[Jersey Wheelhorsse]

Hi all,

I found a used Wheelhorse 518xi in my local classifieds. I'm interested in but don't know much about that model. Is it a good lawn tractor? Do they have any issue's with that model?

Thanks
Jersey Wheelhorse

 

[Brandon]

Very good garden tractor. I'd say snag it if the price and condition is right. I believe the only thing lacking on the 518's was power steering? Correct me if I'm wrong, but either way, still a great tractor. I miss my 522xi, but I just didn't need it any longer.

 

[FrankMA]

I have the 522xi in my avatar - this thing is a beast! It weighs over 1,000 lbs. without the mower deck (200 lbs.+) and is all steel, very little plastic. It's a shaft drive unit, has a hi/lo tranny and the Kohler Command Pro 22HP engine that is smooth, quiet and provides plenty of power.

It's too bad that Toro does not make these anymore as they are a really solid tractor. It took years of refinement to bring it to the 500xi series point and now they only make Zero Turn's.The problem is that this tractor would probably cost over $10K in todays dollars and most people are not going to spend that kind of $$$ on a tractor.

I searched high and low for mine - it took me several months of looking at a lot of junk before I found the one I now own. Great, solid tractor that gives an excellent cut (52" recycler deck) and is a real workhorse.

Good Luck!

 

[Sergeant]

When they stopped making them in the U.S. they were going for $6,200 not including deck. Toro still makes them overseas along with the 416,417 & 419 in the Czech Rep. The 5Xi series were the Toro/Wheelhorse flagship They were made under the New Holland lable until 2008. You can still get most Attachments for them from Toro such as tiller,dozer blade and even a Bucket loader. The only place this tractor series may have fallen short to the compition was no 3point hitch. But it could take a clevis Hitch which is the same as a Sleeve hitch. I also like the fact the 5Xi series could take several diffrent size decks from as small as a 42inch deck up to a 60inch deck. The only issues I have heard of with these tractors is on the later models some people did not like the Smart Steer tech on it. It automaticly slowed the tractor down when you made a turn right or left. :thThumbsU

 

[awd]

The only issues I have heard of with these tractors is on the later models some people did not like the Smart Steer tech on it. It automatically slowed the tractor down when you made a turn right or left.

There is a kit available from Toro to DEFEAT the smart turn.

 

[awd]

Here's the kit to defeat smart turn...

 

[arthurb]

I bought and installed the kit to stop the smart turn steering earlier this spring on my 520xi. It cost around $35.00 from my local dealer. It was a real pita to install too. It was pretty tight quarters to work in with a rachet and end wrench. It took me over an hour to install it, but in the end it did it's purpose.

 

[FrankMA]

authurb: Just curious - was it worth it?

 

[awd]

authurb: Just curious - was it worth it?

I defeated smart turn and after a while I missed it. I guess I sub(un)consciously got used to the feature and expected the XI to slow down on turns itself and almost crashed a couple times.

After a while I put smart turn back.

I must have smaller hands and a different selection of tools than arthurb cause it only takes me 15 minutes to install or remove the kit.

 

[Jersey Wheelhorsse]

Thanks for the info guys. What do you think is a good price for 500 hour machine?

 

[arthurb]

Jersey Wheelhorse,

My Toro WH dealer recently gave me a retail price of $2,800.00 for my 2004 520xi with a 60" mower deck, 48" front blade and a rear clevis hitch. Currently it has around 475 hours on it.

woodsy,

Yes, I prefer to not have the smart turn steering.

awd,

It would probably take less time to do it now since I know what it's all about. I received the same instructions that you posted. The instructions are vague, (in my opinion), in the exact location of where the smart turn delete plate goes on the tractor. The arrow points towards the removalable side panel, and it's actually below the steering column. Then factor in that I'm not the most patient person with big hands. LOL

 

[toro 5xi]

Hello
This is my first post. Great forum
I had the New Holland version. It heald its value very well and never gave me any problems. I added a raised 2 inch ball hitch on the back to move a large chipper around the yard and it never seemed to struggle. What a power house. The only weakness I thought was the lack of differential lock.
If the price is reasonable I think you will be very happy with this tractor.

 

[Boyd]

In the New Holland version, what model numbers do they use?

 

[toro 5xi]

Hello Boyd
It has been a few years since I sold this tractor but I think they had 3 models for New Holland, the GT18 was the 518xi, the GT20 was the 520xi and they had the GT22 which I think was the liquid cooled Kawasaki engine.
The only difference I rememember between the GT18 and GT20 was the GT20 had the electric rear marker lights while the GT18 only had reflectors.
I was also puzzled by the different horsepower rating on the GT18 versus the GT20 as they had the same displacement.

When I would order parts from our local Toro dealer they could never believe New Holland was selling the same tractor.

I ended up trading this tractor in on a Polaris ATV and have missed it ever since.