Been taking down time lately. Heart attack kinda forced my hand on that lol.

Point of my previous post is that for small business owners (repair shops included) a downward pricing trend may be prudent to keep business coming in. If $55.00 an hour is your rate but you have no customers it's a moot point. Dropping to $40.00 an hour and more work comes in may be the business saver. Saw too many trucking business videos where the owner operator said they would never haul for less than $3.75 a loaded mile. Same owner operators are now hauling for $1.25 a loaded mile.Why? Something is better than nothing. Fair? Nope. But life is never fair. We've had a dang near 20 year run since the start of the Great Recession and the newest generation can't comprehend what a recession is or does. Covid Recession doesn't count since the gov gave trillions to the population. We're broke as a nation so that won't happen again. Get small, watch your nickles and dimes, question EVERY cash outlay (or credit) and look for ways to bring in more money. I've got 7 Recessions, the Great Recession, and the Covid Recession behind me. None were easy but all can be survived.

Just a heads up: U.S. is going to see a significant recession. Signs are all there: record credit card debt, stock markets entered into correction territory, labor participation rate increased (perversely a bad sign btw because more people are broke and desperately seeking a job).Covid cash all gone now,major employer lay-offs, and bankruptcies on the rise.Here's where it will get weird: for a time prices will actually rise. Companies will try to maintain their profit margins even though sales are dropping. Usually takes a full fiscal year for the adjustments to make a difference.Recession will last for 1-3 years.

Carby's for sure Cube and barrel It'll cost more to the customer for me to clean carby n put kit in and check needle lever position than to buy a clone n whack it on. I even sold my ultrasonic cleaner cos I don't use it anymore

The larger the shops are, the more that it only becomes a parts installer. As you already mentioned, a computer runs the show in terms of doing diagnosing an issue, so over time... they will not need real mechanics, just people to install parts. Smaller shops will have the mechanics that can actually diagnose problems, and do a repair where the customer does not need to come 5-6 times to actually get the job done. The bike industry is becoming that way as well, although not all drivetrains or suspension are electronic as of now. I get a lot of older bikes, that have multiple issues, and it does take time to get everything installed and the bike working properly.... and that does not include getting all of the parts. I'm with you, the older bikes offered a lot more to consumers and the shops that worked on them. Mechanics are people that can fix beyond what a computer is telling them, and know what the next issue will be. A computer can only tell you so many things, and that is where the consumer will have to decide where to spend their money.

I have cleaned carburetors for 30 years. On most carburetors if they are not spick and span clean they will not run right. I don't like messing with things once someone else has been inside them. Some carburetors can't be made to run. The Ultrasonic Cleaner was a game changer for me. Instead of 4-6 hours sitting in the carburetor and parts cleaner now it can be done in less than 1 to 2 hours. I find something else to do while I am waiting. Efficient use of time is the key. I pull the carburetor, pop it apart and drop it in the cleaner then go put new fuel lines and filter on and clean the sparkplug. When done with that I work on another project until it is clean. I always have 3 to 4 projects going at a time. I can clean 2-3 carburetors at a time in the ultrasonic cleaner. Start one then add another then another as you get them pulled. You don't have to start them all at the same time. Most carburetors are different so getting parts mixed up is usually not a problem because you put them in separate ziploc bags. I lay 3 separate paper towels out on the bench for 1 for each carburetor I am cleaning.

In my opinion, the difference between someone like you guys and me is if you replace parts you actually know what parts to replace and why. Someone like me will sometimes guess at what to replace and find it did not fix the problem. It can be frustrating. Thanks to channels like this one I am doing less guessing and understanding what to look for before replacing a part (if it is needed at all). Maintaing my vehicles and equpment is my retirement hobby. I enjoy learning how to do it.

