Export thread

Local Craigslist ad has a 10304 Self-Propelled. Asking $50 obo. Runs rough, but it's been sitting inside for 10 years. S-P drive works fine, and seller says no rust or damage. What y'all think?

1996 Silver Series that runs (rough) asking Fiddy bucks? It's a LawnBoy. I'd love to get it and tune it up.

I'd offer him 35. He'll say $45, you say $40 and take it home. :smile:

Good luck! Keep us posted.

It obviously needs a new primer bulb.

Guidotkp said:

Local Craigslist ad has a 10304 Self-Propelled. Asking $50 obo. Runs rough, but it's been sitting inside for 10 years. S-P drive works fine, and seller says no rust or damage. What y'all think?View attachment 23049View attachment 23050

Click to expand...

Did you get it?

bt3 said:

Did you get it?

Click to expand...

I'm going to look at it friday evening. I figure if it's in as good of shape as the seller states, and I can pick it up for $30-$40 it will be worth it.

Is it me or is it either missing the front right wheel? Or atleast out of place? Lol

zmister11 said:

Is it me or is it either missing the front right wheel? Or atleast out of place? Lol

Click to expand...

I'm not the OP, but I can see it's not missing or out of place...for a Lawn-Boy.

zmister11 said:

Is it me or is it either missing the front right wheel? Or atleast out of place? Lol

Click to expand...

I'm showing my age by pointing our that -- at one time -- not all that long ago -- most push mowers had that staggered-wheel design.

Two-Stroke said:

I'm showing my age by pointing our that -- at one time -- not all that long ago -- most push mowers had that staggered-wheel design.

Click to expand...

Really? I only have familiarity with mowers from the 70s onward and Lawn-Boys were the only mower I've ever used (or knew of) with the staggered wheel design.

Two-Stroke said:

I'm showing my age by pointing our that -- at one time -- not all that long ago -- most push mowers had that staggered-wheel design.

Click to expand...

Hmm I didn't know that. That's pretty cool

Ok, everybody ready for today's results? Picked up the 10304 for $30, and it was as described. Deck is in great shape, s-p drive works, and it ran rough the first time it started, but smoothed out some after the 2nd start and after running for a few minutes. I think cleaning it up, cleaning the carb and fresh gas/oil, and sharpening the blade, and it will be good to go. The seller included a grass bag and power mulch plate with it. I also picked up the 7351 & Lawn-Boy 1330 trimmer for $100. Both run good, but need some minor details taken care of. The trimmer has an aftermarket string trimmer head on it, and the 7351 is missing the flywheel screen, and it doesn't shut off when you release the safety handle. Here's pics of my haul today. Total spent $130 plus a couple gallons of gas in my car. How do you think I did?

Congrats. That's a great haul.

Thanks for the pics. You should be set for a lot of fall mowing now! :thumbsup:

Here are a couple more possibilities advertised locally.
First up, a Model 10323 6.5hp Duraforce SilverPro. Seller says it ran, but then flooded out. Asking $40obo. First 3 pics are of this one
Second, also a Model 10323. Seller says it runs as long as you keep pushing the primer bulb. Asking $45obo. last 2 pics are this one.
Any thoughts from anyone out there in L-B land? I'm calling and trying to go look at both of them today or tomorrow.

Makes me want to move to Indiana. I want a Duraforce, and have been looking for one off and on for a few years.

CL near me has nothing worth looking at under $100.

Picked up the first of the 10323's for $40. I think it might have a stuck float, and it needs a new primer bulb. Also, the end is broken off of the drive engagement cable where it attaches to the handle. Any suggestions on a quick fix on that, or do I have to replace the cable? Other than these issues, it looks pretty clean, even underneath. I'm going to look at the 2nd 10323 tomorrow. I will keep y'all posted.

I've fixed those cables with a split nut cable clamp. You can get these in very small sizes that will work as a termination for lawnmower or motorcycle cables.
I bought mine at Sears Hardware but you should be able to find them at just about any hardware or Home Depot type store.

Sounds like you got a GREAT deal.

bt3 said:

Makes me want to move to Indiana. I want a Duraforce, and have been looking for one off and on for a few years.

CL near me has nothing worth looking at under $100.

Click to expand...

bt3,

I don't know how far away you are from Indiana, but there's so many good deals on Duraforces here right now that I can't afford them all! The most expensive one I could pick up for $110, and it's in like new condition with electric start and all the other bells & whistles. The old guy bought it new for over $500, and his health declined, so he's had a lawn service cutting his grass for quite some time. Now he's moving into assisted living and needs to sell it.
There's another one the guy is asking $40 for that looks to be in pretty good shape, but the owner can't get it started.
Then a guy about an hour south of me has 2 non-running Lawn-Boys. One is self propelled, electric start, aluminum deck, and side discharge or mulching. Battery is bad. Turns over with a booster, but cannot get to fire. Second is not self propelled and has steel deck. Leaks fuel, and just broke pull cord. Asking $75.00 obo for the pair. I spoke to owner and he said price was very negotiable. The pusher looks like a Duraforce, but is missing the shroud decal. The other looks like it could possibly be a V-Series.
The other one that I was supposed to go look at the other day the owner and I keep having scheduling conflicts, so I'm going to try to close that deal in the next couple of days. It's the one that only stays running if you keep pushing the primer bulb. He's asking $45 obo.

