on the right side of the steering wheel can raise the deck for transport, but you will find that 5xi’s don’t lift their mowers very high for clearance.  The gauge wheels will clear the ground, but not by much if you’re set to mow in the highest position.

 

None of my 5xi’s has ever exhibited creeping when in neutral, so I have never performed any adjustments.  But the procedure is outlined in the service manual that you’ll want to get and looks to be easy enough.  These tractors are equipped with a steering system called “Smart Turn† that automatically slows the tractor in turns that uses a couple of linkages to adjust the speed based on steering angle, so don’t fuss with any adjustments until you have the manual. 

 

Some don’t like the “smart turn†feature, and an inexpensive lockout kit ($50) is available to disable it.

 

Best of luck!

Steve

[leeave96 490]

You won’t find a bigger champion for the 5xi series than me on this forum.  A lot of my commentary surrounds these things.  But I’m not really an expert, so use your own judgment when reading what I have to say…

 

Price is hard to pin down.  I think he’s a bit high – personally – but the tractor is probably “worth it†given its condition, hours, and capabilities.  Summer is going to be drawing to an end soon, so he’s going to have to store it over winter if it doesn’t sell.  You might get lucky if you show up with cash in hand and a slightly lower offer. These are directly competitive to the Deere 345 type of tractor, so should sell at a similar price.

 

That looks like a 48†deck to me.  That’s a good choice on this model of machine.  I am not a fan of the 44†model that was offered as it seems to blow more grass out the front than it does out of the discharge chute.  The baggers are hard to come by and are very desirable, so that attachment may be what’s driving the price on this tractor.

 

500 hours is nothing on one of these.  Even if maintenance hasn’t been the best, these are quite heavily built machines so it ought to still be in good shape.  Regarding the engine, the 20-horse Kawasaki in these seems more powerful than you’d expect.  My 520Lxi has north of 2000 hours on it and still runs like a top with plenty of oomph.

 

Wheel Horse decks have a lower range of cut than competitive brands.    The gauge wheels on the rear of the deck – adjusted by the deck lever – set the height of cut.  I think the longest grass setting (top notch on the deck lever) is probably a bit longer than 3 inches.  They can be dropped all the way down to pretty much shave the turf to the roots.  The deck style itself has been around for decades and was designed to cut with the deck height lever in the middle positions.

 

The gauge wheels always ride the ground when mowing.  The attachment lift lever on the right side of the steering wheel can raise the deck for transport, but you will find that 5xi’s don’t lift their mowers very high for clearance.  The gauge wheels will clear the ground, but not by much if you’re set to mow in the highest position.

 

None of my 5xi’s has ever exhibited creeping when in neutral, so I have never performed any adjustments.  But the procedure is outlined in the service manual that you’ll want to get and looks to be easy enough.  These tractors are equipped with a steering system called “Smart Turn† that automatically slows the tractor in turns that uses a couple of linkages to adjust the speed based on steering angle, so don’t fuss with any adjustments until you have the manual. 

 

Some don’t like the “smart turn†feature, and an inexpensive lockout kit ($50) is available to disable it.

 

Best of luck!

Steve

 

This is one of the best posts I've read!!!!!!!

 

Makes me want to consider a 5xi tractor...   

[vic3500 0]

I agree...thanks Steve great info.  Now it's up to me to just pull the trigger.  I was turned off by the salesman/owner who refused to back up the machine in any way.  The dealership is reputable, but doesnt care about the small customer at all.  He basically said price is firm...plus tax., and the tractor is sold "as is" in the absolute strictest sense.  He said consider it like a "Craigslist" sale.  During discussion he essentially said that if I got it home and it didnt work upon arrival, it would be my problem.   

 

I know that's just reality, but it sure would've been nice if he finessed it a bit lol

[wh500special 2,277]

I agree...thanks Steve great info.  Now it's up to me to just pull the trigger.  I was turned off by the salesman/owner who refused to back up the machine in any way.  The dealership is reputable, but doesnt care about the small customer at all.  He basically said price is firm...plus tax., and the tractor is sold "as is" in the absolute strictest sense.  He said consider it like a "Craigslist" sale.  During discussion he essentially said that if I got it home and it didnt work upon arrival, it would be my problem.   

 

I know that's just reality, but it sure would've been nice if he finessed it a bit lol

No problem.  And thanks for the compliments guys.

 

The fact that he's so firm on telling you it's as-is and that any problems it has are your problems makes me nervous.  He is probably just covering himself against potential complaints like, "there's a cotter pin missing from the..." but he might be trying to tell you it's got problems.

 

When you go back to look at it, spend time driving it around and testing everything out.  Get it warmed up and mow with it.

