What is considered a lot of hours? How to evaluate a used mower?

[bbuster]

I'm going to look at some used mowers to mow 9 acres. The seller says that he was a landscaper but that he's getting out of the business. He says that he has no maintenance records because he is mechanically inclined and fixed things himself.

He has:
some 1997-2000 Scag walk-behinds 60" with 1,500 - 2,800 hrs that he's asking $1,900 for;

some 72" Scag walk-behinds;

a 2000 Exmark zero turn 60" 25 hp Kohler that he's asking $3,500 for; and

a late 80s early 90s Hustler out front zero turn 72" with a 30 hp Kubota diesel with a PTO shaft that he's asking $4,000 for.

1. What is considered a lot of hours for a mower like these such that you would expect things to be worn out?

2. What questions should I ask?

3. Aside from making sure it starts and everything works what should I be looking at to evaluate them?

4. Are there certain things that If I see them they would be red flags?

5. What's a fair price for these?

Thanks for any help you can provide.

Jerry

[Jack D.]

Never trust an hr. meter and never buy used commercial equipment.

[Phil Nilsson]

On heavily used commercial equipment ... I think it's safe to pay "scrap value" if you can skeletonize that exact equipment for parts. You're buying something that is in the "sunset years" of its life ... (but need it to run close to new) like a car with 150,000 miles on it ... are you really going to set out from the east coast and expect to make it to California? or Columbus, Jawja?