Buying a used Exmark, need opinions

[jymie]

Originally Posted by jrod14 how do you start threads on this forum? i have been having a hard time finding out. click on forum (2nd tab from the left), click on the forum you want to start a new thread, then click new thread

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. http://www.lunchesruslawncare.com

[jrod14]

Lawn care business tips

Originally Posted by Steve That sounds good. I look forwards to your updates. As of now. My baby is in the shop. It has a 5% leak on the valves. The gentleman i spoke with said they can fix it but the thing that wont be good is that its not gonna be 100%. They will go out and i will have to rebuild the engine)$1200+a couple of parts that i need= $1600) or get a new one. I expected that. i was just hoping i could salvage whatever i could on the engine. So as of now...im gonna put in a new kawasaki 27hp FD750D-S02 engine. The dealer i have my mower at can get one and he also gave me a website to go to www.tulsaenginewarehouse.com My dealers price was $2050 and the website's was $1789...he informed me that all the warranties would be intact whether i buy it from the dealership or the website since they are a authorized kawasaki dealer. He was a straight forward good guy. Sooooo....i may actually put in the engine alot sooner that i was planning. now that i have this mower, i dont even want to wait to get it going! My plan is to have it up and running by May. Maybe even sooner. I will continue to keep you all updated. Of course, i still would like to get it to new with paint, new tires and a new seat but i just want to get the most expensive thing outta the way. Thanks for you guys insights and if you didnt know about this website www.tulsaenginewarehouse.com....ck it out. its a good one.

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Jacob Rodriguez
A Cut Above Lawn Care
acalawncaretx@gmail.com
www.acalawncare.com

[Steve]

My baby is in the shop. It has a 5% leak on the valves.

So does that mean the vales aren't sealing properly?

I don't know anything about this motor but I do wonder if this is a valve issue due to wear or is it a problem with a cam?

The gentleman i spoke with said they can fix it but the thing that wont be good is that its not gonna be 100%.

Does it matter if it is not 100%? If you will ultimately replace it, why not continue to use it until it just won't work anymore and save your money until then?

What's your thoughts on that?

[jrod14]

Originally Posted by Steve

So does that mean the vales aren't sealing properly?

I don't know anything about this motor but I do wonder if this is a valve issue due to wear or is it a problem with a cam?

its a valve issue and a cam issue. The valves are leaking at their max that this dealership will fix. 5%....wether i replace the issues or not...im gonna spend some cash. it would be cheaper for me in the long run to just get a new engine put in. Rather than keep fixing problems here and there and spending alot of $. Ill just spend alot of $ at once and get the warranty along with it.

Does it matter if it is not 100%? If you will ultimately replace it, why not continue to use it until it just won't work anymore and save your money until then?

What's your thoughts on that?

well i would hate to be out there on some nice properties or commercials that i do and have a bad smoking zero turn. it smokes pretty good and the oil leak cause it to lose too much oil. i new buying this zero turn that i would eventually replace the engine. im gonna keep the engine it has now and see if anyone can buy it for parts or even just buy it to rebuild. if i have a new engine...that means warranty (3year kawasaki) and a hell of a scag for less than $4,000 total. I do have a 50" Troy bilt that i use that has been really good to me. I will hold on to it for as long as i can then use both of them. Maybe sell the troy bilt and invest in a 36" Scag walk behind. That would be nice!

[Steve]

I was hoping there would be a cheaper fix that could keep you going for a while, without the smoke.

[jrod14]

Originally Posted by Steve

I was hoping there would be a cheaper fix that could keep you going for a while, without the smoke.

I appreciate that! Got some great news today that is gonna help me a ton. I got a couple of new contracts. I have been pushing my business out there and coming up with some pretty good deals. Thanks to all of you guys....I have a great feeling about this season. Either way...I just wanna have a great time. I am loving the pride and hard work I put into these lawns. Can't thank you guys enough for all this business advice.

[Steve]

That is great news! Keep us posted on how it all goes.

[jrod14]

Well gentleman!!! I got the mower a new engine and it is ready to go! Let me tell ya'll....this bad boy runs like a smooth cadillac!! Its making its debut this weekend. I cut my own yard with it and it cuts like a champ. I also spoke with the mechanic about the zero turn and he told me "i went through this mower with a fine toothed comb and only found the engine bad. The pumps gears, bearings are all good and you just got yourself a new mower for nothing!" The service manager of the store said that it would sell for $7,000 easily. Not bad for a $3,500 investment. Of course im not gonna sell it but it did cross my mind when he told me! haha! i asked him "hell, 7K! You guys do trade ins!?" he replied no. Anyways, dont mean to be a brag but im just too damn excited to help it. I will post pics as soon as i can. Thankfully i have been crazy busy that i havent even had time to log on lately. I hope all you guys are doing good and cutting like crazy! Make that money and do good guys. Thanks for all the input, advice and lawn talk! Take care!

Jacob Rodriguez
ACA Lawn Care
Corpus Christi, TX

[Steve]

Congratulations Jacob!

I hope this is a great year for you!

[jrod14]

Originally Posted by Steve

Congratulations Jacob!

I hope this is a great year for you!

Thanks Steve! Right back at you!