skip to main content

Help Please, Buying used comm. toro tomorrow!!

11 years ago

Good evening!
need to get some thoughts on buying a USED TORO 22189
(Kawasaki KAI) and BBC
hee's wanting between 350 and 420 ea.
landscape co. upgrading their "fleet" to new Exmarks.
nothing wrong with them maintained ect. just a time upgrade program

Wondering what you think of this mower?
what should I look for in used?
is it such a "good" deal I should buy more and re-sell them?

thanks to the people who "KNOW" heh.
M

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

rustyj14
11 years ago
Just remember the words of that famous old Huckster, P.T.Barnum! "There's a sucker born every minute!"
My take on it: If you are a good mechanic, and know how to fix lawn and garden equipment, and engines, and other things---well--yeah, you might luck out!
But--what happens when yer "good deal" goes sour, with a blown engine a month after you have bought it?!
Did he have a maintenance plan to keep tabs on oil levels, tires, blades, belts, all of that and more?
I think you'd be buying a "Pig in a Poke." My experience with those deals is that the buyer gets the shaft, in most cases. unless you have known that guy all yer life, and know how he ran his business, and had a maintenance plan for his equipment, i'd say:"Stay away!"
If he's just trying to get rid of the old stuff, make him an offer. I have bought up some things by making a "ridiculous offer"! Caveat emptor!
bill_kapaun
11 years ago
There's pretty much 2 reasons why a commercial entity will upgrade.
1. The stuff is worn out.
2. The stuff is almost worn out and repair costs/down time is no longer economically feasible.
Related Discussions
Toro 20066 vs 20073 vs LawnBoy 10685 - help decide
Q
Comments (7)
If history is going to repeat itself i have to say go with the TORO, they are tied with Honda for most reliable according to consumer reports. thay're also known as the best mulchers on the block. i know the lawn boy and the toro's are made in the same facility nowadays(i think) but still the toro's come with a better reputation. i own several lawnmowers, toro, craftsmen, weedeater and have owned even more over the years, snapper, ariens. i bought my toro (20016) almost 4 years ago and have been trying to kill it ever since...and can't. i'll never buy anything else, it has the tecumseh lv195ea 6.5 hp. hope this helps.
...See More
Help! Planting 20 trees tomorrow and I need quick advice
Q
Comments (12)
I talked to my husband when he got home from work last night. We're not using any of those bags of soil. We're using all native soil. We've also decided to plant these trees over 2 days. He works second shift so we don't have all day to do it. He's just going to dig a hole in a part of our yard and then when he's done with it will fill it with some topsoil or something. Funny that someone brought up a tiller. We already tried that idea. Well, sort of. We tried to rent one from Home Depot earlier this week, and they said we couldn't rent it yet because it's too muddy outside and they don't want any mud getting on the machine. We told the guy we would never return the machine with any mud on it but he insisted no one can rent the tiller yet. If all we were doing was planting trees it would be one thing but once we plant we are committed to putting up vole fencing around it. We've already got all the poles put up. Where we are planting we can see vole trails everywhere. Not to mention we also have to stake these trees (I stake every tree I plant for 2 seasons) because they are going to be in the prevailing wind section of our yard. The trunks and branches on these 2 foot European Hornbeam fastigiatas are so tiny! They look like they could snap right off. I smiled to myself this morning when I re-read my original post. I was completely panicked when I wrote it. I'm calm about it now. We're planting half today and staking and fencing them, and then the other half tomorrow on his day off. It'll be fine. I see people on videos all the time dig a hole to plant a tree and put the dirt back in and have enough to backfill, but we never do. And we put every bit of dirt we dig out of the hole on a tarp so as not to lose any of it but we still don't have enough.
...See More
HELP: Buying a Used Snowblower
Q
Comments (2)
I wouldn't recommend leaving it outside. Isn't there room in the garage? Even in an unheated garage, it'll be a few degrees warmer and a lot dryer. The warmer and dryer it is, the better it'll start. A single stage two stroke would work ok but I'd be concerned about throwing the snow the width of two cars with a single stage blower(with wind as a factor, you might have to throw it the entire width of the driveway). They're more for a two car driveway less than 50 feet long and sidewalks. Mixing gas and oil is a hassle as well. Personally, I'd go two stage, 5HP+, 20"+ path. Anything over 8HP and 24" is overkill. From what I've seen in Madison WI craigslist, you should be able to get a blower with these requirements in your price range no problem. Like two stroke said, you get what you pay for. The more mechanically inclined you are, the more risk you can take. I just got a simplicity 2.7HP, 20", 2 stage, electric start for 60 bucks off craiglist. The small engine is a concern for me but the price was right. I did have to fabricate some tire chains because the solid rubber tires were worn smooth but that wasn't a big deal for me. If you have limited mechanical skills, you should pay more for a better machine. Sorry, I can't give you any advice on makes and models. I don't know much about any specific ones.
...See More
Please help me decide which 42" Zero Turn to buy
Q
Comments (6)
In the end, you are the only one who can decide. While JD is a great, and expensive name, I suspect the one you are looking at for $2,600 is feeding on the JD name. In my case I would want to know how many blades each deck has. Many of the newer and cheaper 42" mower decks have gone to 2 staggered blades. I prefer 3 blades on a 42" deck myself. We have a stamped deck on our mower which is 18 years old and is still in good condition BUT you must not let wet grass accumulate under them, as many people do, or they will rust out. Most likely the JD had a B&S Intek engine on it while the Kawa is far superior. Walt Conner
...See More
rolling18
Original Author
11 years ago
well I finally got it the other day,
SEEMS to work great, lots of maintenance records since new,
Large in-house maintenance shop LOTS of nice equipment.
rough in appearance tho.. functionally working good.

