HF mower?

[sweettractors]

If they're really that worried about those they leave behind, they would be better off to buy the cheap equipment and spend the difference on some term or whole life insurance. That will provide their widow with a lot more money than the sale of a brand name rotary cutter vs. china made equipment.

I would say that purchasing brand name equipment strictly for the resale value in the event of one's untimely demise is suspect at best. But, if it helps the buyer feel better about their choice of equipment (potentially spending more money for similar equipment), then more power to them.

It does not come into play as much on the lower price implements as it does on a high ticket item. Try to explain to one of these customers why he should buy a Zetor tractor and not a John Deere for $2000-$3000 more money (all features being equal), FWIW, I have sold well over 10,000 pieces of equipment and never lost money on any of them. Good equipment will hold its value over time. Ken Sweet

 

[rtimgray]

FWIW, I have sold well over 10,000 pieces of equipment and never lost money on any of them. Good equipment will hold its value over time. Ken Sweet

Does that number include the 15 chinese tractors that you had or the greys you used to sell?

I have absolutely no argument whatsoever that better known brands will hold their value for resale much better than the store-brand Chinese equivalent. But if the choice is between a used brand name item (as is, where is, no warranty, no recourse) or a new, under warranty store-brand item, the decision as to which item is the better value may not be so clear.

As a side note, I know why you have stated why you gave up on the Chinese tractors; why did you drop the greys?

Good luck and take care.

 

[Argosy]

seals are a non issue.. ID, OD and thickness.. maybee lip style.. single or double. that's what you need to know to repalce just about ANY seal from a real parts shop.

matched belt sets? no problem. napa and car quest can order those.. by the centimeter if i recall correctly.

soundguy

Not disagreeing with the ability to order either, but do disagree with your statement the seals are a non issue. How many people will be able to accurately measure ID, OD and depth to get the seal? A couple of thousandths of an inch is the difference between a seal and a mini frisbee, and the search will begin again. What do you do if the seal has worn a groove in the shaft, there is no parts breakdown for the gear box?

Why drive something as big as a 5 ft. mower with v belts? It will take a fair amount of power, to have to change them in sets is the cheap way out for the manufacturer. With no tensioners you're going to have to unbolt covers just to check belt tension, something that should be done at least a few times a season considering the belts are likely running close to maximum ratings.

What about the gear box, I would bet the ring gear (as it does look like a stamped rear cover), and maybe pinion gear shafts are only supported on one end. What stops deflection under heavy loads?

You've got to look at the total cost over the life of the piece of equipment, not just the initial purchase price. Frequency of breakdown is important. I was pointing out what I saw as deficiencies that make it cheap to manufacture but expensive (and time consuming) to maintain. The OP wanted to check it out, I gave him some things to look for. Do with them as you wish.

 

[sweettractors]

Does that number include the 15 Chinese tractors that you had or the greys you used to sell?

I have absolutely no argument whatsoever that better known brands will hold their value for resale much better than the store-brand Chinese equivalent. But if the choice is between a used brand name item (as is, where is, no warranty, no recourse) or a new, under warranty store-brand item, the decision as to which item is the better value may not be so clear.

As a side note, I know why you have stated why you gave up on the Chinese tractors; why did you drop the greys?

Good luck and take care.

Actually we made a good profit on the 15 Chinese tractors and the hundreds of Greys. I stopped because of the embarrassment I felt from having too much warranty work on the Chinese and a difficult parts situation for the Greys. I think the parts availability may be getting better on the Greys in todays marketplace. It is good to see TBN advertisers that are taking care of that problem Ken Sweet

 

[rtimgray]

So Ken is proof that you can make money on no-name chinese equipment or grey market stuff - you just have to be at the top of the food chain, so to speak. Ken - do you guys provide any parts support to your customers that bought Chinese or grey tractors? This is obviously off topic and I apologize if I'm digressing the thread.

I also feel like it seems as though I'm picking on Ken and I promise that is not my intention. In my observation, Ken provides a wealth of knowledge in general and (perhaps more importantly) a dealers perspective on many issues. There is absolutely nothing wrong with making a profit on an item - especially if you are a dealer. I want my dealers to make money, because I want them to be in business years down the road so that I can buy a gearbox for my name brand finish mower!

