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Hey there. I am just curious to know what the lifespan of a Grasshopper tends to be. Also what the price is. I want to know the ratio to the two so I can decided if they are a good deal compared to others.

dria
I will let russ, 173abn, comment on Grasshoppers .. He has a diesel powered one...:thumbsup:

If you have more than an average lot to mow you will appreciate a good quality mower. A commercial mower is GREAT quality... They are built to be serviceable and you can expect thousands of hours from them....
also there is nothing like diesel power for mowing:smile: :smile:KennyV

hi dria, I own a 928D made in 1995 it sold new back then for $13065.00.I bought it this yr. for $5000.00.there are even more expensive models as well as cheaper models.If you take care of them they should last you a very long time.It's like my truck,I bought it new in 1993 and it's still going strong.There's something like 98 models they've made and most of those with multiple yrs made.If you have a T.S.C. around you they sell a Compact Tractor Guide that gives makes and models on all the compact tractors &riding mowers and new and resell prices.Mine is a diesel powered because I like diesel engines.They're better on fuel and easier to work on.Do youhave a specific model your looking at?I forget to mention my model has a front mount deck which IMO makes it way better to mow around trees etc.By the way Grasshopper is made here in Kansas but since the diesels are Kubota powered my Kubota dealer sells them as well as the gas powered ones.Getting parts for them isn't a problem.If I can give you any other info or help fell free to ask. russ

Didn't you say you had gotten a really good deal off of craigslist in another thread? (I could be wrong). I take it that this is what you were referring too? :smile:

Thats right,I bought the 928d off CraigsList for $5000.00.I've seen smaller gas powered units for more.I wanted a diesel and was willing to pay more but didn't have to after finding this one. I should have said there is more than 100 models because the book I have only goes to 2007. russ

Wow. I want to find a deal like that. Do you watch Cragslist often or is this something you just sort of stumbled across? Tell us how to find the deals!

DakotaMM said:

Tell us how to find the deals!

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You have to be LUCKY...
and I am guessing that russ IS...:smile:KennyV

you just have to be patient until you find what you want and yes I guess luck has something to do with it,now if I win the powerball tonight I'll tell you what being lucky feels like. russ

173abn said:

if I win the powerball tonight I'll tell you what being lucky feels like. russ

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Alright !!!:thumbsup: I will be glad to hear that happened:thumbsup:
:smile:KennyV

Well it matters if you service your machine regularly and with the good oil........and it will last that bit longer than someone who runs it into the ground!:ashamed:

lizard said:

Well it matters if you service your machine regularly and with the good oil........and it will last that bit longer than someone who runs it into the ground!:ashamed:

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Also along with good oil... Change it completely at LEAST once a year.
I have known folks that have has engine failure tell me that they don't know why they have problems with small engines... they always check the oil and add some when it is low.... but usually when asked how often they drained it, to tut in fresh ... never...

If you want to keep it dependable, you have to do your part to keep it that way... :smile:KennyV

KennyV said:

they always check the oil and add some when it is low.... but usually when asked how often they drained it, to tut in fresh ... never...

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That practice of adding and not changing seems so foolish when you consider most 6 hp and smaller use less than a quart. At 2.50-4.00$ a quart once a year......

RobertBrown said:

That practice of adding and not changing seems so foolish when you consider most 6 hp and smaller use less than a quart. At 2.50-4.00$ a quart once a year......

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foolish ... YES,
But there are those that never give it a thought... then when something fails they wonder why they always have bad luck with mechanical things...

I know folks that never change their transmission fluid, engine coolant, brake fluid or power steering fluids, in their cars and trucks... ALL of which need changing... :smile:KennyV

Your servicing of any machine is the key to longevity, but some people have this attitude.....'If it ain't Broke why fix it!:ashamed:

lizard said:

Your servicing of any machine is the key to longevity, but some people have this attitude.....'If it ain't Broke why fix it!:ashamed:

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:laughing:Ha ha:laughing:... your right and eventually it will be broke & then it can be fixed... OR replaced... an expensive way to do things, for sure... :smile:KennyV

Besides maintence....some people tend to overwork or labour their machinery, this can lead to an expensive break down or a complete failure beyond repair.
Buy something bigger than you really need, then it will last longer and you will be happy not dissapointed!

