How many hours do machines really last?

[StarTech]

I'm thinking Bert means to blow off the dirt/debris on the hydros after each use. A "Dirt blanket" left on them will cause incredible heat internally, & that is BAD.

Bert will straighten us out but I believe to a cool down period is like the one truck drivers do with their big rigs. Allowing time for things to cool down while running off load. Allowing the fans to cool the hydros after they had been working hard. Keeping them clean of debris keeps a lot too. Actually the whole mower should cleaned debris after mowing as it prevents a lot problems.

I got a customer with a Super Z that I must keep the hydro radiator clean or you can cook a meal on the heat coming off it. He was instructed when finish mowing to allow the mower run until coming off the radiator is a lot cooler then when he first checks it. At it is a separate cooling fan system.

And this is a head up on those systems that have radiators for the hydros they must be keep clean of debris too. I had one customer with a stand on that lost both cylinder heads and the expensive engine shroud because he didn't keep the radiator clean. On that particular machine they mounted the radiator directly on the engine's cooling fan so everything overheated. What a repair bill.

 

[bertsmobile1]

Just about every ZTR that comes in has dirt caked between the cooling fins of the left drive
Unlike a tractor style mower a ZTR has it's hydros under the engine and in front of the muffler so it gets very warm down there
Two things kill hydros, thin oil & running too slow under load .
As for which bit goes first ?
Commercial engines , Commands , Hondas, Vanguards , all Kawasakis will happily do several thousand hours standing on their heads provided you feed them nice clean air , change the oil at least at the end of every season & keep the cooling fins free of debris .
Chassis can be welded , decks can be welded but hydros are $$$$$$$$$ and there are 2 of them

 

[7394]

X 2

 

[GrumpyL5030]

Hey guys, so I know there is a lot of argument on this topic and I know there are factors that can vary this greatly. Having this in mind, I would like to get some numbers on how long commercial equipment lasts. For instance, right now I have a Ferris with a 26HP Vangaurd and Hydro Gear 4400 Transaxles. I am looking at a Simplicity (made by Ferris and Briggs) that is a step down from this machine. It has a 27HP Briggs and Stratton with Hydro Gear 3400 Transaxles. I am interested in this machine because a lot of the parts including blades are interchangeable between the two. This machine is just clearly a step down from the Vanguard Ferris setup I have. So I would love to hear your guys feedback on these machines too.

However, what I really want to know is how many hours do these machines realistically see? I have seen some people say they start wearing out around 1,000 and others say they can go for thousands if taken care of properly. The advice I was given is after the machine is old and tired and either the engine or transaxles give out to start looking for a new machine. I think that is probably good advice.

I wanted this to be a general discussion. Trying to figure out how long they last and if anyone knows about these 'generic sticker' Briggs engines. When I bought my Ferris I was sold on a Vanguard because of their reliability over other engines. It does run great. Anyway I do not think me and this guy are going to be able to come to an agreement because he is way too high on price. He is asking $8,000 for it and the machine is basically brand new. I have not had a chance to speak with him yet.

My Exmark Lazer Z 60" commercial was new in 2001. It's been mowing 30 acres of our tree farm and 20 acres of lawn since then. Changing deck spindles today. Can't kill it.

 

[moparjoe]

Hard to say, most people don't even change the oil. Hour meters can be changed out.

Just go buy a new mower and you will know what you have and you wont have someone elses worn out mower with a newer hour meter.

 

[Aquadisiac]

After retiring, I now work part-time at one of our city parks. Our park is hilly and rocky but we have a lot of mowing. We use two 60", commercial grade John Deere Zero Turn Mowers. One is an older 700 Series and the other is not new, an 800 Series. We service them twice a year and one has 1400 hours and the other has 1790 hours on it. Both still run great and neither use any oil. One has a Kohler engine and one has a Kawasaki. During the mowing season, we put about 10 to 13 hours on each one per week. We plan to use them until the engines wear out. One of them recently developed an oil leak. Turns out it was a leaking drain plug. I guess the longevity of the unit is all dependent upon regular maintenance and just some good luck!

 

[GrumpyL5030]

My Exmark Lazer Z 60" commercial was new in 2001. It's been mowing 30 acres of our tree farm and 20 acres of lawn since then. Changing deck spindles today. Can't kill it.

No hour meter on this rig. Pretty much used 3 hours twice a week all summer for 4 months since new. The engine is a 2 cyl.Kohler command 25hp. The only thing I've done with the engine besides regular maintenance is to get rid of the capacitor timing advance garbage and convert it to the old-school ignition timing. It runs great again now. (Knocking on wood now).

 

[CaptFerd]

How long any mower will last depends on how long the owner is willing to allow it to last.

 

[CWatters]

In my experience mowers rust and wear well before the engines give out. I've got perfectly good engines on mowers with welded up rusty decks and torn up grass collection bags.

On ride on mowers I've gone through sets of front wheels as when the bearings fail and caused gradual damage to the bearing mounting tube.

 

[Timdawg]

Hey guys, so I know there is a lot of argument on this topic and I know there are factors that can vary this greatly. Having this in mind, I would like to get some numbers on how long commercial equipment lasts. For instance, right now I have a Ferris with a 26HP Vangaurd and Hydro Gear 4400 Transaxles. I am looking at a Simplicity (made by Ferris and Briggs) that is a step down from this machine. It has a 27HP Briggs and Stratton with Hydro Gear 3400 Transaxles. I am interested in this machine because a lot of the parts including blades are interchangeable between the two. This machine is just clearly a step down from the Vanguard Ferris setup I have. So I would love to hear your guys feedback on these machines too.

However, what I really want to know is how many hours do these machines realistically see? I have seen some people say they start wearing out around 1,000 and others say they can go for thousands if taken care of properly. The advice I was given is after the machine is old and tired and either the engine or transaxles give out to start looking for a new machine. I think that is probably good advice.

I wanted this to be a general discussion. Trying to figure out how long they last and if anyone knows about these 'generic sticker' Briggs engines. When I bought my Ferris I was sold on a Vanguard because of their reliability over other engines. It does run great. Anyway I do not think me and this guy are going to be able to come to an agreement because he is way too high on price. He is asking $8,000 for it and the machine is basically brand new. I have not had a chance to speak with him yet.

Vanguard engines are beasts. You can expect 10000 hours if maintained has been my experience. Check compression and ensure valve's are adjusted. Overall operating power under load would be my final deal breaker.breaker.breaker.breaker.
Maybe ask a good carpet cleaning machine mechanic?