Look what I got for free! (JD 14sb)

[Flint_Fredstone123]

All my life I have messed with junk. Sometimes I can make a consumer mower run for years. I have never been fortunate nor wealthy enough to afford a riding mower which makes mowing 2 acres of property a job. Normally I wouldn't mow this much but some family members (which I helped raise) told me to mow it all or get the hell off their property. So the quest to find a good mower began. I acquired a craftsman 2500 rider that I'm fixing up but.. later on that. As me and my uncle were talking parts one day, he told me that he had a few mower parts that might help me out. I loaded up my car with a couple small engines when he asked it I wanted a push model. I asked if it ran at which point he started it right up. I asked what was wrong with it, and he said that it wouldn't mow. Thrusting the blade engagement forward, the engine stalled. Looking underneath the mower I saw nothing in which I have ever seen before. Thinking I could use it for something, I loaded it up too. My first thoughts were that at least it had a good aluminum body. I came home and immediately started to research this model. "I paid $900 for my 14sb back in 1990 something" was everywhere. "That Kawasaki engine runs forever" was also mentioned many times. "I have used my mower for 20+ years", etc etc. Elated, I decided to try and get it to work as the factory intended. I sprayed the moving parts with wd-40, and cleaned out the carb really good. Nothing more, nothing less, it mows like a dream. The cables are a little sticky but parts are all over and readily available. I love it!

 

[SamD]

It's a kick-*** mower! If you've gotten the mower back in good condition (maintenance items), you'll never want to let go of it. I've had mine since 1994, bought it used at an auction for $100, and it still starts on the first pull today! Granted, it's in residential service, but I wouldn't sell that mower for $1000. It's just that good a mower...

 

[lugbolt]

absolutely right. That mower is one of, if not THE, best residential walk-behind mower made. I sold thousands of them when I was with a deere dealer. $800-$1000 each. We didn't make much on them, but we made good friends and satified customers who often came back at a later date looking for a rider, or in some cases a tractor. All because that 14SB silver jubilee left such a positive impression.

14SB later became a JX75, same mower, little more hp, green deck and a better BBC. When I moved, the guy I bought the house from stopped by with a JX75 and said "you want this you can have it." I didn't bat an eye! Had to put a clutch (bbc) but still use it once a week from April through November. it's time for new wheels and a new rope starter assembly and I'll gladly put the money into it. It really is, THAT good of a mower.


Kubota built a good 'un too (W5021) but was a little more expensive and lesser known, didn't have the iconic yellow wheels. Never cared for the Honda plastic decks.

Had a 12PB for a while, push only (no self propel), 2 stroke briggs. Same deck as 14sb/jx75. Never had no issue out of it other than it liked gas and oil. If ya crank the governor on those, they cut really well. I used it as a ditch mower.