How many hours can you put on a Bladerunner

[LAWNGODFATHER]

Here is the mower.

[LAWNGODFATHER]

I was absolutly shocked when I saw this hour meter.

[vipermanz]

how old is that machine??

[SLS]

WOW! I didn't realize that American Bladerunners have been in existance long enough to garner those kind of hours. Cool!

Looks like someone needs another screw for the hour meter...all those hours running at 15 mph must have shook it loose. ;)

[vipermanz]

yea, looks a little crooked too

[John Gamba]

Mike
Have You Ever Used A Bladerunner. If so how did you Like It.

Thank you John

[MOW ED]

It goes so fast the clock runs at double speed!

[HOMER]

I think it was running and that was the RPM's that your read.

[LAWNGODFATHER]

Originally posted by John Gamba
Mike
Have You Ever Used A Bladerunner. If so how did you Like It.

Thank you John No I haven't really cut with one yet, just played on one.

I think that mower is 2 years old, and it was not running when I took the picture.

[Brickman]

My pic is pretty fuzzy, but it looked like 945 hrs and change to me. If so that is NO hours.

[MacLawnCo]

Brickman, there is a 2 infront of the 9, that makes 2900 and some change.

Jason

[Brickman]

OK that makes a big difference. All I can see is the 945.

[MacLawnCo]

LGF,

Do you have any ohter pictures of the Blade runner that you would not mind sharing, i would love to see a few more anlges of that machine. Thanks.

Jason

[Brickman]

OK that makes a big difference. All I can see is the 945.


WTF????? Now why did this post twice. :dizzy:

[Nick]

looks like they don't live as long as a dixie. To bad looking like a dc dosen't make it last like one. I have seen some dixe beat to **** that have 4000+ hours on them and still run.

[LAWNGODFATHER]

Originally posted by Nick
looks like they don't live as long as a dixie. To bad looking like a dc dosen't make it last like one. I have seen some dixe beat to **** that have 4000+ hours on them and still run.

HUH!!!! that mower looked in pretty good shape to me for 2 years old and almost 3000 hours on it. Ran good, and it was the one we raced with. I think it could easily double or tripple that hour meter no problem.

[Nick]

I thought you said it didn't run anymore. Oh well :dizzy:

[MLI]

We have a Walker with over 6000 hrs on it(yeah right) Ive watched the meter go forward 2 times as fast....even seen it go backwards. I know we put about 450 hrs a year on machine...so im guessing we have about 2k on ours.

[rwleigh]

What kind of engine is that?
What size cut is the mower?
Is this really the mower that was in the drag race?

[LAWNGODFATHER]

Originally posted by rwleigh
What kind of engine is that?
What size cut is the mower?
Is this really the mower that was in the drag race?

I think it was 32hp. Lambordini diesel. 72" cut. It was in the race.

MLI. those are accurate hours.

2945

[WREBELMACHINE]

I am shooting for 10,000 hrs. before I trade mine off!

[John Gamba]

Mike why Did you say It was not running? How did you race with it!

John :confused:

[65hoss]

It runs, it was not running while he took the picture.

[LAWNGODFATHER]

Originally posted by John Gamba
Mike why Did you say It was not running? How did you race with it!

John :confused:

The second part was to answer HOMERS post. "I think it was running and that was the RPM's that your read."

[crazygator]

I wonder if that hour meter was the actual one that came on this machine, or was on something else.

[John Gamba]

What was Wrong With It.

Thank's Hoss.

[LAWNGODFATHER]

Originally posted by John Gamba
What was Wrong With It.

Thank's Hoss.
you are missing some key words here.

They key was in the off position, this wont let the engine run.

The engine and mowers runs perfectly. The mower had the "key" in the "off" postition for the picture.

This is the "SAME" mower that was in the "RACE". The key was in the "ON" posistion for this, that means the engine was running.

There is nothing "wrong" with the mower.

What was wrong with it? Nothing. the engine was not running when I took the picture. Homer posted that it could be the tachometer. and it is not, it is the hour meter.

[John Gamba]

Thanks Lgf
I'd like to try the Mower But i Don't think they will be In connecticut For a while.
John.