The first third of my career was physically active mostly on salary. The last two thirds was mainly a desk job with little physical activity. Mainly computer work and a lot of thinking with a lot of responsibilty. I let my job take priority over about anything (but critical family things). I did not let my job end when I headed for home but carried it with me until I went to sleep. I guess I was a workaholic. Never really had a hobby but that was my choice. Being retired now, I finally have time to relax (I think I did before but did not allow it). I wish i had balanced my work and life much better than I did. I was driven to provide for my family and let that take precedence over everything else. Fortunately, my kids turned out good. Don't let a job take first place. Your company will forget you soon after you leave. Your family will always be with you. Find a hobby you love and pursue it. Don't mean to rant, but those of you who are younger, work on the balance in life. Don't wait until you are retired to find that out. Retirement is great!

I like riding my bicycle and fishing. I always try to hit it hard from April to August not much extra time during those months. But in the late summer and fall/winter things slow down and there is plenty of time for road trips and recreation. Early September is best because all the kids go back to school and things aren't as busy.

Over 20 years ago at the Deere dealer I worked pickup and delivery within 20 miles round trip was 80 dollars for mowers, tractors compact up to 50 h/p was 100 dollars and larger was 150 dollars, if the tractors required winching it was additional depending on the situation, and I had 3 full time drivers. We actually made a little money with the trucks. And I agree with Claude, if you don't have equipment to work on you go broke. Lawn and garden service is different, if you repair tractors you have to pick up and deliver or go broke.

Sorry to say, but that was way too far for you to go pick up that tractor, I'm scratching my head on this one. Most of my customers are within a 15 minute radius, I try to avoid pickups and mobile work, it seems you are rarely able to fix something in one visit, always missing a tool or a part. Granted I am not properly equipped to do mobile work.

Perfect information, this is exactly what I have just discovered on my Toro Timemaster. Will go through these steps to hopefully repair.

For riders, snowblowers, tillers... i get 75.00 round trip p/u & delivery within 15 miles ( i use a 60" x 10' landscape trailer). I was amazed recently a client didnt want to pay my rate so he rented a U-haul small trailer $55.00 per rental. Rented once to drop off rider. Rented again to pickup after rider was ready ...... so 110.00 plus all the hassle. Maff is difficult these days..... and here in northeast Pennsylvania, the typical rider mower annual maintenance is 200 to 250..... and people dont blink an eye at that these days ( with big mac meals at 15.00 !!)

I have a trailer, I charge $75 roundtrip and I will not go more than 15 miles. I also have a liftgate on my pickup truck I charge $65 for snowblowers, generators, push mowers, tillers. Most trips are less than 7 miles for me. What am I worth? The trailer was expensive, so was the truck, the liftgate was 4K too, not to mention gas. They can get a big dealer to pick up for $50 but they are going to wait 2-3 weeks to have their equipment even looked at, also they are going to pay way more for parts than my stens parts. I'm not as rural as you, but it works for me. If they think it is too much (I always have a few each year) I get to see them borrow a truck or a buddy and have them help. It is painful to watch, but after they pick up their equipment and return their friend's truck or trailer, I believe they see why I don't work for free.

I wouldn't have hauled a tractor 1hr 15min each way and I get 36 mpg towing a small trailer. I don't pickup or drop off. I stay busy enough without the extra hassle. If they really want it fixed they will find a way to get it to you. Your wasting your time and money unless they are paying you what normal freight charges and most won't want to pay that kind of bill so why should you be doing it for almost free.

$55/ u.s. I charge $80aud so that's good to know Exchange rate about 1.5 Pick up n delivery... Do I charge an hourly rate? I mentioned this to a mate He said WELL DO YOU WANT THE WORK OR NOT? So I charge for diesel used So if you're 25km away That's 100km 10lt/100km is $20 Bang, I charge you 20 bucks

I think some of it comes from a feeling of frustration and being helpless, seeing things that are totally wrong haappening but nothing to be done about it.

I have huge anger issue !! Stems from things done to me as A Child !! I Am getting help !! So thank you Eric for this topic !!

