2007 Toro Riding Lawnmower been sitting for a year or two

[32vfromhell]

So, one of my coworkers is offering me her weedeater and riding lawnmower. The last it was used it was running fine. I am not sure the model, but she mentioned it was the 2nd from the bottom in terms of quality of their riding mowers.

It's likely this model or something similiar : http://www.tractordata.com/lawn-trac...oro-lx425.html

It was stored with some gas still in the tank, so im sure that needs to be cleaned out somehow, and it will be coming with new blades that i will have to get balanced.

I am sure the weedeater is in the same condition.

Any ideas on how to get this sucker running or should i just take it to a small lawnmower shop, which there are a few of in grapevine. I haven't yet gotten a chance to take a look at it yet, but i am trying to anticipate costs. I would rather spend 150 bucks tuning up a riding mower than buying a $330 crappy push mower, IMHO.

[Tyrone Biggums]

Is your yard going to be big enough to justify a riding mower or have areas a riding mower can't access? You could end up having to buy a walk behind anyways to get to where the rider won't. Tiny yard + Riding mower = "They're all gonna laugh at you!"

Fwiw, I've got a John Deere JS63 self propelled walk behind that I paid $325 for brand new from the place next door in 2004. All I've ever done is an oil change, plug, blade sharpen and air filter before each season and a cap of Seafoam with each fill up and have had zero issues. Haven't even changed the belt yet.

You may be fine with the weedeater depending on brand and how it was maintained, but 2-strokes can be picky as hell on ethanol and poor maintenance. If the carb is shit, plan on $100 to replace it.

If you buy new, go Echo. I also hear Stihl is good, as well. Also, pay the extra and use TruFuel or VP. Premixed 93 Octane and no ethanol. I've been running TF on my Echo blower since it was new (5 years) and it still primes in three pumps, starts on the first pull, and runs like a boss. If you have a shitload of concrete (patio, long/large driveway, multiple sidewalks) get a backpack blower and thank me later.

My Echo string trimmer has been great. It's 13 years old and only had seasonal maintenance until last week when I finally had to put a $50 carb on it. I bet it lasts another 13 years.

[Cooter]

Echo's were quality back in the day. Wouldn't recommend one now. STIHL is good though

[32vfromhell]

I was wondering about that, but i asked a friend about the size of the lot, and he thinks a riding mower is definitely justified for the front yard. There really isnt enough yard in the backyard for a mower of any type, really. A weedeater would do the job just as well, i would think , as you would spend just as much time waving it back and forth than manuevering a heavy push mower.

I sure wont be buying a new riding mower when im being offered one for free.

[mstng86]

Just a thought, but I feel the quality of the cutting is a big deal with a riding lawn mower. They seem to make smaller yards look hacked up. My neighbor (he is probably 75) uses a riding lawn mower and has great grass, but the mower just hacks it up. We are on 1/3 acre lots so its big enough for one in the back yard, but our front is too small for one IMO.

[32vfromhell]

From what i understand, sharpening your blades is a huge part of how the grass looks. If its not sharp, it will just split the ends.

[90GT50]

From what i understand, sharpening your blades is a huge part of how the grass looks. If its not sharp, it will just split the ends.

It is, I need to sharpen mine, it cuts about 90 percent of the blades fine, but just knocks the other 10% out of the way. My dad gave me his old self propelled John Deere and it's been great so far other than that. But my backyard is gigantic, so it's somewhat of a pain in the ass.

[petyweestraw]

Dump the tank. Change plug oil and battery and start the Fucker to see what happens. Two years isn't quite thst bad. As far as hacking up the yard...as long as the blades,are sharp and the deck level you will be fine. The neighbors have a really nice deer but it's in need of adjustment and my lowly troy built does,a way nicer job.

Sent from my C6916 using Tapatalk

[BlackGT]

I struggled with riding VS push/self propelled and in the end couldn't justify the extra expense of the riding mower at this time. Went with a 30" Husqvarna self propelled front wheel drive with Honda engine for $350 from Lowes. Haven't had to use it yet, but it has good reviews, and I'm sure it will do fine.

If I could get a quality riding mower for $150, I would probably have gone that route. I even had the builder put in bigger gates on my fence so I can get a riding mower through if I get one in the future.

[ryuu]

if a new plug and gas doesn't do it look for carb kit, a compression test is always nice
after spend several hour trying to clean out my carb I gave up and bought this
[ame]http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004LXF7LO/ref=oh_details_o05_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1[/ame]
5 minutes and it was running great again.

not all carbs are the same but unless there is more to the story if you do the work shouldn't cost too much to get it going again.

[ceyko]

Also remember the advantage to a mower (depending on yard size) is the trailer attachments.

Dump trailer for basic hauling stuff around yard. Boom sprayers, seed spreaders, aerators and so on.

[SS Junk]

Two years is nothing. Put fresh gas, oil, plug and it should be fine. Never heard of having to balance the blades before. I've had my Crapsman 46" deck for over seven years and has had zero problems.

[Chili]

Get it running and sell it, and use the proceeds for a walk behind. (if it's too big)

[petyweestraw]

Two years is nothing. Put fresh gas, oil, plug and it should be fine. Never heard of having to balance the blades before. I've had my Crapsman 46" deck for over seven years and has had zero problems.

Advancing the blades? Lol even if it is a,real thing they are cheap and I just replace mine every season.

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[32vfromhell]

Closing on the house on friday, so next weekend i should probably be picking this sucker up.

Now the question is figuring out how to get it and transport it. =/