Sincerely, I mean no disrespect, and I've re-worded this post about a dozen times so as to try not to come across like a jerk. I hope that I've been at least somewhat effective.

 

[sweettractors]

So Ken is proof that you can make money on no-name chinese equipment or grey market stuff - you just have to be at the top of the food chain, so to speak. Ken - do you guys provide any parts support to your customers that bought Chinese or grey tractors? This is obviously off topic and I apologize if I'm digressing the thread.

I also feel like it seems as though I'm picking on Ken and I promise that is not my intention. In my observation, Ken provides a wealth of knowledge in general and (perhaps more importantly) a dealers perspective on many issues. There is absolutely nothing wrong with making a profit on an item - especially if you are a dealer. I want my dealers to make money, because I want them to be in business years down the road so that I can buy a gearbox for my name brand finish mower!

Sincerely, I mean no disrespect, and I've re-worded this post about a dozen times so as to try not to come across like a jerk. I hope that I've been at least somewhat effective.

We do not stock support for the Greys or Chinese sold 10 yrs ago. We do assist old customers and people that just call in with finding parts. Usually they are referred to a TBN sponsor for parts. Ken Sweet

 

[rtimgray]

Good job, Ken - I know that you guys take care of your customers.

 

[John47]

One of the big problems today is a lot of equipment is made all over the place, so how much of US brands are made here stateside and how many of the components are made elsewhere??
China isn't known for high quality metallurgy, their cast iron is of poor quality, their steel also of low quality.
I often wonder how their military fairs with inferior made boots, steel, electronics.
I have this vision of a General saying fire! The squaddie presses the button and nothing happens, or worse, a nuclear armed missile "comes home" on the general... LOL

 

[Soundguy]

But I will agree that the likelihood of a used mower crapping out that quick would be low, but you never know, that might be why it is for sale. The gearbox may be full off grease so it doesn't make too much noise - right up till it blows up. I think it boils down (like many other things) to personal preference, risk tolerance, and economics.

!

grease and sawdust. anyone remember that trick for rear ends?

soundguy

 

[Soundguy]

Ok.. I give in. if the buyer is so inept that he can't read a mic, caliper or depth gauge.. you are 100% correct. he should not buy any economy stuff.. or actually.. he shouldn't own any tools and work on anything either...

od is easy. it's the space the seal presses into. id is easy.. it's the shaft diameter. if the shaft is worn where the seal rides.. sleave it.. none of this is brain surgery / new technology...

I deal with antique equipment. i've seen mowers that use a TIRE to transmit power from a shaft to the mower.. vbelts sound GOOD to me

as for the stamped cover and whether or not the gearset is supported on 1 or 2 sides.. that WOULD be a bit of info I'd like to see.. along with the front bearing surface, if it was a steel race or machined into the housing.

if machined in.. I'd pass... if not supported on both sides.. I'd likely pass too.

just because it is a stamped cover does not mean there is not a locating fixture on the backside of the plate with a bushing (yuck! ) or beairng in there. as you point out. I'd like to see the breakdown though

soundguy

Not disagreeing with the ability to order either, but do disagree with your statement the seals are a non issue. How many people will be able to accurately measure ID, OD and depth to get the seal? A couple of thousandths of an inch is the difference between a seal and a mini frisbee, and the search will begin again. What do you do if the seal has worn a groove in the shaft, there is no parts breakdown for the gear box?

Why drive something as big as a 5 ft. mower with v belts? It will take a fair amount of power, to have to change them in sets is the cheap way out for the manufacturer. With no tensioners you're going to have to unbolt covers just to check belt tension, something that should be done at least a few times a season considering the belts are likely running close to maximum ratings.

What about the gear box, I would bet the ring gear (as it does look like a stamped rear cover), and maybe pinion gear shafts are only supported on one end. What stops deflection under heavy loads?

You've got to look at the total cost over the life of the piece of equipment, not just the initial purchase price. Frequency of breakdown is important. I was pointing out what I saw as deficiencies that make it cheap to manufacture but expensive (and time consuming) to maintain. The OP wanted to check it out, I gave him some things to look for. Do with them as you wish.