Ready to buy my 1st but ...

[squonk 43,843]

Loaders are harder to find around here as guys usually don't want to sell them. On my Power King, the loaders in decent condition go for $1500-2000 by themselves.

[KC9KAS 4,744]

 to

 

I can't really add anything more to the above comments...Others have pretty well covered it!

[Retired Wrencher 5,791]

LFoD    I hope every thing works out for you. Enjoy the ride.   Gary     B...

[Ken B 3,189]

Machine looks real clean and well taken care of to me. Looks like it has the original seat on it with no cracks so that kinda tells me it was kept inside and the hours are probably correct. Looks like no rust either, another indication it was taken care of and kept inside. Bottom line, the guy is pretty much in line with what he is asking,...If you can dicker a little and get a few bucks off then swell but I wouldn't expect him to come very far down from his price. My guess is the first big snow you guys get its gonna get sold real fast.. 

Not to turn you away from Wheel Horse but if you can find a Power King with a loader on it in the same shape as the 520 for the same money.... I'd take a nice Power King with a loader on it ANY day over a 520 with a loader on it. I owned a very old (1958) Power King/ Economy tractor that had a loader on it and it was an absolute beast. I can remember the day I went to look at it,  When I first saw it I thought man, this old girl is whooped. The old guy selling it said to me, Listen here sonny, this old girl ain't gonna let you down, she might be ugly but she aims to please, you can ride her hard all day long and has served me well for well over 30 yrs. I thought about it for a second and then I handed the old timer his money.  I worked the HELL out of that thing and it never cried Uncle. None of the comforts of a 520 but it would out work a 520 with a loader on it EASILY. I wish I still had it... The fool I am.

[WHX?? 51,780]

1 hour ago, T1257 said:

 I hope every thing works out for you. Enjoy the ride.

Yes let us know what happens, and more pics.... I would possibly buy the tractor just for the fel if in decent shape.

 

Looks like we are gonna have to hold field day (clean)  in Ken's shop.... that little orange guy in the corner needs to see a show or 3!

Edited January 7, 2016 by WHX6

[Ed Kennell 42,043]

You got a lot of good info above, but I'll add my .       I would not consider swapping a mower deck and FEL on a tractor twice every year.  And I don't think you would be happy using  a FEL for your only snow removal tractor.     Prices for decks vary.   I have 7 decks 36" to 60"  for sale.  $50 -$600 depending on size and condition.

If you really need a FEL to maintain your property,  go for it,  But I would plan on buying another tractor with a mowing deck and blower or push blade.

 

Oh,

[WHX?? 51,780]

3 minutes ago, ekennell said:

But I would plan on buying another tractor

 

AHHH  your addiction is showing Ed ...shoulda just told him to get a couple 4 more... lets see... fel, deck, tiller, blower, front plow, rear plow, ...ah what the heck make it an even 7......

[LFoD 31]

2 hours ago, Ken B said:

... but if you can find a Power King with a loader on it in the same shape as the 520 for the same money....

 

You mean like this one:

OH MY!

[WHX?? 51,780]

Saw that one awhile back, in MHO It would be a better fel tractor than a 520 but I know squat abot a power king...just my I'm sure those who do will chime in. Notice the rams are stouter, nice front trailer hubs,  has foot control - a huge  plus and would take the Kohler over an Onan on a bad day. That tractor might be in my yard if closer.

OH and the power steering another plus...

oh and three point rear...somebody stop me before I pm this guy!

Edited January 7, 2016 by WHX6

[JERSEYHAWG / Glenn 4,499]

btw....welcome to red square.

 

Glenn

Edited January 7, 2016 by JERSEYHAWG / Glenn

[Al C. 1,428]

What you pay for the machine in the end is more about what its value will be for you.  Earlier this year I purchased this 1982 Wheel Horse from a Red Square member.  He was asking $1,500 and I offered $1,500.  Both of us walked away from the transaction glad we had met each other and both very happy with the value we received.   Eight months after the transaction, I still feel like I got a GREAT deal!  They are wonderful machines!

[slammer302 2,156]

36 minutes ago, Al C. said:

What you pay for the machine in the end is more about what its value will be for you.  Earlier this year I purchased this 1982 Wheel Horse from a Red Square member.  He was asking $1,500 and I offered $1,500.  Both of us walked away from the transaction glad we had met each other and both very happy with the value we received.   Eight months after the transaction, I still feel like I got a GREAT deal!  They are wonderful machines!

I remember when that was for sale very nice for sure!!

