snowthrower follow-up, an expensive lesson

   / snowthrower follow-up, an expensive lesson #1  

ALPS

New member
Joined
Dec 8, 2004
Messages
15
Location
Finger Lakes, NY
Well, I had a choice: A) go with a cheaper 'thrower from a private party, and possibly have to get some hardware (according to a DEALER near the seller), or B) spend more from a different dealer who was farther away and get one that would fit right up. I thought I could save a few bucks and went with A. I told the guy I was taking a chance, that it might not fit and would cost me more, so right away he knocked off a hundred bucks. And even on the way out of the guy's garage he said (and I quote) "If it dosen't work, let me know." Hey I can't lose, I thought.

I slide it under my tractor as the snow continues to pile up outside. No way this thing is gonna fit. I call my local dealer, ask some questions, give the serial number, and find out, that in fact, there is no way this thing is gonna fit, new frame or not.

So, I call the seller up and explain that it won't work, and I'm letting him know. He tells me, "Well, I really don't want it back. But I will send you back one of those hundred dollar bills." He isn't going to budge, and won't take it back. Thanks, buddy...

Well, now the snow is 8" deep and falling fast. I'm also in hundreds of dollars, and getting nowhere. But, hey, I can't give up now. Off to the dealer, an hour away, and in the snow storm. I shell out even more money, pick up the one that will fit, along with chains and some weights.

I get it under my tractor, open to the installation instructions and read: "open your bag of parts...." What bag? What flanged spacer? What bracket? Good God does it end!?!

Back out again, to Tractor Supply and I finally get enough parts together to make it work for tonight. By now I'm working by flashlight (in an unheateted gravel floor "garage") and the snow is about 12" deep and still coming down, and not really happy with my day so far.

As I tighten the last bolt, and shake ot the tire chains, I hear this sound outside, and can't beleive it. Well, after my day, I can believe it... The neighbor is on his four-wheeler and he's plowing my driveway!!! The nerve of this guy!!! Dosen't he know what Ive been through???

I thanked him, chased him off (nicely), fired up my machine, and FINALLY got that **** driveway cleared. The JD snowthrower worked beautifully, even if it did bite into the gravel a bit. A hot shower, some of my wifes chilli and a couple of beers later, I'm a lot happier man.

And, if your still reading, thanks for letting me vent a little... goodnight.

Oh yeah I almost forgot, does anyone need a nice JD snowthrower? I got an extra one I'll let go cheap...
 
   / snowthrower follow-up, an expensive lesson #2  
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( A hot shower, some of my wifes chilli and a couple of beers later, I'm a lot happier man.)</font>

There is nothing that combo can't fix! That must have made for one heck of a bad day. Don't feel bad... you'll be ready for the next snow and BTW, if that would have happened to me... I would have ranted on a lot longer than you did!

Heres to hoping your Sunday will be better than today!
 
   / snowthrower follow-up, an expensive lesson #3  
Actually the combination that will fix almost anything is: patience, parts chasing and a large stack of those hundred dollar bills /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif… have a good snow year /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif. KennyV.
 
   / snowthrower follow-up, an expensive lesson #4  
Glad to here you got your Snow thrower and its working.
I did a similar project with my JD F735 mower. Was looking for a shop manual on Ebay for the mower. While searching I came a crossed a 47" snow thrower for the F735. Put a bid on it and won. Had to drive to Indianapolis to pick it up. Gave me a chance visit for a few hours. Blower was better than the pictures on Ebay. Looked like it had never been used.
Got home and threw it in barn until I had time to put it on. Noway was it going to fit the lift arms that my mower has. Did some checking on <font color="green"> JD </font> site. Found that I needed arms for the 54" mower. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif Went back on Ebay. Started looking for something that would work. Within a week up came a set of arms for the 54" mower. Won them for $20 plus $15 shipping. While watching Ebay a manual for the 47" blower showed up. $5 plus $2 shipping. Both item showed up in 5 days. Read the manual. Found I needed some parts for the electric shoot rotating motor. Did not find the parts on Ebay. Ordered part from <font color="green"> JD </font>. $92. I was kind of upset with this price for switch wiring harness and connectors. Bit the bullet and bought the parts. <font color="green"> JD </font> had the parts in a 2 days. It was money well spent using the manual I won on Ebay. It took about 2 hours to install the blower and wiring. All together the Snow thrower cost me less than $500 including gas to Indy and back. To buy this snow throw from the <font color="green"> JD </font> dealer would have been over $2500.
Yesterday I got use it in some 12" + snow. In less than 1 minute I looked like a snowman. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif Went back to my <font color="orange"> Kubota </font> to move all the snow. I will now use the snow thrower to cleanup what the larger tractor leaves. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
I know this is a long reply.
All I wanted to say was find out what model the first snow thrower is and list it on Ebay. It will not last long, this time of year. If you do not want to do it yourself find a local place that will list it for you. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
 
   / snowthrower follow-up, an expensive lesson #5  
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Yesterday I got use it in some 12" + snow. In less than 1 minute I looked like a snowman. )</font>

Looks like it is time to go back to e-bay and look for a cab for the JD. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
   / snowthrower follow-up, an expensive lesson #6  
I had a good laugh reading your post. Sounds like supplying some beer to the neighbor would be the cheapest route. Can you imagine the nerve of that guy? What was he thinking?
 
   / snowthrower follow-up, an expensive lesson #7  
Just got up from breakfast. Our discussion included that very same thought. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
   / snowthrower follow-up, an expensive lesson #9  
Alps ... Ever think of a career as a writer?? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
   / snowthrower follow-up, an expensive lesson #10  
I think you should have gone w/ choice C... a rear blade.. faster clearing snow.. and cheaper.. and you could use it for more than just snow. W/ a rear blade and an FEL.. you would have been clearing the ATV's guys driveway! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Sorry about the problems..
 
 

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