[Fishnugget]

OK my quest for a greens mower continues...

I was just contacted by my local lawn mower shop and they informed me they got a John Deere 220SL.

They explained it has been "serviced" and the mower has about 500 hrs of use. They say its a lease return. They are letting it go for $1550.

Here are the pics, I am going to go look at it today in person and take more pics. I'll post them on here.

Again, I am not a John Deere mower expert so any feedback on whether I should buy from these pics would be beneficial. Any feedback is appreciated. Thank you.

 

[Ware]

Looks good!

 

[Fishnugget]

Thanks Ware!

 

[g-man]

That looks nice and i think it is a fair price. The key question is how much life the feel has. A new one measures 5in diameter and it needs to be replaced at 4.5in.

Check pete1313 post on the 220sl http://thelawnforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=1500

 

[Ware]

To me the price sounds fair. An auction mower would be cheaper, but there is definitely some value in being able to go put your hands on it before buying it. It should have an hour meter, and I think 500 is pretty low.

 

[Fishnugget]

That looks nice and i think it is a fair price. The key question is how much life the feel has. A new one measures 5in diameter and it needs to be replaced at 4.5in.

Check pete1313 post on the 220sl http://thelawnforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=1500

Yeah, I reviewed Pete's post. Its hard to tell from the pic. I have to go see it in person.

To me the price sounds fair. An auction mower would be cheaper, but there is definitely some value in being able to go put your hands on it before buying it. It should have an hour meter, and I think 500 is pretty low.

The 220SL has an hour meter? I thought it was the 220E model that had it. I am going to go check it out. Will post more pics. Maybe I will leave with it?

 

[Ware]

The 220SL has an hour meter? I thought it was the 220E model that had it. I am going to go check it out. Will post more pics. Maybe I will leave with it?

Most newer mowers have them, but I could be wrong.

 

[g-man]

I dont know if it has an hour meter or not, but dont trust it. It is possible that it broke and they replaced it with a new one. So the machine has 500hr since it was last replaced. Or it could be 500hr on the motor and not on the reel/reel bearings.

 

[Fishnugget]

How much is a new reel to replace? Say I do it myself?

 

[g-man]

AMT2886 11 blade reel is $260 on greenfarmparts

You will want to replace the reel bearings, seals and maybe the bedknife too, so add $100.

 

[Fishnugget]

I just came back from checking out the mower and it looks better in person than the pics show. He said he changed the oil and reel bearings. Its set to cut at 3/4".

Also, he said he would give me a new reel if he has one lying around.

He told me he is holding it for me and says it probably has 500-600 hrs max. The mower looks good.

Some more pics...

 

[Ware]

Nice! DOM is 01/10/2013?

 

[Fishnugget]

Yeah, not sure how the DOM works. Does that mean this mower is 4 yrs old?

I will most likely buy it. Just have to run some numbers. The guy selling me the mower said I would be good for another 3 years with the reel/blade, especially with the size of my front and backyard.

He started the mower up for me and it was quiet, sounded nice too. It's quieter than my rotary honda mower.

 

[Ware]

Yeah, not sure how the DOM works. Does that mean this mower is 4 yrs old?

It's just the Date of Manufacture. It is 5 years old this month.

 

[Pete1313]

I think that is a good price for a '13 220SL. Even more since it is local, and most auctions are a good distance away from CA. I wouldnt hesitate to buy it.

The 220SL has an hour meter? I thought it was the 220E model that had it. I am going to go check it out. Will post more pics. Maybe I will leave with it?

Most newer mowers have them, but I could be wrong.

The '11 220SL that I had did not have an hour meter. It must just be the 220E models that have hour meters.

 

[Fishnugget]

I think that is a good price for a '13 220SL. Even more since it is local, and most auctions are a good distance away from CA. I wouldnt hesitate to buy it.

The 220SL has an hour meter? I thought it was the 220E model that had it. I am going to go check it out. Will post more pics. Maybe I will leave with it?

Most newer mowers have them, but I could be wrong.

The '11 220SL that I had did not have an hour meter. It must just be the 220E models that have hour meters.

Thanks Pete, I think your tutorial is another motivating factor to purchase. You have the 220SL tune up well documented.

I am not a mechanic but I like to work on cars and have done my fair share of auto mechanic work.

 

[Pete1313]

Thanks Pete, I think your tutorial is another motivating factor to purchase. You have the 220SL tune up well documented.

I am not a mechanic but I like to work on cars and have done my fair share of auto mechanic work.

I'm glad the thread I made on replacing the reel has helped you and hope it helps others down the road. Let us know if you end up getting it. If you decide to replace the reel it should be easier since the reel bearings were already replaced.

 

[Fishnugget]

Thanks Pete, I think your tutorial is another motivating factor to purchase. You have the 220SL tune up well documented.

I am not a mechanic but I like to work on cars and have done my fair share of auto mechanic work.

I'm glad the thread I made on replacing the reel has helped you and hope it helps others down the road. Let us know if you end up getting it. If you decide to replace the reel it should be easier since the reel bearings were already replaced.

Pete, the only challenge I see in your detailed reel replacement is maybe removing the reel bearings as I have no access to a press tool. However, I'm sure I can figure it out.

 

[Pete1313]

Pete, the only challenge I see in your detailed reel replacement is maybe removing the reel bearings as I have no access to a press tool. However, I'm sure I can figure it out.

Agreed. The outer races would be tricky without a press but could probably be done with the right size socket and a hammer. If the bearings were already replaced and in good shape however, you could just slide off the housings leaving the bearings and seals intact and replace just the reel.

 

[g-man]

You could also rent for free a bearing pusher/press from Oreilly or an autopart. Just make sure you are going straight.