FatJackDurham 318 #1 Posted January 25, 2019 Hi, I had asked about the 522xi last year and got good info about it being one of the last top end models and a real beast. There is a 523dxi for sale nearby for $1800. I was curious what the experience here was with the diesel. Also, can you attach 3/4/5 series attachements like a mower deck or snow blower, or it it a completely different hookup? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
19richie66 17,655 #2 Posted January 25, 2019 We have that diesel engine in some of our toro workmans here at work. It’s been a troublefree engine so far, at least by my experience. We’ve only had one issue with these diahatsu vanguards(gas or diesel) and that is just because of the way the cooling system is setup in a workman. Just don’t overheat it and it should be a great engine for a long time. Toro quit using them and went to Kubota. I believe they stopped making them around 2013. Just going by what our toro rep told us. 👍 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WVHillbilly520H 10,376 #3 Posted January 26, 2019 4 hours ago, 19richie66 said: We have that diesel engine in some of our toro workmans here at work. It’s been a troublefree engine so far, at least by my experience. We’ve only had one issue with these diahatsu vanguards(gas or diesel) and that is just because of the way the cooling system is setup in a workman. Just don’t overheat it and it should be a great engine for a long time. Toro quit using them and went to Kubota. I believe they stopped making them around 2013. Just going by what our toro rep told us. 👍 ...as far as attachments no they are xi series dependent only the classic style won't fit without some serious retrofitting and fabrication, they 523Dxi is the same tractor as the 522xi with a water cooled 3 cyl diesel, I bought one a few years back non running after a lost oil plug with only 252 hrs but once I tore that engine down it was too cost prohibitive to rebuild for me, Briggs still offer parts for this engine and Toro still offers the tractor parts, now for someone who really knows these give a shout out to John @shallowwatersailor, he has had a few of the xi series and the big D. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
19richie66 17,655 #4 Posted January 26, 2019 We have had 2or 3 fuel injected gas version of this engine overheat and the cylinder head cracks. $1800 for a bare cylinder head for fi and around $1000 for a carbureted version. Other than that, they run great when cared for. I’d run one. Now the new Kubota gas engines we have, those are sweet. Fuel injected, drive by wire 3 cylinder. Looks just like the diesel but with spark plugs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PeacemakerJack 10,743 #5 Posted January 28, 2019 Like anything a person purchases used, it depends a lot on how it was cared for by previous owners. My wife has owned a Dxi for about three and a half years now. We use it for mowing our lawn with its 60” deck in the summer and blowing snow with the big deuce in the winter. Hers has about 1200 hours on it and still runs really strong. This picture was from last week clearing our driveway. It sips fuel compared to its gasoline counterparts yet makes really good power. These have a very complex system though, much like an automobile would have, and they can be a lot of headaches if a previous owner has jacked up the wiring, or screwed with the other mechanical systems. If it is an unmolested machine with a manageable amount of hours, it is a steal for that price—seems to me that they were about $10,000 grand new. As Jeff stated, the mounting system for the attachments is quite a bit different and you would need to purchase xi specific pieces. Not a big deal because there are quite a few out there. I love the power steering, foot controlled hydro, dual range speed selection, super tight steering radius, and the tank like construction! keep us posted on what you decided and share some pics if you can... 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
