Buying Advice Sick and tired of low quality riding lawnmowers

[downslope]

Just tying to understand, if a $3700 (2 year old price) machine didn't measure up for quality why are you now looking to spend $3500, won't you and up with the same garbage or worse?

 

[Doofy]

The key in you're statement is 1994..

You are probably correct. I also bought an ancient Troy-Bilt Suburban lawn tractor with a 36" snowblower (late 70s-mid 80s) that runs like a champ. Electric pto and cruise control even. $300 and I love it. Old iron is often tough as nails.

 

[ETD66SS]

Just tying to understand, if a $3700 (2 year old price) machine didn't measure up for quality why are you now looking to spend $3500, won't you and up with the same garbage or worse?

I'm not, but that's all my parents can afford. I personally, will never buy a riding mower, but my elderly parents need something in that price range. My father bought the Husqvarna in his late 70's thinking it would last the rest of his life without major problems, nope.

I'll check the valve lash and timing this weekend on the Husqvarna, and see where that's at.

 

[atsah]

If the deck and trans is still in good shape why not repower it for $800?

 

[Doofy]

If the deck and trans is still in good shape why not repower it for $800?

I saw some nice new engines at Surplus Center for $500.

 

[atsah]

I saw some nice new engines at Surplus Center for $500.

I was thinking Kawi, I just did one, it was $769.00.. The newer Kohler 7000's I'm told are decent..

 

[Carl_NH]

I'm not, but that's all my parents can afford. I personally, will never buy a riding mower, but my elderly parents need something in that price range. My father bought the Husqvarna in his late 70's thinking it would last the rest of his life without major problems, nope.

I'll check the valve lash and timing this weekend on the Husqvarna, and see where that's at.

Per your previous post the Kohler engine Mfg date was 2007, so assuming it was sold in 2008 as new it would be 10 years of use say 35-40 hours a year? So the unit has 350-400 hours.

The valves will need adjustment, but also the hydro drive unit (Tuff Torque K46) has a high failure rate between 400 and 600 hours but only if you are doing a lot of hilly ground will this be evident. Another neighbor - he's 86 Yrs old an a 10 YO husky 48" deck just had his transmission replaced - don't know the cost but suspect its at least $1K with labor.

Get it running and let us know how you make out, but the Cub deal in Orchard Park @ $2800 is a decent deal.

 

[ETD66SS]

Per your previous post the Kohler engine Mfg date was 2007, so assuming it was sold in 2008 as new it would be 10 years of use say 35-40 hours a year? So the unit has 350-400 hours.

The valves will need adjustment, but also the hydro drive unit (Tuff Torque K46) has a high failure rate between 400 and 600 hours but only if you are doing a lot of hilly ground will this be evident. Another neighbor - he's 86 Yrs old an a 10 YO husky 48" deck just had his transmission replaced - don't know the cost but suspect its at least $1K with labor.

Get it running and let us know how you make out, but the Cub deal in Orchard Park @ $2800 is a decent deal.

I'm going over to work on it today, I'll check how many hours are on it. His land is flat, but he does use the tractor for more than just mowing, has a little trailer he uses with it, also pulls a small tree sprayer with it. I thought he bought it in 2012, but I suppose it could have been 2008. I know on the deck, I've already had to replace a couple spindles as the splines stripped out.

this what you are looking for ? Ford 122 diesel 4X4 w/ 6” belly mower - farm & garden - by owner - sale

Yeah, one of those would be perfect as I am well acquainted with those tractors.

 

[ETD66SS]

The intake valve on the RH side of the engine was at .006", the rest were at .004". I don't think that's a problem... I adjusted the intake valve back to .004"

The tractor has 860 hours on it.

 

[finn1]

Not sure that all the bellyaching about , perhaps $500 in repairs on a lawn mower over 11 years is entirely justified. That’s still a lot less expense per year than if the op’s father had bellied up for a $10k mower instead of a $3700 mower in 2008, so what’s the beef?

I would also opine that investing $10000-12000 for a new “high quality “ mower for an 86 year old man with documented health issues, so it will last another 20 years, isn’t a prudent investment. Mortality tables suggest otherwise.