Mike'sHorseBarn 3,174 #1 Posted May 15 I've seen some social media posts from isavetractors lately that they are having some financial issues and are going to start phasing out some things and possibly shut the doors completely. They are a great source of parts and I have uses a lot from there. Norman, the owner, is a really nice guy and has a heart for old equipment so if you need anything or need to stock up on some commonly used parts stop over at isavetractors.com and help them out! 3 1 1 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
1968Commando 143 #2 Posted May 15 1 hour ago, Mike'sHorseBarn said: I've seen some social media posts from isavetractors lately that they are having some financial issues and are going to start phasing out some things and possibly shut the doors completely. They are a great source of parts and I have uses a lot from there. Norman, the owner, is a really nice guy and has a heart for old equipment so if you need anything or need to stock up on some commonly used parts stop over at isavetractors.com and help them out! That’s rough I really liked them they helped me greatly I bought parts to rebuild my k181 from them 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OutdoorEnvy 1,763 #3 Posted May 15 That is a bummer. I like his save videos and appreciate the efforts to keep this rigs serviceable. I hope they figure out something to keep it going in some capacity. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 71,713 #4 Posted May 15 2 hours ago, Mike'sHorseBarn said: I've seen some social media posts from isavetractors lately that they are having some financial issues and are going to start phasing out some things and possibly shut the doors completely. They are a great source of parts and I have uses a lot from there. Norman, the owner, is a really nice guy and has a heart for old equipment so if you need anything or need to stock up on some commonly used parts stop over at isavetractors.com and help them out! Norman is a good dude. Never met him personally but I've talked to him on the phone a few times. Their business is only maybe 45 minutes south of me. I really like the concept of giving people local money whenever I can but unfortunately he's very rarely competitive on pricing. Looks like he's probably going to be the next player in this modern weird economy. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lynnmor 7,691 #5 Posted May 15 I bought a couple of parts that were clearance priced a few weeks ago. I will revisit and see if there is something that I should stock up on. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 43,274 #6 Posted May 15 (edited) From his Facebook: We have limited supply of our iSaveTractors Parts. Many parts when sold out, will take a long time to produce again or not be produced again at all. Check out our website and get them now for your projects. Our Internal parts like Pistons are the best around, made to new piston dimensions. Been providing the best parts for the Kohler K series engines for 10 years now! looks more like a supplier issue to me. I like watching videos on YT from the "Car Wizard" His shop specializes in exotic and classic cars. They are working on a 67 Mustang. Going thru a "National parts supplier" he can't get a carb or carb kit. The parts are in a whare house in Canada and they won't ship them here! Edited May 15 by squonk 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
clueless 3,170 #7 Posted May 16 3 hours ago, squonk said: From his Facebook: We have limited supply of our iSaveTractors Parts. Many parts when sold out, will take a long time to produce again or not be produced again at all. Check out our website and get them now for your projects. Our Internal parts like Pistons are the best around, made to new piston dimensions. Been providing the best parts for the Kohler K series engines for 10 years now! looks more like a supplier issue to me. I like watching videos on YT from the "Car Wizard" His shop specializes in exotic and classic cars. They are working on a 67 Mustang. Going thru a "National parts supplier" he can't get a carb or carb kit. The parts are in a whare house in Canada and they won't ship them here! I'm not sure why this is happening, is the something going on here with the supply chain. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sparky-(Admin) 22,739 #8 Posted May 16 9 hours ago, ebinmaine said: I really like the concept of giving people local money whenever I can but unfortunately he's very rarely competitive on pricing. Looks like he's probably going to be the next player in this modern weird economy. Well you can’t say you like to support the local guy and then not support the local guy? And if your on the phone with him then there’s no doubt your asking his advice? Are you watching any of his YouTube videos? Still not worth spending a couple bucks more for that great personal service? I have no issue spending a few more bucks at the local places/smaller stores over the conglomerates. Not saying I never shop at Amazon or at Walmart. There will come a day when my income becomes “fixed” and I wont be able to, but I’m doing it now while I can. Just tried to order a start/gen rebuild kit off Isavetractors website, “out of stock” unfortunately. Hope it’s just temporary and not because he can’t compete with Amazon 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AlexR 1,686 #9 Posted May 16 I asked him if he was planning on trying to keep doing K series stuff and this was his response "My heart and my goal is with the K series stuff. So that I am going to remain producing the best I can, however even that's getting challenging. I still have tens of thousands of units in stock, so stay with me!" 