How many 520 owners ?

[JCM 8,608]

Curious to find out how many members that have 520's, either Hydros or 8 speeds. Questions are did you buy it new or used with approximately how many hours then and current hours now,other than routine maintenance has the engine ever been apart, what has it been primarily used for,and do you worry about the dreaded valve seat issue. My 520 was purchased used from a friend in 2001 with 470 hours and now 790 and it has never been apart. Was used mainly to mow  quarter of an acre and on a 150' driveway with a 2 stage blower. For the past 5 years it is a dedicated winter tractor doing snowblowing duties. As always thanks for your time and input,good or bad.

[WVHillbilly520H 10,369]

I bought my first one brand new in Feb of 1998 a 50th anniversary edition, Now has 760+ hours was used to mow 2+/- acres (plus sweep clippings after)for the first 7 years and either push a 50" snow blade or spin a 42" tall chute single stage thrower for approximately a 250-300 dirt driveway also, then moved mowing a 4 acre lot with a 200 ft steep concrete drive for 1 year, then moved again mowing 1-2 acres with 1/4 mile dirt/gravel/sandstone driveway for the next 6 or so years, then moved here about 7 years ago to mow a hilly 3 acres with about 200-300' of asphalt driveway got a cab and a 2stage blower...also did gardening and driveway repairs in the 14-15 years in WV, The engine has never been tore down except for an ignition trigger and module...was never worried about a valve seat issue as I did really knew they existed until I found RedSquare , I had 3 520s at one point in time, Now just 2 the other is a '95 with under 400 hrs that I bought with 237 and looked like 2370 hrs of setting uncovered outside.. I'm a firm believer in the Onans and  just not the best wiring from TORO...of course now I have a Mahindra eMax 22G that I now with and hopefully get last year's score (Kubota Blade and blower) converted over play in the snow.

[JAinVA 4,619]

I have 3 with about 500 hours showing each.Only one was running when I got it and it had an Onan b43g from a 70s Sears tractor.I have 2 that have had alternate power plants on them.

One had a 16 horse Kohler and one has a 13 horse Predator.I built another tractor for loader service which is equivelent to a 520-8 except Kohler power and 312A sheet metal. I like my Onans but only have one running as of yet.

[Kurt-NEPA 755]

I've owned three 520H's,  An 88, a 93, and a 95.  The 93 was shot, I mowed with it for a year and sold it.  My 95 is in beautiful condition, 310 hours, and I have it set up with a cab and two stage for snow blowing.  My 1988 is a back up mower for my 522xi. What a capable tractor.  I bought all of them used.  Lots of work done on them over the years.

[lynnmor 6,762]

I have three 520H tractors with 1000 to 1500 hours on them.  They were worked rather hard with a loader, 60" deck, 42" & 44" snowblowers as well as numerous smaller attachments.  One engine had low compression in one cylinder so I bought a spare engine.  Turned out that the low compression only needed a minor valve grinding to restore the compression.  Now the spare, it turned out to be a dud with a loose valve seat.  I replaced the seat and did a complete valve job, as well as other things, Shortly after installing it, the governor ball spacer became loose and engine speed could not be controlled.  I repaired the governor and it is currently being used daily.

 

The 1991 I bought new, the 1996 had 800 hours and the 1997 had 300.

 

Edited July 18, 2019 by lynnmor

[Lee1977 6,209]

I have a 1989 520-H.  Bought back in March clean all the dirt and grass out of it made half dozen electrical repaires New tires and tie rods. It came with a 42" deck that I also repaired. I was given a 85 model 48" deck by a friend that was in good shape so I painted it and put it on the 520. It's now sharing the mowing with my C-120/180.

 

[dclarke 4,011]

I have a '93 520H, I got it 3 years ago with 525 hrs on it. It's got 538 hrs now, it's my snow machine. 

[JCM 8,608]

@dclarke I really like the hood decals on your machine without the added TORO name on the hood, no offense TORO,mine is a 1991 so it has the Toro name. To bad they didn't leave them the way they were like on the 1988&1989 520's, oh well, awesome piece of equipment either way.

[Ike 75]

I have two. One 1997 with 285 hours and a 1993 with 385 hours.  

[JCM 8,608]

@Ike W0W 2 super clean real nice 520's, do you park them in your living room at night, all joking aside ,it's nice to see someone take care of  those tractors like that. in my opinion one of the best Garden Tractors ever built. Don't ever sell either of those, I also had 2 of them and kept the 1991 and sold the 1993 and every morning I wake up from the nightmare that I actually had to sell it.

