homegrownusa 4 #1 Posted April 6, 2020 I have a rear tiller, scrap blade, plow, rear scrap blade and good ag tires for my wheel horse 520H. I bought it all a little along. I love it. 48 inch deck with foot speed control makes the best mowing machine. I have recently thought of owning my second horse but unsure if another 520h is what I need. I would like to share implements with what I have and would like to keep the tiller on one tractor or the other. My 520h engine has been in the shop lately with some expensive repairs. I have seen a lot of c series cheaper and they appear to be near the same attachment setup as the 520. Are any or all attachments for the 520 interchangeable with the c series? The C series single cylinder kohler must be cheaper and easier to work on the onan. Is the power difference noticeable? All opinions welcome. I would love to hear from those who have had both models or really loves one over the other and why. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WVHillbilly520H 10,376 #2 Posted April 7, 2020 A C160 or 416-8 (Kohler) or even a 314/315 would be your closest in power single cylinder but you may find a C161 , C175 or , 417 or 418 twin cylinders Briggs or Kohlers but bear in mind it's really hard to find any other engine with the torque of an Onan... I have 2 520s and 315-8 so far the gear jammer has done better with the tiller (doesn't have the grunt of the Onan) but I still prefer the hydros for everything else others prefer the manual lift for front or mid grader blade operations... And to answer your other question yes any attachment or implements made for a WH since basically 1973 to 2007 will fit the B,C,3,4,500 series. Good luck with your search. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lynnmor 7,858 #3 Posted April 7, 2020 If you are going to keep the tiller on a tractor much of the time, I suggest a stick shift. I hate the constant push-pull of a tiller on my 520H. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tom2p 2,394 #4 Posted April 7, 2020 WV and lynnmor covered it well 520 is a great machine - but something different (with a single cylinder and stick) might be a good if not better compliment (compared to another 520) 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bds1984 1,500 #5 Posted April 7, 2020 I've had my C165-8 for twenty-five years now and wouldn't trade or sell it for anything. All the attachments you have for you 520, I also have for my C165 and none of them have ever made her break a sweat. Five years ago I took the gear reduction steering and gauge set from a 520 and installed them on my C165 so I have the best of both worlds. So my vote would be any Wheel Horse with the 16 HP single followed by the 14 and 12 singles. 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
richmondred01 2,307 #6 Posted April 7, 2020 If you have slot hitches rather then clevis wheelhorseman1000 makes a very nice adaptor. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
richmondred01 2,307 #7 Posted April 7, 2020 I thought the best of both worlds would be a 520-8 with an electric lift. I was right, mine is unstoppable. However, I like the look of the c160 better and the k341 was I believe the best single cylinder ever made. I still can’t decide which one I’m going to sell but I’m thinking the 520-8 will be on the chopping block. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
horseyheaven 113 #8 Posted April 7, 2020 My answer would be both. You can't go wrong with red. I have a 520H and 520HC. I bought them used with over 1000 hourse on each. The HC has been great and has needed nothing. Both have 60 in. decks and are a pleasure to use. The 520H had a valve seat let go when I got it. I tried to JB weld and pin in place. It worked for about 75 hours. Then, I found a great block out of another tractor. So, I rebuilt it and put it in. It runs just as strong as the HC now. I have always had Kohler or Briggs motors and like them. I love the Onans except for the valve seat problems. So after rebuild, I slotted the belt cover for more air flow and relocated the oil filter to allow more air to flow over the back cylinder cooling fins. So far, so good. They have a lot of power. The old Kohlers on my old C series are hard to beat though. They require only oil changes and keep on running. With the Onan, I do think you need to really keep up on using an air hose to blow the excess grass that collects each time after mowing. I like the newer 520's for the comfort, but the ruggedness of the old C series is awesome. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Darb1964 1,120 #9 Posted April 7, 2020 Hard to go wrong with either, if it were me I'd keep them both, of course I have five and always looking for more. The sixteen high on my list. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
