Rolled the dice on a riding mower today

clashley1976 · 07-19-2015, 08:57 PM

At the urging of my wife, I finally broke down and bought a riding mower today... 46" Ariens with a 20HP B&S V-twin motor. It was a return at the local big orange box, so the store manager gave me 15% off to get it out of the store before she has to do inventory on Tuesday. The price was right, but I was a little spooked about the half-tank of nasty gas in there. The motor oil is clean, and I don't see any bent parts or leaks, so I figure it is worth a shot, and it still has the 12-month manufacturer warranty.

Got it home tonight and was able to knock down the yard in about 45 minutes (normally takes about 2.5 hours with my 22" walk-behind). I'm gonna take that gas tank off and clean it thoroughly, replace the fuel filter, and fill it up with e-free 87 octane. Crossing my fingers that this is going to turn into a good bargain and not a 400-pound headache in my shed.

ZED SLED · 07-20-2015, 10:32 AM

Just do the fuse pull, lol. Seems to work for everything else.

Ragnar · 07-20-2015, 04:53 PM

Good find, are you gonna leave it stock or mod it? I wish my yard was big enough for a riding mower!

snarky · 07-20-2015, 05:20 PM

shouldn't be any problems. i have that same engine on my Deere 125. TWO AND A HALF HOURS WALK MOWING?? wow. i'll pass. only thing annoying is the battery. mine only last a couple of years. you can get another year or so with a charger. other than that it's wal mart about $20 exchange for a new one.

riders are great.

clashley1976 · 07-20-2015, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snarky

shouldn't be any problems. i have that same engine on my Deere 125. TWO AND A HALF HOURS WALK MOWING?? wow. i'll pass. only thing annoying is the battery. mine only last a couple of years. you can get another year or so with a charger. other than that it's wal mart about $20 exchange for a new one.

riders are great.

We have a lot of things to mow around. Something like 15 trees/bushes/shed/patio/firepit, etc. It probably doesn't help matters that I'm very particular about the yard and have Goldilocks Syndrome about the yardwork. Not so bad in early April when the temp is 75, but after the middle of June until about mid-September, it gets nasty here.

I've got a battery tender somewhere in the garage. Will slap that on the back of the mower and keep it trickle charging over the winter.

07-19-2015, 08:57 PM	#1
clashley1976 Drives: 2011 Camaro 2LT RS M6 Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Albany, GA Posts: 399 View My Garage	Rolled the dice on a riding mower today At the urging of my wife, I finally broke down and bought a riding mower today... 46" Ariens with a 20HP B&S V-twin motor. It was a return at the local big orange box, so the store manager gave me 15% off to get it out of the store before she has to do inventory on Tuesday. The price was right, but I was a little spooked about the half-tank of nasty gas in there. The motor oil is clean, and I don't see any bent parts or leaks, so I figure it is worth a shot, and it still has the 12-month manufacturer warranty. Got it home tonight and was able to knock down the yard in about 45 minutes (normally takes about 2.5 hours with my 22" walk-behind). I'm gonna take that gas tank off and clean it thoroughly, replace the fuel filter, and fill it up with e-free 87 octane. Crossing my fingers that this is going to turn into a good bargain and not a 400-pound headache in my shed. __________________ -Cameron Lashley Albany, GA 2011 Camaro 2LT/RS 3.6L M6 Summit White w/silver rally stripes CAI intake, VTC, VMax PTB, VMax Iceolator, Apex intake scoop, Roto-Fab washer bottle relocate Build Journal: http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=419992 .

07-20-2015, 10:32 AM	#2
ZED SLED Drives: 2017 Mosaic Bk ZL1 M6 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: South of Raleigh, NC Posts: 9,617 View My Garage	Just do the fuse pull, lol. Seems to work for everything else. __________________

07-20-2015, 04:53 PM	#3
Ragnar Destroyed by flooding Drives: Wife's car Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Louisiana Posts: 4,672	Good find, are you gonna leave it stock or mod it? I wish my yard was big enough for a riding mower! __________________

07-20-2015, 05:20 PM	#4
snarky ultracrepidarianism Drives: '14 1SS/RS/1LE/NPP '18 Accord Sport Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: where folks drive like shit Posts: 1,297	shouldn't be any problems. i have that same engine on my Deere 125. TWO AND A HALF HOURS WALK MOWING?? wow. i'll pass. only thing annoying is the battery. mine only last a couple of years. you can get another year or so with a charger. other than that it's wal mart about $20 exchange for a new one. riders are great. __________________