Widow Need advice on Bolens Lawn Mower & Yard Machines Snow Blower

[NorskyGal]

Hi. I joined this site to hopefully get some advice on what to price my used snowblower and lawn mower at. I hope that's alright. I apologize for joining just for this reason, but I'm having a really hard time finding information elsewhere on the Web.

My hubby died in January at only age 55. (I just turned 57.) I have health issues and can't mow my yard or use the snow blower. Luckily, I have a nice family across the street with boys. I've been paying them to mow my yard. I'm not sure yet what I'll do about snow removal this winter, but I'll have something figured out.

Anyway, the machines I have are (and I'm just taking the info off of the machines and of the user manual I found for the snow blower):
LAWN MOWER:
Bolens Push Mower with Briggs & Stratton engine; 4.5 HP; 21-inch cutting width, 3-in-1 Side Discharge w/mulcher; It also has a bag; Model # 11A-544L163. Below the model number is # 149508. (I couldn't find either as a model number in the User Manuals Downloads page on this site.)

SNOW BLOWER:
Yard Machines by MTD; 8 HP; 26-inch clearing width; Two-stage Electric Start; 12-inch Impeller; Steerable Track; 6 Forward / 2 Reverse; Tecumsuh engine; Serrated auger for icy, hard-packed snow; Sno Hog tires for great traction; Polymer chute w/190 Degree quick adjust rotation, ...

Anyway, I hope this is going to be okay. Thanks!

 

[2smoked]

First of all, I want to offer you my heartfelt condolences.
I think it’s pretty hard to put a price on these items without actually seeing them. Are they in good operating condition? Do they start easily? The asking price is always higher if it runs. Snowblowers will generally go for a higher price when the season arrives or just after you get hit with a big one.
Perhaps you may want to keep them for now. If they are in good operating condition maybe a neighbor would be willing to use them to do the job for you. I had a neighbor, who like yourself, unexpectedly lost her husband and all I did was blow her snow and cut her grass as needed, using her late husbands equipment. And everything worked out fine. If you still want to sell, maybe there is a good and honest lawn and garden equipment dealer who could help guide you. Ask around and see if anyone could make a recommendation for you.
I hope this helps a little.

 

[tom3]

The lawn mower at this time of the year, being a pretty basic machine, I'd say $50 to $75 if it looks and runs good. The snow blower looks to be at least a middle of the line machine and I'd think $250 to $300, again if it looks and runs good, maybe more. I'd also suggest looking at your local Craigslist and Facebook market place for similar items to get a feel for the values.

 

[Born2Mow]

My condolences too.

I will only warn you that yard equipment that does not run or will not start has nearly zero value these days. (Too few people know how to repair them.) And the main reason most equipment won't start is stale gasoline. I advise you to empty out ALL the fuel over 6 weeks old and put in 1 cup of fresh gasoline. Start the engine(s) and allow them to run out of fuel. This may take 15-20 minutes. This will leave them in a state where they will crank on demand should a buyer visit.

 

[NorskyGal]

Thanks for your reply. My father-in-law is going to take them off my hands. My nephew (a mechanic) will look at them. Then my father-in-law is going to sell them for me.

My condolences too.

I will only warn you that yard equipment that does not run or will not start has nearly zero value these days. (Too few people know how to repair them.) And the main reason most equipment won't start is stale gasoline. I advise you to empty out ALL the fuel over 6 weeks old and put in 1 cup of fresh gasoline. Start the engine(s) and allow them to run out of fuel. This may take 15-20 minutes. This will leave them in a state where they will crank on demand should a buyer visit.

 

[NorskyGal]

Thanks for your reply. They're not in running order but my father-in-law & nephew are going to haul them to my father-in-law's garage where my nephew (a mechanic) will look at them & (hopefully) repair them. Then my father-in-law will sell them for me. I've already checked CraigsList & Facebook around here and there are no listings for either of these machines.

The lawn mower at this time of the year, being a pretty basic machine, I'd say $50 to $75 if it looks and runs good. The snow blower looks to be at least a middle of the line machine and I'd think $250 to $300, again if it looks and runs good, maybe more. I'd also suggest looking at your local Craigslist and Facebook market place for similar items to get a feel for the values.

First of all, I want to offer you my heartfelt condolences.
I think it’s pretty hard to put a price on these items without actually seeing them. Are they in good operating condition? Do they start easily? The asking price is always higher if it runs. Snowblowers will generally go for a higher price when the season arrives or just after you get hit with a big one.
Perhaps you may want to keep them for now. If they are in good operating condition maybe a neighbor would be willing to use them to do the job for you. I had a neighbor, who like yourself, unexpectedly lost her husband and all I did was blow her snow and cut her grass as needed, using her late husbands equipment. And everything worked out fine. If you still want to sell, maybe there is a good and honest lawn and garden equipment dealer who could help guide you. Ask around and see if anyone could make a recommendation for you.
I hope this helps a little.

 

[NorskyGal]

The lawn mower at this time of the year, being a pretty basic machine, I'd say $50 to $75 if it looks and runs good. The snow blower looks to be at least a middle of the line machine and I'd think $250 to $300, again if it looks and runs good, maybe more. I'd also suggest looking at your local Craigslist and Facebook market place for similar items to get a feel for the values.

Thanks for your reply. I could find nothing on CraigList or on Facebook around here. That's why I was stumped.

 

[NorskyGal]

Thanks everyone for your replies. Hopefully, I've replied to everyone who has posted. Thanks so much!