Help me decide

[dgolden]

Not sure if this is the right forum. Originally was thinking about a deere 5xx series but with covid and everything things have changed. If this needs to be moved please move it I have no qualms.

I need to figure something out. HERES the information.

Property:
5 acres
1 mowed

Main need:
- mowing

Secondary needs:
- carrying a cart for yard waste
- carrying a cart for garden/yard work

Tertiary needs:
- ground engagement (tilling)
- ground engagement (box blade)
- heavier towing for branches/trunks
- plowing or snow blowing

Mowed acre:
- semi unlevel (grass has potholes)
- main 1/2 acre angles at 10 degrees generally flatfish if you mow across
- back 1/4 acre some steep hills but I have a nice Honda hhv which can tackle those

Unmowed acre:
- right now nothing
- eventually a whole bother world lol

I was left a house with an old craftsman which I can’t get running. It’s gonna need a complete tear down and rebuild. Spring is here I don’t have time to mess around.

With covid I’m in a bit different situation so here’s my situation.

Right now my budget is 3k. Most of the used tractors in that range have 500 plus hours with god knows what kind of maintenance history so I’d rather eat something for 2-4 seasons.

Here’s my options:
1) cub cadet (ugh MTD) xt1
2) craftsman t310 (ugh MTD)
3) toro whatever (ugh MTD)
4) husky
5) deer e1xx series
6) used and lord know how abused x3xx or x5xx Series 450 plus hours

I don’t mind a 1-3 year patch job on something new I can always delegate it.

Right now with covid I don’t feel like spinning the wheel with financing.

Definitely interested in your opinions.

 

[Roadworthy]

We have no information about your old Craftsman other than you can't get it running and therefore have determined it needs rebuilt. You have likewise included zero information about all your other options. All of your options seem to be lawn tractors but your list of anticipated chores includes many things which would require a larger machine than you're showing. At this point, if I was in your shoes, I'd probably try to figure out exactly how bad off the Craftsman is. It may be worth repairing, then again maybe not. You could pick up a used garden tractor and be right back where you started in six months. It's kind of the luck of the draw there. I'm not sure how the covid - 19 thing enters into your planning. You can expect it to be with us for the long term.

 

[dgolden]

We have no information about your old Craftsman other than you can't get it running and therefore have determined it needs rebuilt. You have likewise included zero information about all your other options. All of your options seem to be lawn tractors but your list of anticipated chores includes many things which would require a larger machine than you're showing. At this point, if I was in your shoes, I'd probably try to figure out exactly how bad off the Craftsman is. It may be worth repairing, then again maybe not. You could pick up a used garden tractor and be right back where you started in six months. It's kind of the luck of the draw there. I'm not sure how the covid - 19 thing enters into your planning. You can expect it to be with us for the long term.

It’s an old L100


Model No.
917.272432
20hp Briggs and Stratton
42” deck
6 speed transaxle

I’ve replaced the following:
- starter
- noid
- all fuel lines
- carb
- all seals and gaskets
- fuel tank
- battery
- new plugs
- new plug wires
- misc other parts

It tries to start but nothing. It half rolls. Like a car with a dead battery or alternator.

I’ve checked all wiring everything is good. It just rolls and dies without starting. She’s sat 5 plus years.

I’ve been looking at used but they’re pushing 500 hours all of them with no maintenance records minus a few which have had graveyard duty.

Right now my concern is mowing the rest is secondary. I have a neighbor willing to do my heavy tractor work for trade for some green backs.

As for the covid credit is constraining currently. I have a HELOC I never use which has been at 50k but they’ve constrained it 90% this month. I’d rather not open a new line of credit.

I hope that helps?

 

[Diggin It]

I don't think you'll find anything for $3K or less that will do ground work. Maybe used, but then you have reliability issues.

You sort of discuss terrain. 5 acres level is a piece of cake. A half acre on steep slopes can be a bugger.

Most Big Box store sub $2500 lawn cutters will pull carts rather well, but don't like hills much at all. Basically all of those are either MTD or AYP and the green machines are somewhat lesser models than sold in green stores.

 

[Gem99ultra]

Your list of repairs made is fairly complete. With that much time and expense invested, I think I'd go forward and get it running. You might need professional help on that, but it can't be much. Money-wise, you'd be best to go that other half mile to the finished line. Save your money so you can afford to buy something bigger and better to go along with the mower.

