Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

I just had my Toro serviced by the local dealer who charges like their oild was made out of solid gold. Grand total was $164.95 which included them picking it up and bringing it back. The service itself was a special and $99.95.

The thing is that seems like a lot of dosh for a $2 spark plug and a couple of quarts of oil.

So I'm thinging ahead for next year. How can I find an indepenant guy who is reliable to service the Toro? Where should I look and How can I find out if they are any good? Or should I stick with the dealer?

I really don't want to pay stupid money for what little work they did.

Any ideas?

Thanks

Have you thought about self servicing? It really isn't that hard and probably wouldn't cost you more than $20 in parts/supplies.

The first thing I do with anything I purchase is to locate & purchase the factory service manual. This tells you everything about the unit.

I only utilize my dealer for warranty issues.

Depending on the number of hours of high load usage, its not necessary to have major annual service, especially if the snowblower is new. Snowblower are actually simple machines and with a service manual, its not hard to become familiar and comfortable working on them. Its also good experience and you will able to determine when something needs immediate attention. You can also apply the same learning experience to other pieces of OPE. Most of what owners do is preventative maintenance anyways

I know service shops have to make a living but for $99 for a look see, oil, and a few cable adjustments is a poor value for consumers with reasonable mechanical aptitude. The more you know about your equipment, the less likely you will be persuaded into unnecessary repairs or paying for unperformed service.

Those are all very good points but it assumes that I have the time to do the servicing myself which I really don't. I think everyone is right if I could do it myself that would be best. But finding the time is just too tough right now. I'm just thankful I still have my job. That's why I'd rather have an independant guy do it for me. Cheaper and helps out a local who isn't a dealer.

The service was $99.95 the rest was pickup and delivery. So $65 bucks for that.

I just don't know how to find an independant mechanic.

Any thoughts on that?

      I was a dealer for a number of years on a number of things.... Guys that work out of their house are fine if you can trust them with your stuff...    I  would get a refrence of someone who has used a guy for a few years and is happy... Then find out if the guy owns the house or is renting (The one he is working from) ... I have seen in the past a few decent retired lawnmower / equipment guys that would come in the shop for parts...  Others would try to run their business from your shop counter asking questions on how to fix the stuff they have taken in to repair at home  (These guys cost the customer  money by their lack of experience,  always trying to change the coil or carb on something ).

But what you need to watch out for is the guy that runs off with your stuff in the middle of the night after he is evicted from his rental house....  I have seen this a few times too!

I agree with the other posts that service can be done by the owner without problems,   fairly simple, no points anymore,   Just put yourself together a checklist from the manuels.... what to lube, how much oil to add after draining/ changing.. type of plug... write down the parts that go out and shear pins/ belts and such... AND the big thing....Drain or run out the fuel at the end of the season to prevent carb damage....

Good Luck,

Friiy

friiy wrote:

Thanks Friiy, I guess I'll just haveto ask around and see if anyone knows someone who can do the work. I wouldn't have them do it at their place, they'd have to come here to do it. I just hate paying $100 for much less than what my car gets for it's service, and that only costs about $39.

That is crazy money for about 10 minutes of work. Where in MA are you located?

Steve, I totally understand about not having the time, but you'll have all summer to do it next year. If you think about it, you can pay yourself $75/hr for the work. But, IMO, the biggest advantage is getting to know your machine when everything works. That way when something does go wrong - and it will eventually - you'll at least know what is supposed to be happening inside there. You're in MA? Doesn't trouts2 have a shop in central MA? If you really don't want to tackle it yourself, that would be a great alternative.

superbuick wrote:

Actually I'm in Central New Hampshire and where I am we get more snow than other parts of the city since we are at the highest elevation or so they say.

Bill_H wrote:

Nope, Central New Hampshire, problem is I don't have a way to transport my machine anywhere so someone has to come here to work on it or pick it up. I remember the last thing I worked on a snowmobile. Very expensive and after I was done with it it was worth it's weight in scrap metal. making parts is one thing, fiddling with all the bits is another. Guess I'm stuck with the dealer for now...

Do any of your vehicles support the installation of a Class I hitch? Some of the really small trailers are only like 300lbs and many cars are rated to tow 1000lbs.

Some boards, tie down straps and a wiring harness to connect to your vehicle and you would be set.

Maybe something like this?

http://www.harborfreight.com/870-lb-capacity-40-inch-x-49-inch-heavy-duty-utility-trailer-with-8-inch-wheels-and-tires-42708.html