[dlandsv]

I have an opportunity to buy a 5013 fairly cheap but only with 2 wheel drive and 46 inch deck only.

It's rough based on pics I have seen, but owner says that it is driveable, doesn't smoke, and everything works.

Except for one issue he disclosed. He said it grinds going into gears.

So IMO, it could be something as simple as a clutch repair, or worse. If the previous owner failed to repair the clutch it could have caused severe transmission damage and on its last leg. If so, then the expense to fix doesn't justify the cheap price.

The tractor is out of city, so it's an expensive trip to make only to find the tractor is in need of major and very expensive repairs.

I've done what I think is a complete search on this forum and on another and can't find any posts that address this issue.

Anybody who would like to offer some suggestions or advice - please chime in.

Also - I plan to mount a blower on it so am wondering about traction since it only has two wheel drive. All posts about traction say tractor is excellent, because of the very low creeper gears and because of 4 wheel drive. This unit is 2 wheel drive however.

Note: this would be a keeper and I plan restore as much as possible so it would like new again - paint, power coat, etc. But I could also get a John Deere 318 with blower, restore it and have IMO a tractor that is just as good at blowing snow or using a blade. I have nothing against Honda, I own 4, but the older 300 and 400 series John Deere's IMO are just as good with a slew of used and new parts available making restoration much easier and perhaps cheaper.

 

[kirkster70]

Define "fairly cheap".

Does it have the rear lift / 3pt hitch?

What kind of shape are the tires in?

 

[dlandsv]

Define "fairly cheap".

Does it have the rear lift / 3pt hitch?

What kind of shape are the tires in?

Since it is still for sale, I don't think it would be in my best interests to quote the sale price or the seller. IMO each buyer has to negotiate the best selling price and not let another buyer do it for them.

No, it does not have the optional 3pt hitch. I do know of a 3pt assembly that might be for sale if the owner decides to sell it separately. However, the tractor hasn't been publicly listed for sale yet.

Tires? I haven't seen the tractor except for pics. I asked if the tires were in good shape without any dry rot. - he said they were in pretty good shape. But an owner's opinion of what 'pretty good shape' is meaningless.

If one were to replace the tires, it's probably as cheap to get centric wheel adaptors and install wheels and tires that are more common today since this is a two wheel drive only.

http://rugwire.com/honda/wheel_adapters.html

http://rugwire.com/honda/replacement_tires.html

I talked to an owner who own's two 5518's and previously owned a 2 wheel drive 5013. He said in his opinion a 2 wheel drive doesn't have enough traction to use with a snowblower or blade. In fact, most times he said he trouble just driving it onto his trailer when the blower was attached because of poor traction.

FYI: He also said there are many options for blowers for the 5000 series if one can't find a Honda blower and aren't that expensive to convert.

 

[kirkster70]

Well, it's kind of hard to give opinions with zero information.

Good luck on your possible purchase.