I'm a lot less angry since I did away with TV. I haven't had one in 10 years now. I can't stand celebrities or pro athletes or any of those kinds of people. Basically if someone is popular, I can't stand them

They try to make you look bad because they are jealous of you.

A good many of college graduates that I've known failed to learn one valuable lesson. All that fancy degree means is that . . . "You have now been given the basics and are ready to go out into real life and actually start learning". . . Those that didn't learn that lesson, many are the ones that ended up staying on as professors and in academia, thinking that degree means that they have "Arrived" and intellectually, they had come to an end (some dumber than a box of rocks, some not quite so bad) or end up having to find a "Real Job" that has nothing to do with what they majored in, in order to pay back those loans. When my niece graduated from Liberty University, I told her exactly that, and it took her totally by off guard. None of her professors had ever mentioned that to her the whole time that she attended. I think it made a real impact on the way she looked at things from that moment on, in a pretty good way. She is now a highly sought-after Mechanical Engineer. Real world experiences are the best teachers, but it really helps, for the rest of your entire life, to have a good basic education and continuing that education as you find yourself going into different areas. (That's what I was doing that landed me on this channel.) The individual determines how they are going to further their education, whether it be by taking formal classes or researching or listening to experienced individuals, or groups, that know what they are talking about. (And learning to spot and avoid the idiots and morons that just want to make videos, listen to themselves talk, get views on RU-vid and don't really have a clue in the first place.) The "School of Hard Knocks" is one of the most valuable institutions on the planet, IF you survive the classes and tests along the way. (You have to learn to find the boundary of "The Stupid Zone" and avoid it as much as possible.) Later Y'all!

Growing up in St. Louis I learned Street smarts ! And plus I took advantage of Reading Reading !! Reading !!

Both !!

I agree with Amos and Jason about real world experience. I went to a community college for a couple of years when I was in my late 30's. The only part of it I used was parts of an economics course I took. My career was on the job training and that was overwhelmingly self taught. I learned from people who were successful at what I was trying to do, but only by observing them. Never had a "mentor". Grit and determination helped a lot. Not letting mistakes get me down, but using them as a learning experience. Now that I am retired, when I look back, I wish I would have taken some of my high school years at the vocational school that was offered. RU-vid and channels like yours are my new "vocational school". Vocational school was looked down on when I was in high school. It just shows how wrong youth and immaturity can be. Young people who learn a trade in today's world are going to be a lot more valuable than those with many college degrees. In my area, trades jobs are very available and many companies are offering paid training with good pay potential. Great video, Eric.

Real world experience... I was working on a Mantis tiller yesterday that I had cleaned the carburetor on and it ran full throttle great but kept going lean after setting and idling for 15 -30 seconds. I sprayed carb cleaner around the intake and it was fine and not sucking air. So I pulled the carburetor back apart and changed the diaphragm. It wasn't stiff but it wasn't soft enough to work correctly and pump fuel at an idle. Once you do enough small 2 cycle engines you start to figure out exactly what does what and what it takes to fix it, not replaceing the carburetor. When you can fix something without having to order parts it is a great day.

Real world experience far and away. I've dealt with more degreed idiots than I care to recall. Goes for all trades and professions.I'll raise my hand and freely admit smart phones are smarter than me, computers can seriously whoop on me, and complex electronics (not simple electrical) have caused me grief. Solution? Hire someone to help....

New PTO Cluches are expensive!

Great to see a Grandson learning how to do repairs.

Did you check compression on the Ferris? I know it runs... Some of the Ferris twin cylinder engines had a bad muffler that the baffles would break and plug off one exhaust outlet. It would act like it had a bad ignition coil and run really hot. Also those old Kohler engines had a SAM ignition system that can go bad and throw the ignition timing off.

I have been seeing a lot more seized engines lately after setting over the winter. They are mostly OHV ChHonda engines. A little PB Blaster and let them set overnight and a breaker bar and they are running again. Some need a carb clean for about 1-1/2 hours in the ultrasonic cleaner.

