Now that the Kubota 1800S is in service, it's time to unload its predecessor.
This is a 1997 machine that we got with the house when we bought it 4 years ago. 18.5HP Kohler twin, Hydro-Gear transaxle, 46-inch deck. It runs great since I replaced the magnetos last spring, and looks good - all original and in nice shape. Been stored inside its entire life. Probably never been rained on. No hour meter, but it probably has way less than 1000 hours on it. My vision was to freshen it up, and sell it as "ready to work". Was thinking of asking $600 for it, which is about average.
All three belts were shot on this thing. I ordered them this morning ($54), including Aramid ground drive and deck drive belts. Fixed a tiny leak in the (tubeless) RF tire with a plug.
Big problem is that the mower deck has some rot. Couple of 4 square-inch rust holes through it on the front, and the rust is also about to come through the top surface in a couple of places. All three spindles are good, but the tensioner pulley has bad bearings. I could weld patches over the rot, I guess, but it would feel like polishing a turd. The plastic grass deflector is in bad shape, too ($60).
I'll go ahead and change the transaxle fluid and filter. It gets regular 10W-40 motor oil. And, change the fuel filter. I had changed the engine oil and filter last spring.
There's a "pick 'n' pull" junkyard about an hour from where I live that has a large garden tractor section. I think I'll make a quick run through there to see what they have before I give up on the mower deck. You never know...
If I can't find a decent deck for it for less than $100, I'll just sell it as a good runner needing a deck, and throw the existing deck in on the deal as a freebie. I might see if I can find that tensioner pulley at Tractor Supply, so at least it's a mowing machine, rust holes notwithstanding. Would probably last another season or two before it falls apart...I think I saw one of those pulleys on eBay for $14.
Disappointed that I can't promote this machine like I wanted to, but I'm very glad that we got it superseded!
And, so is the wife. She hated that Craftsman. It really was an uncomfortable turd to drive. And loud. And, it cut very unevenly.
No comparison to the 1800S!
-Paul
This is a 1997 machine that we got with the house when we bought it 4 years ago. 18.5HP Kohler twin, Hydro-Gear transaxle, 46-inch deck. It runs great since I replaced the magnetos last spring, and looks good - all original and in nice shape. Been stored inside its entire life. Probably never been rained on. No hour meter, but it probably has way less than 1000 hours on it. My vision was to freshen it up, and sell it as "ready to work". Was thinking of asking $600 for it, which is about average.
All three belts were shot on this thing. I ordered them this morning ($54), including Aramid ground drive and deck drive belts. Fixed a tiny leak in the (tubeless) RF tire with a plug.
Big problem is that the mower deck has some rot. Couple of 4 square-inch rust holes through it on the front, and the rust is also about to come through the top surface in a couple of places. All three spindles are good, but the tensioner pulley has bad bearings. I could weld patches over the rot, I guess, but it would feel like polishing a turd. The plastic grass deflector is in bad shape, too ($60).
I'll go ahead and change the transaxle fluid and filter. It gets regular 10W-40 motor oil. And, change the fuel filter. I had changed the engine oil and filter last spring.
There's a "pick 'n' pull" junkyard about an hour from where I live that has a large garden tractor section. I think I'll make a quick run through there to see what they have before I give up on the mower deck. You never know...
If I can't find a decent deck for it for less than $100, I'll just sell it as a good runner needing a deck, and throw the existing deck in on the deal as a freebie. I might see if I can find that tensioner pulley at Tractor Supply, so at least it's a mowing machine, rust holes notwithstanding. Would probably last another season or two before it falls apart...I think I saw one of those pulleys on eBay for $14.
Disappointed that I can't promote this machine like I wanted to, but I'm very glad that we got it superseded!
And, so is the wife. She hated that Craftsman. It really was an uncomfortable turd to drive. And loud. And, it cut very unevenly.
No comparison to the 1800S!
-Paul
