Bull 35 #1 Posted October 28, 2020 Hello, Are there any huge differences between the models 417A and 520H with their overall condition being equal? Besides the engines is one better on hilly terrain? Is one a little more nimble? Thanks, Bull Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pollack Pete 2,273 #2 Posted October 28, 2020 I have one of each.No camparison between the two.I like the power of the 520H.I like the 417's less electrical issues.Each has many good points.Very few bad points.After all.....they ARE Wheel Horses. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
johnnymag3 2,570 #3 Posted October 28, 2020 Love the 417 and the 418.....would NEVER trade mine for a 520.... My 2 cents..... 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
johnnymag3 2,570 #4 Posted October 28, 2020 Especially the HYDRO !!!! Versions 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 18,714 #5 Posted October 28, 2020 The 417A will have a Series 2 KT17. The lubrication issues in the series one were fixed so operating on normal grades is not an issue. If you like to solve electrical issues go for the 520 other wise i would pick the 417A. 2 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pollack Pete 2,273 #6 Posted October 28, 2020 33 minutes ago, pfrederi said: If you like to solve electrical issues go for the 520 other wise i would pick the 417A. Amen to that! I've worked on so many 520H's that I've pulled out what little hair I have left.Work on them......use them.......work on them.......use them.Vicious cycle. 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bds1984 1,500 #7 Posted October 28, 2020 My vote is for the 417. I recently acquired a C175 with a Series II and love its throaty sound so I may be a bit biased. I also have a straight axle 520H, but it has been repowered with an M18 (the Onan had the valve seat issue) so there really is no difference between those two now other than the much more complex wiring harness which I ended up replacing. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
johnnymag3 2,570 #8 Posted October 28, 2020 Kohler shakes it........ Onan fakes it..... Just my .02 2 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tom2p 2,394 #9 Posted October 28, 2020 416 and 417 might be better comparison - than 520 and 417 520 engine significantly larger and more power KT17 - 691cc P216 - 710cc P220 - 782cc 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tom2p 2,394 #10 Posted October 28, 2020 4 hours ago, Bull said: Hello, Are there any huge differences between the models 417A and 520H with their overall condition being equal? Besides the engines is one better on hilly terrain? Is one a little more nimble? Thanks, Bull if the 520 - or any Onan powered tractor - sat outside or in a wet / damp area ... fuhgetaboutit 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wh500special 2,277 #11 Posted October 28, 2020 (edited) 2 hours ago, johnnymag3 said: Kohler shakes it........ Onan fakes it..... Just my .02 You got that right, those Onans are so smooth they just don't shake anything. That comment not withstanding, I think the 417 is a more user friendly machine. The 500's - at their present age - tend to be much more problematic. Steve Edited October 28, 2020 by wh500special 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 18,714 #12 Posted October 28, 2020 I will agree that the Onans are more powerful but unless you are running a 2 stage blower in heavy snow or using a 60in deck in heavy grass i doubt you would ever find the 417 lacking in power you might have to go a tad slower in those two instances. The Onan parts are a bit harder to find and more pricey but my real issue is eh electrical systge. just look at the electrical section here...520s are significantly over represented.... 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tom2p 2,394 #13 Posted October 28, 2020 (edited) 1 hour ago, pfrederi said: I will agree that the Onans are more powerful but unless you are running a 2 stage blower in heavy snow or using a 60in deck in heavy grass i doubt you would ever find the 417 lacking in power you might have to go a tad slower in those two instances. The Onan parts are a bit harder to find and more pricey but my real issue is eh electrical systge. just look at the electrical section here...520s are significantly over represented.... agree on the performance - but will the parts availability and price differences be significant ... ? ... Onan twin vs Kohler twin ? when I first thought about an upgrade from my 312 - 416 and 417 were at the top of my list but very few 417's available at the time - and fortunately did not find one because at the time I was unaware of the KT17 series 1 issues and my luck I would have gotten one I ran into a Farmall / Wheelhorse guy that raved about 416-H (and Onan engines) - and I