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Used Toro GT

16 years ago

We have a 5-year old Toro GT420 garden tractor where I work. The engine is blown on it...one of the groundskeepers kept using it even though he heard a "ticking" noise coming from the engine but never thought about checking the oil level! The engine was a Toro Power Plus 20 Kohler model # CV20S.

They are not fixing/replacing the engine...they'd rather buy a new tractor. The boss told me I could have the tractor for free if I wanted it. It had just over 300 hours on the meter.

Here's my question. Is it worth it to take this tractor and put a new engine in it? Any idea of the cost? I noticed the new GT420's have a Kawasaki engine in them. Could a Kawa engine be put in this tractor?

My main interest in this tractor would be to tow my garden trailer around the yard and to possibly plow the driveway in the winter.

I already have a Simplicity Broadmoor for cutting my lawn, but it can't handle the weight of a trailer full of mulch or loam, and I don't want to beat on it plowing snow, either.

Thanks for your opinions.

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Comments (13)

tmajor
16 years ago
"FREE" is nearly always good. Maybe, the engine just needs a new "ticker". ??
canguy
16 years ago
Sounds good to me. It should be worth a new engine if it has not been beat up although you may not like the price of a new Kawi. Is the grounds keeper still employed?
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mith, Not sarcastic at all... you said "regardless of what the Kohler tech says. I can only comment based on my experience, and that of others" and I submitted that the Kohler tech is in a position to observe a far larger sampling than your test and your experience. You dismissed, out of hand and in general, the specific instructions of a tech/engineer whose job it is to make accurate tech information available to the end users of its products. So, regardless of what you say I accept what the Kohler tech says... no offense. The manuals for the GT/LT/YT tractors I've owned had specific instructions to use FULL THROTTLE whenever an attachment or accessory was engaged. My GT has a Kohler Command CH18s and an oil temp gauge. I can leave it idling all day long and the temp gauge doesn't rise above the low limit peg. After 10 minutes mowing it is at the mid green zone, about 2/3 across the gauge. I wasn't commenting on welder/generators because this is the tractor forum, and this thread is about tractors, but now that you mention it, every generator I own or have owned gave me no choice but full throttle (as determined by the governor) or off. I am aware of generators than can, and do, vary their speed according to load but I have not owned one.
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williston
16 years ago
Dave,
Are you in MA? If you decide you don't want it, I would be interested in taking it off his hands. I would NOT re-sell it...it would be for my yard.
deerslayer
16 years ago
A replacement Kohler costs $1501. Here's a link.

CV20S

If the tractor is in good shape, I think a new engine makes sense. Free is usually a good thing unless it is a cat or dog. 8^)

-Deerslayer
deerslayer
16 years ago
Another alternative is to buy a short block for about $850. Use the head, starter, carb & air cleaner, muffler, and shrouds from the blown engine.

-Deerslayer
tmajor
16 years ago
I would think, "new engine" is a back-up plan. First, I'd "rip 'er down and see what ails it".
deerslayer
16 years ago
I agree with TMajor in that another alternative is to rebuild the existing engine. If the block is not cracked, the engine is likely rebuildable. A professional rebuild would cost about $700. It would be much less if you did it yourself.

-Deerslayer
dave_ma
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks for the replies. I think I'll take it and try to figure out exactly what the extent of the damage is. If it needs a new engine at $1,500 I don't know if I'll invest that much. If I can rebuild it for $700 it would be worth it.

This was one of 6 tractors we own and actually the smallest. It was used quite a bit since our office complex is on about 39 acres.

Yes, the groundskeeper is still employed. It takes a lot more than a blown engine to fire a union employee!
deerslayer
16 years ago
A new GT420 lists for $4539 without mower deck. Add another $960 for a deck and your at $5500.

You said in your initial post that the GT420 had 300 hrs on it. I consider that low hours. I purchased my current GT with over 900 hours on it.

Even if the GT420 requires a new engine, I think it's a no-brainer...you should take it.

Don't dismiss the short block idea. A short block consists of a new block, crankshaft, bearings, rods, pistons, and camshaft. It comes as an assembled unit. You simply transfer the remaining parts from the blown engine. If you are mechanically inclined, you should be able to complete the project in a Saturday afternoon. As I posted earlier, a new short block costs about $850 delivered.

You could probably sell the completed tractor on eBay or craigslist for $2000 or more. Another alternative would be to keep the GT420 and sell the Broadmoor. That's what I would do.

-Deerslayer
lb59
16 years ago
hows bout a used un?
bill_kapaun
16 years ago
Another option would be an 18 HP replacement. It's the same displacement as the 20 HP, so you really don't lose that much. 2-3 ft-lb. max torque. A few $100 less.
ervie
16 years ago
If the damage is in the head, a short block won't fix it.

Kohler has a new Courage single cylinder 20 hp engine that sells for around $800. Bolting one on may require a few
modifications, but it should be fairly simple.
deerslayer
16 years ago
"If the damage is in the head, a short block won't fix it."

True, in that case the OP can just buy a new head. In both the rebuild and short block scenarios, he needs to determine where the damage occurred.

-Deerslayer

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