Export thread

I would like to hear peoples opinions on something I've been wanting to do for a long time. How successful would a machine shop be that only dealt with mowers, mainly commercial zero turn mowers. With capabilities to rebuild engines, hydro pumps and wheels motors back to factory specs. And offer an in writing guarantee on all the work performed for the customers' peace of mind. Along with the above also offer custom machine work such as repairing key ways, welding deck repairs such as re-baffling.

To go into detail about the engine work, here is a list of some prospective services

Block repairs from broken rods
Crankshaft repairs from seized rods
Bronze bushings to repair blocks that are scored in the crank journals
Bore and hone cylinders for over sized piston OR sleeve and hone for engines that only have stock pistons available
Remove broken fasteners/studs
Repair threads i.e. spark plug holes
Valve jobs
Machine and install bronze valve guides
Surface milling heads and/or blocks
Complete turn key rebuilds (plan on making a load bench (dyno) that I can use to load engine off of mower)

Hydraulic pumps
Complete cleaning, tear down, inspection, repair and flow testing off the mower and put back in the customers hands with a warranty

Wheel motors
Complete cleaning, tear down, inspection, repair and flow testing off mower and put back in the customers hands with a warranty

Misc. repairs

I would also like to offer foam filling for front and rear tires

I would just like to hear from some folks on here and see what they think. I'm working to buy a lathe and milling machine and thought this might be a nice service to offer to take full advantage of my equipment. I've worked on mowers now for about 6 years ranging from 42" lawn tractors from box stores to 72" diesels. I'm not really looking at the residential market for the fact that alot of times, these types of repairs are more than just replacing the whole machine, but looking at the commercial cutter that run 8,000.00+ mowers.

I know there are several machine shops that would do this work but might not put a rush on it, but since this is ALL I would do, I could offer quicker turn around times. I know to offer competitive service, I will need to maintain at least 5,000.00 worth of parts inventory to avoid expensive down time and shipping costs for overnight shipping.

I figure if I can overhaul an 1800.00 engine for 900.00 and stand behind it for 1 year/250 hrs., it won't be long before my reputation gets around, figured the same for a hydro pump and wheel motor.

If you had an engine, pump, wheel motor go down and you knew a guy that could rebuild it and guarantee the work for half the cost of new, would you deal with him or still buy new from the dealer?

Thanks for reading my long winded post, and for all your opinions that are hopefully to follow.

I don't know about where you live but around here where I live you couldn't make a go of it. You are talking about only engines, pumps, wheel motors also so you would need more then just local work. Also there is a lot more to a mower then just running gear. You are also talking about a big investment in equipment that you wouldn't be able to just sit idle.

Pumps and motors, In some cases the maker doesn't offer parts beyond the seal kit so that may not even be doable. Your $900 overhaul may be feasible in some cases but that $1800 engine in most cases would now carry a 3 year commercial warranty. Machine shops stopped milling heads and blocks for a reason. I don't know of a single shop that will touch aluminum.

Just figure out if some of this stuff would be feasible at $75-100 and hour..

Hey thanks for the info. The reason I was asking is I know a couple people that said they had engines rebuilt and they didn't last long before they crapped out again. Most didn't make 175 hours before they where smoking again. I've seen many Kohler and Kawasaki engines go to 1800 hrs. before needing a rebuild and if built right, there is no reason it shouldn't last at least 1500 after a rebuild. In my area a rebuild is just honing (enough to put crosshatch on walls with a spring loaded three leg hone), new rings and gaskets and lapping the valves. Bore isn't checked for out of round or taper, clearances are ignored, no mic, snap gauges, small bore gauges around, just hone and rings.

As for the surface milling I was unaware of this, why did they stop this practice? No sarcasm intended, I seriously want to know.

I just don't think charging 650.00 for an engine that won't last 200 hrs. is right. As for the hydraulics, Hydro gear and Parker would be the only brands interested in fooling with mainly because of the parts availability. I know shops around here replace pumps if a seal kit doesn't fix it, I want to be able to fix anything or at least know why it's not working. I was looking at maybe subbing out to some of the local shops as well. Not looking at putting food on the table with this gig but just to earn hands on training.

By all means, not trying to come across defensive or anything, you know far more than me and I respect your opinions. Just trying to explain why I brought it up, thanks.

To keep from having idle time you could also seek out machines to part out and sell the rebuilt items online, that way if you're in between rebuild jobs for local customers you can rebuild something you have waiting on a shelf, then list it on ebay or something when it's done.

Hustler, when I mentions that only seal kit is available and no internal parts, I said that because I have a customer with a Scag tiger cub with hydrogear wheel motors, and the seal kit is the only part available for repair. any other failure requires complete replacement.

You are correct about a overhaul should last 1500 hours. The main thing is cleaning the block properly after honing or boring. As far as head milling I think it has something to do with the aluminum clogging the medium used for resurfacing. Wet milling may be a possible way around that, but tolerances are so tight on some engines, that a few thousands shaved off the head could cause interference problems.

I have done a few overhauls that are still going after several years. Overhauls are feasible when the cost of engine replacement is substantial compared to repair. Did a 20 kaw in a gater 6x4 last year, because a replacement engine was $3200.

Well thanks for everyone's opinions, I'm still going to buy my lathe and mill because I was planning on buying it anyways for hobby use. Just wondered if there was a market for a machine shop dedicated to commercial mowers. I know alot of people that can machine aren't wise on small engines and small engine techs don't know much on machining, just wondered if it was feasible to bring the two together. Thanks for everyones input.

My thought is if you don't try you will never know and you will wonder from now on if you should have done it.
If you have a full time job do this on the side and see if you can make a go of it.
Good luck !!

gainestruk said:

My thought is if you don't try you will never know and you will wonder from now on if you should have done it.
If you have a full time job do this on the side and see if you can make a go of it.
Good luck !!

Click to expand...

I second it. Go for it. You are already getting some machines for your hobby. Just do a better job then the rest and stand behind your work. Keep us updated and good luck.

Its a great idea just not sure you could make a profit doing it . People will gladly pay 600 bucks for a new IPhone but want to nothing for you to rebuild their mower.