[flavo cadillac]

I'm in the market for a nice GT w/ a snow blower attachment. I've been fiddling around w/ older cubs for a bit now and want to upgrade to something a little nicer for more money. These machines couldn't be much more different so I would like some help deciding.
The conquest I'm sure is a really nice machine and I would be pretty comfortable on it. My property is partially hilly and pretty bumpy. It'll stay that way too unless the horses learn to walk softer. It also has much less hours on it. What concerns me is all the electronic stuff on it. Even the snow blower chute is electronic and works from the dash. This will be an awesome feature as long as it works.

The 520h is just a solid machine that probably doesn't need too much introduction. The hours are kind of high though.

The 520h price is firm and the conquest could be mine for $2400

There are also a couple of Deere 318's in the area for right around $2500.

What say you kind folk?
Thanks, Mike
http://www.ebay.com/itm/270875205755?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
http://hartford.craigslist.org/grd/2772017200.html

 

[dreese_us]

I would go with the Wheelhorse, I am kinda biased though. The price is more than I would pay but you are getting the onan and a two stage blower with it.

 

[shamrockjack]

I'd buy both but I don't know if thats a lot of hours on a onan only had one back in tne 70's in a sears and that was a mistake never made again.

 

[Pocketraisins]

Of course I am biased too. I vote Wheelhorse but this is based on the price around my area. A nice 520H would go for about $1500 by itself or cheaper if you get it off of CL. My 416-H with wieghts, tiller and chains was $450 so I cant complain. A two stage blower is another $5-700 depending on condition.

Second place is the 318. Nice hydraulics and parts are pretty plentiful if you would need them. Downfall is JD parts are usually pretty expensive even though plentiful. Just my two cents.

 

[Justy37]

I would go with the 318. Easy to find parts. And alot of times a local JD dealer has parts on hand. Where, when I want to replace something simple on my simplicity's I have to order it. Or order a tie rod. Which then, I get charged for the part plus shipping. And the shipping cost is more then the part it's self.

I'm not a onan fan. But, if I was to get a hold of a jd 318 for cheap. I would pop the onan out and replace it with a honda. There's a few that already done this with a 312-318. And they never been happier.

Honda powered jd
318 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgAuc-ViIpQ
317 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6QnU760CSs
318 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dImor1rvOag

 

[ezliving4ume]

The conquest is a good entry level GT. If your just looking to throw snow and mow grass the conquest is for you. Don't forget it has foot control for ground speed, nice. Also locking rear diff. and a vanguard motor. I'd purchase the conquest, they are nice tractors.

 

[AMCJavelin74]

The WH looks to be among the last of the 'real' WH tractors, and judging by the picture was cared for. Grandpa had a Bronco 14... Hmmm....

The Simp is newer, has the locking axle, and such... I'd go with the Simp if it has a Kohler Command... or a Briggs Vanguard Anything else under the hood? Wheel Horse.

What CC stuff do you have? I have a 128 but I'd LOVE a 149.

 

[MarkT]

I'd go with the Conquest. It is a lot newer, 180hrs vs 1400hrs, thats a no-brainer. The foot operated hydro is great and either the Briggs or Kohler are a more reliable engine. I have an 04 Conquest and I love it. If you are mowing grass or removing snow, it is plenty adequate for that. If you are planning any gardening or plow pulling type of work I would look for a Simp with a little tuffer trans such as a Prestige. The cut from a Simplicity mower deck is second to none.

My 04 Conquest has 250 hrs on it and it has never been any trouble. I have never had it in the shop for any problems. I have just done routine maintenance such as sharpening the blades, changing the oil & filters, greasing the bearings, etc. I just replaced the battery last summer after 7 years of service. I am still using the original belts too. It has been a very good tractor for me.

I also have a 318 with an b43 Onan. A nice tractor and I love the hydro assists for the deck and plow and the power steering. I don't like the Onan which is tempermental and hard to service. The seating arrangement is uncomfortable with the seat being too high and too far forward, making getting on and off the tractor difficult. I have heard that the Onans should be rebuilt around 1500 hrs if they have been taken care of, sooner if they have been abused. My 1986 318 has 650 hrs which makes me think that the Wheel Horse has been used pretty often for its age.