Make your way to Indianapolis and I'll hook you up! Thanks for the suggestion on the cable fix.

Thank you, sir.

I get to Indianapolis once a year for business. I don't know if you're talking Indianapolis or Fort Wayne or Terre Haute, but for the deals you are getting, I'd made the trip!

I did find a late model LB 4 stroke for $40 in great shape here on CL, but I'm just not jazzed about a 4 stroke LawnBoy. I want to stick with the 2 stroke models.

bt3 said:

Thank you, sir.

I get to Indianapolis once a year for business. I don't know if you're talking Indianapolis or Fort Wayne or Terre Haute, but for the deals you are getting, I'd made the trip!

I did find a late model LB 4 stroke for $40 in great shape here on CL, but I'm just not jazzed about a 4 stroke LawnBoy. I want to stick with the 2 stroke models.

Click to expand...

I'm on the Southside of Indianapolis, but some of the listings are from towns within a 25 mile radius of Indy. I'm going to try to pick up as many as I can over the next few months, especially Duraforces and F-engines. I'll keep you posted on what I get, and if you see one that you want, I'll hang onto it for you. I'm not planning on selling any until spring anyway. Here's some of what's available locally right now.
lawn boy aluminum body lawnmower
2 Lawnboy push mowers (Spoke to seller. He said price very negotiable)
https://indianapolis.craigslist.org/grd/4649383232.html
Lawn boy push mower w/bagger attachment
https://indianapolis.craigslist.org/grd/4645824645.html (seller said he'd take $110. Mower needs nothing but a key for the electric start.)
https://indianapolis.craigslist.org/grd/4621893751.html
http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/grd/4646054355.html

I missed out on the Duraforce I really wanted. I had an appointment to go look at it, but it was sold out from under me. :-(

Guidotkp said:

I'm on the Southside of Indianapolis, but some of the listings are from towns within a 25 mile radius of Indy. I'm going to try to pick up as many as I can over the next few months, especially Duraforces and F-engines. I'll keep you posted on what I get, and if you see one that you want, I'll hang onto it for you. I'm not planning on selling any until spring anyway. Here's some of what's available locally right now.
lawn boy aluminum body lawnmower
2 Lawnboy push mowers (Spoke to seller. He said price very negotiable)
https://indianapolis.craigslist.org/grd/4649383232.html
Lawn boy push mower w/bagger attachment
https://indianapolis.craigslist.org/grd/4645824645.html (seller said he'd take $110. Mower needs nothing but a key for the electric start.)
https://indianapolis.craigslist.org/grd/4621893751.html
http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/grd/4646054355.html

I missed out on the Duraforce I really wanted. I had an appointment to go look at it, but it was sold out from under me. :-(

Click to expand...

That sucks, but it happens on CL. I used to do business in Greenwood, Indiana on Indy's south side. Right off of I-65. Stayed at the Lees Inn there off and on for years back in the late 90's early 2000's. Went there a few years ago after not seeing Greenwood exit for 12 years, and could not believe how much the area built up! When I stayed there it was the Lees Inn, a gas station or two, and a Waffle House. Now it's like Grand Central Station.

Regarding your offer; You are a gentleman and a scholar, sir. Thank you. Yep, I will probably cherry pick one or two. Especially a DuraForce. I like F Engines as well, obviously, since I have one.

I'll keep an eye out on this thread. THANKS!

bt3 said:

That sucks, but it happens on CL. I used to do business in Greenwood, Indiana on Indy's south side. Right off of I-65. Stayed at the Lees Inn there off and on for years back in the late 90's early 2000's. Went there a few years ago after not seeing Greenwood exit for 12 years, and could not believe how much the area built up! When I stayed there it was the Lees Inn, a gas station or two, and a Waffle House. Now it's like Grand Central Station.

Regarding your offer; You are a gentleman and a scholar, sir. Thank you. Yep, I will probably cherry pick one or two. Especially a DuraForce. I like F Engines as well, obviously, since I have one.

I'll keep an eye out on this thread. THANKS!

Click to expand...

Thank you for the kind compliments. Since I've become active on this forum, I've come into contact with an exceptional group of people who happen to be Lawn-Boy enthusiasts like me. A few of them have have been very generous in helping me obtain the parts and knowledge I need to get some of the L-B's that I have up and running. My friends and I are big fans of the pay-it-forward concept, so whenever I can, I will try to do the same here on these forums. If all of us Lawn-Boy addicts do the same, Lawn-Boy mowers will never become extinct.

No worries.