[BladeRunner Rep]

The mower pictured is the second diesel powered mower that we had ever built the hours are accurate. I really enjoyed watching the race with this unit!

[Farmboy]

How many hours could you get out of diesel powered bladerunner?

[roscioli]

HAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA>>>>> Its been a while since I laughed so hard on LS. WOW. LGF- the use of bold and quotes was perfect. HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHA> WHOOOOHOOOOO! On a serious note- I am very impressed by the hours.. COME TO MASS!

[BladeRunner Rep]

The hours you should get out of a diesel or gas unit is really in how you maintain it! You should be able to get 10,000hrs+ out of a diesel unit. But if you do not maintain it properly you will never see that kind of result without some major expense! And this will hold true with anyone's diesel or gas powered machine.

[Green King]

Can anyone tell me if this mower had the 32hp engine on it? I am leaning towards purchasing one with that engine and I am currious if I could easily hit these hours.

[bob]

Both my mowers combined don't have that many hours on.

[Envy Lawn Service]

If it was gas powered I'd be impressed. But that's no hours for a diesel engine. That engine has a lot of life left it if has hen properly serviced. I'm willing to bet it has judging from the condition the mower is in for 2900+ hours.

[Farmboy]

From what everyone has said I think that 10,000hrs could also be hit with IF and I say IF it is maintained!

[David Gretzmier]

lessee- 2945 hours, over 2 years, we'll call that "seasons" and break it down to a growing season from late feb to mid nov. assuming a 36 week span, or 72 weeks for 2 years, that is a continuous 40.9 hours a week. I can only assume that this rig was in one location and did production mowing, or this ain't 2 years old. if you drive from job to job, and unless you have a 3 man crew and one guy is always mowing when he isn't in the truck, it is still almost impossible to put that many hours on in a year, unless this thing mows in florida 52 weeks out of year. in a continuous open 40 acre lot w/ little turns and bumps, I can see many mowers getting that many hours and looking that good. Dave g

[Flex-Deck]

No matter about the # of hrs. On a maintained diesel - 10,000 is nothing - takes one well built machine to last as long as the engine.

All I run is diesels, and my highest time engine is 5000 hrs. - runs like new.

I will never ever go back to gas - they use twice the fuel - require two to three times as many oil changes, and then we can talk about spark plugs etc.

Thanks, Brad

PS. does seem like 2900 in 2 seasons is a lot - must have been a test model that they hired to run 50 hrs per wk. That would be a good test for the mower itself - Would not even tax the diesel though.

[BladeRunner Rep]

Green King

Yes it is a 32hp diesel unit!

[roscioli]

BladeRunner- Any update on this mower? Actually, i didnt re-read the thread to see who's it was... but it would be interesting to see if it was still in action.

[johnhenry]

I know the bladerunner is a nice machine and performs what it says.But why in this decade would someone even want a mower over 6000 hours.Realize how many parts you would have had to replace .Plus I know diesel will be easier on parts but with this industry changing every year and companys tinkering so much.I myself always look to advance myself in equipment plus tax benefits.I bet if you look around there are a lot of diesel engines with high miles on them.

[Sam-Ohio]

Why would any manufacturer use a engine that is so thinly distributed across the USA ?

Where are you supposed to find parts or get service for this oddball brand engine ?

At least with the rice burners [Kubota, Yanmar, Mitsubishi, or Briggs/Daihatsu] I know that parts are widely available, and so are the mechanics that have some factory training on how to repair them.

What brand of hydro pumps and motors are in these mowers ? Does anybody believe they will last 10,000 hours ?

We have seen 3 Steiner 230 units with Kubota GASOLINE engines get up around 7000 hours on them.
The engines were still running, but the rest of the mower was so worn out, in each case we had to get rid of them.

[Farmboy]

Interesting questions sam!

I myself like the fact of some variety available on machinery as well as engine options. In the end we all benefit because the quality of all the product goes up.

As far a parts or mechanics go I quess you would need to talk to bladerunner or lombardini.

As for the 10,000hrs. that would probably be a question answered best by LGF or REBELMACHINE. The factory guys I am sure would think that the machine will make it, but LGF and REBEL have used them and would probably have better unput!

