jase

Hi All,

I just recently bought a 1996 Toro Wheel Horse 416H hydro drive tractor with only about 320 hours. It's a great machine -- extremely solid, starts instantly. I have a mowing deck, single-stage snowblower, and mid-mount grading blade with it. Thus far all I've really done with it is pull a garden cart around, but blowing snow in the winter is when it's really going to shine (I hope). I'm picking up a plow to go with it today.

I have the opportunity to "upgrade" to a Wheel Horse 520H in similar condition, for only $450. I know that's a steal for this tractor, and I can probably sell my 416H for a lot more than that.

Thoughts? What's the difference between the tractors other than the engine? I know the 520 has a 2 cylinder Onan engine that is well-liked, but apparently difficult/expensive to repair if needed.

(My 416H that I already have might be a Onan... can anyone tell me how to tell if it's an Onan or Kohler? It's a twin-cylinder, says only "Toro Power Plus 16, Pressure Lubrication" on the cover.)

Thanks much, Jase

HYDROGUARDIAN16

Toro uses Briggs and Stratton's engines on most of their tractors from what I know

__________________
2003 Simplicity Regent 18HP Vtwin
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1986 Bolens 1800 / 5018H
-46" 2 stage snow thrower
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1966 Wheel Horse 606
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Gravely 3 Wheel Triplex mower
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70's Jacobsen 1000 chief

HYDROGUARDIAN16

toro power plus may be a briggs

__________________
2003 Simplicity Regent 18HP Vtwin
-
1986 Bolens 1800 / 5018H
-46" 2 stage snow thrower
-
1966 Wheel Horse 606
-
Gravely 3 Wheel Triplex mower
-
70's Jacobsen 1000 chief

kbowley

the 416 is an Onan P216G Performer engine, the 520 is a P220G, essentially identical, the 216 is 710cc the 220 780cc, otherwise identical, only the bore is larger on the 220, all other parts are the same.

__________________
Kevin,
Way up hea in Maine
Hoarder of many a tractors
Genuis

TCharley300

The 520 models mostly came with the Kohler 20 Hp engine. I have one with 1200 hours. No problems. Most models had the hydrostatic transmission which works just fine. I did find a 520 with the tough as nails 8 speed in PA which I drove up to purchase. that one has the Onan engine. the 520 with the 8 speed is very rare, only about 800 manufactured. It has right about 1100 hours if my memory is correct. So far, it seems to be a good running engine, but I don't have enough personal history on it just yet. Ask me at the end of this season how I like it. Even if the engine fails, I'll replace it with Kohler engine. Onan has always been unreasonable with their pricing of parts.

kbowley

The 520 NEVER came with a Kohler engine. Only 225 520-8's were made in a short run for model year 1990 and are very collectible. As I said, ALL 520's had an Onan P220 (2 cylinder, 20 hp) performer. They are extremely good engines and with proper maintenance will run 2-3 thousand hours. Yes they are more expensive to repair than a Briggs but not outrageous. expect to pay 500.00 for a complete rebuild kit VS. 350.00 for a Kohler Magnum twin. The 416, save the 1984 model which had a Kohler K-series single cylinder 16 hp K-341, all came with an Onan P216 (2 cylinder, 16 hp). The difference in actual power is negligible between the 220 and 216. Only blowing heavy snow might you notice an advantage in the 220 over the 216. The 16 HP Kohler K341 ( 34 cubic inch, 1 cylinder) has more torque than either of the Onans.

Again, ALL 520's where produced with a p220 Onan engine. They never used a Briggs. The only 400/500 series with an engine other than Onan used a Kohler twin and were the 417-A and 420-LSE and they were only produced two years, 85-86. ALL 416's where made with the Onan P216 except the first model year, 1984, where it used a 16 hp Kohler single K-341. They also made a 414 in 84 that used a Kohler single. After 1986, ALL 400/500 series tractors had Onan engines.

Here is one of my 416-8's, it is a 1992 with 16 original hours...yes its an Onan

Kevin

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pauldeere

I agree the 520's were all Onan engines. I purchased a new 520 in 1989 and if memory serves me correctly the Hydro. Units on the 520's were different that the 416's. Bad thing, they haven't made Onan engines in several years making parts expensive and hard to find.

kbowley

Onan parts are still readily available through Toro, Deere and Cummins/Onan. I have yet to have a problem with any parts.

The 300/400/500 tractors used the same transaxle and Eaton 11 hydro. The exception is the "A" model designation such as a 312-A which used an Eaton 7 but they were few and far between. All used the same 8 speed model. The "Workhorse" models such as the 1100 GT used a lighter hydro and transaxle.

__________________
Kevin,
Way up hea in Maine
Hoarder of many a tractors
Genuis