How long do they last? My grandfather has a model 1210 that was built in 1986 I think. It is still going strong and I have a 720k from 1995. For residential they are great. cut my 1/2 acre in 20 minutes' can't complain. Not quite as fast when pushing snow' the steiner will out work it.

I just recently purchased a 93 718K that has 782 hours on it. It has been repowered with a 20hp Kohler that had 0 hours on it when I purchased it. I paid $2400 and got a new set of deck belts as well as a set of blades. I had to go thru and check grease points and replace the ignition swith, $8 at my local dealer. This thing mows great my yard looks wonderful and I expect it will last me for many more years to come.

I hope you guys have better luck with your diesel than I did with mine.
880 hours is started smoking bad. I took it to the dealer and was told it needed new injectors that cost me nearly $400.00 when I got it home and tried to mow with it the thing looked like a freight train with all the smoke.

I called them and was told I needed the pump rebuilt and that would be $1200.00
I knew for that much money I could completely rebuild a gas engine so I took it to another dealer and traded it on a new 725 with a water cooled Gas powered Kubota it has 1245 hours and other than voltage regulators it has been great but it keeps burning regulators up right and left at 150 Bucks a pop.

I bought a new John Deere so I'm going to sell the 725 GH, hours are getting high and it will start costing me so I will pass it on and let someone else spend money on it.

You must be very careful & particular about your fuel... and you will get many thousands of hours with a diesel...
They have no tolerance for gasoline or any drying additive to the fuel... You have to separate the water that may incorporate in the diesel... And you have to have a bit of lube added to today's ultra low sulfur fuel... (2 percent bio is the best for lube)...

With just a little vigilance to fuel you will get incredible trouble free service from a diesel... :smile:KennyV

KennyV said:

You must be very careful & particular about your fuel... and you will get many thousands of hours with a diesel...
They have no tolerance for gasoline or any drying additive to the fuel... You have to separate the water that may incorporate in the diesel... And you have to have a bit of lube added to today's ultra low sulfur fuel... (2 percent bio is the best for lube)...

With just a little vigilance to fuel you will get incredible trouble free service from a diesel... :smile:KennyV

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I have a 1985 JD 430 Diesel and I have done nothing but put diesel fuel in it for 26 years without a problem.

Before retiring I was in the trucking business for 42 years never had a pump problem.

Think what you may but the pump on my Kubota was either defective or a poor design to fail at such low hours.

My problem with the Kubota diesel was waaay before low sulfur fuel.
On a side note Cummins recommends NOT ADDING anything to the fuel. I have had them run a million miles without rebuilding the pump or the engine.

Things can & do go wrong...
I have had decades of great cat, kubota and perkins injector pump service...
Prior to low/ultra fuels I rarely used any additive...

Within the last couple years I have seen multiple injector pump failures on a Cummins in a P/U... replaced many lift pumps @ injector pumps... Then started using 2 to 20 percent bio... no more failures... yet.

Only had one kubota IP failure, it had a large dose of gasoline ran into it... big pump and injector problems, from that incident... It was on a very low hour kubota ....

I have seen Cat and Cummins handle gasoline without any noticeable effect... not kubota... :smile:KennyV

KennyV said:

Things can & do go wrong...
I have had decades of great cat, kubota and perkins injector pump service...
Prior to low/ultra fuels I rarely used any additive...

Within the last couple years I have seen multiple injector pump failures on a Cummins in a P/U... replaced many lift pumps @ injector pumps... Then started using 2 to 20 percent bio... no more failures... yet.

Only had one kubota IP failure, it had a large dose of gasoline ran into it... big pump and injector problems, from that incident... It was on a very low hour kubota ....

I have seen Cat and Cummins handle gasoline without any noticeable effect... not kubota... :smile:KennyV

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I have an ole 6.9 harvester that I had the new seals put in the pump when they went to the low sulufur fuel.

People who have the ole engines with the old type seals need to convert them or use something to lub them but my problem with the Kubota was back in the mid eighties, NO low sulfur fuel back then.