OP
MossRoad
Super Moderator
- Joined
- Aug 31, 2001
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- South Bend, Indiana (near)
- Tractor
- Power Trac PT425 2001 Model Year
Almost Heaven Lawn Mower Graveyard
- Thread starter MossRoad
- Start date
OP
MossRoad
Super Moderator
- Joined
- Aug 31, 2001
- Messages
- 60,219
- Location
- South Bend, Indiana (near)
- Tractor
- Power Trac PT425 2001 Model Year
I have no idea. However, while I was there, a guy showed up with 2 on a trailer to drop off.
I wanted to ask the guy in the yard, but forgot. It's kinda like being in a candy store... my eyes just glazed over and I started to drool.
OP
MossRoad
Super Moderator
- Joined
- Aug 31, 2001
- Messages
- 60,219
- Location
- South Bend, Indiana (near)
- Tractor
- Power Trac PT425 2001 Model Year
What got me going over there was this:
I've had it in the back of my mind to build a leaf collector for our lawn. My PowerTrac is a rear discharge mower, so that would require making some sort of block for the rear discharge, then a pickup for a vacuum tube, then a rather lengthy hose to a trailer as the mower is out front and a trailer would be in the rear. Years ago, someone made such a thing and had pics in the PowerTrac forum. I did not want to go that route.
Many years ago, I had a Simplicity that I towed a small trailer behind and the mower deck had enough power to fill the trailer. Worked great. I had to give it back as it was my father in-law's.
Then I bought a tow behind leaf sweeper. It works great towed behind the PT425, but fills too quickly. If I run the mower, the mower does such a good job of cutting them up, that they fall between the grass blades and the sweeper only picks up 1/2 of them. I don't like leaving them on the lawn, as if it rains, they make a mat and don't rot away before spring, requiring dethatching, and more sweeping. Also, while leaf sweeper works well, it's 18 years old and worn out. New one is several hundred $$.
So, idea in back of head is use my Rubbermaid cart, build a frame for a tarp cover out of conduit, suspend a small single blade mower deck from a Snapper riding mower (or similar) under the cart, power it with the hydraulic motor from the PT 60" mower, and blow it straight up into the tarped cart.
Snapper-type mowers are plentiful on Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace for about $100-200. Unfortunately, what's also plentiful on Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace are idiots and losers that won't return a contact, won't make arrangements to make contact, won't keep the few arrangements they do make, or sell the machine before you get there at the agreed upon time.
25" mower deck at Almost Heaven was $40.
220 mile round trip at 18mpg in Suburban was 13 gallons at $4/gallon, so $52 in gas.
$92 for guaranteed selection of deck of my choice VS $100-200 for endless frustration locally, plus wear and tear on the truck. However, no aggravation, and no junk tractor to dispose of.
Plus a nice drive on a sunny day at about peak fall colors with my wife, so it was a good day.
I'll post pictures of the project in another thread after it's finished.
I've had it in the back of my mind to build a leaf collector for our lawn. My PowerTrac is a rear discharge mower, so that would require making some sort of block for the rear discharge, then a pickup for a vacuum tube, then a rather lengthy hose to a trailer as the mower is out front and a trailer would be in the rear. Years ago, someone made such a thing and had pics in the PowerTrac forum. I did not want to go that route.
Many years ago, I had a Simplicity that I towed a small trailer behind and the mower deck had enough power to fill the trailer. Worked great. I had to give it back as it was my father in-law's.
Then I bought a tow behind leaf sweeper. It works great towed behind the PT425, but fills too quickly. If I run the mower, the mower does such a good job of cutting them up, that they fall between the grass blades and the sweeper only picks up 1/2 of them. I don't like leaving them on the lawn, as if it rains, they make a mat and don't rot away before spring, requiring dethatching, and more sweeping. Also, while leaf sweeper works well, it's 18 years old and worn out. New one is several hundred $$.
So, idea in back of head is use my Rubbermaid cart, build a frame for a tarp cover out of conduit, suspend a small single blade mower deck from a Snapper riding mower (or similar) under the cart, power it with the hydraulic motor from the PT 60" mower, and blow it straight up into the tarped cart.
Snapper-type mowers are plentiful on Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace for about $100-200. Unfortunately, what's also plentiful on Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace are idiots and losers that won't return a contact, won't make arrangements to make contact, won't keep the few arrangements they do make, or sell the machine before you get there at the agreed upon time.
25" mower deck at Almost Heaven was $40.
220 mile round trip at 18mpg in Suburban was 13 gallons at $4/gallon, so $52 in gas.
$92 for guaranteed selection of deck of my choice VS $100-200 for endless frustration locally, plus wear and tear on the truck. However, no aggravation, and no junk tractor to dispose of.
Plus a nice drive on a sunny day at about peak fall colors with my wife, so it was a good day.
I'll post pictures of the project in another thread after it's finished.
Halftrack
Platinum Member
I anticipated that answer but had to ask. Good luck on your project.
OP
MossRoad
Super Moderator
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- South Bend, Indiana (near)
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- Power Trac PT425 2001 Model Year
I don't think they need to do that from the looks of the business I saw being conducted that day.
Pulling parts and shipping would require keeping an inventory of machines with those parts still available.
scootr
Elite Member
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Had a friend who use to cruse a tri-state area for hard to find car/truck parts like taillights for this or trim for that. And then sell it on eBay for a fat profit know that everybody was looking for those parts. It was a good gig because he liked what he was doing and making some money too.
WinterDeere
Elite Member
A young and enterprising individual could pool these requests, and make a once-weekly trip to this u-pull-it to retrieve and then ship the requested items. Not a way to make a living, but a nice side gig for someone with a little spare time and gumption.
Oaktree
Super Member
Yeah, I imagine it would add quite a bit of overhead keeping an up-to-date inventory, let alone shipping costs. Never mind the hassles of returns if something didn't fit right, etc.I don't think they need to do that from the looks of the business I saw being conducted that day.
Pulling parts and shipping would require keeping an inventory of machines with those parts still available.
Half the fun of going to a junkyard is seeing "what's out there" and finding a way to adapt something to your needs. I wish self-service auto junkyards still existed.
OP
MossRoad
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- South Bend, Indiana (near)
- Tractor
- Power Trac PT425 2001 Model Year
The still exist. We have one here. LKQ Pick Your Part.
They have locations in 16 states.
What I like about them is you go in to the counter or on-line, tell them what you're looking for, they or you type it in, and it tells you if they have anything compatible at that yard, and if so, what isle and space it is in. I just pulled a door handle and seat switch cover for our 2003 Suburban a few weeks ago.
They charge two or three bucks for admission that's good all day long.
Find the LKQ Pick Your Part Salvage Yard Near You
Search LKQ Pick Your Part locations for Quality Used OEM Auto Parts at Discount Prices. We Offer Top Dollar for Junk Cars and We'll Even Pick It Up.
locations.lkqpickyourpart.com