Picture this: It is the middle of the summer mowing season, and your lawn mower bites the dust leaving for the big yard in the sky. Obviously you cannot leave your lawn half mowed for the remainder of the season, but you aren’t entirely sure you want to buy a brand new mower.
A new mower could run easily into the thousands of dollars, so you begin to research used mowers. You finally ask yourself if buying a used mower is a realistic alternative to purchasing an entirely new mower. The answer to that question is, “It depends.”
Used mowers don’t just save the day when your old outfit kicks the bucket; they can serve all of your mowing needs. Today we are going to discuss the most important things to keep in mind when purchasing a used mower.
- Price
The amount of money you are willing to spend might answer your question even before you start looking. A new commercial riding mower will typically start at about $5000 and work its way up from there rather rapidly. The rule of thumb is that you can typically get a used mower for anywhere between 50 and 70 percent of the original retail value. This can quickly bring a great mower back into your price range.
- Engine and Age of Mower
It is highly recommended to purchase a mower with a relatively common engine such as Briggs and Stratton, Kawasaki, or Kohler. Going with a name brand like this, even if it is a few years old, allows for much easier maintenance because they still make parts for these common brands. Even if there are quite a few hours on the engine you are considering, do not let this discourage you because these engines have considerable longevity.
- Maintenance
This is probably the most important inquiry that needs to be made. Ask the seller about the maintenance and repairs that have been done to the mower throughout its lifetime. This will be the best gauge of the quality and remaining life of your new mower. When asking about the maintenance, check the belts, tires, blades and filters. These will indicate the amount of upcoming maintenance that will need to be done. Here at Premier Outdoor we fully service all of our mowers before they leave the lot, which can put a buyer at ease.
- Take it for a test drive
Taking the potential mower for a test drive will also help you decide which mower is the best one for you. Pay attention to how quickly the mower starts as well as how it idles when just running. Consider as well how the blades cut the grass to make sure they are running smooth, additionally listen for any strange sounds that might indicate worn bearings.
Pre-owned mowers are a great option for most residential needs. Depending on the particular circumstances it might even meet the needs of a smaller commercial outfit. These questions are a great place to start when trying to determine which option is the best for you! If you are unsure of where to go to buy a great used mower; have no fear!! Here at Premier Outdoor Power Equipment we have a number of pre-owned machines that could easily meet your needs. Visit our website for a look at our full line of pre-owned mowers. Feel free to call us for a quote.
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