Scored 2 Freebies Tonight

kdexpd · #1 08-07-2009, 03:14 AM

Ok, so I have to admit that sometimes my luck even amazes me, but tonight I think I may have used it all up for a while. I went over to visit a buddy of mine to check out his new truck and while I was looking at it, I noticed he had 2 old Dixon riders in the corner. They struck my interest because I remember when I was a kid, Dixons were the only zero turn mowers I'd ever seen and I knew someday I was gonna have one. Well, I ended up with a zero turn, just not a Dixon.

So back to my story. I asked him where he came up with them, and he said he was working for some guy and he had them in his back yard. The guy said he didn't know anything about them and was tired of messing with em and offered them to my buddy for free. So I asked him what he had to have out of them. He told me if I'd mow his yard for the rest of the season, I could have em'. He has a small yard, but it's 25 miles from town. I figure I got a pretty good deal, considering they both run. I don't particularly have any intent on using them for my business, however they look like fun to just tinker with. The more I thought about it tonight tho, the one that works fine would work out great for a customer who has a fenced in backyard. He has a double gate that my 60" ExMark won't fit through, but the Dixon would. Anyways, something to tinker with I guess.

One is a Zeeter 424 and the other is a ZTR 424. They both almost look the same, with only minor differences, but are different models. I'll get some pics tomorrow and post. I've already downloaded and printed owners and operators manuals for them and am looking forward to tearing into them. The only thing that concerns me is that year of Dixons had serious issues with the cone bearings. Oh well, I guess you can't complain with FREE!

Steve · #2 08-07-2009, 06:09 AM

Lawn care business tips

That's fantastic! I am looking forwards to seeing the pics!

Have you tried them out yet? How do you like them?

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kdexpd · #3 08-08-2009, 01:16 AM

Took them both out to our farm today to tinker with them. I only have one running right now because I had to steal parts from the other one. The first one I started on wouldn't turn over at all. So I checked everything and came to the conclusion that the starter was possibly bad. I took it off and took it apart and found that the lining surrounding the coil pack was breaking apart in chunks. So I chucked that one and stole the one off the other one. That one I tested before I took it off and it worked. So then I get the starter on and I get smoke from the solenoid when I try to start it. So I dug around at all the ground wires and ended up finding the positive that goes underneath the flywheel that goes to the magneto is frayed and grounding out. So I manufactured a piece of shrink tubing to fit over the fray and hooked everything back up. Then I took the carb off and apart and cleaned it. It was filthy and full of old gas. Hooked up the fuel lines and put some gas in the tank and she fired right up! I was absolutely astonished! Had some trouble with the throttle cable, but then ended up robbing the one off the other one for now. I took it around the yard and mowed a strip with it. The blades are dull as sin, and the poor little 11 hp is way too small, but it ran like a champ and I think I might be able to sell it if I decide not to use it. It would actually make someone a nice mower for an old 1985 Dixon Zero Turn.
I think I forgot to mention that one is a Zeeter 424 and the other is a
ZTR 424. They look almost identical except for the names and a slight difference in the body near the rear end.
I'll get some pics tomorrow.

kdexpd · #4 08-10-2009, 10:59 AM

Here's the pics. They aren't very pretty but they run and drive. The nice thing is they're free and I think I'm gonna just sell them because that poor little 11 hp engine just isn't enough for what I need. They should make someone a cheap mower for a small yard.

Steve · #5 08-10-2009, 06:10 PM

That is awesome! I bet you were happy to get one of them started!

Little's · #6 08-10-2009, 09:11 PM

Thats awesome. I picture myself jacking one up, removing the cutting gear, and making an off road rig with one. That would be cool.

Also, I got a freebie today too. My friend who does stump grinding for me heard I needed a new blower. Well today he found a guy who traded him a stump grinding for a Stihl BR 400 backpack Blower. He gave it to me and it runs great.

Freebies are awesome. It pays to treat people right, it always comes back to you. God works in great ways!

Steve · #7 08-10-2009, 09:55 PM

Have you tried the blower out yet? What do you think of it?

Little's · #8 08-10-2009, 11:16 PM

I tried it out today and it is great. Moves a ton of air and will help me out tremendously. I also have a handheld blower that will work good for the quick easy jobs.

kdexpd · #9 08-11-2009, 03:42 AM

Just an update. I decided to repaint the one mower that I'm gonna sell. I spent all night (it's 3:30am) removing engine parts, degreasing, and repainting things. The engine looks new and the wheels and frame sure look better. I got some paint for the body that matches the Dixon blue, however I'm gonna have to give it up for the night. The deck really looks good. I decided to just paint everything back to it's original colors because I think it would sell better. I'll take some pics in the daylight and post so you can see before and after pics. I wonder if this would qualify for Breeze's competition? HAHA!
Brandon, that sounds like you got a GREAT deal with your blower! Man, I could sure use one of those. I skimped and bought a Homelite this year and man have I been dissapointed! Had to take the first one back because it didn't wanna run off choke, and now the new one is starting to do the same thing. I wanted the Echo brand, but just couldn't justify the extra $150 more this year. Next year the Homelite is going in the trash and the Echo will be mine. The customer service people at Home Depot even told me when I brought back the first one that they're getting tons of Homelite weedeaters and blowers back for returns because of the same issues. She recommended I get the Echo, but I told her I couldn't afford it yet. There was quite a pile of those Homelites near the back door with return tags on them. Sounds like quite a recall for them.

Steve · #10 08-11-2009, 09:05 AM

I cant wait to see it.

Scored 2 Freebies Tonight

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