[JERSEYHAWG / Glenn 4,499]

Question: is there a differance between a power king economy and a jim dandy tractor?  They seem the same, I just dont know. Thanks...........

 

Ps, you guys are ruining me. Lol

 

Glenn

[WNYPCRepair 1,923]

6 hours ago, ekennell said:

But I would plan on buying another tractor with a mowing deck and blower or push blade.

Don't worry, once he gets one, he WILL get more.


(I only intended to have one, now I have 5 WHs and a JD, in less than 8 months. I may need help)  

[muz123 1,192]

Saw the 520 and looks nice, but at the time it was not for sale so did not check it out thouroughly. 

[LFoD 31]

Might have some bad news.  I heard back from the seller. 

 

Cliff notes:

1. Leaks some oil from the transmission where the temperature sensor threads in.  Says either the sensor is cracked or the threads on the sensor need some sealent applied to it to stop the leak.  And that "It's not a big deal,  but hasn't made the time to look into it."

2. The voltage gauge indicates a lower voltage than is actually there.  It indicates 12V,  yet there is actually around 14.4 volts at the battery when the tractor is running (14.4 is normal).  There is a voltage drop at one of the connections most likely or the voltage gauge itself is just not accurate.  It doesn't affect anything since everything electrical works and the battery is charging. 

3. One of the headlights went out the last time he used it but this weekend that is being replaced. 

4. The tractor starts right up even after sitting for weeks in an unheated garage. 

5. No mowing deck

6. Has decks that he would sell

 

So ... maybe not so much based on all that?

[WNYPCRepair 1,923]

2 hours ago, LFoD said:

Might have some bad news.  I heard back from the seller. 

 

Cliff notes:

1. Leaks some oil from the transmission where the temperature sensor threads in.  Says either the sensor is cracked or the threads on the sensor need some sealent applied to it to stop the leak.  And that "It's not a big deal,  but hasn't made the time to look into it."

2. The voltage gauge indicates a lower voltage than is actually there.  It indicates 12V,  yet there is actually around 14.4 volts at the battery when the tractor is running (14.4 is normal).  There is a voltage drop at one of the connections most likely or the voltage gauge itself is just not accurate.  It doesn't affect anything since everything electrical works and the battery is charging. 

3. One of the headlights went out the last time he used it but this weekend that is being replaced. 

4. The tractor starts right up even after sitting for weeks in an unheated garage. 

5. No mowing deck

6. Has decks that he would sell

 

So ... maybe not so much based on all that?

Sounds like negotiating points to me.

 

[LFoD 31]

Should have mentioned this earlier but he has made it *extremely* clear that he is "FIRM" on the pricing.

 

I could try but I get the feeling I would get shut down on the negotiation parts.

 

I might just have to grow patience ... I hate that!

[953 nut 60,074]

9 minutes ago, LFoD said:

made it *extremely* clear that he is "FIRM" on the pricing.

Cash talks; BS walks! Go to look at it with cash in hand for what you are willing to pay (and a little more in your hip pocket). Once the seller knows you are serious about buying it the negotiation can be easier. I know I hate it when a prospective buyer begins the phone conversation with "will you take less" before he has seen it.

[WNYPCRepair 1,923]

6 minutes ago, 953 nut said:

Cash talks; BS walks! Go to look at it with cash in hand for what you are willing to pay (and a little more in your hip pocket). Once the seller knows you are serious about buying it the negotiation can be easier. I know I hate it when a prospective buyer begins the phone conversation with "will you take less" before he has seen it.

Get one of those little cash envelopes the banks give out, put what you want to spend in that, and a couple of hundred in one back pocket, the rest in the other back pocket, as 953 Nut said. Look it over, drive it, be sure it is worth what you wanted to pay, and then say you are interested, but with the issues you have, if you are firm at $2800, I guess I'll have to pass (while pulling out the envelope). Hold the envelope and say I've got $xxxx here, and I am ready to take it with me if you are interested. 

All he can say is no. Notice you didn't say it was all you had, in case he is willing to negotiate, so now you can pull the $200 out, so he still doesn't know how much you have. Don't let bidding fever lead you to pay too much over what you want to spend.

 

Edited January 8, 2016 by WNYPCRepair

[LFoD 31]

I would try if I go for it but ... with that list of issues ... is it even worth it?

 

Or should I take the 4 hour trek to NY for that Power King instead?

 

I could also just keep scouring Craig's List I guess. 

[953 nut 60,074]

None of those issues is a deal breaker, just deferred maintenance and all really cheap fixes. As for the mower deck, like Ed said, you don't want to be removing the loader and putting it back on too many times. Once you have your first  you will want another anyway.

