Not a flop video! You made important points in assessing wear and damage when considering rebuilding a machine. It would be interesting to see how much longer it would last with no repairs! Worst case, you can harvest parts off it. Thanks for the video!
I've never worked on one Hester but it's the same as any old mower I get, you can fix all the bobos but it'll be back and forth to your shop every time she uses it. Scrap it.
I’m very much on the fence with this one. Since I have other machines to flip that are in better condition, this one would most likely end up a parts machine unless another freebie with better tins showed up to swap in for these. If I had a magic mig/tig machine I’d probably slap on layers of sheet metal 1/8th or 5/16ths, wire brush, prime and paint and send it, assuming the engine tested good and I’d already addressed the other issues shown. Probably do a leakdown first to assess rings, valves. All of the above only if I had no repairs waiting.
If this was for myself or a good friend (or even a bad one 😂) I'd probably have gone further than I did. The problem is I'm not going to gamble other people's money. In order to guarantee her some sort of ROI or longevity for the unit the bill would have been between $3/400. She could buy a nice used clean Ariens off marketplace for around that amount (which is what I advised her to do) 👍🏻
For a repair no. For personal use yes. To fix and sell, ify on profit v cost to repair. I have similar one (older) but it just needed tires I had on hand and a woodruff key. Fresh oil and gas. But it was free and had the parts. Sell for $200-$250. If we have snow. Later
Couldn't have said it better myself, this blower would be perfect for someone like us who can put a little love into it and handle fixing it if/when it breaks, in my area it would be damn near impossible to sell this thing the way it looks. Unfortunately people today want things to be shiny instead of strong lol
I definitely agree with you that this blower could have at least one more season left in it, however once I fix it for someone I put my name on it and essentially make that bet. I don't know this person that well and she doesn't understand mechanical things so I just wouldn't feel right taking her money on a machine that I couldn't guarantee.
I agree Hester , that era machine is just to far gone & really to chinsy & flimsy from factory when new . Good motor , carb , wheels & tires . Twin belted auger is a plus also . These just don't perform all that great even freshened up & operational ...in my opinion . 🧐
A snowblower in that condition, I would not want to be responsible for servicing or selling it to a customer. It is just too old and worn to be dependable. Not every repair video should be a success story. Videos made about the repair industry should be based on reality, not fantasy. great video.
Not a flop video! You made important points in assessing wear and damage when considering rebuilding a machine. It would be interesting to see how much longer it would last with no repairs! Worst case, you can harvest parts off it. Thanks for the video!
Any JD video is a good day!
You have some great machines to replace that one. 😃👍
This is true! 😂
If you didn’t have repairs waiting this might have made a good video for restoration.
Agreed! Just too many irons in the fire at the moment 👍🏻
I've never worked on one Hester but it's the same as any old mower I get, you can fix all the bobos but it'll be back and forth to your shop every time she uses it.
Scrap it.
Agreed, fixing something like this for someone is the same as adopting it for life lol 😂
Exactly 👍🏼👍🏼
Wise choice to retire it. Too much rot. Your videos are never a flop. We learn something during each show. 👍
Thank you! 👍🏻
I’m very much on the fence with this one. Since I have other machines to flip that are in better condition, this one would most likely end up a parts machine unless another freebie with better tins showed up to swap in for these.
If I had a magic mig/tig machine I’d probably slap on layers of sheet metal 1/8th or 5/16ths, wire brush, prime and paint and send it, assuming the engine tested good and I’d already addressed the other issues shown. Probably do a leakdown first to assess rings, valves.
All of the above only if I had no repairs waiting.
If this was for myself or a good friend (or even a bad one 😂) I'd probably have gone further than I did. The problem is I'm not going to gamble other people's money. In order to guarantee her some sort of ROI or longevity for the unit the bill would have been between $3/400. She could buy a nice used clean Ariens off marketplace for around that amount (which is what I advised her to do) 👍🏻
For a repair no. For personal use yes. To fix and sell, ify on profit v cost to repair. I have similar one (older) but it just needed tires I had on hand and a woodruff key. Fresh oil and gas. But it was free and had the parts. Sell for $200-$250. If we have snow. Later
Couldn't have said it better myself, this blower would be perfect for someone like us who can put a little love into it and handle fixing it if/when it breaks, in my area it would be damn near impossible to sell this thing the way it looks. Unfortunately people today want things to be shiny instead of strong lol
Well if it runs it would be handy when it snows 😊. Maybe you can fix it up 😮 with out putting money in it 😊
I definitely could, but it's her machine. We'll see if she ends up getting rid of it 👍🏻
🇦🇺🦘just slap together for one more season
I definitely agree with you that this blower could have at least one more season left in it, however once I fix it for someone I put my name on it and essentially make that bet. I don't know this person that well and she doesn't understand mechanical things so I just wouldn't feel right taking her money on a machine that I couldn't guarantee.
I have the 30 inch 10hp version.
Must be a beast in the snow!
It is for sure when the snow is nice and dry. Still is when it's not as dry. Living in Western WA. the snow usually turns wet faster than the Midwest.
I'd keep the motor and tires parts are expensive i keep all
It's crazy the money these parts are going for!
I agree Hester , that era machine is just to far gone & really to chinsy & flimsy from factory when new .
Good motor , carb , wheels & tires . Twin belted auger is a plus also .
These just don't perform all that great even freshened up & operational ...in my opinion . 🧐
Agreed on all points 👍🏻
A snowblower in that condition, I would not want to be responsible for servicing or selling it to a customer. It is just too old and worn to be dependable. Not every repair video should be a success story. Videos made about the repair industry should be based on reality, not fantasy. great video.
Very well said! 👍🏻 thank you
an occasional failure maintains the reality of your channel
I really like that perspective! Thank you 👍🏻