Preventative maintenance

[Ric]

Just was wondering if anyone has ever done any Preventative Maintenance on there mowers. At the end of this season at least for my 2008 44" ZTR, I took it to the shop, told the shop owner I wanted it ready for next season.
I had the lap bar shocks replaced, all the safety switches replaced five including the PTO switch and replaced all three spindles. So do others do these things or am I the only crazy person who likes to spend money.

 

[LandN]

what ever it takes to have a trouble free mower with no issues while doing your yards.nothing worse than having a break-down while doing a job. btw don't forget the fluids....and oh yea,don't forget to change the air in the tires:laughing:just joking.

 

[ILENGINE]

Take it from a dealer, you are every dealers dream customer. Some I deal with won't hardly replace stuff that needs replaced sometimes. Had a customer that needed a new bar for his chainsaw but wouldn't replace it, I mean worn to the point that 2 inches of the bar rails were gone all the way down to the main part of the bar behind the nose sprocket and could see the entire drag link sticking out.

Something that always makes me upset is a customer will bring me a cheap weedeater from Walmart and then want an estimate for repair. It comes down to how much time I can spend on a $70 weedeater at $60 per hour (about 15 minutes is the limit).

 

[Ric]

what ever it takes to have a trouble free mower with no issues while doing your yards.nothing worse than having a break-down while doing a job. btw don't forget the fluids....and oh yea,don't forget to change the air in the tires:laughing:just joking.

I'll change the oil and all the filters myself, I change the oil every 25 hrs.

 

[jmurray01]

I change my oil & air filter regularly, and keep all the moving parts lubricated, but don't replace anything that is still flawless.

That old saying is playing in my mind... If it ain't broke - Don't fix it! :thumbsup:

 

[reynoldston]

Just was wondering if anyone has ever done any Preventative Maintenance on there mowers. At the end of this season at least for my 2008 44" ZTR, I took it to the shop, told the shop owner I wanted it ready for next season.
I had the lap bar shocks replaced, all the safety switches replaced five including the PTO switch and replaced all three spindles. So do others do these things or am I the only crazy person who likes to spend money.

Sure sounds like overkill to me, You got money spend it and if you can't spend it throw it away. Why in the world would you replace parts that last the life of the mower for who knows what cheap replacements or some sloppy mechanic, you are just asking for problems. Replace switches just loosen wire ends. If it is working leave it alone.

 

[jmurray01]

Sure sounds like overkill to me, You got money spend it and if you can't spend it throw it away. Why in the world would you replace parts that last the life of the mower for who knows what cheap replacements or some sloppy mechanic, you are just asking for problems. Replace switches just loosen wire ends. If it is working leave it alone.

I do agree it has to be said.

 

[Ric]

I can agree with what people are saying, if it ani't broke don't fix it but in my situation I can't afford to have down time in the middle of season that could cost me a whole lot more money than replacing parts right now when the mowers are not being used.

 

[jmurray01]

I can agree with what people are saying, if it ani't broke don't fix it but in my situation I can't afford to have down time in the middle of season that could cost me a whole lot more money than replacing parts right now when the mowers are not being used.

There are two ways of looking at it - Both have pros and cons.

I would look at it in the "If it ain't broke - don't fix it!" way, but some (like yourself) would look at it in the way that prevention is better than a cure.

There is no wrong or right way to be honest.

 

[LandN]

any part that is a mechanical/wearable part is worth changing for preventative maintenence issues.the closest that you can keep a mower (or any motorized 'whatever' that you rely on)to a 'like new' condition is always a good thing. now, a part that sees no physical movement or wear and tear might be able to let it go to a certain extent.