Deere LA175 should I or not?

[ruSSrt]

Good day everyone.

I came across a mechanic special on facebook market place for a John Deere LA175 with 54" HD mower deck for $350. Description said that it has transmission problems, but the price was reasonable to even get a refurb one. I went to check it out. Thing had 550 hours, still would move on its own power, but would whine loud. I know could be as simple as fluid change, but at 550 miles I would rebuild it.
But I didn't pick it up. The front of that Briggs 26hp motor was covered in oil, old oil leak that went all the way down to clutch and even frame was covered in oil a little. There was oil/dirt under and behind carb. I said no thank you and walked away. It didn't look like it was coming from valve covers. Maybe head gaskets? How often do those leak in Briggs motors?
No I'm thinking about it and want to ask your opinion. Should i go get it? Cosmetically it was well taken care of, deck was not rusted and solid, not stamped metal, but heavy duty. Even sit didnt have rips in it. I have D140 right now and mow about 2-2.5 acres with 48" deck. 6 extra inches would be nice and plus i get more towing power. but is it worth messing around?

 

[Eddie]

unless you have a hobby that involves rebuilding small engines, I would pass on this one. IPO ed

 

[cptbarkey]

Sounds too much $$$ for a project like that, I would consider it a parts tractor $100 or less.

 

[ruSSrt]

unless you have a hobby that involves rebuilding small engines, I would pass on this one. IPO ed

I do like tinkering with small motors, but this would be above hobby level. I would want to get it going ASAP and use it. So I know for sure I'll be sweating to get this figured out

 

[ruSSrt]

Sounds too much $$$ for a project like that, I would consider it a parts tractor $100 or less.

That's a good thought. I might want to just get a deck off of it and put it on my D140. I wonder if it'll fit.

 

[crashz]

Depending on model the transaxles can be non-serviceable and throw away. I forget the model numbers now. And if it needs engine work, that's another issue. If you want something to tinker with, that will be fine but don't pay a lot of money.

 

[Brian123]

Good day everyone.

I came across a mechanic special on facebook market place for a John Deere LA175 with 54" HD mower deck for $350. Description said that it has transmission problems, but the price was reasonable to even get a refurb one. I went to check it out. Thing had 550 hours, still would move on its own power, but would whine loud. I know could be as simple as fluid change, but at 550 miles I would rebuild it.
But I didn't pick it up. The front of that Briggs 26hp motor was covered in oil, old oil leak that went all the way down to clutch and even frame was covered in oil a little. There was oil/dirt under and behind carb. I said no thank you and walked away. It didn't look like it was coming from valve covers. Maybe head gaskets? How often do those leak in Briggs motors?
No I'm thinking about it and want to ask your opinion. Should i go get it? Cosmetically it was well taken care of, deck was not rusted and solid, not stamped metal, but heavy duty. Even sit didnt have rips in it. I have D140 right now and mow about 2-2.5 acres with 48" deck. 6 extra inches would be nice and plus i get more towing power. but is it worth messing around?

You should not get it, sounds like a Mower that was just used and put away and probably never had an Oil Change. It sounds like there was more oil on the outside of the engine than what was on the inside of the engine.

All they had to do was clean this whole Mower off and all you would be talking about is the Transmission Whine.

 

[ruSSrt]

You should not get it, sounds like a Mower that was just used and put away and probably never had an Oil Change. It sounds like there was more oil on the outside of the engine than what was on the inside of the engine.

All they had to do was clean this whole Mower off and all you would be talking about is the Transmission Whine.

And that's what makes me worry about it. If it's been leaking for a while and they haven't done anything about it at some point it ran low on oil. But engine starts good and runs smooth.

 

[fantastic]

Most likely crankshaft seal is toast among the valve covers. So you'll need to pull the motor at a minimum. I'd say it's a gamble on the trans. K46? Sounds like it's served it's useful life and IMO look at some older John Deere garden tractors for your acreage. They'll be worth fixing up and hold some reasonable value.

 

[wavinwayne]

I think future you would appreciate you passing on this one.

 

[Brian123]

And that's what makes me worry about it. If it's been leaking for a while and they haven't done anything about it at some point it ran low on oil. But engine starts good and runs smooth.

Briggs Engines need really good Maintenance, I have a Toro Super Recycler with a Briggs engine, it is going on 28 years, I used it for a mowing business for 12 years and then I use it now for trimming around my dad's yard before using the Riding mower. This engine does not leak oil, but I have always blown the mower off after each use and once a year I took the cover of and blew everything out with an air hose.
In 1995 my dad bought an MTD with a twin cylinder Briggs Engine, it had an oil leak at the Oil Pan that was fixed under warranty. The oil was changed once a year, but it only lasted 13 years, which would be about 650 hours. With the Super Recycler I always ran the mower out of gas at the end of the season. The riding mower did not get the gas run out at the end of the season.

If you really care about a Mower, you will take care of it.

1) Check the oil level before Mowing
2) Blow the Machine off after each use
3) Check the Air Filter after a few Mowings
4) Change the oil once a year

I had a neighbor that bought a John Deere LX266 back in 2003 from a Dealer and spent about $3600.00

So, for 13 years he had the Dealer pick this mower up at the end of the season and service it and bring it back, the cost was about $300.00
He spent about $3900.00 on getting it serviced, he passed away in December 2016, his son did nothing, and the Mower only lasted another 4 years before the Deck was falling off and had other issues.

 

[walterjay]

I would walk away from that one. Better stuff out there that runs well.