When I am checking out a tractor, I usually have a look here.......helps quite a bit to determine what you are going to look at and if its worth going.

TractorData.com - information on all makes and models of lawn and garden tractors

A friend of mine has one, 416-8 heavy duty tractor, cast front axle and trany, his is a 3 speed with hi low range, wheel horse counts reverse as a speed (416-8). 16hp onan engine fuel tank under the seat, has a 42" 3 blade mower deck. Had it more than 10years now minimal problems. Hydro would be better his is a little slow in 2nd, too fast in 3rd for grass cutting.

I was curious because i have been coming across some of them here and there. I am mainly a Massey, Cub Cadet, and Bolens fan but I do like the looks of the Wheel Horse 416's and 520's just didn't know much about them.

I don't know much about they,but they look pretty tough.

520's are super tought. Most 520's are hydrostatic drives. There were only 200 made with 8 speed transmissions. Some of the 520's are better built than others although both are built are tough buggers. the better built one has a swept forward front axle. You can tell this because the front wheel bearings have a metal dust cover over the bearings in the center of the wheel. this was to allow a 60" mower deck to be installed. The mule drives for the 520 are the same as all other wheel horse garden tractors except those that came with the 60" deck. Those are different. The motors used on the 520's are twin onans. Good motor expensive parts. There was one year of 520's that had a gear reduction system built into the steering system. Dang nice tractor. I call them 30 year tractors. That's about what you can expect them to run trouble free for the most part.

I'd compare Wheel Horse tractors to any from the day when they built good garden tractors! It is as capable and dependable as a Cub Cadet from IH.

Originally Posted by dyt4000

I'd compare Wheel Horse tractors to any from the day when they built good garden tractors! It is as capable and dependable as a Cub Cadet from IH.

Defnitely! I used to own a GT14, and a couple C120 Auto's. Great machines!

I can't believe some of the limited numbers in the varieties of 520's. That might explain why it always seem like people ask a good bit for them. I really like the looks of the 520 and I like the looks of the older ones. I really like that 857 dyt has.

You really need to add one to your stable....you KNOW you want to! Just go towards the light...LOL