found one 1000 hours later and not one issue ; it has been as reliable as my 312-8 ... even if it explodes the next time I use it - it is probably the best vehicle I've owned - ever - of any type ... and that includes around 25 cars / trucks and 10 motorcycles the 312 might be the second best lol Edited October 28, 2020 by tom2p 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tom2p 2,394 #14 Posted October 28, 2020 also got to throw out some love for the Eaton 1100 hydro trans my use is proof they are durable and will take a beating no issues - and did not change fluid as frequently as I should have - sometimes years / many hours - possibly 200+ hours ... and years of use with grass clippings/mulch packed under the tunnel on the hydro unit at the time did not know better - I did inspect the fan and surrounding area to ensure fan was operating and free of debris - but never inspected the area under the tunnel (cringe) 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 42,170 #15 Posted October 28, 2020 No real problems with either of mine. The 520 sounds and feels like a larger tractor, but the KT17 sounds good and is a grunt. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bull 35 #16 Posted October 28, 2020 To All, Thanks so much for your input. I will let you know if I am still in the running for the 417A. Thanks, Bull Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
c-series don 10,144 #17 Posted October 29, 2020 I have a 417-A with a two stage snowblower and let me tell you, that thing kicks butt. It really is amazing how much snow it will move. I love the sound of that series two under a load! 4 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
johnnymag3 2,570 #18 Posted October 29, 2020 18 hours ago, wh500special said: You got that right, those Onans are so smooth they just don't shake anything. Steve....you nailed it !!! Its hard to shake anything when it wont start or run.....Too much of a headache those Onans are....and don't get them damp or wet....EEEEK!!!! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lynnmor 7,858 #19 Posted October 29, 2020 45 minutes ago, johnnymag3 said: Steve....you nailed it !!! Its hard to shake anything when it wont start or run.....Too much of a headache those Onans are....and don't get them damp or wet....EEEEK!!!! I know what you mean, I had an ignition module go bad in one of my four Onans. With only 5,000 hours of total usage, I guess that is totally unacceptable. 1 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
johnnymag3 2,570 #20 Posted October 29, 2020 Lynnmor.......you know your example is a rare one ......People complain about those Problematic Onans constantly here on the Forum. Its a known fact.. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lynnmor 7,858 #21 Posted October 29, 2020 1 hour ago, johnnymag3 said: Lynnmor.......you know your example is a rare one ......People complain about those Problematic Onans constantly here on the Forum. Its a known fact.. Most of what I see is self-inflicted. Many of the issues are external to the engine, the constant complaints of electrical problems are an example. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wh500special 2,277 #22 Posted October 29, 2020 Onan made fantastic engines, but they just didn't work well in the 500 series tractor. If you look at stationary (generator) engines the same Performer series would last for 5000+ hours, but whatever is magic about the Wheel Horse application of them causes problems. JD had great success with them in their garden tractors. Others probably did too. WH went with the Onan in the 520 because it put out more power and torque than the other options at the time which was beneficial for the 60" mower and the big two stage snowblower. Hindsight shows us that they liked to ingest a lot of chaff off the left side of the mower deck, that the rear blower tins are next to impossible to remove for cleaning the back cylinder or adjusting the valve lash without removing the engine, and that the computer grade Molex connector carrying high currents right by the outgassing battery was a waterfall of compounding issues. Keep 'em clean, let 'em breathe, and they last a long time. Steve 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Goofey 89 #23 Posted October 29, 2020 417A would be my pick all day long for a number of reasons. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Goofey 89 #24 Posted October 29, 2020 17 hours ago, c-series don said: I love the sound of that series two under a load! Exactly. Its the best sound ever. I love it. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
johnnymag3 2,570 #25 Posted October 30, 2020 Same with the Kohler M18 Twin...what a beast of an engine !! The sound cannot be replicated, Wicked smooth and reliable... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