I would be currious as to why they use this engine over the other diesel options on the market. I am planning on buying one of these myself and I think I have a good Idea as to why but maybe the Rep or the Captn. can give us some input!

[IBGreen]

Good questions! I hope Mr. bladerunnerrep himself will answer some of them.

[WREBELMACHINE]

I have had no problems getting parts for my lombardini diesels! But the only thing I have needed for them has been air and oil filters! My dealer keeps them on the shelf! And the one part that I really needed he had the next day!

[LAWNGODFATHER]

I don't have mine "Yet", just waiting for Alex to bring me one.

[IBGreen]

Next day, well I guess that would work.

[Farmboy]

LGF

Do you think the diesel bladerunner could run the 10,000hrs. ?

[LAWNGODFATHER]

With proper maint. any mower "could" do it.

Some just don't want to.

I got a buddy I sold one of my older DC's to, it has over 6500 hours on it, replaced the engine last year, that has about 750 hours it now. It's in the shop right now for a replacement frame. "Life time warrenty".

The diesel BR has the opertunity to do 10,000 hours. For that many hours, the engine is the weakest link.

[BladeRunner Rep]

This could be a real long reply so I will try to keep it short!

Very good questions sam, john and farmboy!

Why do we use lombardini?

When we were developing our diesel mowers we talked to virtually everyone including the rice burners! Most of the companies would not even talk to us, and the ones that did we did not get any real support or breaks for developing a unit.

We then were contacted by two companies who really took an intrest in our machine, and saw a bright future with us. One of these was lombardini! The vice president of lombardini at that time flew in from Atlanta to talk to us. We had reservations about the use of lombardini because of it's lack of a name in the turf industry. They are well nown in other applications but turf is not were they have been seen much. We then stressed our concerns over the use of there engine such as PARTS, RELIABILTY and PERFORMANCE.

Lombardini then showed us there distribution network wich is very large with distribution to all 50 states. Also they have a next day air ship policy on there engines from Atlanta that is available!

This engine is also distributed in the duetz brand as well!

Whith this being answered we then asked about reliabilty? Lombardini is backed by a three year warranty against manufacture defects! One of the best warranties available.

Then came the last question which was performance! Lombardini was so confident with there engine that they made us a deal to try one. This was the deal we would recieve a 32hp engine to bolt on and compare to the others on the market, if there engine did not outperform the others the engine was ours to keep! If it did outperform the others we would have to cut them a check. We also received a one year performance and endurance test on the engine! That was 1998 and the engine still runs stong, and has only had one breakdown in that period of time which was the starter! Now I am telling you about the starter for a reason which is this. The starter had not quite but would not spin the engine fast enough to start it so we contacted the local distribator about it and asked if they had one, which they did not so we had it orderd, the next day we recieved one from Atlanta! We were very impressed with the parts situation also they warrantied the starter out for us!

I hope this sheds some light into why we use lombardini. The engine is a very advanced engine with ohc technology and is one of the best if not the best power to weight ratio engines going today.

Also I forgot to mention my boss is a gearhead and loves performance!

As far as 10,000hrs?

As mentioned before if maintained and treated properly YES you should be able to make it!

[lawn storm]

Originally posted by LAWNGODFATHER

I got a buddy I sold one of my older DC's to, it has over 6500 hours on it, replaced the engine last year, that has about 750 hours it now. It's in the shop right now for a replacement frame. "Life time warrenty".

.
this older dc was it diesel or gas ?

[IBGreen]

Its off topic, but does anyone make a bagger for the BR or is one coming in the future?

[Farmboy]

IBGREEN there is a mention of a bagger in the manufacture forum about a new bagger with twin turbines on it!

[BladeRunner Rep]

Yes we are developing a twin turbin bagger! Currently peco has a unit that will fit our machine.

[David Gretzmier]

where in the heck can I look at or buy one of these? are there any dealers or reps near Arkansas?

[BladeRunner Rep]

David

We are signing a distribator in arkansas! I will post in the manufacutures forum about who to contact and arrange a demo for you, also if you have any suggestions on a good dealer for your area would be appreciated!

Thank You!