My 2011 Ariens 54" vs Wheel Horse 518/520

[Cutlas3391 776]

Well my neighbor offer me a good price for my Ariens 54" 25hp Kohler engine with only 25 hours on it. Im still undecided  to sell because being so new and dont have to worry about problems with this tractor. The problem is i like the Wheel Horse 518h and 520h and like to find a mint one one day. So my question what should i do? I image the Wheel horse 518/520 is a better built machine but obvious a older machine. So if i sell the Ariens i will have the money to look for a 518/520. Let me know what you guys think? Thanks

[leeave96 488]

Here's what I think I know.  The tractor is labeled Ariens, but is made by Husqvarna, but while the same name company as the high end chainsaws, different factory and build quality IMHO.  The company use to be AYP.  You will see similar tractors badged Husqvarna, Sears and Poulan - probably others too.

 

It's good to have a tractor that starts everytime, doesn't need the tires inflated and just works out of the box like a new one - and has plenty of safeties on it.  A 54 inch deck is a nice big deck and can cut down on the mowing time.

 

Are mowing hilly property?  Reason I ask is your tractor might have a Hydrogear K46 tranny in it.  Look for an adhesive paper tag on the back of the transaxle.  Don't take my word for it, do a search.  These transmissions can be very bad and fail.  My Dad has a Husqvarna and the K46 in it went out at 22 hrs.  Deere uses this tranny in a lot of their lawn tractors too - so lots of the tranny's are sold and there are lots of discussions when the tranny fails.  Having said that, my Dad's tranny was replaced under warranty and runs fine now - knock on wood.

 

I bought an MTD Cub Cadet for my Wife and kids to use.  Like I said, it's nice to have ONE tractor that starts everytime, tires are never flat and has plenty of safeties.  Not a problem for the Wife and kids to use.

 

So do you buy the tractor?  If the price was right - maybe.

 

I don't know if you've tried Matt's foot control kit on your 520H, but if you get one, it transforms that tractor into (IMHO) a very MODERN tractor and for me is much more a pleasure to use.

 

Good luck,

Bill

 

[shallowwatersailor 3,214]

These tractors have the Ariens name on them but are actually manufactured by Electrolux (Husqvarna.) They are equipped with a K66Y TuffTorq transaxle. The transaxle is serviceable which is a good thing. The downside to this tractor is the Kohler Courage which is a disposable engine with plastic cam gears - but does have adjustable valves. If the only use is for grass cutting and on a level surface, keep it. Depending on how close to purchase price your neighbor is offering, you might consider selling it. Even though it says "GT," it is not the Ariens GT20 of old.

 

The problem with new tractors that are on the market today is that we have become a disposable society. I am not necessarily advocating to buy old iron but to just be aware of the limitations of products today.   For example, I recently traded my 17 year old JD 14SB lawn mower because I found a reconditioned Poulan Pro lawn mower with a B&S engine used for less money than I could fix the 14SB. I figure I will get 3-5 years out of the Poulan but that's because my needs have changed since buying the 14SB all those years ago. My need now is for just a trim mower. 

 

I always encourage finding a 5xi for a new-old tractor that is an excellent mower.

[kaiser 100]

i passed on the brand new husqvarna that the previous owner of my home tried to sell me. it was very cheaply built, just like that ariens, and the cubs and deere's that home depot sells.

 

my step grandfather owns a deere dealership and told me to stay away from all of these, including the 100 series deeres. he won't even stock them.

 

it's tempting to buy a new tractor, trust me i wanted a new deere so bad but couldn't afford the 300 series i almost bought a 100 series. glad i didn't, even if i have to add air to the tires on my horse on a regular basis. lol

[Racinbob 11,768]

The Ariens looks like new but personally, I wouldn't buy it unless I could turn a profit selling it. Having sold my red herd when we moved down here 13 years ago I quickly discovered that few people down here have ever heard of a Wheel Horse unless they were displaced northerners like us. I ended up buying a green 120 to mow with. I would say it's very similar to the Ariens. Cast iron front axle, bent steel frame, aluminum tranny. Even with the twin 20 HP it just couldn't put the power on the ground. I finally found a 2005 Classic GT close enough that I could get it with a day trip. Largely due to the 8 speed tranny it feels like it puts out twice the power of the JD even though it's 'only' a one lung 15 HP. I gave the green thing away (to my son-in-law). The Ariens, like the big box JD, will have a limited life dependant how hard you work it. The Wheel Horse can be considered a lifetime investment. I've always refered to the JD I had as a 'Junk Deere' but it isn't a real John Deere.

[546cowboy 301]

It all depends on your needs at the present time I would say. If you have something else to mow with and the offer is too good to pass up then sell. If you need a mower now you may have to wait to find a 520. You notice I didn't mention the 518. The 520H 0r 520-8 is what you really want. A really nice 520H may run you $1200 to $1800 so you have to decide.

[leeave96 488]

If the tranny is truly a K66, I am to understand it's a good tranny.  Not something you would use a moldboard plow with, but much better than the k46.

[Cutlas3391 776]

Thanks for the input everybody. The ariens owes me nothing it was a gift given to me from my uncle. He left town and didnt need anymore plus i help him out over the years with a lot of things. The thing about the areins rider in which it turn me off I used it for 2 years now and a couple times i noticed a thick unusal white smoke came out of the exhaust. So obvious I turn the machine off to check things Everything seem ok oil etc. So I have mixed feelings on the rider to sell and get the big buck now before something major goes wrong. The potienal buyer is aware of this and doesn't seem concern. I figure the wheel horse built to last... ps Someone find me a sweet wheel horse 520 lol

[kaiser 100]

sell it now!

 

i was just cruising craigslist in pa and ny a few hours ago and saw a few nice 520's. you're gonna have to make a day trip, but it's worth it.

 

i think i was in the scranton section and the redding section of pa.

Edited August 7, 2013 by kaiser

[Cutlas3391 776]

sell it now!

 

i was just cruising craigslist in pa and ny a few hours ago and saw a few nice 520's. you're gonna have to make a day trip, but it's worth it.

 

i think i was in the scranton section and the redding section of pa.

Cool I don't mind the drive thanks

[JackC 617]

The sooner you do it the better.

[Tankman 3,520]

The sooner you do it the better.

Junque from BIG BOX stores. Get a Horse!

 

I've heard too many complaints 'bout your big box lawn mower.

 

I inherited a 25 hp Cub, sold it and picked up '90 520-8. Love that Stallion!

 

I have only owned one hydro, my '73 12hp "No Name." I'm a believer of that automatic, love the Kohler, adopted (so did my grandsons!) for life the poor Horsey with "No Name."

 

Edited August 9, 2013 by Tankman

[DoctorHfuhruhurr 137]

20 hours and occasional smoke?  Yikes.  I'd sell it even if it was a Wheel Horse doing that. 

[Wheelhorse84 87]

Sell and hope your neighbor forgives you when it breaks.

[Hodge71 665]

Get rid of that Ariens with the tin frame and plastic transmission and get yourself a good horse with a cast iron frame and good heavy duty components......You'll be glad you did!!!

[Cutlas3391 776]

WELL BOYS THE AREINS IS SOLD!! NOW IM IN A HUNT FOR A 520H LET ME KNOW IF ANYBODY HAS A LED OR ONE FOR SALE!! I GOT CASH LOOKING TO MAKE A DEAL I WILL TRAVEL IM ON VACATION THIS WEEK.