 

[kenmbz]

Have you checked for spark to make sure it's not an electrical issue?

 

[k0ua]

Fix the briggs engine. Valve issue. About a 30 minute fix. Believe it or not, I just about guarantee you that is your problem why your engine won't start. You replace batteries, and starters and it doesn't help.

 

[k0ua]

Millions of Briggs and Stratton engines have been junked for this simple valve adjustment issue. It is endemic. I was at my wits end in replacing batteries and starters. (still have nice brand new starter that I cannot return). All it takes to fix this no start condition is a simple valve adjustment.

 

[k0ua]

Here is another video on adjusting the briggs.

 

[kenmbz]

I had to do that on my simplicity parts lawn tractor (my kid uses it for joy rides now). I knew the head gasket was bad (very common problem). Re adjusted valves as part of gasket replacement. And the mower started right up and runs great now!
Hope that's all is is for you. Ge the gasket set, wasn't too expensive and replace all the ones you remove so you don;t have to redo later.

 

[k0ua]

3 batteries and 2 starters later, The valve adjustment fixed my old mower.

 

[k0ua]

OH, I forgot the starter solenoid that was burned up too. Yep the "compression" start puts a big strain on all of the electrical components and pitted the starter solenoid contacts.

 

[Richard001]

It痴 an old L100


Model No.
917.272432
20hp Briggs and Stratton
42 deck
6 speed transaxle


It tries to start but nothing. It half rolls. Like a car with a dead battery or alternator.

I致e checked all wiring everything is good. It just rolls and dies without starting. She痴 sat 5 plus years.

OK must be a regional thing, but I have no idea what "it half rolls" means.

Does the starter spin the engine over?

Richard

 

[k0ua]

OK must be a regional thing, but I have no idea what "it half rolls" means.

Does the starter spin the engine over?

Richard

No. It spins it up to top dead center, but the valves are out of adjustment and the compression is too much for the starter to roll the engine over because the compression release is not fully functional. So the term "half rolls" is fairly accurate it spins up half way but wont break over to spin again. Without compression release the starters can never roll over these engines. They are not designed to. They are on the verge of being able to with a brand new battery but the compression release is crucial to get the speed up to get the engine started.

 

[dgolden]

No. It spins it up to top dead center, but the valves are out of adjustment and the compression is too much for the starter to roll the engine over because the compression release is not fully functional. So the term "half rolls" is fairly accurate it spins up half way but wont break over to spin again. Without compression release the starters can never roll over these engines. They are not designed to. They are on the verge of being able to with a brand new battery but the compression release is crucial to get the speed up to get the engine started.

This is precisely what’s happening.

I will try messing with the adjustments y’all replied and I appreciate it so much in advance. If I can’t get things going at this point I’ll prolly pull the trigger on something temporarily to save up and pay cash for what I really need for the property. Then me being me I’ll rip it to shreds in the winter and rework the entire thing to get it running then decide what to do with it.

 

[aczlan]

If you do end up deciding to buy something, see if you can find a Cub Cadet 3000 series.
They are an actual garden tractor, they have a PTO to run the mower deck, front snowblower and may be able to run a tiller in the back.
Hydrostatic transmission, power steering, diff lock and hydraulics available to lift attachments.

Aaron Z

 

[k0ua]

This is precisely what’s happening.

I will try messing with the adjustments y’all replied and I appreciate it so much in advance. If I can’t get things going at this point I’ll prolly pull the trigger on something temporarily to save up and pay cash for what I really need for the property. Then me being me I’ll rip it to shreds in the winter and rework the entire thing to get it running then decide what to do with it.

I look forward to your report back that once the valve adjustment is done your little mower spins up and starts and runs.

 

[herm0016]

if you cant get it running, there are a few older wheelhorse models and this cool Kubota garden tractors on craigslist. the kubota is a neat small tractor.

Kubota g52 diesel - farm & garden - by owner - sale


i have a 1995 cub 1841 that I bought with deck, bagger, plow and snow blower for 3500. its been an absolutely great machine for mowing and small yard jobs. made by mtd, but a heavily built machine. weight 900 lbs.

I bet if you get something like this, you will keep using it to mow, and want to add to your equipment collection a scut or cut in the future. i added my 5020 with loader mfwd and blade after i got my cub, which i thought may end up being a temporary solution.