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Is it worth picking up this free riding mower?

evident

evident

Lifer
Friend let me know that by their house one of their neighbors is giving away a free MTD lawnmower. the model number indicates that it's about 15 years old. I stopped by and they told me it's been working fine for the last few years but now it won't turn over. They replaced the battery but still doesn't crank. the guy had a brand spanking new john deere in his garage that i saw, and he said that he just didn't have time to troubleshoot the thing or the ability to take it anywhere to get it serviced.

I have access to a flat bed to attach to my SUV so I can move it and take it to a shop. How much does it normally cost to get a riding mower repaired at a repair shop and get a tune up? Is it worth it? I mean I was going to borrow my dad's push mower for my yard but I figure if i can get this working for less than a couple hundred bucks it would be worth it, right? It definitely doesn't look like one of the sexy new lawnmowers out there, but honestly i dont give a crap, just need something that works, is cheap and gets the job done.
 
The price is right.
Is the motor locked or wont crank? If locked, could be pricey, but if its just a no crank electrical issue, i bet you could have it fixed for a few hundred bucks or less. Only MTD from that vintage probably has a briggs motor on it. I had one that had a plastic starter gear on it that turned itself into many small pieces which resulted in a no start. Granted i fixed it myself, parts were cheap.
 
jaha2000 said:
The price is right.
Is the motor locked or wont crank? If locked, could be pricey, but if its just a no crank electrical issue, i bet you could have it fixed for a few hundred bucks or less. Only MTD from that vintage probably has a briggs motor on it. I had one that had a plastic starter gear on it that turned itself into many small pieces which resulted in a no start. Granted i fixed it myself, parts were cheap.
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I have 0 experience with riding mowers and the guy said "it won't turn over". Didn't have a chance to try it myself since it was on the side of the road and I was in a hurry.

I'm hoping the lawn place will be honest and let me know whether it's worth fixing or not. when i called they were quoting me $200-$300 for a "complete overhaul", maybe more or less depending on what the issue of causing motor to not start are. 200-300 seems alot to replace belts and spark plugs but again i'm not sure what the costs of lawnmower repairs are...
 
Figure you need 100 bucks worth of parts as long as its nothing catostrophic. Couple hundred for labor seems reasonable to me.
 
I'm going to guess either the starter motor went, or something stupid like a fuse or one of the battery cables getting unbolted on the other end, or possible breaking internally. If its in reasonably good shape and not completely rusted out I'd haul it home. Try turning the crank by hand and see if its frozen. If the starter isn't making any noise vs just not being able to turn it over it could be different things.
 
Midwayman said:
I'm going to guess either the starter motor went, or something stupid like a fuse or one of the battery cables getting unbolted on the other end, or possible breaking internally. If its in reasonably good shape and not completely rusted out I'd haul it home. Try turning the crank by hand and see if its frozen. If the starter isn't making any noise vs just not being able to turn it over it could be different things.
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it didn't look in too bad of cosmetic shape. There are a few surface rust spots but nothing rusted through from what I remember.
 
Could be as simple as the seat pressure switch, or the starter/solenoid. If the machine looks good and the deck is solid, could be a cheap fix.
 
Do you have a shop that you trust for these sorts of things? You could treat it like a car, and see if they can give you an estimate on it.

We are talking free here, so the only thing it is costing you to just take it somewhere is time.
 
ketchup79 said:
Do you have a shop that you trust for these sorts of things? You could treat it like a car, and see if they can give you an estimate on it.

We are talking free here, so the only thing it is costing you to just take it somewhere is time.
Click to expand...

I never worked with any power tool equipment shops in my area, though I get recommendations from people who have. I have an old snapper leaf blower that the previous homeowner left behind that i want to get up and running too
 
If it does have a Briggs & Stratton motor, it shouldn't be a big deal getting it fixed. By that I mean you don't have to buy the "oh, parts for this are hard to find" excuse from anyone. Parts for these are everywhere.

Combined with friends providing suggestions, you should do well here.
 
I would suggest that a riding mower is a good place for you to get some experience repairing it yourself, especially if you have a friend/relative that can look over your shoulder.

I'd grab it if it is still there. I suspect it went pretty fast, though. There are lots of people who would grab it, put a hundred or two into it and flip it on CL.
 
Thump553 said:
I would suggest that a riding mower is a good place for you to get some experience repairing it yourself, especially if you have a friend/relative that can look over your shoulder.

I'd grab it if it is still there. I suspect it went pretty fast, though. There are lots of people who would grab it, put a hundred or two into it and flip it on CL.
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Yep. the guy put it in his garage for me till i swing by early this evening to pick it up. Apparently he had it on his curb asking $300 for a few weeks then yesterday changed it to free.
 
MTD Products - Diagnose & Troubleshoot Lawn Tractors

Engine will not crank

Possible Causes
Corrective Actions

1. Safety switch button not depressed

Be sure deck is disengaged all the way, parking brake is engaged and operator is sitting on the seat.

2. Battery is installed incorrectly

The battery must be installed with negative terminal attached to black ground wire. Negative is identified by "NEG" "N" or "-" The positive terminal "POS" "P" or "+" must be attached to the big red wire which goes to the solenoid. Charge battery fully before installing.

3. Battery is weak or dead

Check fluid level in battery. If fluid is low, fill to just below split rings with water. Charge battery fully.

4. Blown fuse

Replace with an automotive type fuse. Check for loose connections in fuse box, bare wires, and pinched wires.

5. Loose engine ground wire

Engine should have a black ground wire running from engine to frame or mounting bolt.
Click to expand...
 
Worth picking up for free probably. Very possible it is something stupid simple that the guy just doesn't want to bother with.

When I bought my house the previous owner left the 20 year old MTD riding mower in the garage. Didn't want to start I was told. It would crank, but wouldn't fire. Found the spark plug was original and just a burned off nub 😛 New spark plug, new air filter, fresh oil, and it fired right up.
 
MTDs with the Briggs motor do this when the valves need adjusted. Ask me how I know. Hate that the valve cover is glued on.
 
twinrider1 said:
So did you get it? We need an update.
Click to expand...
yep,

complete POS. took it to the lawnmower shop around me, frame was completely rusted out and needed tons of work apparently ($$$). just abandoned it there and got a honda walk behind instead.
 
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