Looking for a used Ventrac or Steiner

[RHartl]

I have been cutting about 7-8 acres of brushy hills with a walk behind DR for the last 20+ years. I'm pushing 65 and not looking forward to dying behind that mower. I hope to keep cutting until I'm 80 if I can find a rider. I only cut once or twice a year so cannot justify the cost of a new machine. I'm looking for a used Steiner or Ventrac that will take dual wheels and have the power to mow steep hillsides. Does anyone know of one for sale, or recommend a dealer that stocks used equipment. I travel a lot for my business so anywhere between Iowa - Minnesota as far east as DC is a possibility for me. Pickings are pretty slim in my area. Thanks

 

[deerseeker001]

Welcome from Wisconsin

 

[CalG]

There are a couple of units offered in the Western MA craigslist at the moment. Steiner's IIRC

 

[bigpinwheel]

2004 STEINER TRACTOR 4X4

This one popped up in my feed today, beware the fresh paint, but you don't sound like a spring chicken so I'm sure you're looking more than skin deep.

 

[murphy1244]

Try Mast-Lepley in Orrville Ohio

 

[RHartl]

Well after searching for about 4 months I finally scored a Steiner 430 Max with low hours at an auction. It is a pretty clean machine with very few issues discovered so far. One thing I noticed checking out tractors on ebay and craigslist is that a lot of these machines are spruced up for sale, new paint jobs and decals. Several of them also sported new hour meters because the original stopped working. I wonder, isn't that kind of like turning back the odometer on a car? or are they just prone to failure?

I am still looking for a Ventrac rough cut mower if anyone has one for sale.

 

[Raw Dodge]

Well after searching for about 4 months I finally scored a Steiner 430 Max with low hours at an auction. It is a pretty clean machine with very few issues discovered so far. One thing I noticed checking out tractors on ebay and craigslist is that a lot of these machines are spruced up for sale, new paint jobs and decals. Several of them also sported new hour meters because the original stopped working. I wonder, isn't that kind of like turning back the odometer on a car? or are they just prone to failure?

I am still looking for a Ventrac rough cut mower if anyone has one for sale.

Your absolutely right about sellers polishing the turd so to speak.Its aggravating to see these Steiners for sale posing as like new machines, when they clearly are just paint jobs, decals and occasionally a new seat..I myself am afraid of these machines, I look for an original paint job and machine with little repairs
I have a 25 yr old steiner and a 16 yr old steiner.they have original paint, they are stored inside.The paint isn't that bad to warrant a repaint it's just a piece of equipment, I feel many of the repaints are machines left out in the weather or used in a salty environment in the winter. Good luck with your steiner.keep an eye on the 3 bolts per sode that attach the front axles to the front frame
On the side with the lift cylinder especially they loosen up and will strip out of the transaxle from being run loose.The threads are aluminum and keep them tight or pay big bucks to replace the aluminum housing or attempt a heli- coil which requires precision because clearances are tight there.

 

[RHartl]

Your absolutely right about sellers polishing the turd so to speak.Its aggravating to see these Steiners for sale posing as like new machines, when they clearly are just paint jobs, decals and occasionally a new seat..I myself am afraid of these machines, I look for an original paint job and machine with little repairs
I have a 25 yr old steiner and a 16 yr old steiner.they have original paint, they are stored inside.The paint isn't that bad to warrant a repaint it's just a piece of equipment, I feel many of the repaints are machines left out in the weather or used in a salty environment in the winter. Good luck with your steiner.keep an eye on the 3 bolts per sode that attach the front axles to the front frame
On the side with the lift cylinder especially they loosen up and will strip out of the transaxle from being run loose.The threads are aluminum and keep them tight or pay big bucks to replace the aluminum housing or attempt a heli- coil which requires precision because clearances are tight there.

I want to thank you for that heads up on the axle bolts. I checked them and two were a little loose. Not enough to cause any thread damage and they torqued down fine. I will definitely keep my eye on them in the future. One of the problems as a new owner buying at auction is not having a dealer or owner to teach me the ins and outs of this machine. I have all the owners manuals but it is amazing how many questions are not answered in them. However it is a great little machine, just what I have needed on my property.

 

[Raw Dodge]

No problem. ...glad to help..it doesn't take long to strip them since they thread into soft aluminum. .i removed mine drilled them , torqued them, ran it a fee hrs, retorqued,and safety wired them.It didn't matter they still loosened up...myself and my crew have about 15000 hrs on steiners so we know what breaks lol..