[dclarke 4,011]

43 minutes ago, JCM said:

@dclarke I really like the hood decals on your machine without the added TORO name on the hood, no offense TORO,mine is a 1991 so it has the Toro name. To bad they didn't leave them the way they were like on the 1988&1989 520's, oh well, awesome piece of equipment either way.

Those decals are from Vinylguy, (redoyourhorse.com)... I just didn't care for the TORO name on there. 

[WVHillbilly520H 10,369]

Each of us has a right to our opinions but why so much dogging TORO? They kept the classic series going along with the xi through 2007... The SCUT market is what basically killed our beloved little tractors off not TORO JMO.

[dclarke 4,011]

5 minutes ago, WVHillbilly520H said:

Each of us has a right to our opinions but why so much dogging TORO? They kept the classic series going along with the xi through 2007... The SCUT market is what basically killed our beloved little tractors off not TORO JMO.

I have nothing against Toro, I simply like the look of the decal better without the Toro name on it. Just a personal preference. 

[JCM 8,608]

I guess I always considered the 520 a Maroon Stripe Wheelhorse tractor, I apologize if  I offended anyone, especially a WH brother.

[cleat 4,936]

I currently have five 520's one of which is a HC.

 

All run very well with their original Onan engines.

 

I have never had an Onan fail on me.

 

I did buy a 416 with a bad Onan where the front cyl. lost it's seat so badly it could not be repaired.

 

I also have a 312H and a 17-44

 

 

Cleat

 

[JCM 8,608]

UNBELIEVABLE, I wish you were my neighbor I would be late for supper every night. If you lived closer to Maine I would love to have you show up to the Meet & Greet on September 7th with any of those especially that 520-HC, I would imagine that is pretty rare. Thank you so much for those pictures.

[Ed Kennell 35,577]

My son asked me to sell his 1988  520 at the Big Show about ten years ago.   He inherited it from his FIL with 1200 hours and poor maintenance.  It ran poorly, surged badly, had an oil leak, and did not charge.   I cleaned the carb and set the valves and it ran perfect.  Removed the tins and cleaned the  fins that were caked with oil soaked grass.  Fixed the oil leak on the oil filter mounting plate.  Installed a new RR which fixed the charging issue.

It ran so well, I ended up buying it from my son for $400 although he didn't want anything for it as he got it free.

I turned it into a dedicated snow machine as I think the ONAN's and other twins generate too much heat to be used for mowing.  I prefer the cooler single Kohlers for mowing.

I added a foot control, vented belt guard, raised seat/fender pan, weights and chains, heated cab, and tall chute blower. 

Due to lack of snow, I have just replaced the blower with a 48" plow.    It required a few alterations to keep the blade angle lever inside the warm heated cab. The cab  collects all the heat coming thru the vented belt guard.

[Cee245 753]

@Ed Kennell,

That there blower looks mighty familiar! 

 

Cory

[Ed Kennell 35,577]

2 hours ago, Cee245 said:

@Ed Kennell,

That there blower looks mighty familiar! 

 

Cory

I hope  I didn't bring on a winter filled with blizzards by selling the blower.

[Pullstart 59,530]

The newest tractor I have is a ‘78, I believe... but it’s in pieces.  So... you can count me out of the 520 owner’s club for the time being 

[Darb1964 1,012]

I bought my 5_20h new in 1989, the hour meter stopped working over ten years ago with 771 hours on it.I think it has well over 2000hours on it. I cut my one lawn,about an acre and ten others for about ten years,all under an acer.I have been religious maintaining it but not easy on it. The tractor is all original except for a new carb a few years ago and belts,fuel lines. It's not a show tractor or shinny any more but I wouldn't trade it for anything. I have picked up four more W.H,s over the last few years 5_18H, 418_8, c125_8, c105_8, still use the 5_20H to cut my grass.they are all great tractors,strong, dependable. Do I need five when one will last a lifetime, no, but if I don't die in the next year or so chances are I'll die with more than five.