I had a similar experience just yesterday (Monday). I've been so busy fixing things for customers that I hadn't even pulled my lawn mower out of the shed this year. A guy that just started a mowing business is "Supposed to be" taking care of cutting my grass this summer for what he owes me for repairs. (Seemed like a pretty good deal at the time.) Well, his wife booted him out and he's moved, we've had rain at least once a day for about three weeks now, and the grass in our yard is a foot tall in places. Sunday night I determined that I was going to cut the grass Monday morning before fooling with anyone else's stuff. At 0700, I pulled the mower (an older Honda HRX217) out and my faithful, dependable, and only running mower would not start. First thought was "I forgot to turn on the fuel". Nope. What I forgot was what I preach to just about every customer. I forgot to shut off and run out the fuel back in November. I got started on cleaning the carb and my buddy down the street drove up with a part to put on his car, which ended up taking about three hours, diagnosing other remaining issues. Then this, then that, then my wife got home and wondered "what's for supper?" and I finally got back to cleaning the carb around 5:30-ish and got it started around 7:00 -Ish with more interruptions but that mower, once again, starts with only the flick of the wrist. Then the race was on with both the sun AND an incoming thunderstorm. I beat the sun but didn't win out with the rain. I just kept going until the front yard was finished (the Honda is the only mower I've ever owned that cuts wet grass nicely). I got the mower into the garage just seconds before the bottom dropped out and we had us a real toad strangler. It only took me 13-1/2 hours to cut the 1/4-acre front yard and I was only leaking blood from two places this time. Today is Laundry Day. Sort of like a day off but with a lot of folding going on. That and planning out what comes next while I wait on the dryer. (My wife paid a guy back in May to repair the sheet rock in the main bathroom. He got good and started, broke off the job to help another guy with a huge yard and had a stroke while he was there. That and my truck needing the clutch installed are the two main things on my list but hard to get to. (I really, really, don't like dealing with sheetrock.)). I hope your haying goes well!

I recently picked up a insulated 18oz Thermos from Target. It works great. The lid keeps dirt off the spout, and it is small enough to fit in most cup holders. It holds almost a full bottle of water with 4-6 ice cubes and keeps it cold all day. I have to refill it a couple of times a day but it's small and comfortable to hold onto. I have bigger cups that are harder to handle and spill or get dirt in the lid. I hate doing hay, especially being the guy on the trailer.

Good info!

I always look for a bent crankshaft on a push mower first. Always look for damaged or missing parts. If they need blades, belts, batteries or tires they are worth significantly less. Anything that is rusty or a torn seat will not sell for much so you will have to paint or replace the seat to get anything out of it. Rustoleum paint covers rust well. Condition Condition Condition. You can have a beat up rusty old push mower that starts on the first pull every time and it will not sell and you can have a nice new looking push mower that takes 8 to 10 pulls to start and it will sell every time. Not that it looks good to the customer. If it takes more than 3 pulls to start cold, there is something wrong with it. Your mower should sell itself.

Years ago I bought a Montgomery ward's riding tractor for $100 put a battery in it and serviced it and ran it for 5 years with no problems. The front tire got to the point of holding air for 15 minutes so I decided to put 2 new tires, belts,blades, and a new air fitted and blades. Got it all service and the very next time I went to mow I went to back it out of the garage and the rear axle snapped off and rolled down the driveway. $75 later I bought a used transmission for it and finished out the year. I sold to a friend and he ran it for almost 10 more years.

I always made a point of listing what I repaired (and how I did it) and what I thought would need future attention. I avoided repainting most everything I fixed. Paint sells and greatly enhances price. Paint also hides a lot. Plus I really hate painting.If someone wants to get into buying and selling used equipment that has an engine,transmission,etc they really need to have some serious mechanic skills. First to screen purchases and second to be able to honestly fix what they will sell. Something I've seen here locally is that decent fix and sell small engine equipment can be found at scrap yards (cheap) and at the curb on trash days (free). Always a risk but low risk on input costs. Things for sale on CL or FB marketplace are a higher risk: sellers trying to get the most they can. Garage sales are a good option because they are usually a 2 or 3 day event and sellers want the stuff gone and may negotiate on price. Also: there are things I simply avoid. If the profit is under a certain amount it really isn't worth my time. That goes back to my factory ownership days. I had a minimum allowed net profit and said for decades I wouldn't scratch my arse for 2% net (some OEM's think that's a good number. Fools.).

