The Retirement Thread

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Happy Monday!

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I'm wrapping up the toy trailer this week. I recently added some rails on the sides so I can attach some O-rings for strapping stuff down. At 4x8 feet, it is not the biggest trailer, but it's big enough for our toys. At the front I have two 50-gallon bins that will hold our fold up eBikes and then there is enough room behind them to hold a couple of minibikes for the grandkids.

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Happy Monday.... I'll be spending the day turning my tractor into a pile of scrap metal. So disappointed, you would think a lawn tractor would last more then 38 years.... Engine has multiple internal issues, and not parts available. Had it apart two weeks ago, and thought I would be able to nurse it along for another year. Was mowing yesterday, and all of a sudden the steering went goofy. Shut it off, and wouldn't restart. Front axle came lose... got it on the lift and found the frame bent when the axle came lose. Was going to replace the engine being I love the tractor, but with the bent frame, she's bought the farm... Got it a year ago, and it paid for itself at this point, but I find myself in the same spot I was last year. Been look at replacements, and don't know if I want to go with used again. I just hate the new products being offered, and many now use their own branded engines, which makes me wonder about replacement parts. I've seen one machine that look to be built well, but it seems you cant go to a dealer, and have to buy online. Did their dealer search out to 200 miles... nobody has it. A new machine, no matter what brand will last me easily 15 years, mostly trouble free. Lots of used stuff locally too. It's season, so I need to figure it out by the weekend...
 
Miles Monroe said:
Happy Monday.... I'll be spending the day turning my tractor into a pile of scrap metal. So disappointed, you would think a lawn tractor would last more then 38 years.... Engine has multiple internal issues, and not parts available. Had it apart two weeks ago, and thought I would be able to nurse it along for another year. Was mowing yesterday, and all of a sudden the steering went goofy. Shut it off, and wouldn't restart. Front axle came lose... got it on the lift and found the frame bent when the axle came lose. Was going to replace the engine being I love the tractor, but with the bent frame, she's bought the farm... Got it a year ago, and it paid for itself at this point, but I find myself in the same spot I was last year. Been look at replacements, and don't know if I want to go with used again. I just hate the new products being offered, and many now use their own branded engines, which makes me wonder about replacement parts. I've seen one machine that look to be built well, but it seems you cant go to a dealer, and have to buy online. Did their dealer search out to 200 miles... nobody has it. A new machine, no matter what brand will last me easily 15 years, mostly trouble free. Lots of used stuff locally too. It's season, so I need to figure it out by the weekend...
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Good luck finding a new tractor/mower.
 
Well I'm 2+ years into drawing from my retirement funds and I'm happy to report that the money is holding out. Don't have much at the end of the week and I do have a budget. But having enough money to retire was always the goal and I reached my goal so no complaints.

What has really surprised me was the cost for healthcare. We have had a ton of medical procedures, Medicare and our supplemental insurance did what they were supposed to do and paid the invoices, even an ambulance ride. I'm on 7 prescriptions, my drug plan is like $16 a month and if I go to Walgreen's or CVS they are free. I have no idea how this is possible but it's our reality.
 
I figure at this point in time, new is my best move. So I did basic research / comparison of a few machines all at about the same price point. They all come from the same manufacturer Stanley Black & Decker as 3 different brands.... Craftsman, Cub Cadet, and Troy Bilt. The Cub and Craftsman are about a $200 difference in price, with the Troy Bilt the least expensive. Cub has it's own branded engine, 547cc. Craftsman has a 20HP Kohler twin, 725cc... a nice bump up from the Cub, a a touch more then old Deere. The other differences are the hoods due to the wide twin cyl engine needing more room compared to the Cub's single cyl. The Craftsman is also a "tight turn" model, so the front axle and spindles are completely different from the other brands, all 3 being cast.
No brainer for me, being the Cub and Craftsman have the identical stamped mower deck, so go with the more maneuverable, higher HP machine for an extra $200. Craftsman got delivered late Friday....
 
Miles Monroe said:
I figure at this point in time, new is my best move. So I did basic research / comparison of a few machines all at about the same price point. They all come from the same manufacturer Stanley Black & Decker as 3 different brands.... Craftsman, Cub Cadet, and Troy Bilt. The Cub and Craftsman are about a $200 difference in price, with the Troy Bilt the least expensive. Cub has it's own branded engine, 547cc. Craftsman has a 20HP Kohler twin, 725cc... a nice bump up from the Cub, a a touch more then old Deere. The other differences are the hoods due to the wide twin cyl engine needing more room compared to the Cub's single cyl. The Craftsman is also a "tight turn" model, so the front axle and spindles are completely different from the other brands, all 3 being cast.
No brainer for me, being the Cub and Craftsman have the identical stamped mower deck, so go with the more maneuverable, higher HP machine for an extra $200. Craftsman got delivered late Friday....
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So these are lawn tractors? You made the right decision. I'm on my 2nd Zero Turn and I liked the Toro far better than my current Husqvarna. It's 2" wider at 52" but the back end is light and it constantly slid on wet grass on a slope. So I had to put tires that resemble snow tires, which tears up the grass on said slopes with wet grass.

Old guys talking lawn equipment. This is the perfect thread for that.
 
Darrell Green Fan said:
So these are lawn tractors? You made the right decision. I'm on my 2nd Zero Turn and I liked the Toro far better than my current Husqvarna. It's 2" wider at 52" but the back end is light and it constantly slid on wet grass on a slope. So I had to put tires that resemble snow tires, which tears up the grass on said slopes with wet grass.

Old guys talking lawn equipment. This is the perfect thread for that.
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Yes tractors. Worked on enough zero turns to know I don't want one. Tearing up the grass is a big problem in general. I can actually get by with a 30" rear engine rider, but the little machines beat the hell out of my body. Had on for about 10 years. Got a lawn service, who didn't do the best job, so I figured I start doing it again when I retired. The tractor cuts my time in half with the bigger deck and higher hp, and a much better ride. My only regret is I don't have more property to mow...
 
Miles Monroe said:
Yes tractors. Worked on enough zero turns to know I don't want one. Tearing up the grass is a big problem in general. I can actually get by with a 30" rear engine rider, but the little machines beat the hell out of my body. Had on for about 10 years. Got a lawn service, who didn't do the best job, so I figured I start doing it again when I retired. The tractor cuts my time in half with the bigger deck and higher hp, and a much better ride. My only regret is I don't have more property to mow...
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I love Z turns and won't use anything else. My current on has 316 hours so I'm told it's good for a while.
 
Darrell Green Fan said:
I love Z turns and won't use anything else. My current on has 316 hours so I'm told it's good for a while.
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It always comes down to how you maintain the machine. I'm going to order an hour meter. This time of year, I cut every 4 days so I expect about 100 hours per year. I have no doubt that the old John Deere likely had over 5K hours, so again, it owed me nothing.
 
2 Cents on Retirement.
If you're newly retired or facing the threat of impending retirement looming overhead, and wondering what you'll do with a lot more extra time ;
Fret not...
If you do not find your new purpose...then your new purpose will find you.
 
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