Buying a used mower Advice

[mjohn77]

I wan to buy a zero turn, how many hours on it would be acceptable to buy it as that would consider it low hours?

 

[Parkmower]

That's kind of a trick question. A couple hundred hrs on a commercial machine is considered low hrs. But on a residential machine it could be considered high hrs. Low hours doesn't always mean it was well cared for. It could've had the snot beat out of it for the low amount of hours it was used.

 

[exotion]

Or someone unplugged the meter. Check the machine, bring a mechanic with you.

 

[mjohn77]

Would 400 hours on a commercial machine be low.

 

[wdrdoctor]

If you have a local commercial lawn mower shop I would stop by ,and ask if you can talk to their best mechanic. I would introduce yourself to that mechanic,and see if he or she would be interested in making some extra money on their time off work? Offer to pay for this mechanic to go with you to the location where this used mower is at, you are interested in buying. This mechanic can inspect it for you,and give you his or her opinion about the mower. Of course you or the mechanic will prob want to take a mower jack,and some basic tools for the inspection.

 

[mjohn77]

Ok thanks for the advice!

 

[hollow1107]

Just like car mileage hours dont tell the whole story.
A well taken care of mower with 400 hours is better then a neglected abused one with 50.
Check the obvious things first.
Does the engine smoke,Make harsh noises or have difficulties starting?
Second check the tranny, does it shift into gear with ease or make any odd noises?
Third its the little things that matter, Check all the belts for fraying or cracks.
Look at the oil on the dipstick is there any sludge or is it black as pitch?
Are the blades dull or nicked and beat up?

 

[Ric]

Would 400 hours on a commercial machine be low.

On a commercial machine 400 hours I would consider to be low hours considering they can go into the thousands. I think you'll find that most commercial operators are going to maintain there Investment or engines better than a residential owner. The problem you run into when considering hours of use for a commercial mower vs that of a residential mower is the grade of engine your dealing with, what it's designed for and how it's being used.

Someone made a list of things to look at, they commented about looking at the oil on the dipstick and checking the oil too see if it's black as pitch.That's a good suggestion but doesn't necessarily hold true because if its not pitch black I wouldn't buy the mower because from personal experience I can tell you I change oil on all my mowers every 50 hrs and it's always pitch black. If you find a mower with 500 or 600 hrs and it has clean oil then you need to be skeptical. Check the Air filter, what type is it and see what it looks like, does the engine have an oil filter, how about a gas filter, look at the things that keep your engine clean first and see if they have been maintained or not and don't worry so much about hours.

 

[SeniorCitizen]

Show us a pic and details of the one you have in mind.

 

[Dave1954]

Every machine will stand alone, I looked for a used unit but everyone I looked at was way below my expectations on how it would have looked if I had owned it and well worn, even one with 138 hours was flat out done for. I weighed buying a used and all it would need to be 100% reliable but With the great deals on new units I bought new. I got a great machine, 3 year warranty and the piece of mind its going to be ready when I am.