Should I stay away from a used Woods Zero Turn?

marketstreetjay · Sep 22, 2009

Can't find any reviews on this model....anywhere (I think its an 1860). Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Out front 60" deck (made by grasshopper???) Tuned up and ready to go.....mid 1990's model with 1100 hours. 18hp Kohler (not sure if its an OHV yet)

I'm in a budget situation ($2k +/-). 2.5 flat acres.

Are they time bombs or is there anything I should really be aware of?

Thanks all, be safe.

marketstreetjay · Sep 22, 2009

Well looks like the kohler 18 mag is a piece of garbage.

sandman2234 · Sep 22, 2009

Hopefully that isn't a statement made by the owner, namely you...because it would stink to ask and then buy and find out.
David from jax

marketstreetjay · Sep 22, 2009

I've done some shotgun research and the kohler 18 magnum doesn't get a lot of praise....The owner says she's good to go. the www says that engine is rarely good to go.

Anyone else? I can't find any critical analysis of the mower overall. thanks

ae_ted · Sep 22, 2009

I have had a woods 6180 52" deck since 1996 and brother in law has had a 60" deck 6180 since 1998. have mowed 3 to 6 acrres a yr with this one. I have had no probs till this yr. the 18hp vanguard blew up(blown ring) 2 months ago with 800hrs. The vanguard is a good engine, things just happen. good luck in your decision. I am deciding on whether to put 1300+200 install and get mine back up and going.

RickB · Sep 22, 2009

marketstreetjay said:
I've done some shotgun research and the kohler 18 magnum doesn't get a lot of praise....The owner says she's good to go. the www says that engine is rarely good to go.

Anyone else? I can't find any critical analysis of the mower overall. thanks

How many times does the average guy post a review or comment praising anything?
Now think about how often the same folks will post negative info about a product whether it is deserved or not.
A Kohler Vanguard is a better than middle of the road small engine. The only Kohler I would avoid is the Courage series. You want a premium small engine, go buy a Honda. But you will look long and hard to find one in a 10-15 year old mower of any brand. Anything of that type with 1100 hours on it is a pig in a poke. If it made it that far, it can't be too bad, but it could grenade any time. It's a roll of the dice.

dbear · Sep 23, 2009

I had an old Ramsomes 3-wheeler, bought used, so keep in mind I have no idea about the care or lack thereof over its life, with 2000hrs, that came with a 20hp Magnum. When I bought it, I could tell, really more of gut feeling it wasn't as strong as it should have been, there was an issue with the engine besides a little oil seepage from the bottom engine seal. I just couldn't put my finger on it, but I had gotten it for a good price so I didn't think too much about it.

I performed basic annual maintenance (oil and filter) and got another 300-400 hours out of it before it died. An autopsy found that the gear between the crank and cam, some composite material, disintegrated. Because I didn't have a ton in it, I ended up repowering it with a 20hp Onan for much less than it would have cost to rebuild the existing, replace the shortblock, replace with new Magnum, or even repower with a Command, Vanguard, Honda, Kawa...

Not sure where this story falls in the Magnum good or bad scheme of things, but I wasn't unpleased with the Magnum's life.