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White lawn mower question

Discussion in 'Chainsaws and Power Equipment' started by Ward8512, Mar 23, 2014.

  1. Ward8512

    Ward8512

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    Found a white law mower model 5246 for $400. We don't know the year. It is being sold by a grandson & the grandfather passed away. Looks brand new though. Any thoughts on this brand?
     
  2. MasterMech

    MasterMech The Mechanical Moderator

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    One of many brands built by MTD. Parts should be readily available online or anywhere that sells Cub Cadet, MTD, Yard Machine, Yard Man, Toro, or Troy Built.

    Not the best quality machines but if it's well taken care of, it should do a decent job for a few years.
     
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  3. Stinny

    Stinny

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    It's gotta beat an old reel type mower looking at 8" grass, pushin uphill in 90 degree heat… ;) … and, looking brand new can't be bad. I have an old MTD rider we use at our cabin. It does the job.
     
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  4. Ward8512

    Ward8512

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    What we have now is a super old Craftsman (around 25 years old) and last year it finally died. We need a new one before summer but I really don't want to spend much. This might be a good option if parts are readily available and it runs good when we go look at it. I used to just push mow the whole 3/4 acre but cannot do it anymore since my rotator cuff surgery.
     
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  5. MasterMech

    MasterMech The Mechanical Moderator

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    Explore the used market a bit. You might be surprised as to what's out there for good quality equipment. A lot of John Deere LT series tractors are available for under $1000 and they are excellent mowers that last much longer than other machines that size so long as they are taken care of and not asked to do more than what they were designed for.
     
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  6. Ward8512

    Ward8512

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    Thank you, I think I will do that. 1000 is way more than I want to spend but I should be able to find something in my price range, even if it needs a little work. I am ok with that as long as it's nothing major.
     
  7. MasterMech

    MasterMech The Mechanical Moderator

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    If you don't mind an older machine, the Deere 100 series from the late 80s and early 90s are also solid little tractors. Great parts availability and real nice to run for sure. Models include the 160, 165, 170, 175, 180 and the 185. (The 1x5 models have hydrostatic transmissions) They are very easy to find for under $500 and have bullet proof engines on them.
     
  8. mithesaint

    mithesaint

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    This. Nothing runs like a Deere. More importantly, when something inevitably breaks, parts and knowledge are readily available.
     
  9. greendohn

    greendohn

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    I know of a White mower that was just retired last summer. 12 years old and mowing aprox. 3, well wooded and somewhat "hilly", acres. It didn't owe the guy one red cent when it finally died.
    Parts will be much more cost effective than some of the "dealer supported" mower brands.
    I have a Toro Manufactured riding mower in near mint condition (it's a 2006 model) and I'd buy that White brand, in good shape, right now for 400 clams,,
     
  10. clemsonfor

    clemsonfor

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    MTD is not the best quality but I would guess that they build something like 50% of the mowers sold each year under a gazillion names. There are plenty of parts several engines in them. Parts are cheap and with maintenance and not abusing them they will last for years. You should be able to find them for just a few hundred dollars that looks somewhat decent.

    I have an old free yard man/MTD that cuts 3 acres or so 3-4 x a summer at the farm. When we get there its over grown and tall. I hit roots and tear the deck and beat it out and reweld it up. Rebuild the carb when the junk gas seizes the needle in the carb...till I got wise and put a fuel cut off in there. Sharpen blades once a year, replace spindles when needed a new belt. Mower has no hood but owes me nothing. Has a 42" cut and is hydro stat. Had to replace the hydro stat puppy as it seized up and burnt through.
     
  11. MasterMech

    MasterMech The Mechanical Moderator

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    You guys that are saying parts are cheap for MTD, have you ever priced a spindle assembly for one of them? Hold on to your shorts....... I still haven't figured that one out.....

    Some things are indeed relatively inexpensive for them, and every once in awhile you can get away with making parts for it from the hardware store.
     
  12. clemsonfor

    clemsonfor

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    YEp i installed one at the begenning of last sumer i beleive it was. $39ish dollars? It was oregon brand. If i can find my receipt i will quote exactly. I dont feel like digging the link up now but i got it at Agri Supply. It was no more than $50 i dont think?
     
  13. MasterMech

    MasterMech The Mechanical Moderator

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    I've seen complete OEM spindle assemblies (that's the housing, bearings, seals and the spindle itself) sell for over $100 a pop. And they isn't all that hard to break either .

    Thank your lucky stars for the aftermarket.
     
  14. clemsonfor

    clemsonfor

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    I must have bought it the year before? I went through last years receipts quickly and did not see it. Unless i never got it in with the tax stuff?

    If I get boarded today at work I may try to look it up to get the exact price.

    There is a chance I got it off ebay I guess andiI just assumed agrisupply?
     
  15. greendohn

    greendohn

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    The guy indicated he's working with a low budget. A White previously owned by grandpa is probably right up his alley.
    Back when my pal bought his White, it was a Consumer Reports Top Pick.
    Not a whizzin' match, just the facts, the guy is onto what sounds like a solid purchase, that is in his price range.
    Fortunately, I can rebuild the spindles on my Toro, I have a set of spare bearings just in case.
    The stealership I do business with quit carrying the small Toro riders a year or two after my purchase because Toro moved the manufacturing of them to MTD, go figure,,
     
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  16. Stinny

    Stinny

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    "stealership" … love it… :yes:
     
  17. clemsonfor

    clemsonfor

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    That "guy" is a girl!!! Look at her picture in the avatar!! And the numerous metions of "hubby"!! :)


    Not that she mentions hubby in this thread...i have just read other posts.
     
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  18. clemsonfor

    clemsonfor

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    I call them stealerships too. Car dealers are the worst. But some love buying and dealing with them. Their service departments are some of the most incompetent that I have run across. They know their product...just not how to fix it right the first time!
     
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  19. greendohn

    greendohn

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    Bought my books and went to school and I'm still a GOOF!!!
    My apologies,,Ward8512,,I stand humbly corrected, ma'am! I'll be much more attentive in the future.
    Thanks for the clue, "clemsonfor"..I'm in your debt.
     
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  20. clemsonfor

    clemsonfor

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    Oh that and cause their new cars cost so much they have to charge double the going labor rate at local private shops.