520H or 417A

[flyovrcntry 115]

I am looking at these and trying to decide. I am leaning toward the 417 because I don't like the Onan.My question is about the size and weight of the tractors as I will use it to mow and push snow.

I know a lot of you love the Onan,but every other one I look at is either being rebuilt or needs rebuilt.And I know folks dont maintain them or clean the engines. I have worked on plenty of Kohler and Briggs that were still going with enough trash in them to grow tomatoes.

[Kelly 1,033]

Me I'd go 520, but I have a few of them and love them, yes they have issues or can have, mine have none, so far, I did do wiring repair on one when I got it, now the twin 17 kohler has a bad rap about breaking rods, mainly the series 1 engine but all of them have the issue, I guess it comes down to the tractor, was it well cared for, is it low hours, ect..... then decide.

[WH nut 553]

What the hell, get them both.

[Tankman 3,523]

My '90 520-8 Onan, runs like a top. A few wiring issues which I repaired with SOI's help.

 

The 520-8 will push plenty of snow, and mo' without a whimper. 

The Onan is the only one I've owned, was skeptical but, no more!

Edited October 3, 2013 by Tankman

[flyovrcntry 115]

Nut,

     That is probably the best option,but right now I am looking to replace my GT14 that my neighbor talked me out of.He would ask me about it everytime I saw him and I finally let him have it.He says just come and get it whenever you want.He's a nice guy,but I believe he said that knowing I would service it if I used it.Man that baby will push the snow.

Like I said my plan is to have something to mow and push snow.I sell a few riders of various kinds so most of my mowing is done with them,as I try them out.

All predictions are for a really bad winter,don't want to be sitting here with no plow

I have been hooked on the twin after using this simplicity I have been using this year to mow.

[546cowboy 302]

I have had 5- 520's and still have an '89 and I have never had one quit yet. Although I did buy two of them with valve seats popped out. Man does that bring the price down and I jump on them. When they are repaired and kept clean they are one he^^ of a tractor. I used one two years to plow snow from my 400 foot driveway and my neighbors with no weights or chains. Did get stuck several times but that was driver error.

 

I have had 4 of those 17 Kohler's and only one ran and it ran like cr%%. The other 3 already had broken rods and went to scrap. They are not worth the cost or the hassle to rebuild.

[dcrage 630]

To answer your original question -- Either one will push all the snow you want and mow anything you try -- I live 50 miles south of you and have cleared my drive form 20+ years with my 310-8 -- Traction is always the limiting factor in snow moving

[leeave96 490]

If the 417A has the series II engine, you'd probably be ok. I think it is good that we remind constantly the potential problems with the Onans, but it not a guarantee they will go bad or necessarily be problematic. The Onan on my 1992 520H is one of the best engines I've ever ran - knock on wood...

My preference between the two tractors you are considering is the 520H. Nothing to do with the Onan, but if it's a later model, you get a nice swept forward axle, tighter turning radius and gear reduction steering. Either tractor might require a re power someday, but for a re power, I like the 520H chassis,

Lastly, if you get a 520H as I described above and add Matt's foot control kit to it, you have a very nice tractor to operate.

Good luck,

Bill

[zieg72 209]

520H hands down for all the above reasons mentioned.  You want to push snow, look up zieg72 on youtube.  I have a video up pushing a lot of snow, weights, no chains and a 64" wide plow

[papaglide 542]

I had a 520 a few years back. It was very comfortable to drive and I liked it a lot. The motor then took a crap. I now have a 417-A and I like it a lot. Its not quite as comfortable but it still is a good ride. They both sound cool and have a boatload of power. Eventually the Onan or Kohler will crap out. So what? If you like the tractor, you do a rebuild or repower.

I have an Onan powered 416-8 that needed a rebuild. I did a lot of thinking and posting on the square regarding this problem. I love the tractor and would not part with it, so instead of a rebuild, I repowered .........with another Onan. What I am trying to say is that they are both really nice tractors and don't be afraid of the engine issues. They are both good engines. Get the tractor that you find more comfortable and go with it. When the engine has issues do a rebuild or repower.