how many of you repair small engines as a hobby? $$

[scott47429]

hey guys i own a auto repair shop where i live but for the past year i have been buying selling trading and repairing mowers and i love it i would rather be doing this then auto repair lol maybe some day

 

[twinfords]

hello all, sold one of my Toro Suzuki mower last night and got the other Troy-bilt ready, i am getting down to the last of my mowers for sale, customer dropped off his leaf blower yesterday (said he does not need it anymore) it started after some persuasion. i need to sell some chainsaws.

 

[karl41]

Why don't you replace the v-belts?
Theese days, it's not even not necessary to buy OEM spare parts. I've bought my poly-v-belt a few weeks ago over there Best-drivebelts.com - Poly-V Belts

 

[hanyoukimura]

It's been a side hobby since last year. I really enjoy it. Its not steady income, but the profit margins are good and its nice to have extra money to get things done that I normally wouldn't be able to. Plus I enjoy bring these machines back to life and giving them a second chance. Many of them were on their way to the landfill when I saved them. At least some of the people who have purchased them have tried to care for them as well, which is a good feeling.

 

[twinfords]

It's been a side hobby since last year. I really enjoy it. Its not steady income, but the profit margins are good and its nice to have extra money to get things done that I normally wouldn't be able to. Plus I enjoy bring these machines back to life and giving them a second chance. Many of them were on their way to the landfill when I saved them. At least some of the people who have purchased them have tried to care for them as well, which is a good feeling.

yea i know what you mean by (on their way to the landfill) i am anal when it comes to telling my customer to keep it the way i sold it to them and it will last forever. Just when i think i am cought up i get slammed with 10 more jobs and 9 new mowers. i do enjoy the fast turn around and $$ in my pocket.

 

[twinfords]

Hello all, i had a busy weekend, I took the Troy-bilt self propell trans apart and found a broken pin that goes in the axle shaft, i used a large finish nail and cut down to size to repalce it and it is working fine now (time will tell). i also worked on a Ford 1210 tractor, picked up 9 mowers to fix etc and changed the blades on my 48" Craftsman DYT4000. I worked on so many mowers this weekend not sure what all I did, here are a few picks of things ready for sale. Scotts, Craftsman etc.

 

[twinfords]

update, i got two additional mowers, a troy-bilt and a yard man with manual push start. i fixed another one of the 9 mowers i got last weekend, Craftsman with Honda engine (bad coil). i now have fixed 5 of the 9 mowers, i have two customers dropping off mowers tonight and someone coming tomorrow to look at some for sale. hope to make a sale etc.

 

[twinfords]

Hope everyone had a productive weekend, i sold the black Craftsman rear wheel drive mower, sold the other Scotts front wheel drive mower, fixed a bolens 5.5 briggs, fixed a Craftsman front wheel drive (was my parents mower that i sold a customer last year) the carb was varnished from leaving gas in it over the winter. fixed a Ryobi 775r trimmer. i have several other mowers for sale and am working on several others as well.

 

[Parkmower]

I have a few questions.
I always kinda just helped friends out at no cost.
But if I were to charge, what are average rates.
A carb rebuild?
A oil change and tune up?

 

[twinfords]

I have a few questions.
I always kinda just helped friends out at no cost.
But if I were to charge, what are average rates.
A carb rebuild?
A oil change and tune up?

hello, i charge $40.00 hr plus parts, I usually charge $70.00 to perform full tune up and sharpen blade, change oil, air filter, rebuild carb, clean plug etc. i will also do a ful clean on the mower, this is for a walk behind mower, more for tractors etc. i also do work for free for friends/ family etc. to an extent. Also work for equipment trade etc, if i get something for cheap or free i pass the good fortune on to the customer as well. sometimes just chargeing my time for cost of the mower.