[RED-85-Z51]

I have my stash of tractors, a shed full of saws, old and new, an ever growing collection of sideshaft engines, and it's all great and all...I really enjoy my job, working on small engines and equipment 5 days a week.

But yesterday, I realized how thin im spread. I had to get my old craftsman 19.5hp/46" rider going to mow the grass because:

The deere shredded a deck pulley.
The 310-8 has been sitting idle so long the carb is varnished and the batt. is long dead.
the 416-H wont start because something is up with the carb, wont pull fuel up unless you choke it with your hand, after that it runs great.
The Mitsubishi decided to smoke the starter, but not before it shredded yet another PTO belt.
The Cub Cadet wont run smooth suddenly, I dont know if its water in the carb or ignition but it sputters.
Havent had time to rebuild the deck and install the new head gasket on the GT5K tractor.

It just goes on and on...Ive got so much nice stuff and no time to use any of it, and when I do use it, it doesnt work or breaks down.

My saws, Ive got like 35 saws, and had 20 of them running great a year ago, in fact I had 25 running at once in a line in the yard...I know only a few will start now if I had to use them, just from sitting and lack of use.

Im into FSJ's now...(Full size Jeeps) like J-10's, Wagoneers, 70's Cherokees, Grand Wagoneers, and I love these things.

I like being into tractors too, it's just I dont have alot of time anymore for them...I dont know if I should sell some of it off, or just build another shed and prep em for long term storage until I have time again...

Obviously there are machines I have I would never sell...:i_praying

 

[kenny350]

I know how you feel I just sold a few push mowers and kept 2 so I have more room in my barn

 

[jeepersmitty]

Speaking from experience I know that jeeps are far more expensive to keep up than lawn tractors. I am like you I love them both and would hate to have to make a choice.

 

[Bolens 1000]

I know what you mean about saws.......I have alot myself, some I will never use but I just cant get rid of them.....Mabye just keep the ones you want/use in running condition and dont wory about the others and just drain the gas and store them.

 

[RED-85-Z51]

I know what you mean about saws.......I have alot myself, some I will never use but I just cant get rid of them.....Mabye just keep the ones you want/use in running condition and dont wory about the others and just drain the gas and store them.

The thing is...I dont even have any trees. Hurricane Ivan took care of that.


Ive got..and this is the short list, trust me..

Echo CS-520
Stihl 025
Stihl MS-260, and MS-260PRO
Stihl 028AV
Stihl 031AV
Poulan Wild thing (modified)
Poulan XXV Deluxe
Poulan 3700
Poulan 2300AVX
Poulan 306A
Poulan Pro 230
Poulan pro 260
McCulloch Pro MAc 610, and Timerbear
Mac 160S
Mac 140
Mac 10-10Electric
Mac G(something)
Homelite XL
HOmelite Timberman (modified)
Remington Mighty Mite Bantam
Tanaka ECS-415
Husqvarna 350
and I think a Shindaiwa 488

the Stihls are complete but are toast, all are like new, straight gassed within the first 2-3 tanks. The 2 Big MAC's are also like new, just got em out of a barn cleaning, sitting 25-30 years..Pretty much the rest run now, or need something simple like fuel line, carb kit, or whatever.

Engines-

Kohler CH6T-XKE kart engine
Kohler CH13S
Honda GX-340 (modded with 13hp Cam and carb)
Honda GX-200 (heavily modded for KArt racing, 20+hp on gas)
2 Honda GX-160 long blocks, 1 rebuilt, one needs an overbore.
Tecumseh OHH50
Tec H50
Tec HH60
Tec HH60
Tec H60
Briggs 8hp L-head
Briggs 5hp Fun Power engine, totally rebuilt and restored, modded lightly with older carb.
Briggs 5hp L-head
Central Machinery 6.5hp Clone

1 complete 8hp flathead briggs, in a box..

1 H70 Shortblock, New In Box
1 HM80 Shortblock, new in box.

plus probably some Ive forgotten about..haha

 

[LLigetfa]

Cripes, I'm glad I don't have your misfortune. I only have one 4 year old tractor, one 6 year old log splitter, one 10 year old tiller, one 15 year old string trimmer, and my only chainsaw is going on 30 years old. They all run fine.

 

[RED-85-Z51]

Cripes, I'm glad I don't have your misfortune. I only have one 4 year old tractor, one 6 year old log splitter, one 10 year old tiller, one 15 year old string trimmer, and my only chainsaw is going on 30 years old. They all run fine.

I wish I had the need for half the stuff I have...Id kill for a cord of wood man.:biglaugh:

I forgot 3 engines...

5.5 Briggs intek, 6.5 Intek pro, 8.75 series Intek.

Ive got 2 trimmers I work out every weekend, a pair of Echo SRM-210's. One is a year old, and one is about 4 years old I got used from work when a customer refused to pay his bill for a new carb.

 

[ohiocowboy1277]

and my fiance' thinks i have to many lol. my list includes 5 riding mowers :toro rer ,gilson ,scotts and 2 craftsmans 1 of which im looking for a wiring harness and engine for its a craftsman II if anyone has free parts for it lol . 9 push mowers 5 are craftsman 2 toro 2 yardman . 1 chainsaw thats a
10" one i got free just needed a fuel line and muffler still needs the muffler loud but seems to run good. still looking for a good trimmer too mine died well it runs but the cable that turns the head broke and the part is more than the trimmer cost new . 2 of the push mowers are for sale right now and going to put a 3rd one up when im done with it not sure about the riders yet as the scotts mower has a few probs but is comfortable and cuts good the craftsman II isnt going anywhere i want to fix it and use it neither are the gilson or the toro but the other craftsman im not sure yet i might sell it or might keep it dont know but needs steering help either way

 

[C2H8O]

But yesterday, I realized how thin im spread. ...

