k2wilson 41 #1 Posted April 22, 2015 I'm gonna go look at a 520-H that's for sale near me. I don't have any experience with these machines--what are the potential problem areas I need to look at? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
scotty 252 #2 Posted April 22, 2015 Looking at any wheel horse i always check where the frame mounts to the transmission for cracks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tankman 3,523 #3 Posted April 22, 2015 Looking at any wheel horse i always check where the frame mounts to the transmission for cracks. When I found my '90 520-8 the frame had split at the trans. Whoever did the repair, by the book! An excellent repair. The idea of owning a 520-H is in my Horse head! At 67 I'm thinking, "Easy lift, no shiftin', easy." Good luck with your search! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chex313 123 #4 Posted April 22, 2015 Well they were built like tanks...Its the Onan that powers it that suffers over the hours. look for low hours, and that it runs good with power...and hopefully has a clean no oil leak look to it. Just in general check for oil leaks, motor, tranny rear end and hydraulics. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
muz123 1,192 #5 Posted April 22, 2015 They are awesome tractors. I had mine since 1997 and i still use it today. I tilled, plowed ,blowed and mowed grass with it. The onan engines in them are good but parts can be very expensive. Good luck!! Dave.... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cheesegrader 433 #6 Posted April 23, 2015 Most expensive problem is probably a bad valve seat on the rear cylinder. Compression should be in the 110-120 range on both cylinders. Second would be a bad hydro pump. Make sure you get it up to temperature and run it for a while to make sure you don't lose power as it heats up. Next, I would make sure all gauges and lights work. Electrical problems are common. Volt meter should be 14 volts when running. People will just jump electrical problems instead of correcting them. This leads to problems with bypassed safety switches. I personally don't care about the seat switch, but I think the safety switches on the PTO, motion control lever and parking brake should all work. Look at the cooling fins around the engine. If they are dirty, or worse, oily and dirty, you run the risk of early engine failure due to overheating. How is the lift system. Is it all there? does it work? Does it leak? Is the steering tight? New tires are $400. How long will the current ones last. Has it been run regularly, or is it a barn find? Does the engine surge? These are awesome tractors, but on 20 year old machines, there is always something! 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
boovuc 1,090 #7 Posted April 23, 2015 If I may add: 1. If you have a compression tester, test the compression of the Onan's cylinders. Minimally, ask if you can pull the plugs and see if the rear cylinder is blackish, fouled. (Very important)! 2. Run the tractor enough to get the transmission up to operating temp to check for a bad tranny. (forward & reverse). A hill is a great way to see if it slows to a crawl while climbing. (Very important)! 3. When idling, make sure the idle is smooth and doesn't race up and down. 4. Pull some of the fuses and look for pitting on the fuse ends caused by heat build up. 5. Make sure the lights work and all the gauges & idiot lights work. 6. Look for cracks where the transmission bolts to the tractor frame. (Very important)! 7. Look carefully around the engine shroud for grass and gunk deposits in the cooling fins. You can't see for sure unless you tear the tins off but If they are apparent without removal, beware of an overheated motor. 7. A 520 may look real nice but make sure you don't pay too much for one with a lot of hours. Any 520 with over 1000 hours in my humble opinion isn't worth top dollar due to potential valve seat issues on that engine. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
