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Jacobson GKV resurrection

9 posts
  1. Kirby Keltner
    Kirby Keltner avatar
    0 posts
    10/14/2016 10:10 AM
    I wanted to find out if anyone has any experience with old Jac GKV. When I got to my course last year there was one leaking all over the floor with a motor that had bad compression. After talking to some guys the other day I had the thought of buying a new motor for it and fixing it up. It's supposed to be better than our GKIV but I have no experience with the V. Does anyone know if it would be worth trying to resurrect it or should I let it stay dead and scrap it?



  2. Melvin Waldron
    Melvin Waldron avatar
    43 posts
    10/14/2016 11:10 AM
    Might depend on how bad you need it and how bad of shape it is in? Just an engine, I would probably install a new one, if a lot of hoses, bushings, bearings etc. need replaced...well leave it for dead in my opinion.

    I have very little experience with a GKV, I would rather spend the money on a GKII resurrection myself, but that is probably because I'm old.

    Mel

    Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO

  3. Michael Kriz
    Michael Kriz avatar
    0 posts
    10/14/2016 11:10 AM
    That's a "depends" question. Before diving in I'd want to see previous service records, notes or personal attests to what led the machine to it's current state and past history.



  4. Kirby Keltner
    Kirby Keltner avatar
    0 posts
    10/14/2016 12:10 PM
    Michael Kriz said: That's a "depends" question. Before diving in I'd want to see previous service records, notes or personal attests to what led the machine to it's current state and past history.



    That is a large part of the problem. There have been a number of superintendents through this place in the last 10 years so there is very little in the way of maintenance records or notes. To my knowledge they bought the machine for dirt cheap from someone, ran it a few times and then the engine died. I do know there is some sort of hydraulic leak but I don't know if it is a hose or pump. It's going to take some work to get going if we decide to but considering everything in the barn is 9 years or older I'll take what I can get. Especially considering I'm probably 2 years away from any purchases.
    My main draw to it is for the extra reel power. The GKIV only has the 2 hoses to the reel motor whereas the GKV has 3 and can put more power down, theoretically. The GKIV is our backup tee mower but is also our verticutter and we can only get so aggressive with it before it bogs the blades down. Plus the GKIV is getting pretty sleepy as well so I figure I'll probably have to put a motor in one or the other.



  5. Michael Kriz
    Michael Kriz avatar
    0 posts
    10/14/2016 4:10 PM
    Don't be fooled, the third hose is a case drain or return fluid hose, and does not result in increased power. I resurrected an older gk5, removed all the reel motor hydraulics and made it our greens roller, mainly for the power steering. I hate cable steers and usually have to replace two or three in season on the course broken down. When I got the 5 going I found a severely corroded and ruptured hard line for front cylinder lift. Had to remove the top portion of the mower to access and replace the line, not a fun job and took the better part of two days. I understand budget constraints but...beware of the money pit.



  6. Jeffrey Whitmire
    Jeffrey Whitmire avatar
    0 posts
    10/16/2016 7:10 PM
    I have been down that road before. I would do what you can to get a lease on a new one.



  7. Ryan Green
    Ryan Green avatar
    2 posts
    10/21/2016 8:10 PM
    I bought 3 gk v's recently for cheap money as well. If it's a bad engine find a good local small engine guy. If it's just a valve or something you may be able to get it back in shape for cheap money. If it can't be repaired you can get a whole new Briggs vanguard engine for $1200 new, giving lots of life to your older
    Mower. Also you could look into other courses in the area that may want to get rid of a triplex as the engine can be easily replaced and are generally very similar as long as the shaft works for your machine.
    Additionally find a good hydraulic shop in your area. I have had hydraulic reel motors and pistons repaired for a couple hundred bucks vs the big money Jacobsen wants for replacement parts.



  8. Bob Pruneau
    Bob Pruneau avatar
    5 posts
    10/23/2016 5:10 PM
    I prefer the IV but . If you need a spare machine or back up and hydraulics are still good and doesn't need to many $$ to get it going I would do it . You could always sell it for parts is another option .



  9. James Smith
    James Smith avatar
    113 posts
    11/1/2016 7:11 AM
    Honestly, I would not waste any money on GK IV's. I got stuck with one back when Jacobson decided to stop making the GK IV's. Even though I was given the same price as a GK IV it was a waste of money for us. I generally get 14-16 years out of a diesel mower I was only able to get 6 years out of this mower. Jacobson learned really fast that the GK IV was more desirable then their 5's and started producing them again very quickly. I was given another 5 down the road which we used for parts. We simply found this mower too hard and costly to keep up with the repairs.

    I would honestly try to buy another mower if possible even if it is a reconditioned mower. The 5 was just too much of a headache for me to continue using it.



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