What is this machine ???...

[shirleyujest]

If it has a reasonable size Kubota diesel (>20 hp) this could be a project for .....

 

[ras5309]

" I think I will go there and offer $750, after getting the actual details / history"

I would bet there's no "there" there. A $28000 machine for $1000? There's an immediate scam alert. If you contact him about going to see it, I'm sure you will get the standard response of "I'm selling it for someone, it's not here. Send me a check/money order/give me your account info & it will be delivered to you". Run, far away from this one.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

I can see a $28k new machine selling for $1000 when it looks completely destroyed. That is a yard ornament in these parts

 

[TMGT]

I have an almost identical Jacobson fairway mower with a Kubota V1305 in it, I find the commercial reel mowers don't hold their value once they get older.

Many times old courses or governments sell them off pretty cheap.

I bought my Jacobson years ago for $150 from a golf course that was getting rid of old equipment, prices have come up a bit since then, though.

I actually bought 2 other kubota powered mowers from the same course.

 

[Vigo327]

Yeah, that value doesnt surprise me. Hydraulic reel mowers are what a 'normal' DIYer would consider a maintainence/repair nightmare. Most people just trying to cut grass have zero comfort level with hydraulics, and with everything being articulated it comes off to most people like a real life Transformer robot that they would have to fix themselves or pay out the nose to have fixed.

I've looked for cheap ones off and on (and bunker rakes!) ever since i saw Xfaxman's thread back when.. now i have enough other small machines that im lacking in 'justification' to buy one even though it looks like a really interesting basis for a project.

 

[TMGT]

Funny you mention it, I have a rake also...... I just bought it for the hyd components, doesn't have an engine.

 

[5030]

Buy it cheap and trade it in on a Kubota F series front mount diesel mower and smile.

 

[5030]

Remove the reels:
View attachment 855160

And put a loader on it:View attachment 855164
The 54' wide brush fork
View attachment 855624

I just want to know one thing and that is... How in the hell do you get in the seat with those loader arms that way?

 

[Xfaxman]

I just want to know one thing and that is... How in the hell do you get in the seat with those loader arms that way?

Same as a skid steer.
Plenty of room, the seat is not in the center of the machine:

Easier if the arms are up:

 

[5030]

I understand sort of... If the arms are down and the unit is parked, I take it you start the engine standing next to it and then raise the arms do you can get in the seat, correct?

 

[Xfaxman]

No, if the arms are down I stand in front, lean in, grab the steering column with my right hand, step on the bucket or box blade and pull myself up and in just like getting in to most skid steers.

 

[5030]

More curious than anything else and I find your machine interesting all the same. Taking a lawnmower and doing what you did is always interesting.

 

[scaredychicken]

" I think I will go there and offer $750, after getting the actual details / history"

I would bet there's no "there" there. A $28000 machine for $1000? There's an immediate scam alert. If you contact him about going to see it, I'm sure you will get the standard response of "I'm selling it for someone, it's not here. Send me a check/money order/give me your account info & it will be delivered to you". Run, far away from this one.

very likely, but I am chatting with the "seller" who is listed in my community. I think it is a scam (see original post), I also think the details are ALL suspect.

with my 26 yrs in Corrections, this is just another scammer

 

[TMGT]

Could be, but its not uncommon for people to not know what they have with these comercial mowers. Most likely has a Kubota engine and they were offered in 4wd. Price is decent but not crazy low.

I'd say worth a try.

 

[Eagle1]

Some people also want to just get rid of stuff that needs "work", often not knowing how little is required. I bought 3 Zturns (Grasshopper, Yazoo-kees, Dixon) on a 20' trailer for 2300. Sold the Dixon still use the other 2 and the trailer. Needed less than $100 worth of parts and little love. Guy did not know how to fix anything and it would cost him several thousand to get a days worth for effort to put into the machines.

 

[rScotty]

Some people also want to just get rid of stuff that needs "work", often not knowing how little is required. I bought 3 Zturns (Grasshopper, Yazoo-kees, Dixon) on a 20' trailer for 2300. Sold the Dixon still use the other 2 and the trailer. Needed less than $100 worth of parts and little love. Guy did not know how to fix anything and it would cost him several thousand to get a days worth for effort to put into the machines.

Isn't that the truth. I always wonder why people would rather make payments on the cheapest new machine they can find instead of fixing up a much higher quality old machine that just needs repairs.
Lots of those around.

 

[LouNY]

I have to wonder how many people know how much and what is required to sharpen reel mowers, so that they cut properly and don't just stall out from plugging.

 

[TMGT]

I have to wonder how many people know how much and what is required to sharpen reel mowers, so that they cut properly and don't just stall out from plugging.

Exactly, they are maintence hogs, not to mention you'll need either a connection for someone with a reel grinder or buy one which is expensive.

 

[TMGT]

Isn't that the truth. I always wonder why people would rather make payments on the cheapest new machine they can find instead of fixing up a much higher quality old machine that just needs repairs.
Lots of those around.

Some people just don't have the time to mess with older equipment, I use to buy older equipment and repair it. In the last few years I just don't have the time to dedicate to older equipment.
Case in point, I just bought a gooseneck trailer instead of fixing up/modifying the trailer I have. I needed a trailer i could use and after months of trying to work on my old one I finally realized it wasn't going to happen before I needed it.

 

[bigtiller]

very likely, but I am chatting with the "seller" who is listed in my community. I think it is a scam (see original post), I also think the details are ALL suspect.

with my 26 yrs in Corrections, this is just another scammer

I was hoping to read your report after seeing it by now.