 

Steve

[vic3500 0]

That was my plan...but this guy is busy selling big tractors to his ag customers.   No real time or interest in me.  Doesn't seem like i could get him to let me cruise the machine around for a bit.    But he doesnt seem shady...just sees me as a small fish. lol

[vic3500 0]

He's got a Deere GT235 he's offered me as well.  No hour meter.  I just assumed a bit of bias here, but i posted to the tractor forum as well to see if there was any screaming reason to go with the Deere instead.  Main thing pointed out was a lack of Wheel Horse support in the area, though I do have an authorized Toro dealer near by.  I get the impression they dont see many Wheel Horses though..  They are stacked deep with Husqvarnas

[leeave96 490]

 

I agree...thanks Steve great info.  Now it's up to me to just pull the trigger.  I was turned off by the salesman/owner who refused to back up the machine in any way.  The dealership is reputable, but doesnt care about the small customer at all.  He basically said price is firm...plus tax., and the tractor is sold "as is" in the absolute strictest sense.  He said consider it like a "Craigslist" sale.  During discussion he essentially said that if I got it home and it didnt work upon arrival, it would be my problem.   

 

I know that's just reality, but it sure would've been nice if he finessed it a bit lol

No problem.  And thanks for the compliments guys.

 

The fact that he's so firm on telling you it's as-is and that any problems it has are your problems makes me nervous.  He is probably just covering himself against potential complaints like, "there's a cotter pin missing from the..." but he might be trying to tell you it's got problems.

 

When you go back to look at it, spend time driving it around and testing everything out.  Get it warmed up and mow with it.

 

Steve

 

 

None of my business, but I've had sellers give me a stern take and leave it.  Sometimes I take it and sometimes I leave it.  As I get older and more brused by the smart @#$%'s of the world, I tend to leave it.  I try to support a dealer whenever I can and one time I bought an Echo chainsaw from a dealer.  I asked him if he could do a little better on the price - just because I figure you can haggle with a dealer, even if it's for a $1, whereas at a box store, the price is the price - but usually is lower than the dealer in the first place.  The guy ripped me about asking and accused me of trying to check his price - only to go to a box store and buy the saw.  He gave me this lecture on how dealers take care of their customers, etc.  I knew going in that the saw was discontinued and he had the only one left in the county.  Big mouth or not, I was going to buy it and I did.  About a month later, he went out of business!  So much for long term customer support.

 

So maybe this dealer is a JERK, but if he's got what you want/need, in spite of his attitude, you are still using him to get what you want/need and in that case, you are in control.

 

Good luck!

Bill

[vic3500 0]

Good point.  I've had to swallow my pride in the past, and lost good deals because i haven't in some cases.  

[shallowwatersailor 3,214]

  Challenger and Steve brought up the same concerns that I would have. The Kawasaki engine in this series  are not as common (nor is the diesel) but very common to John Deere tractors. The Smart Turn feature actually improves the cut as it makes the tractor slow at turns and the deck doesn't blow the grass aside. Attachments are rare, and perhaps more so in Canada. I also agree that the bagger is increasing the price. It would be handy if you have leaves in the fall to cleanup. I feel that the tractor by itself should be about 1K less, give or take.

 

Previously I researched the cam gear and posted the information but can't recall about it right now. Search other 5xi posts. If that is not an issue for this tractor, no other problems, and that you can live with the possibility of not finding any other attachments - go for it! You will be happy.  Regarding the dealer, walk in with cash in hand but below his price to see what he does.

[Irv 115]

 Vic, the price sounds like it's fair enough but I certainly wouldn't buy it without being able to run it around a bit to make sure it's ok. Good Luck!!

[vic3500 0]

John,

 

I see your point with the cam issue.  If Im not mistaken, the cam issue only affected the 18 hp engines.  I had done quite a bit of research while looking at deeres.  I don't the 20 hps had the same issue.  

 

I agree with the cash in hand strategy, as well as the test drive issue.  I am a dyed in the wool salesman and hard closer.  I know cash talks, but i think this guy is deaf.  lol 

 

I might be able to convince him to let me give it a quick cruise in the parking lot, but I don't think it's going to give me too much insight.  

 

In the end, i'm gonna have to just close my eyes and jump.  

 

thx again all for the replies

[boovuc 1,090]

If the dealer won't let you get it hot and run it through it's paces when he is the person who states that "if you get it home and something is wrong, it's not my problem", then I would let him know why you aren't going to deal with him. He should let you run it and actually mow a little with it before buying. He may change his tune when you go back. That shows and interest as opposed to a Tire Kicker" just killing time and wasting his. (And that may be his attitude issue though it's a poor excuse for one).

Good Luck!