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 71,713 #10 Posted May 16 1 hour ago, Sparky said: Well you can’t say you like to support the local guy and then not support the local guy? And if your on the phone with him then there’s no doubt your asking his advice? Are you watching any of his YouTube videos? Still not worth spending a couple bucks more for that great personal service? I have bought from him in the past. I do not anymore and likely won't. I do regularly buy from other local companies with more competitive prices and better quality parts. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 43,274 #11 Posted May 16 5 hours ago, ebinmaine said: better quality parts. His gasket sets are top quality. Much better than any other I've found anywhere online. Also his ring sets, valves and pistons have been excellent. 3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 71,713 #12 Posted May 16 2 minutes ago, squonk said: His gasket sets are top quality. Much better than any other I've found anywhere online. Also his ring sets, valves and pistons have been excellent. I'm not by any means trying to indicate that his parts are no good. They're fine. Or I wouldn't have bought them in the past. What I'm saying is that although good quality, his prices are just not competitive with other people that sell the exact same quality or better. I can get an original Kohler carb kit delivered to my door for $13 or $14. Why would I go aftermarket? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sparky-(Admin) 22,739 #13 Posted May 16 11 hours ago, Sparky said: Just tried to order a start/gen rebuild kit off Isavetractors website, “out of stock” unfortunately. Hope it’s just temporary and not because he can’t compete with Amazon And the reply about the start/gen rebuild kits. I can wait I guess, although my 875 start/gen is getting noisy. “Michael Nelson Not sure at this time. I am making some moves behind the scenes. Keep yours eyes on it.” Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike'sHorseBarn 3,174 #14 Posted May 16 20 minutes ago, Sparky said: And the reply about the start/gen rebuild kits. I can wait I guess, although my 875 start/gen is getting noisy. “Michael Nelson Not sure at this time. I am making some moves behind the scenes. Keep yours eyes on it.” The starter genny on my 867 is noisy so I need to do that too, but I have kit on the shelf. I think there are kits on ebay if it gets too bad. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 43,274 #15 Posted May 30 Napa used to be a decent source for small engine stuff. When I worked there we sold a ton of it. Seems like they've pretty much gotten out of it. I ordered a pre filter for a K181 and it's been over a week. Started buying Kohler stuff here: https://www.kohler-engine-parts.opeengines.com/ 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 43,274 #16 Posted May 30 (edited) OPE is out of a K341 large style pre filter I just ordered. Maybe a extra 2 weeks. Glad this is for having an extra one ready to go and not something I need right away. We can bash vendors/suppliers all we want. But when the maker of such items is slacking / closing down/having issues what ya gonna do? Keep looking around until you find that needle in the haystack. Gonna get worse before it gets better. Had to E bay it and found a Jen u ine Kohler one . I'll just have an extra. Gonna have to start hoarding! Edited May 30 by squonk Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 71,713 #17 Posted May 30 55 minutes ago, squonk said: OPE is out of a K341 large style pre filter I just ordered. Maybe a extra 2 weeks. Glad this is for having an extra one ready to go and not something I need right away. We can bash vendors/suppliers all we want. But when the maker of such items is slacking / closing down/having issues what ya gonna do? Keep looking around until you find that needle in the haystack. Gonna get worse before it gets better. Had to E bay it and found a Jen u ine Kohler one . I'll just have an extra. Gonna have to start hoarding! Mike I've been buying a few things from Billsplaceshop.com and had great experiences so far. bills-place@outlook.com 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sparky-(Admin) 22,739 #18 Posted May 30 35 minutes ago, ebinmaine said: Mike I've been buying a few things from Billsplaceshop.com and had great experiences so far. bills-place@outlook.com I’ve bought from Bills in the past with no issues, so I also recommend. Billsplaceshop.com 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MainelyWheelhorse 1,318 #19 Posted May 30 (edited) I bought from Bill’s Place yesterday for the specific 103990 Toro key switch I was looking for. I think I bought the last one as it was out when I checked back on the site. We’ll see how it goes. I’m optimistic by the responses here that it’ll be a positive experience. Edited May 30 by MainelyWheelhorse 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 43,274 #20 Posted June 4 According to a post in FB from the WHCC. Norman is closing. When the stuff is gone it's gone. 1 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sparky-(Admin) 22,739 #21 Posted June 4 4 hours ago, squonk said: According to a post in FB from the WHCC. Norman is closing. When the stuff is gone it's gone. Bummer! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 71,713 #22 Posted June 4 Sad to see him go but there's nothing unique in his arsenal. Everything he distributed is available elsewhere. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MainelyWheelhorse 1,318 #23 Posted June 4 4 hours ago, squonk said: According to a post in FB from the WHCC. Norman is closing. When the stuff is gone it's gone. I saw that too earlier today. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
