Free rider... And it starts

8256 Views 38 Replies 6 Participants Last post by Ericjr16, Sep 2, 2016

bwhitsonjr

Discussion Starter · Jul 26, 2016

7

I guess I'm kinda pulling an Eric on this one.

Found an add for a free, pick up, Ariens Riding Lawn mower. Picture looked fairly decent for free.

Wheel Tire Vehicle Plant Mower

Lady stated that it was parked about 2 years ago when she got a divorce and the rider has been sitting there unused. She hired a lawn service to cut the yard. All in all I don't think it's in that bad of shape. I couldn't load it into my truck by attempting to push it up the ramps because of 2 things. 1) the tires are very low, just one step before flat. 2) the front tires are my first concern following the engine and transmission. So I was able to borrow a trailer and muscle it on. :Gasp:

Once I was on the way I stopped off at a Pilot truck stop for some free air and filled all of the tires. So far they are holding air fine. It was by far much easier to roll off of the trailer once they had some air... Imagine that

I've included a few pictures of what she looks like this morning and what I've got to work with. Looking for any thoughts you might come up with based on the pictures. ERIC??? I've sure some of you have seen this setup before. I know I have. Grandma's Poulan Pro!

It's pretty much the exact same tractor. Probably since they are made by AYP.

On a side note when I first went to pick it up, I brought jumper cables and some starting fluid and sure enough it fired and ran for the length of the fluid burning off. I hoped it would run long enough for me to drive it up the ramps. No go... :Thinking hard:

Rectangle Motor vehicle Font Bumper Gas

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:whatdoyouthink:

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Ericjr16

· #21 · Jul 31, 2016

Look at it this way, get those expenses into asking price! Your overhead is SO high with cost of purchase of this machine and all!!!

Also added selling point!
:yahoo::Read the manual::Aetsch::Happy::Bannana::Wave 2::Wave 2::Wave 2:

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bwhitsonjr

Discussion Starter · #22 · Aug 1, 2016 (Edited)

Ericjr16 said:
Look at it this way, get those expenses into asking price! Your overhead is SO high with cost of purchase of this machine and all!!! Also added selling point!
:yahoo::Read the manual::Aetsch::Happy::Bannana::Wave 2::Wave 2::Wave 2:

Yes! Yes! Good way to look at it Eric! I'm blessed and thankful. Don't let me take that away from it. It's just you and Pops make it look so easy. We bought this or that and fixed it up with some parts we had and she's out for sale... Oh! Look we sold another one. :yahoo:

I'm sure it also helps since you guys have lots of extra parts laying around. :ThumbUp:

So far with the battery, spark plug, oil filter, fuel filter, draglinks, paint, primer, and wheel spindles. I'm @ $229.54. At the very least with regards to the deck I'll need a new belt. Looking at a belt... Which ballpark runs in the $40 range. I'm at $270 respectfully.

The real question, Eric, is with the shape that you've seen it in and imagining the deck finished. What sort of price could I ask? Is $500 too much? Is $300 too low? :whatdoyouthink:

Thanks! :Wave 2:

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Ericjr16

· #23 · Aug 1, 2016

Bryan after its all said and done most likely $600 asking and see what they offer. Up here get LOWBALLED badly! I'd get offers of $150-300 on machine like that. I'd go with how your local machines sell for!

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motorhead12

· #24 · Aug 2, 2016

:ditto: Yeah, I'd start high and see how it goes!

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bwhitsonjr

Discussion Starter · #25 · Aug 3, 2016

6

Got the parts in today and put them on...

This is the straightest this things is going to get. And even though it's not straight as an arrow, it's far better than what it was.

Wheel Land vehicle Tire Vehicle Car

Automotive parking light Tire Land vehicle Car Wheel

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Moving right along to deck since the mower itself is pretty lined out. Before I remove all of the pulleys and parts to do a good job of stripping it. I think I might bring it down to the local car wash and spray some tough degreaser on it and hit it hard with the pressure washer. Might take off most of the topical rust on the top and bottom. Already have another set of blades that I found for it so I don't have to go buy those. I'm also thinking the belt is in good enough shape to use. I'll cross that bridge when I get there.

Wood Gas Art Snout Auto part

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Deciding to finish it with 1 light coat of primer and around 2 coats of Flat black.

Automotive tire Paint Fluid Drink Cylinder

:whatdoyouthink:

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Mark / Ohio

· #26 · Aug 3, 2016

bwhitsonjr said:
...
:whatdoyouthink:

:ThumbUp:

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bwhitsonjr

Discussion Starter · #27 · Aug 31, 2016

5

I like how it turned out... I like the price the guy paid too!

Wheel Tire Lawn mower Riding mower Vehicle

Wheel Tire Lawn mower Vehicle Riding mower

Wheel Tire Motor vehicle Automotive tire Lawn mower

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I put about $250 into this machine and listed it for $500. First guy called and said he would take it, no questions asked. He didn't even try to talk me down.

I made sure it was right before I sent it out. I think it was a good deal. Considering the shape that it was in and it runs great!

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Ericjr16

· #28 · Aug 31, 2016

You did great!!

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Austen

· #29 · Aug 31, 2016

You made that thing look mint!! They got a great deal! :ThumbUp:

I'll bet you were somewhat relieved you made out ahead yet proud that you were able to get full asking price too without any haggling. That in itself should be quite the reward and feeling of self-achievement! Nice job! :yahoo:

Now on to the next...

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bwhitsonjr

Discussion Starter · #30 · Aug 31, 2016

Ha! Thanks for that Austen!

Quite rewarding...

Ericjr16

· #31 · Aug 31, 2016

Brian, you getting the bug!!

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motorhead12

· #32 · Aug 31, 2016

Bunch of nut jobs here.....:Aetsch:

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Ericjr16

· #33 · Sep 1, 2016

Brian, you want to come work for me?? dad is slacking of late!!!

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Austen

· #34 · Sep 1, 2016

Watch out, Eric, you've got competition. You may see some deals swept out under your feet when you aren't looking.

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motorhead12

· #35 · Sep 1, 2016

Uh-oh, this could turn ugly.

opcorn::Bannana:

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Austen

· #36 · Sep 1, 2016

I think you both need to have a "build off" and see who can resell theirs for the highest amount.

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Ericjr16

· #37 · Sep 1, 2016

Brian would possibly cheat!! He'd have his wife "buy" it for twice what he wanted for it!!

I'd do same but pops is easy to recognize!!

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bwhitsonjr

Discussion Starter · #38 · Sep 2, 2016

What are you talking about??? She would Jew me down so low I'd have to prayically give it away... And make me feel guilty about doing that some how!!!

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Ericjr16

· #39 · Sep 2, 2016

Lol dad make ME pay him!

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