but I will keep in mind what you said.... any thing cvan happen anytime
rustyj14
11 years ago
Well, maybe you lucked out! Hope it works for you.
A friend asked me to look at one of those big mowers, the commercial walk behind type. I made it run, and did some other work on it. I told him not to allow his wife to use it, as it was not for the "faint of heart" to try to run it!
So, one day while he was at work, his wife got it running, and finally figured out how to put it in gear!
And thats when she discovered why he didn't want her using it. She went straight thru their vegetable garden, mowing a large, wiggly path thru it, and finally let go of the controls, while the machine went off a high cliff behind the garden, at speed! Needless to say--he sold it right soon!
rolling18
Original Author
11 years ago
WOW that's a mower story!!
being that they weight nearly 130lbs, with solid dry traction and being in high gear, I could see them "pulling" an operator along at 4.5 mph.. hehe

I myself only weigh a buck fitty, and have a bad back (why i got the self propelled model)

i KNOW its over kill for my smallish 8000 sq ft yard, but its Very rough, more field like than Yard like.. and I just Love having the toughest thing out there that will last the rest of my mowing years..

This SHOULD fit the bill... Im actually finding myself restoring and fixing it up (unplanned) to look like the 1200 machine it was when new!!
andyma_gw
11 years ago
To each his own. 8000 square feet , could be very well managed with a lot less mower. My yard, has about 30,000 sq ft of grass. I dasn't call it a lawn . I keep it short with the remains of an old IH sit down and a old Toro 3 speed walk behind. I am also in the process of getting a vintage Gravely walk behind going. It has a sickle bar on it. The oil bath air filter says Studebaker .

Related Stories

HOMES AROUND THE WORLD The Kitchen of Tomorrow Is Already Here

By Mitchell Parker

A new Houzz survey reveals global kitchen trends with staying power

EVENTS Who Will Create the Iconic Furniture of Tomorrow?

By Vanessa Brunner

Promising design talent gets the spotlight in a San Francisco exhibition. Take a peek here

DECORATING GUIDES Decorate With Intention: To Buy or Not to Buy

By Laura Gaskill

Before you make your next home-decor purchase, ask yourself these 10 questions

BEFORE AND AFTERS More Room, Please: 5 Spectacularly Converted Garages

By Samantha Schoech

Design — and the desire for more space — turns humble garages into gracious living rooms

BATHROOM DESIGN Upload of the Day: A Mini Fridge in the Master Bathroom? Yes, Please!

By Mitchell Parker

Talk about convenience. Better yet, get it yourself after being inspired by this Texas bath

HOUSEPLANTS Mother-in-Law's Tongue: Surprisingly Easy to Please

By creative jewish mom.com

This low-maintenance, high-impact houseplant fits in with any design and can clear the air, too

KITCHEN DESIGN Here's Help for Your Next Appliance Shopping Trip

By Vanessa Brunner

It may be time to think about your appliances in a new way. These guides can help you set up your kitchen for how you like to cook

REMODELING GUIDES Wisdom to Help Your Relationship Survive a Remodel

By Mitchell Parker

Spend less time patching up partnerships and more time spackling and sanding with this insight from a Houzz remodeling survey

SELLING YOUR HOUSE Help for Selling Your Home Faster — and Maybe for More

By Laura Gaskill

Prep your home properly before you put it on the market. Learn what tasks are worth the money and the best pros for the jobs

COLOR Pick-a-Paint Help: How to Create a Whole-House Color Palette

By Laura Gaskill

Don't be daunted. With these strategies, building a cohesive palette for your entire home is less difficult than it seems

Sponsored

17 Reviews

The Leading Interior Design Studio in Franklin County

More Discussions

Fall into Cleanliness: Join the Discussion on Fall Cleaning Services

0

can anyone identify these bugs?

1

Custom zero turn mower bag attachment

0

Looking for cordless walk behind trimmer

2

Looking for edger with blade

0