Oofy Doofy is Law ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-6DuBe5z-UZY.htmlsi=wtSkyuqmCJu2skrp

"Good used tractors". Few years back a man said he had a good Ford 3600 for sale. Went to look dragging my trailer and cash in pocket. Talked to the man and he said he buys old tractors to fix and sell. Did regular checks and hydraulic fluid looked like milk,engine oil black and thick. Hmmmm. Started it to check for blowby and found the rag stuffed in blowby tube. Went to remove radiator cap and couldn't get it off. Removed with slip joint pliers and then looked at the foamy,stopleak infused geyser coming from the radiator. Passed on the purchase.....

Tow trucks are expensive but what are the options? Doing OK on heart attack recovery. Still adjusting to new meds.Slow release nitro gives me one heck of a headache.

There is a local wrecker serving that we call "Crook with a Hook" $900 to $1100 to haul a car 3 miles from a accident is outrageous.

Worse "adventure" I ever had was dragging a deadish JD 450B dozer out of the woods in central Louisiana in the summer and getting it on my GN equipment trailer.Got it done. Blew the hydraulic pump trying to raise the blade to get it off the trailer. Did make good money on it after repair and selling it. Previous owner said he "fixed on it". I guess hooking up hydraulic lines wrong was "fixing on it".

Getting that tractor out sounds like it was one of those jobs that you can't wait to get done but just keeps going and going and find yourself praying for it to PLEASE, PLEASE, JUST GET OVER. When I was 15 and had my learner's permit, my 16-year-old best friend already had his new driver's license and a 1972 Buick LeSabre that was a hand me down from his parents. We had gone out on some country roads, "Practicing" and the thing quit running and wouldn't start back up. After popping the hood, looking here and there and scratching our heads for a bit, we figured out that it wasn't getting fuel and we had just put in $10 worth of gas, and the fuel gauge read about 3/4 of a tank, so we knew it wasn't empty. It had to be that the fuel pump had gone out. We were in luck, though. We had also filled up a gallon gas can for the lawn mower (our initial excuse to "Go to Town" in the first place) and there just happened to be a quart spray bottle on the floor in the back. We made it home, about 8 miles, with the hood up, my buddy driving with his head out the window, and me under the hood, holding myself up with one hand and feeding that 4-barrel carburetor with a spray bottle in the other. That was a LONG 8 miles, sweating the law seeing us and pulling us over all the way and my right arm threatening to quit on me after about halfway. You can imagine my relief when we pulled into his driveway and parked. It finally "Just Got Over".

Great story. Love hearing this real life stuff. We learn more from stuff like this than anything

I think one of the keys of life is to not take ourselves too seriously and being able to laugh at things that happen to us. And learn from them. Have a good weekend.

You should write a book of stories. I would buy a copy.

The lawnmower runs good , but how do I get the spark back in my marriage.

With almost every technique wrong I am amazed that the stud was removed. Heat the Outside, not the inside, leave the spray cans on the shelf. Congrats on your success.

Thank you for this. You are an old fashioned guy with an ethical core. Appreciate that I m retired on my small farm, run a small bandsaw mill, 22hp predator , Honda gx before that. Both engines get mice living in them, chew up wires and fuel lines predator ran for half an hour before stopping. Put a new carburetor on and it ran half a day and the next day started right up and died after two minutes. Seems like no fuel getting to spark plugs because it starts with a spray of ether. Any ideas?

The software you use in your business - Inventory, Accounting, POS etc.

How about a video on software you use like Point of Sale, Inventory, Accounting and Invoicing?