Water Damage

[SECTLANDSCAPING]

Going to a auction in a week or so and theres a lot of equipment listed with water damage. A bunch of stuff from hurricane sandy. So I'm wondering what exactly would water damage do to small engines? I can see it damaging electrical parts but shouldnt you be able to drain/dry and use it again? There is a bit of everything there, plows, sanders, vacs, blowers, sweepers, I dont have a lot of hopes for this stuff but if I see a model of something I have I might just get it for parts. Heres what I really like. This is a 29hp vac. If the price is right I would just replace the engine.

__________________
South Eastern Connecticut Landscaping /Lawn Care /Pressure Washing /Snow Removal /Gutter Cleaning
52" Brutus/52" Super Surfer/44" Pro Line/60" ZMaster
EB630/EB802/EBZ7150/EBZ8000/BR400/Billy Goat 8Hp
FS55&90/FC95/km110/L322&326/TR2350S
HC150/HC155/CHTZ2460
CS440/MS290
Case 1816 Skid

[bruces]

Lawn care business tips

I am thinking that if its sea-water ,you will have a ton of corrosion going on ,and at a minimum pretty much the entire machine should be torn down and inspected with all bearings re-packed and seals replaced .I dont know what your abilities are ,but if you have the talent and time I figure you should be able to get through all that fairly painlessly .Remember that proprietary parts pretty much always cost much more ,so complex machinery might not be a bargain ,but something with standard off the shelf bearings ,seals,gear and chain should be just fine .I would definately concider the engine is junk when bidding ,if it isnt you win ,but if it is you hopefully budgetted for it .Electrical ,electronic and mechanical things such as engines and transmissions should probably be all concidered suspect .

[SECTLANDSCAPING]

bruces, using the vac as a example. Shouldnt the only issue be engine, wheel bearings and trailer lights?

Not sure what the retail on that thing is but $10k would be low. So if I can get it for a grand and then buy a engine $1500-$2500. Then theres the chance the engine is repairable.

I still cant find a new price on this but I see its hydraulic dump. That could easily be screwed up too.

[krzys666]

how did you find the auction.
were is it?
i would love to find an auction for a snow plow

[bruces]

for the vac your probably pretty close with what you have mentioned ,the only other thing would be the actual vacuum part ,but chances are theres really not much to it .I would think a cheap plow would be another smart buy ,other than the hydraulic system which can be replaced for a grand or so ,theres not much else to really be worried about other than a fantastic wash and grease job .

[SECTLANDSCAPING]

Originally Posted by krzys666

how did you find the auction.
were is it?
i would love to find an auction for a snow plow

its in CT, I'm sure if you spent sometime looking for local auction houses you would find something close. I know all the auctioneers within 100 miles. When there a auction coming up they mail me a catalog.

I found some good deals over the years but half the stuff I did buy didnt work. So I stick to buying the same stuff I already have. That way I always have a parts machine. That has saved me a bundle.

I dont know the size of the crankshaft on the 29hp vanguard but I see a 29hp kawi for $1800 new on ebay. With my luck the vac will sell for $5k not working. I like it but not that much.

[Steve]

I'd also make sure you drained everything and refilled with fresh fluids. Also check any filters, fuel, air etc and see if they need to be replaced too. Take out the spark plug and make sure there is no water in the cylinder too.

Keep us posted on how all this goes and what condition the equipment you purchase is in.