[littleredrider 408]

I have 2. A 520-8 and 520H. The 8 speed is my everything tractor. Has a 60" deck, plow and snow blower. I put the steering from a newer 520 so now has the steering reduction. Don't really pay attention to the hour meter, but think it has over 700 hours. I mow bout an acre I guess, maybe more cause clearing some over growth behind the house. Even with well worn and broke blades, it still amazes me how nice a job it does. I haven't had any major issues with it. Now and then it will surge, won't idle, but it clears up. Prolly should flush tank and get a new filter. I put tri-ribs on the front and Firestone 23 degree on rear with weights and loaded tires. Haven't tried it yet but put a rear implement hitch on it for a single bottom plow. Need to take mower deck off, and being a 60" is a PITA. My other 520 is what I call the girlfriends lol. She can't drive the 8-speed, so she gets the hydro. It put a loader on it from a member here, can't remember his name. It was a nice unit when I bought it, had a bad motor. Sold the 60" deck, and sold the motor to a rebuilder. Back years ago when I was into these, I built a 520H with a 10 horse deisel, parted it, and then last year bought the motor back for this tractor. I need to finish it, but it works. I put the Vredesteins on front and ATV tires on back. They are 25" and fit under the pan without raising it. Using 10" rims helps. Biggest issue with these is they have to sit outside. I have no garage, and the weather is taking a toll on them. Mostly fading the paint, but the seats are cracking bad, mine is gonna need to be replaced soon. I'd love to buy every 520 I see, but no money and nowhere to put em!!!! G/F get upset after awhile too. (no pics on this computer, but can get some if yah want on my phone)

[CraigArndt 13]

I bought my 1989 520H used for $800 with 799 hours.  Way more than it was worth, but couldn’t find a C160 hydro anywhere and every 520H was $1500 or more.  Left outdoors and totally abused.  Leaks everywhere, rotted out muffler.  I did a complete frame off restoration, then had a knock I didn’t hear once I put on a new muffler.  Old muffler was rotted and hid the engine knock.  Disassembled the engine and plasti-gauged the crank, a machine shop said it was actually egg shaped.  So I had that turned .010 under and bought the newer version connecting rods that have more meat on them.  All piston wrist pins were good and tight, so just new rings were added and I honed the cylinders.  The machine shop did a nice job grinding the valves and seats, cleaned that up good.  I use my 520H every week.  Mowing, plowing the garden, pushing snow, pulling out shrubs...It does it all.  I have a 48” deck, 42” single snowthrower with long chute, 48” blade and Brinly plow.  Everything works, even the cigarette lighter. I have 1080 hours on the chassis and just under 300 on the engine rebuild.  Just noticed my axle seals are leaking, they are original so they’ll get replaced soon.  I run Mobil 1 10w30 in the hydro, that change alone made an incredible difference in driving and implement action.  In cold weather it’s responsive and the hydro runs cooler.  Although leaks and seal mist can be more evident with the lower viscosity, it’s a huge performance difference.

[P3x 54]

I purchased a 1993 520H with 600 Hours for around $1900.00 in 2011 - my first Wheelhorse/real tractor. It was in good shape with the only issue being the tachometer was inop. Came with a 48" SDD, 42" Plow With Extension Kit, 75lb Wheel Wts, Chains, and a basically new 36' Tiller with all components. Paid somewhere around $1900.00.

 

The seller purchased it from the original owner and was in the hobby with many WH tractors and implements. The engine was never apart and from the looks of it was well maintained. Biggest problem I ran into wads the engine would spool down and quit like you turned the key off every now and then. After it sat for an hour would start right up and run fine. Started happening more often and took quite to for me to find the issue - ended up being the Stator Ring. The most intensive maintenance I've done to it is de-carbon the Cyls and replace a leaky Welch plug. I service it regularly and cleaned the rear Cyl baffles with compressed air after every mowing session.

 

Has 801 hours and do not use it much after picking up a 310 that I use as the primary worker most seasons due to its miserly fuel needs. Installed a cab and ST on the 520 and is now a dedicated snow machine.  Included a picture before its winter clothes.

 

 

[cschannuth 3,795]

I bought my first 520 new in the crate. It was a leftover ‘97 I bought in late 1998.  I don’t remember what I paid for it but in my mind I feel like I got a great deal, ha ha.  In 2015 I bought a zero turn and decided to sell it. It gave me 900 trouble free hours. I love mowing with my zero turn because of the speed and efficiency but I missed the 520. In 2016 my mom passed away and as we were cleaning out my parent’s basement I decided to pull out my dad’s C-161 that had been sitting down there for about 8 years.   All it needed was a little elbow grease and a tune up and it was ready to go. Dad was a stickler when it came to taking care of his stuff. That got me back into the Wheelhorse game and last year I decided I wanted to build an FEL and I wanted a 520 to put it on. Horsefixer (Duke) had one for sale and with the help of Denny Clarke I bought it and got it home. I love that thing and I am always amazed how capable that little tractor is. 

 

My original 520 just before I sold it:

 

 

Dad’s 161:

 

My 520 from Duke after a few mods:

 

 

With FEL added:

Edited August 11, 2019 by cschannuth