MOturkey
06-05-2011, 08:35 AM
This comes up often in threads about major equipment purchases, but not always as a separate issue, and I'm wondering what the thoughts are of the majority?
Some purchase a mower, planning on running it until the paint is faded and the deck is rusted through. Others, like myself, trade on a more or less regular basis. There is merit in both approaches, but I'm wondering if, in the real world, there is really that much difference over time either way?
I run two 260 Gravely's. Started having two machines 3 years ago, prior to that, got by with one. I also have a Walker side-discharge I bought used, but put very few hours on it, so won't include it in this discussion. I am not particularly mechanically inclined, and do not enjoy mechanical work, so I decided early on to trade as often as feasible to avoid repairs. Other than with the first Z I owned, I've been trading as soon as, or just prior to, the expiration of the 2 year warranty. So far, it has cost me around $7 per hour depreciaton to trade, basing that on the cost of the new machine, which historically has always been higher than the original cost of the old one.
Some would argue that is too expensive, but is it really? Let's say you pay $10,000 out the door for a brand new Z. You use it for X number of years, and put 3,000 hours on it before you consider trading. For argument's sake, let's say you get $1,000 trade on your new mower, and that the new mowers haven't gone up since your last purchase (yow, right, LOL), so it cost you $9,000 in depreciation for 3,000 hours, or $3 per hour, substantially less than my $7 figure, but you have to remember that I'm normally out only the depreciation. I have no repair costs. Of the last 4 mowers I've purchased, other than regular maintenance, the only thing I've paid for out of my pocket is one deck belt, which I thought was bad, and it wasn't. Turned out the tensioner was loose.
I haven't had to replace a tire, put in a new wheel motor, replace a spindle, buy a new battery. Nothing. Plus, I normally have the availability of a loaner if something major does go wrong. How often does that happen putting thousands of hours on before trading? Also, for me, there is that "peace of mind" factor, knowing I'm not going to get surprised with a $1,000 repair bill.
I'm not knocking those that are still running 10 year old mowers, I'm simply hoping to spur a discussion which will perhaps help others decide which method works best for them.
Some purchase a mower, planning on running it until the paint is faded and the deck is rusted through. Others, like myself, trade on a more or less regular basis. There is merit in both approaches, but I'm wondering if, in the real world, there is really that much difference over time either way?
I run two 260 Gravely's. Started having two machines 3 years ago, prior to that, got by with one. I also have a Walker side-discharge I bought used, but put very few hours on it, so won't include it in this discussion. I am not particularly mechanically inclined, and do not enjoy mechanical work, so I decided early on to trade as often as feasible to avoid repairs. Other than with the first Z I owned, I've been trading as soon as, or just prior to, the expiration of the 2 year warranty. So far, it has cost me around $7 per hour depreciaton to trade, basing that on the cost of the new machine, which historically has always been higher than the original cost of the old one.
Some would argue that is too expensive, but is it really? Let's say you pay $10,000 out the door for a brand new Z. You use it for X number of years, and put 3,000 hours on it before you consider trading. For argument's sake, let's say you get $1,000 trade on your new mower, and that the new mowers haven't gone up since your last purchase (yow, right, LOL), so it cost you $9,000 in depreciation for 3,000 hours, or $3 per hour, substantially less than my $7 figure, but you have to remember that I'm normally out only the depreciation. I have no repair costs. Of the last 4 mowers I've purchased, other than regular maintenance, the only thing I've paid for out of my pocket is one deck belt, which I thought was bad, and it wasn't. Turned out the tensioner was loose.
I haven't had to replace a tire, put in a new wheel motor, replace a spindle, buy a new battery. Nothing. Plus, I normally have the availability of a loaner if something major does go wrong. How often does that happen putting thousands of hours on before trading? Also, for me, there is that "peace of mind" factor, knowing I'm not going to get surprised with a $1,000 repair bill.
I'm not knocking those that are still running 10 year old mowers, I'm simply hoping to spur a discussion which will perhaps help others decide which method works best for them.