Checking Out Used Equipment

[yooperdave]

I am considering purchasing a John Deere 725 front end mower. The unit has 165 hours on it. The current owner is not the original owner. The current owner said that he put on new blades and repainted the mower deck. He thinks the mower is only a few years old. I have not yet seen the machine in person.

How do I check out the history of the machine if I get the serial number? I am wondering why he would repaint a mower deck if it was only a few years old.

He is asking $5,400 before negotiating. Does this sound like a resonable price for a 3rd owner? My parents bought this same model mower last year new for their golf course for $7,900.

I was initially looking for a garden tractor. However, the mower and maneuverability should be better, and it does have a hitch to pull a wagon.

Your input is appreciated.

Yooper Dave

 

[SteveM]

If you have a good relationship with a dealer, that would be your best bet. Only 165 hours seems very low for that type of equipment....but who knows. Repainting just the deck is not a complete red flag, as an out front deck will get lots of scrapes and bruises from trees and fences etc.

 

[wardo]

I just purchased a '99 F-725 w/ a 54 inch deck with 501hrs on it for 2600 from a residential user, one heck of a buy, at least from what I hear. These mowers seem to offer a lot, especially manuverability. The kawasaki motor is rated for 3500hrs! I paint my deck all the time, it does get scraped and dinged up easily, paint just keeps it lookin nice and the rust off. Price seems right, they hold their value very very well, my local dealer has a 94 with 700hrs on it and they still are asking 5900. Pull the trigger! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif