hotrodtractor Posted June 2, 2011 Posted June 2, 2011 Guys I am a simplicity guy, but want your thoughts on the 520h with onan 20hp. Basically don't need or really have room but I think it's a great deal, and might make it my mower to keep at the cabin. 90's 520h 510hrs all electrical works, 42" recycler deck (heard these suck) 42 single stage blower, wheels weights, chains, garden cart, tow leaf sweeper all for $900 and machine runs great no smoke and great condition. Thoughts and/or things to look out for? I know Onan some hate some love but 500hrs is low. Hydro on these is good I hear and they are built like tanks. I would say for me these are my top 3 machines: deere 318, WH 520, Sovereigns. Both sovy and WH had awesome attachment options and similar fitment from 1970 to late 1990's. Only thing I did not like was turning radius.
Burntime Posted June 2, 2011 Posted June 2, 2011 My parents had a 16hp version. The deck was terrible! The wheels wore like crazy and had to be replaced every year or it would cut lower and lower. The cut itself was bad. Its supposed to be a mulcher but left clumps of oooze. There is an old wheelhorse someone posted a pic with a big cab. That was a great machine...the 90's version is not something I would want. Just try to find attachments... The deck is not an easy off either. Can you tell I am not a big fan!:D
perry Posted June 2, 2011 Posted June 2, 2011 the WH 520 is what alot of the wheel horse guys are after. but ya, the mower decks suck.
hotrodtractor Posted June 2, 2011 Author Posted June 2, 2011 wow Mike tell me how you really feel^ My neighor has a 416 and it's got 1500+ hrs and still runs like a dream. Cuts nice but he has the 48" side discard deck. I have seen lots of attachments for these about same price as the sovy ones, execpt tillers usually go for double.
acfarmer Posted June 3, 2011 Posted June 3, 2011 The WH 520 is usually a strong seller but I've never understood exactly why.
546cowboy Posted June 3, 2011 Posted June 3, 2011 I am pretty new to this forum as I have only had three Simplicty tractors and none of them has been a shinning example of the breed. Two with locked up manual transmissions (one parted out and a 5008 Broadmoor that has had the trans replaced with a Wheel Horse 3 speed manual) and the other ended up being parted out because I got tired of messing with it a 7018 I think it was. I just remembered. The best Simplicity I had was a SunRunner and it did mow really nice and even. That was after I finally got the belt to the deck on right. Only cost me $80 and two belts, an electric fuel pump and $50 for the mower. Sold it for $350 as I recall. Well I'll tell you I have three 520's, two hydro's and an 8 speed. Two have 48" S/D decks and one has the 60" beast. Wheel Horses are every bit as good as Simplicity as a mowing machine or snow plowing tractor. I really can't comment on the other attachments as I have no need for them. Simplicity uses the older Onans in the bigger tractors so you can't say it's not a good engine. The Eaton 1100 hydro is as good as it gets. Like every tractor if you take care of it, they are reliable. The fact that some Simplicity's have a rear PTO and hydraulic three point obviously make them a better choice for a plow or tiller as you can put down force on those and don't have to mess with belts and pulleys for the drive system. As for the decks on a WH, mine mow just fine and have never had problems with the wheels. Of course I do use the heavy Wheel Horse wheels and not some junk $7 wheels from the local hardware store. I will say that I do like those rollers all the way across on the Simplicity decks but they do have their own drawbacks too you know. There are only two wheels to replace on the WH deck. As for the price, $900 is a great deal for 500 hrs. and the other attachments. Just a few observations from a member that owns a few Horses.
hotrodtractor Posted June 3, 2011 Author Posted June 3, 2011 I have read about all the reviews on the net. These are good machines. Only issue is I don't need it or even have a use for it and the cabin mower is a stretch. These don't sell very high so flipping it for a profit is not the best idea. It would need to be a keeper, but then I would start dumping cash into attachments. Considering I can get a equivalent year or newer sovereign 18 with command for $700 I think I might pass on it. I got the soverigns down to a science now and it took years I don't want to have that learning curve again.
Burntime Posted June 3, 2011 Posted June 3, 2011 The wheels in question were in fact original wheelhorse wheels... I agree, the motors are stout, the rest is not my cup of tea...
Burntime Posted June 3, 2011 Posted June 3, 2011 One plus is I do like the dash! Kinda cool with all the guages. At least the ones I have seen. And obviously the motor.
TommyK Posted June 3, 2011 Posted June 3, 2011 If it 'cuts' no matter how bad, it may be just fine if the neighbors aren't so close up at the cabin.
acfarmer Posted June 4, 2011 Posted June 4, 2011 Cowboy you're comparing the cheapie Simplcitys to the best Wheel Horse has to offer so I'd say the Simplicty comparsion holds up pretty good.I've owned a couple 520 WH tractors and they don't hold a light compared to the Sunstars.
SmilinSam Posted June 4, 2011 Posted June 4, 2011 Thats an ultra fantastic price even despite the deck. The rear discharge and recylcler decks are pur-a junk unless you mow 2-3 times a week. keep it for parts and get a good used 48. The 48 Wheel Horse decks mow better than the 48 Simplciity decks, I now becuase I used them for years before I ever owned a Simplicity. The snowblowers in 42" are hard to find and work better than the Simplicity Single stage blowers. The only thing wrong with the onans is they are expensive to fix if and when they do break down. I would think at 500 hours its just broke in. Also Wheel horse attachments made for the 10hp-20 hp long frames with the quick tach system made from 1974 to something like 2003 or so all interchange on these tractors. With some of the older blades and tillers clear back into the late 60's. Its a real decent deal if you ask me and a shame to be passed up if a guy could make use of it.
CRE1992 Posted June 11, 2011 Posted June 11, 2011 Hi, I actually have a wheel horse 520H with a 60 inch deck, I think they are great tractors, however the onans tend to be fussy if maintenance is not kept. However if you decide to not buy the 520H would you be willing to pass on information about it, because I would definitely be interested in purchasing it. Depending on it location that is. Thanks Charles
hotrodtractor Posted June 11, 2011 Author Posted June 11, 2011 http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/grd/2382033693.html wheelhorse (Toro) tractor with "quick Attach" single stage 42" snowblower & 42" multching mowing deck, wheel weights, tire chains, 20 hp Onan, Hydrostatic, 518 hrs, runs great, well maintained. Also includes cart and lawn sweeper,
hotrodtractor Posted June 11, 2011 Author Posted June 11, 2011 wow these 520's are reasonable must be cause they are older. Found a similar one: for $1800 I have a 1993 toro wheel horse 520h. The tractor has hydro drive and lift. It comes with a 48" parking lot sweeper, trac vac system that has a 5 horse briggs that runs good with all the hoses, 48" 2 stage snow blower with wheel weights and chains and cab enclosure that has lights and wiper no windshield. Has 48"mowing deck and has a good running 20 horse onan engine. If you are looking for a beast? WOW O WOW I want that sweepster sweeper and retro to my sovereigns
CRE1992 Posted June 18, 2011 Posted June 18, 2011 Thanks hotrod, I actually have a 520H, but I have been looking for attachments for it, I only have the 60 inch deck. And I think Wisconsin is a little for far from my grasp lol. Thanks though
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