Buying a used Countax now they’re discontinued
Discussion
Was thinking of buying a C60 that’s only a couple of years/40 hours old as I like the idea of the powered grass collector for picking up twigs and leaves.
Just noticed that Countax have updated their website (must have been in the last couple of days as it was there last week) to say that they’ve closed down production and Ariens (US based) will now deal with spares.
Am I going to be stuck with a machine I can’t get spares for?
Just noticed that Countax have updated their website (must have been in the last couple of days as it was there last week) to say that they’ve closed down production and Ariens (US based) will now deal with spares.
Am I going to be stuck with a machine I can’t get spares for?
Westwood name has gone as well, both have been under the Ariens umbrella for 15 years at least.
Ring the local dealer and ask if they think parts will be available for a long time, engines, drive belts and the like are all bought in.
It's more a case of say PCBs will they continue to be available.
Ring the local dealer and ask if they think parts will be available for a long time, engines, drive belts and the like are all bought in.
It's more a case of say PCBs will they continue to be available.
Edited by netherfield on Monday 17th March 16:58
Thanks. How likely is it that a PCB would need replacing? I guess it’s not something that will definitely happen, but may at some point (like some boilers also need them replacing). I have seen some machines on eBay with the PCB bypassed completely so I guess that’s an option but probably not very safe!
Mine is a diesel and had 4 PCBs in 20 years, these were known to be a problem, delivered on a Friday, wouldn't start on Saturday, I was told there was a shortage of diesel PCBs so they'd tried to use a petrol one instead , took 2 months to sort out, I was tempted to refuse it and get my money back.
A guy at Countax contacted me and offered me 5 years full warranty a free trailer thrown in, the dealer offered me a half price deal on a hedge trimmer.
Then at around 10 years the PCB that controls all the electrical things fried itself, couldn't open the grass collector to empty it, couldn't lift the scarifier off the floor.
They upgraded the Diesel with a three cylinder for a while, but stopped making them altogether after a couple of years.
A guy at Countax contacted me and offered me 5 years full warranty a free trailer thrown in, the dealer offered me a half price deal on a hedge trimmer.
Then at around 10 years the PCB that controls all the electrical things fried itself, couldn't open the grass collector to empty it, couldn't lift the scarifier off the floor.
They upgraded the Diesel with a three cylinder for a while, but stopped making them altogether after a couple of years.
I'd be wary. I've taken a fair few Countax machines apart over the years, and they are unnecessarily complicated IMO.
I much prefer pulling a John Deere apart (and putting it back together). I have a passion for the older John Deere machines. Currently have a 455 and a 332 diesel and although they are about 30 years old, they are tough as old boots, fairly simple to maintain and easy to get spares still from any JD dealer.
I much prefer pulling a John Deere apart (and putting it back together). I have a passion for the older John Deere machines. Currently have a 455 and a 332 diesel and although they are about 30 years old, they are tough as old boots, fairly simple to maintain and easy to get spares still from any JD dealer.
I purchesed a new Westwood (same as a Countax) in 2010 to cover 2 acres.
The sweeper is fantastic and provides stripes on the lawn and sweeps up grass and leaves. I was asked by the dealer if my lawn was bumpy (which its not), as this machine would not be suitable.
Because the dealers charge so much for maintenance that I can do myself its never been back there.
Annual oil/filter changes, 1 replacement air filter and plugs and through clean of deck/ repaint underside every winter/ sharpen blades.
If you get the sweeper you will need to replace some or all of the plastic brushes annually I just mgot a set from GHS for £23, these are pattern ones which IMO are better then the genuine ones. Easy to fit.
Unfortunately Westwood used chinese bearing in the sweeper deck ( there are 7 IIRC) these all got rough and noisy after 2/3 years use so I relaced them with SKF ones which are still running sweetly. Got these on line from BearingsRus. Not expensive.
Drive belts do need replacement every few years, mainly the one from the power take off to the sweeper.
I get these from Belting on line in Dorset.
The engine on mine is a Kawasaki FS481V twin, if I needed anything for this engine I can't imagine a problem.
Because I have the ability/time/tools to do all the maintenance myself the costs have been small.
If for you this is not the case maybe a John Deere or something without the sweeper. IIAC Westwood-Countax had a patent on that
The sweeper is fantastic and provides stripes on the lawn and sweeps up grass and leaves. I was asked by the dealer if my lawn was bumpy (which its not), as this machine would not be suitable.
Because the dealers charge so much for maintenance that I can do myself its never been back there.
Annual oil/filter changes, 1 replacement air filter and plugs and through clean of deck/ repaint underside every winter/ sharpen blades.
If you get the sweeper you will need to replace some or all of the plastic brushes annually I just mgot a set from GHS for £23, these are pattern ones which IMO are better then the genuine ones. Easy to fit.
Unfortunately Westwood used chinese bearing in the sweeper deck ( there are 7 IIRC) these all got rough and noisy after 2/3 years use so I relaced them with SKF ones which are still running sweetly. Got these on line from BearingsRus. Not expensive.
Drive belts do need replacement every few years, mainly the one from the power take off to the sweeper.
I get these from Belting on line in Dorset.
The engine on mine is a Kawasaki FS481V twin, if I needed anything for this engine I can't imagine a problem.
Because I have the ability/time/tools to do all the maintenance myself the costs have been small.
If for you this is not the case maybe a John Deere or something without the sweeper. IIAC Westwood-Countax had a patent on that
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