I have a heavily wooded lot in my back yard and the leaves in the fall are intense. I mulch them every few days rather than pick them up, and the LawnBoy did a much better job than the Snapper until I put a Ninja blade on the Snapper. Now they are about equal.
Still, I want a Duraforce for the up in HP. Both of my mowers are 4 HP, and I want the bump for thicker grass (neighbor has Crabgrass that often invades), and for mulching power.

If you get a decent DuraForce that you want to sell, Ill be VERY interested.

I'm tempted to pick up a late model LawnBoy 4 Cycle that a guy is selling locally for $20 because he is moving to a Condo. Damn thing looks brand new. I'd not keep it, I'd just basically give it away to someone whom likes LawnBoy but wants an extra 4 stroke laying around as a backup.

bt3 said:

No worries.

I have a heavily wooded lot in my back yard and the leaves in the fall are intense. I mulch them every few days rather than pick them up, and the LawnBoy did a much better job than the Snapper until I put a Ninja blade on the Snapper. Now they are about equal.
Still, I want a Duraforce for the up in HP. Both of my mowers are 4 HP, and I want the bump for thicker grass (neighbor has Crabgrass that often invades), and for mulching power.

If you get a decent DuraForce that you want to sell, Ill be VERY interested.

I'm tempted to pick up a late model LawnBoy 4 Cycle that a guy is selling locally for $20 because he is moving to a Condo. Damn thing looks brand new. I'd not keep it, I'd just basically give it away to someone whom likes LawnBoy but wants an extra 4 stroke laying around as a backup.

Click to expand...

I don't care for self-propelled mowers, otherwise I'd pick up that Duraforce that the owner was asking $125 for. He offered it to me for $110, and it's in excellent condition. I'd like to come across a Duraforce push one day. If I don't, I may have to Frankenstein one with a leftover cast deck. Anyone on here done that already?

ALL the Duraforces I get will be for sale(unless I come across a Duraforce push), so I will hang onto one for you. Just give me advance notice when you will be in Indiana. Or, if you check the Indianapolis or central Indiana Craigslist listings and see a nice one that you want, let me know and I will try to get it and set it back for you.

Guidotkp said:

I don't care for self-propelled mowers, otherwise I'd pick up that Duraforce that the owner was asking $125 for. He offered it to me for $110, and it's in excellent condition. I'd like to come across a Duraforce push one day. If I don't, I may have to Frankenstein one with a leftover cast deck. Anyone on here done that already?

ALL the Duraforces I get will be for sale(unless I come across a Duraforce push), so I will hang onto one for you. Just give me advance notice when you will be in Indiana. Or, if you check the Indianapolis or central Indiana Craigslist listings and see a nice one that you want, let me know and I will try to get it and set it back for you.

Click to expand...

Very generous. Thank you. I've not been to Indy for a while so it will be a good roadtrip. I'll keep an eye out. If you find one, PM me as well.

Thanks!

bt3 said:

Very generous. Thank you. I've not been to Indy for a while so it will be a good roadtrip. I'll keep an eye out. If you find one, PM me as well.

Thanks!

Click to expand...

I have one now that is in good condition but needs carb work and the end of the s-p drive cable is broke at the handle. Another forum member suggested a quick fix for the drive cable, and JohnBoy1 has a good carb for me.

I'm going to look at a couple more mowers in the next day or so. 1 is a Model 8241AE, the other is a SilverPro Duraforce (not sure of the model yet). I think I can pick up the pair for under $60. The DF won't start, but it ran last year. Seller doesn't know much about the 8241AE, other than it has a bad battery. He took it as trade on something else. Wish me luck!

You don't "have" to use the self-propelled feature. Unlike some mowers, its not engaged unless you pull up on the bail on the handlebar.

Phototone said:

You don't "have" to use the self-propelled feature. Unlike some mowers, its not engaged unless you pull up on the bail on the handlebar.

Click to expand...

That is true, but the self-propelled mechanisms do add weight and complexity. For me, the simpler the better.

Guidotkp said:

That is true, but the self-propelled mechanisms do add weight and complexity. For me, the simpler the better.

Click to expand...

My sentiments as well.

Guidotkp said:

That is true, but the self-propelled mechanisms do add weight and complexity. For me, the simpler the better.

Click to expand...

And exercise is a good thing. Having the mower pull itself gives you less of it.

I did even better than I hoped for today. I picked up the 8241AE (runs good but has bad battery), and a 10323 DuraForce (very good condition, but won't start) for $50 for the pair. The seller even threw in a Lawn Boy grass bag and a Click-Link/Expand-It trimmer attachment for my Ryobi trimmers.
On the 8241AE, anyone have suggestions on a low-cost battery replacement? The seller used a socket on the flywheel nut and spun it with a cordless drill to start it. It started right up and ran smooth, and the s-p drive worked well also. This is a pretty clean mower, but I don't want to spend $75 for a battery if I can help it. I'll post pics of both mowers tomorrow.