Blown & Repaired Head Gasket: Red Flag for Buyer?

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Tree service means foliage,flora debris and heavy front end load sufficient to block frontal air flow and create radiator screen clog.
Slash is heavy and messy and tree services deal with that on a daily basis.
I could understand how a head gasket could blow and how a head can crack by merely adding water to an over heated engine.
I feel the block itself should also be scrutinized with a coolant pressure check.

 

[Tinhack]

... and TYM refuses to give a clear statement of the dividing line between commercial and residential.

That can be a foggy line since no one is there to watch. Except maybe the computer on board (if it has one). If it's anything like a modern road vehicle, you can print reams of performance, shifting and drivability data. Some makes even more. To the extent of knowing how many people were in the car at the time of the event. And if you have OnStar, what was being said.

 

[Torvy]

The legal line is pretty clear. If the unit is owned by a non-farming business, it's commercial. If the primary use of the unit is to earn job income, it's commercial.

I dealt with similar issues lending for trucks. We wouldn't ever consider an F450 or bigger as personal use.

Also, if you get caught using equipment on a personal insurance policy for business use, they can deny claims.

The same concepts apply to warranties. There's a lot more risk with commercial use. It's not rational for a guy using the unit for commercial use to get the same coverage as a weekend hobby guy. I'm surprised most don't use a combo of age and engine hours.

 

[RayIN]

The bottom line is, it's your money and your decision on the amount of risk you are willing to incur.
That repaired engine might run for 2-4,000hrs without another problem-excluding accessories. Well-known diesel engine brands normally run for 6-8,000hrs before an overhaul is needed.
I cannot recall the brand name, however there was one diesel engine that was known for overheating. Turned out the cause was a faulty-made water pump impeller.

 

[Suburban Plowboy]

The legal line is pretty clear. If the unit is owned by a non-farming business, it's commercial. If the primary use of the unit is to earn job income, it's commercial.

I dealt with similar issues lending for trucks. We wouldn't ever consider an F450 or bigger as personal use.

Also, if you get caught using equipment on a personal insurance policy for business use, they can deny claims.

The same concepts apply to warranties. There's a lot more risk with commercial use. It's not rational for a guy using the unit for commercial use to get the same coverage as a weekend hobby guy. I'm surprised most don't use a combo of age and engine hours.

That's not what TYM says.

 

[Torvy]

What they said? Or what the seller is telling you they said and/or did?

 

[Suburban Plowboy]

I know the difference between TYM and the seller.

 

[Fixastuff]

That's not what TYM says.

Though shalt not disparage the TYM/Branson name or you will incur the wrath….

 

[Torvy]

Though shalt not disparage the TYM/Branson name or you will incur the wrath….

It's not disparaging them at all. If anything, they stood behind their dealer and ate the loss. Some OEMs leave dealers high and dry on warranty work.

There's just next to zero chance TYM told the poster anything about it one way or the other.

 

[Snobdds]

Pass.

It was abused in a commercial setting.