Going to look at a mower tomorrow...what should I check for?

[I-75]

I'm looking at buying a 2005 Husqvarna 22 hp mower tomorrow (don't have the model number yet). It has a 48 inch deck and appears to be in decent shape. I asked if there were any known issues and the only thing disclosed was that some smoke comes out when starting. With that they also said it is used regularly for hours at a time with out problem.

So I have an appointment to look at this tomorrow (sorry bout short notice) and was wondering if the forum could advise me on what to look for (first time buying a used lawn mower) including how I should approach this smoke issue.

Thanks for time an attention to this.

 

[lawn mower fanatic]

Here are some things to check:

1. If you are buying from an individual, why are they selling it?
2. Was it used to mow their own yard only? or was it used for commercial use (to mow more than their own lawn).
3. Can you verify their answer to #2 without asking them directly or even indicating you are questioning their answer (no longer need this big of a mower? or decided to get out of the lawn care business? or?. Just think, does their answer make sense???
4. Do they have maintenance records? Will they provide these records to you to preview before the purchase? Will they provide these records to you with the purchase?
5. Can they tell you who serviced the equipment when it was serviced? Can you verify this?
6. If buying from a dealer, have they serviced the mower including sharpen the blades, check the belts, change spark plugs, Air Filter, Fuel Filter, and oil?
7. Have they ever serviced this mower before buying it?
8. Did they sell the mower new?
9. Why did the original owners sell it? (Again, think about their answer to see if it makes sense or not. Typically power equipment dealers are considerably more honest than car dealers but there are a few here and there that may still lie to you?)
10. Do they know if the owners were the caring type?
11. How does this mower compare in price to other mowers the Dealer is selling?
12. Will the dealer show you or tell you what the blue book value is for the mower?
13. Does the mower have an hour meter on it so you know it only has 240 hours on it or is this a "guesstimation"? (This applies to both Dealers and individuals)

Either way, look for these signs of wear, abuse or lack of maintenance:

A. What is the over all appearance of the mower (look for chipped paint, bent parts, etc.)?
B. Do the tires have any signs of being plugged?
C. Do the tires appear to have lots of wear?
D. Remove the dipstick to see what the oil looks like (look for black oil, is there enough oil, etc)? If you don't know what black oil looks like, pull the oil dipstick out of your car when it reaches 3000 miles after an oil change. Or, take a mechanic friend with you to look at the mower.
E. Check for loose parts (loose or missing bolts). This is a good indication this mower has been taken apart in the past or that the owner has been abusive with the mower/engine.
F. **Caution, it is recommended that you wear gloves while doing this part of the check up. Also remove the Ignition Key to prevent anyone from trying to start it while you are doing this.** Reach under the mower deck and grab a blade. Now try to move it up and down, checking for deck bearing wear. Also check for blade sharpness, dings to the blade's cutting edge, bent blades, and large deposits of grass underneath the deck."

(Warning: read this before you buy a used mower. | Lawn Care Business Marketing Tips - GopherHaul Blog)

(http://www.lawnmowerforum.com/mower-buying-pricing/17772-things-look-when-buying-used-mower.html)

 

[Fish]

I'm looking at buying a 2005 Husqvarna 22 hp mower tomorrow (don't have the model number yet). It has a 48 inch deck and appears to be in decent shape. I asked if there were any known issues and the only thing disclosed was that some smoke comes out when starting. With that they also said it is used regularly for hours at a time with out problem.

So I have an appointment to look at this tomorrow (sorry bout short notice) and was wondering if the forum could advise me on what to look for (first time buying a used lawn mower) including how I should approach this smoke issue.

Thanks for time an attention to this.

It is 8 years old and smokes, don't spend too much! You could go out and buy a Poulan/Poulan Pro model new for a decent price, which is pretty much the same mower as the Husqvarna, except for the color.

This time of year is in your favor.

 

[Ric]

I'm looking at buying a 2005 Husqvarna 22 hp mower tomorrow (don't have the model number yet). It has a 48 inch deck and appears to be in decent shape. I asked if there were any known issues and the only thing disclosed was that some smoke comes out when starting. With that they also said it is used regularly for hours at a time with out problem.

So I have an appointment to look at this tomorrow (sorry bout short notice) and was wondering if the forum could advise me on what to look for (first time buying a used lawn mower) including how I should approach this smoke issue.

Thanks for time an attention to this.

The one thing you should do is ask to take the mower to a dealer and have it check out and make sure it's worth buying. If they refuse that walk away. If the mower is eight years old and smoking I'd say it's probably not worth buying.

 

[Fish]

Of course, the "PRICE" is the big question, if they are making appointments, I have a feeling that it is too much...

And the mower likely has an hourmeter, which is usually worthless because folks tend to unplug them for a few years....

Seriously, Husqvarna mowers, are pretty much the same as most Craftsman of the same age, but more expensive.

Poulan, and Poulan Pro are the same mowers, but the Poulans are @ $1,000 less.

 

[reynoldston]

I agree with Fish on this. Its A used mower and price would be a big thing. You know what you want to spend. Maybe price a new one and compares model for model.

 

[I-75]

Thanks guys for all the good info. I probably should have paid more attention but here's what resulted.

The mower is a YTH2448 from 2005. There was an area for me to test it and it performed well. There was "some" smoke but the oil was black and it was $400 delivered to home.

That being said I took it around my yard and the smoke seemed to get somewhat worse. By the time I parked it the smoke had gotten rather annoying, especially when going up hill or other higher-stress functions.

I'm concerned about using it until I can have someone look at it and see what's going on. I cannot tell if the smoke is blue or white but I'll err on the side of white. The owner claimed he has used it for several hours the prior day so I'm not sure if the smoke represents an issue he just three oil at. The mower itself is in immaculate shape considering the age and mows evenly. Just not sure how took I am at this point.


There is a B/S repair shop about 15 miles I'm planning on taking it to. I'd like to finish mowing my yard before running it up there unless you all think it's high risk. Is there anything that can be done to save this?

 

[exotion]

Thanks guys for all the good info. I probably should have paid more attention but here's what resulted.

The mower is a YTH2448 from 2005. There was an area for me to test it and it performed well. There was "some" smoke but the oil was black and it was $400 delivered to home.

That being said I took it around my yard and the smoke seemed to get somewhat worse. By the time I parked it the smoke had gotten rather annoying, especially when going up hill or other higher-stress functions.

I'm concerned about using it until I can have someone look at it and see what's going on. I cannot tell if the smoke is blue or white but I'll err on the side of white. The owner claimed he has used it for several hours the prior day so I'm not sure if the smoke represents an issue he just three oil at. The mower itself is in immaculate shape considering the age and mows evenly. Just not sure how took I am at this point.

There is a B/S repair shop about 15 miles I'm planning on taking it to. I'd like to finish mowing my yard before running it up there unless you all think it's high risk. Is there anything that can be done to save this?

Start by trying new fluids gas and oil and a new plug its cheap and your guna need to do it anyway and see if that helps.

 

[I-75]

Start by trying new fluids gas and oil and a new plug ...

So if I understand right, do an oil change, new oil filter and spark plug (maybe air filter). Are you saying get all the existing gas out? Also, what other fluids need changing? Thanks.

 

[exotion]

So if I understand right, do an oil change, new oil filter and spark plug (maybe air filter). Are you saying get all the existing gas out? Also, what other fluids need changing? Thanks.

I think gas would probably be a good idea and a fuel filter oil and gas are you fluids unless its water cooled which I doubt