Obviously there are machines I have I would never sell...:i_praying

Red, I would say it is definitely time to thin the herd. You will enjoy it more. It worked for me.

I got rid of a lot of stuff from a collection, model trains not tractors but same idea, and I enjoy the excellent remaining items. In addition, the other things went to new people who will enjoy them. It simply got to be a chore to maintain all those items, and there ain't any maid service at our house to dust off the collections.

I approached it one by one. If I could keep one thing, what would it be? If I could keep another? It went pretty quick. Trimmed it down to 1/10 of the original, and I'm not keeping any stuff because it might be useful "someday".

I'm still shedding stuff, no tears.

One more thing ... any time you want to come up and exercise that chain saw collection, we'll put you up. We got lotsa trees you can practice on!

 

[FrankMA]

and I'm not keeping any stuff because it might be useful "someday"

That's the one that gets me everytime - "it might be useful someday". The problem is that when you go to look for that "useful" item, you can never find it when you need it. Then, when you don't need it, you're tripping all over it. :duh:

 

[Kbeitz]

You should be in my shoes...

 

[tiger9297]

I did the exact same thing this past Spring. I had a number of Cub Cadets, MTD 990, Allis Chalmers, etc and numerous implements. My intention was to restore them all and have a fine collection of really nice GT's and attachments. However, it just hit me one day that with two little girls (2 yrs and 4 yrs.) I just don't have the time. I want to spend my free time with my wife and girls, not working on stuff. Also, like you, I had not had time to really make all of the tractors "right", so I had basically "fixed" them where they were "good enough for this job". They never ran right, and I'm a perfectionist so that got all under my skin. I sold every single tractor, except one Cub Cadet 126 that I'm finishing up a full 2 year restoration on. I also made enough money to buy two nice Kubota tractors, a finish mower, and still have money left over. Haven't regretted it one bit. You'd be amazed at the value of some of the stuff you have lying around, and with the use of the internet it should be fairly easy to sell.

 

[olcowhand]

Red, I would say it is definitely time to thin the herd. You will enjoy it more. It worked for me.

I thinned some too. My Suzuki GT750 is gone, as well as my Massey MF85 lawn tractor. A couple garden tractors will be going later also. Already much easier to navigate my shed and get to what I need. Don't have to climb over anything now! Much happier too I might add. Don't miss anything and looking forward to a tad more thinning. Paid some small bills to boot and took a 3 day motorcycle ride thanks to the cash from the MF85! For sure I'm NOT getting out of the hobby, just getting rid of some dead weight that I don't use.

 

[D-Dogg]

I found the disease has its phases.
You see a perfectly good whatever about to go to the dump/recycler, or see it rotting in the woods.

You have to have it because you know it would be an easy fix or neat winter project.

You get it running, and have no real use for it, but you would lose money selling it (if anyone would even buy a 10 year old trimmer).

So it sits, waiting for an opportunity, which often never comes.

When you do go to use it, it's almost back to square one.

Sad but often true.

Now here's an idea - 4-H clubs. Many have kids interested in the small engine area, and your donations might be tax deductible.

 

[savageactor7]

Red I'd sell what you don't use...I bet you have close to 10g's of toys you could live without.

Anyway that's my philosophy...I don't hang on to anything I don't use regularly. At this point in my life I'm happy being a minimalist.

And the joy to walk into a half empty garage with everything on shelves and 2 empty work benches. Just last week we agreed to sell our MC an '85 almost perfect Gold Wing. We don't use it much up here and I want it out of the garage most to free up space...and also cause the wife just recently refused to ride with me anymore.

 

[poncho62]

That's what I would do....and I need to do a bit too....Thin the herd.....Just keep a few things. In time, its going to build up again, that's a given.

BTW, Red...just thought I would mention....Your avatar really freaks me out for some reason.....lol

 

[LLigetfa]

Red,
Too bad you're so far away. I could use a good cheap pulling/pushing GT with blade. Around here they want the same price they paid for it 10/20/30 years ago.

 

[JeffinIA]

I sold off My Triumph T140E , Massey 85 , Deere 111 , Simplicity 728, cub 105 and Ended up buying a new Trailer to bring more stuff home. But I got a good fund for my CUT and still got 5 tractors left...

 

[oldandred]

Heck I love not being able to walk though my 5 sheds and shop and the joy of starting them all up two or three times a year nothing like it but then again I only use three of them out of the hundred and a little more just like the four 754s all lined up ready to go just like tghey came from the factory it kinda gives me some to do after working 10-12 hours a day on my orher job.
O well its start up time for the fels,s 312-8 314-8 310-8 b60 b80 1054 954 now thats the ones for today tommorow theres a nother bunch just may be all the rangers from 1962-1968 or it could be the 854 ,701 ,702 , jus dont know untill I check the list of tractors that havent been strated for a week osr so o theres no sears or jd s or cubs Im a one make tractor man all wheel horse
Like I said is sure is fun to go though the shops and high step around and over the tractors
:bannana: :bananapow

 

[RED-85-Z51]

The painful thing is that my investment into half the things I own is at or beyond their selling value.

For instance...late 80's Wheel Horse 310-8.

Paid 300 for it, not running, but in decent complete shape.
put 275 into rebuilding the engine 0.030" over.

Ive put maybe 10 hours on the rebuilt engine, and it was rebuilt over 4 years ago..

The Wheel Horse 416-H, Paid 1300 for it, plus 75 for the Brinly plow, and I dont even want to think about how much the Stator costs that it needs to be fixed...