[WNYPCRepair 1,923]

44 minutes ago, LFoD said:

Should have mentioned this earlier but he has made it *extremely* clear that he is "FIRM" on the pricing.

 

I could try but I get the feeling I would get shut down on the negotiation parts.

 

I might just have to grow patience ... I hate that!

I hadn't noticed the Power King. I must have missed that post. 

To be honest, I know nothing about them, but Ken loved his, and I have seen a few other posts about them. That looks like a much better deal to me. The spindle is a bit worrisome. How hard are they to find, and how much do they cost. I recently found out how much WH spindles are and almost had a heart attack. 



 

It sounds like a nice tractor, with loader, power steering, 3 point hitch, deck, foot pedal. I would drive 4 hours for it. Let me know if you decide to pass, I may work out a trade of some sort if you aren't interested

 

[wh500special 2,274]

It's a 20 year old tractor.  It's going to have some small issues like he listed.  Probably some he genuinely doesn't know about either.  I don't think any of his disclosures should scare you or be unexpected on a machine like this.  

 

When you look it over, pay special attention to the frame junction mentioned by others.   That's not any easy repair to make if you see cracks or tears.  

 

I think his price is probably in line with what it should be.  Certainly a solid value.   We on this forum tend to be pretty cheap when spending our own money but more generous when spending someone else's.  If you like it and want it, buy it.   You might not be able to turn around and sell it at no loss if you have second thoughts, but that's not the point.  

 

I've had (have) a lot of  Wheel Horses and am an avid fan of them, but if I had to have just ONE tractor to use for everything I suspect I would tire of mounting and removing the loader to use the machine for other tasks.  It can be done and kwik way did a good job making it reasonably easy, but it isn't something you're going to look forward to every week when you need to cut the lawn.  You'll probably either add a second mowing/tilling/snow machine or find yourself looking to replace the machine in a few seasons with something that allows the mower to coexist with the loader to ease your task of outfitting the machine for its changing roles.

 

 

The 520 was and is a great tractor.  Certainly the top of the wheel horse heap.   They are generally solid machines.   In my estimation, they aren't any more or less reliable than anything else of similar vintage.   I've found the engines to be pretty reliable over time as well unless the valve seats let go.   They do tend to have electrical problems that center around the sub par molex electrical connector  (which very easily can be the source of the wild voltmeter on your tractor) but that is easily rectified.    

 

It looks like a nice tractor and a decent value.  You'll be doing fine if you park it in your garage.  Decks are easy to source.  Same with snow equipment.   Looks like a good choice, but be aware that you may find swapping the loader on and off trying to make this a "do everything" machine might grow tiresome.  

 

Best wishes and welcome to the fold.  

 

Steve

[Ken B 3,189]

10 hours ago, LFoD said:

Should have mentioned this earlier but he has made it *extremely* clear that he is "FIRM" on the pricing.

 

I could try but I get the feeling I would get shut down on the negotiation parts.

 

I might just have to grow patience ... I hate that!

I have run across many guys like him thru the yrs. and I would be willing to be bet that he really doesn't need the money. He probably doesn't use it enough anymore to warrant him keeping it. He might also be the original owner, if he is I'm sure he remembers what he paid for it when new. (a whole bunch) He has probably done his home work to come up with a fair price for it and refuses to let it go for less than fair market value. If you do go look at it you will have to pay as much attention to the seller and his surroundings as you do the tractor to get a real feel for him before you offer him less as he has made himself extremely clear about firmness. When some guys say they are firm they are so full of it but when some guys say they are firm you better believe it and if you offer less there is the chance of pissing him off and blowing the deal. The real trick is to try and figure out the one's who are really firm.  Don't get me wrong, I love the chase and the art of the deal but thru the yrs. I've learned each buy/guy needs to be treated differently.. I know thru the years I have sold PLENTY of items and some of them I have expressed firmness in my advertisement. I can recall a guy that came to look at a boat I was selling. He saw the boat and his eyes were popping out of his head he wanted it so bad. He knew I was very firm as I told him at least 3 times over the phone and twice in person and yet he was stuck on trying to give me 500 less for it which I refused. He was trying all the flashing the cash tricks and all that, I wasn't amused. He told me he would have to think about it and would get back to me and he went on his Merry way. Meanwhile I got another call from a guy ten minutes away. He came to my house and was thrilled at what he saw and paid me my price. Well, the first guy never told me he was coming back to my house and when he got their he was pissed to see that a deal had been closed. He told me he drove two hours to come see the boat and that I wasted his time. Really? 

Edited January 8, 2016 by Ken B