I never have had a Wheel Horse, but I never heard anything bad about them from their owners either. You will want to consider how close you are to a Simplicity or Wheel Horse dealer too. Parts are readily available for this Simplicity because it is still made today, however, you usually have to order the less common parts. Briggs and Kohler parts are more readily available than Onan parts. John Deere or Bobcat dealers usually have Onan parts in stock, or at least can order them. Parts for the JD 318 are pretty easy to come by even though they haven't made it since the 1990's. Ebay is a good source for used parts. Something to think about.

Hope this information helps. Good Luck!

 

[AMCJavelin74]

Wheel Horse parts can still be found; go to a Toro dealership, and the old timer I sold my WH to gets his parts from the local Ace hardware store...

If you do lean toward the WH, which looks dang good, I'd give it a good inspection and run it and see for yourself. WH tractors are the simplest and easiest to work on of any brand in my opinion, but of course working on the engine is probably very similar to working on the same engine in a different make tractor.

 

[Sergeant]

I don't own a wheel Horse But wish I had a 520H in my collection Hands Down it is That Much more of a Garden tractor than the Conquest. Yes the Conquest can take a tiller and a Manual lift 1 point Hitch(sleeve Hitch) and it Has Diff/lock. The 520H was the top of the Line Model Until the Mid 1990's The 520H was capable of Using a Kwik-way Loader and It Had Hydraulic Lift and a 20hp Onan and it takes a clevis Hitch(sleeve Hitch) Now the Deere 318 Can Take a Cat 0 3point Hitch or a aftermarket Limited Cat 1 3point Hitch and several Different after Market loaders It a little Harder to find 2000RPM rear PTO attachments But as far as snow Blower work with the Deere Besides Hydraulic lift You can also Get Hydraulic chute angle on the 47inch two stage. But Back to your Original question between the WH520H & the Conquest I would Go with the 520H Because they really are fine machines and are rather Capable true Garden tractors compared to a Conquest which is a very capable entry Level Garden tractor which Simplicity calls a Yard Tractor Great for Mowing snow removal and some Tilling:thThumbsU

 

[ezliving4ume]

I don't own a wheel Horse But wish I had a 520H in my collection Hands Down it is That Much more of a Garden tractor than the Conquest. Yes the Conquest can take a tiller and a Manual lift 1 point Hitch(sleeve Hitch) and it Has Diff/lock. The 520H was the top of the Line Model Until the Mid 1990's The 520H was capable of Using a Kwik-way Loader and It Had Hydraulic Lift and a 20hp Onan and it takes a clevis Hitch(sleeve Hitch) Now the Deere 318 Can Take a Cat 0 3point Hitch or a aftermarket Limited Cat 1 3point Hitch and several Different after Market loaders It a little Harder to find 2000RPM rear PTO attachments But as far as snow Blower work with the Deere Besides Hydraulic lift You can also Get Hydraulic chute angle on the 47inch two stage. But Back to your Original question between the WH520H & the Conquest I would Go with the 520H Because they really are fine machines and are rather Capable true Garden tractors compared to a Conquest which is a very capable entry Level Garden tractor which Simplicity calls a Yard Tractor Great for Mowing snow removal and some Tilling:thThumbsU

Well, yup that's the just of it, other than I'd pick the conquest:fing32: No doubt in my mind, that at almost every component the wheel horse would be better built. The difference to me would be the age. 1400 hrs. vers the 200 hrs., Big difference in wear and tear. The wheel horse will need more maintenance, just because of its age.

 

[ACmowerguy]

It sounds like if you're wanting something nicer or more comfortable than the cubs, you need to get out of the old generation tractors. The 520 and the 318 are older generation tractors. I would also go with the conquest. You already have the cubs for the gardening, grading, etc so I would get the more user friendly tractor (conquest). The 318 and 520H will be needing more major repairs much sooner than the Simplicity. I think $2500 for a 318 is outrageous, at least in my region. One in average usuable condition is around $1100-$1600 here. For the $2500 you could buy a JD 425, which is more user friendly than the 318.

 

[hotrodtractor]

the 520 can not be beat for attachment options. 520 is my 2nd choice after by beloved simplicity sovereigns. However for just mowing and blowing I suggest the simplicity conquest.

 

[Fcubman]

I have an '06 Conquest, 54" deck, 42" two stage blower. Over 300 hours, no problems except for a belt or two. It cuts grass beautifully, and I mow some grass that's over a foot tall. The blower launches the snow ½ way back to where it came from. I do a large circular drive and parking area in about 20-25 minutes. It is a working machine, and exceeded my expectations. A very good machine.