Compare/Wheel Horse 270-H vs Wheel Horse 520-HC

Wheel Horse 270-H vs Wheel Horse 520-HC

Verdict: Wheel Horse 270-H vs Wheel Horse 520-HC

The Wheel Horse 270-H and the Wheel Horse 520-HC are both lawn tractors — here is how they stack up on the figures that matter. Both are rated at the same 20 hp. Wheel Horse 270-H is the lighter machine (263 kg vs 310 kg), which helps on soft ground and transport, while the heavier model carries more ballast for traction-limited draft work. Wheel Horse 270-H holds more fuel (15.1 L vs 11.4 L) for longer stints between fills. Wheel Horse 270-H is the newer design (1996 vs 1988). Use the full side-by-side spec tables below to weigh the details against your own operation, and confirm with a dealer demo.

Tune the fit score

Tell us about your operation

Acreage600 acBudgetMain crop / use

Fit & specs

Wheel Horse

Fit score

Best match

Clear

Wheel Horse

Fit score

Best match

Clear

Rated power

20 hp

Confidence

40%

Guide price

—

Overview

Manufacturer

Wheel Horse (a part of Toro)Reference

Image courtesy of Sorin LungociReference

air-cooledReference

Engine

Fuel tank

15.1 LReference

11.4 LReference

Displacement

38.1 ciReference

47.7 ciReference

Bore/Stroke

77 x 67 mmReference

83 x 73 mmReference

Power (gross)

14.9 kWReference

—

Starter

electricReference

—

Starter volts

12Reference

Power

—

14.9 kWReference

Compression

—

7.0:1Reference

Rated RPM

—

3600Reference

Idle RPM

—

1400-3600Reference

Sparkplug

—

Champion RS14YCReference

Sparkplug gap

—

0.635 mmReference

Transmission

Hydro-Gear 330-3000Reference

Eaton 1100-032Reference

Type

belt-driven hydrostaticReference

Gears

infinite forward and reverseReference

Oil capacity

3.6 LReference

4.7 LReference

Oil type

SAE 20W-50Reference

SAE 10W-30Reference

Oil change

sealed unit, owner service is not recommendedReference

—

PTO & Hydraulics

Mid PTO

independentReference

Clutch

electricReference

mechanicalReference

Dimensions

Wheelbase

125 cmReference

—

Weight

263 kgReference

310 kgReference

Front tire

16x6.50-8Reference

16x7.50-8Reference

Rear tire

23x10.50-12Reference

Lawn/turf front

16x6.50-8Reference

16x7.50-8Reference

Lawn/turf rear

23x10.50-12Reference

Length

175 cmReference

170 cmReference

Width

90 cmReference

102 cmReference

Front axle

Cast-ironReference

—

Height

—

120 cmReference

270-H Serial Numbers

Location:

Serial number decal on the rear fender deck, below the seat.Reference

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Electrical

Ground

negativeReference

Charging amps

15Reference

20Reference

Battery CCA

340Reference

400Reference

Battery volts

12Reference

Charging system

—

alternatorReference

Attachment overview

Variants

520-H

—

standardReference

520-HC

—

commercial-dutyReference

520-HC Serial Number Location

520-HC Serial Numbers

1988

—

-unknown-Reference

1989

—

-unknown-Reference

Fit score weighs budget, operation size, crop match and data confidence against the details above. It’s guidance, not advice — always confirm with a dealer demo.