lawn Mowers

[kach22i]

How long can one expect a simple push mower with a 3.5hp Briggs and Stranton engine (4-stroke) to last?

Purchased in 1992, changed the oil only twice, changed the plug twice.

The yard is small, a tight urban lot takes 5-10 minutes to do the whole thing.

It's running like c_ap now, again and I'm feeling like I let it down. Should of took better care of it, deserves a second chance.

Oh yea, I've never had the blade sharpened either.

Is 13 years old to young to die?

[red-beard]

Note to self, never buy Kach's 911...

[kach22i]

Originally posted by red-beard
Note to self, never buy Kach's 911...

I take care of my cars including the 911. Take care of my hovercraft and other toys.

Lawn mowers are disposable, right?

It's a freaking garden tool.

This chart say 5-8 years for a lawn mower.

http://www.cnyhomes.com/Buyers/Useful/expect_int.cgi?num=11

[red-beard]

Change oil at least every spring. Check spark plug at that time. Check/sharpen blade every time you mow. Check blade for being straight and level and bend back into shape (especially after hitting rocks, etc).

Tools are tools.....

If the lawn mower is a good one, keep the deck and go buy the cheapest mower you can find with a similar engine. Run that one until the deck falls apart, and then transfer to the better deck.

[kach22i]

My wife bought the mower and said she would take care of it. I wanted to keep using the old fashion push mower no engine, lots of blisters.

I always get put in this position - she gave away the push mower, thoses things are worth a couple hundred dollars now.

Everyone thought I was crazy for changing the engine oil, thought it was real funny. Guess most people don't have a clue.

Okay redbeard, how long do your mowers last - still have the one grandpa gave you as a boy?

[red-beard]

My parents bought one for me to use for mowing lawns in the neighborhod when I was around 12. It was a used mower. I used that same mower until I sold my house in Western Mass in 1999...I used it for 21 years.

It had a cast aluminum deck and the wheels used real greased wheel bearings. I have had 2 engine failure. The original engine lasted about 17 years of my use. I found a "free" engine at the junkyard. Later, this engine I stripped the spark plug, so I picked up another free engine. I ended up changing the head. From 99-04, I didn't need a lawnmower.

My new mower for Texas is a Honda self drive. The Augustine down here is very very thick and the powered wheels really help.

Sharpening the blades a little bit every time helps the grass blades be 'cut' instead of ripped. If you rip the blades, the tops turn brown. The easiest way is to use a file.

[osidak]

First lawmower I had after I was out on my own was the one I used to mow my dads yard. I used that thing for probably close to 20 years. Still ran nicely when I got it but I wanted one I could bag with and one that had a little more power.

Sold it for $90 at a yard sale. The one I replaced it with cost me $390

[Erakad]

Say a prayer, then bury it. It's time to let go...I'm with the "it's disposable" crowd. I got into the habit awhile back of buying cheapo lawnmowers at these corner places for $25, using them until they died, then getting another. Averaged about 2 years on them, which worked perfect on my transfer (to new towns) schedule. One less thing to move, one less thing to worry about!

[asphaltgambler]

I find my mowers work best when someone else is using them!

[lm6y]

New plug, can of carb cleaner, and some sea foam in the gas. Hell, change the oil while you are at it. It is an engine after all, and it does require SOME maintainance.

New plugs, sharpen the blades twice a year, and even run Mobil 1 in all of mine. I even rinse off the deck after every use. I'm crazy though....................

[RickM]

Kach, Sounds like you take care of your mower like 99% of the people that own them. (Hope you're using synthetic oil )

IMO, the last component to go on that level mower is not the engine. Usually the wheels, bagging system or another part break. Many times not worth the fix.

With the cost of blades I'd just replace with new.

Also, the single most important replaceable tune-up item is the air filter. It takes the most abuse.

[vash]

sharp blades are better for the lawn. and dont forget to check the balance.

i would buy a new one, and start over. pony up $400, and that will change your perspective, on owner maintenence. i think it is my imagination, but i put some synthetic motorcycle oil in the mower, and it revs better. btw, i bought a med $ sears motor with a honda 5 hp. it may be on the way out, because i messed up and didnt install the blade tight enough, i sheared a bit of the two pins that hold the blade. the part is not over the counter.

[Brother]

This thing isn't done yet. Do all the common maintenance stuff first.

Most peoples biggest problem is a clogged air filter. After that do an oil change and change the plug. This is all stuff that will come in a 15 buck maintenance kit.

Next. Tighten up the bolts that hold the motor to the chasis of the motor. Suprisingly, many people are mowing with a loose motor. This robs power and is a little dangerous.

Finally, for another 15 bucks get a new blade. This will make the mower last another 15 years.

You don't want a new mower. Yours is probably smaller and lighter than what you can buy now.

30 dollars and probably less than 30 minutes of labor to keep this bad johnny on your lawn.

[pwd72s]

Also, if it's a REALLY old Briggs, you may need a set of new points...easy to pull the flywheel & install new ones. Your neglect illustrates just how tough these little engines are. Oh...run it out of gas at the end of each season...the vast majority of spring starting problems are because of stale gas...either left in the mower all winter, or left in that 1/2 full mower gas can. So, run it dry, dump the mower gas in your car, start with fresh fuel the following spring.

[kach22i]

Thanks for the input everyone. I forgot to mention that I only cleaned the air filter every other year.

One year it was not running very well at all, thought it was the connection to the spark plug again - the plug unscrewed it's self - droped right into my hand when I turned it.

My wife bought the mower when I was out of the country for six weeks (13 years ago), like everything else around here I'm supposed to take care of it - male responsiblity and such.

I'll tinker with it (next weekend) just to see if there is anymore life in it, change the oil and all.

If someone really takes care of their mower and gets 17-20 years, I should feel darn lucky to get 13 years out of an abused one.

Next mower gets treated like a lady - like the synethic idea. This should be the last mower I ever buy, 20 years from now I'll be 65! Life is just a dream.

Any suggestions on a new mower? Tiny urban lot, don't need a mulcher feature. Cheap and simple, rear bagger, something made in North America is a plus.

PS: My wife informed me that she paid $125 for it and we got our money's worth.

[pwd72s]

Just how tiny is that urban lot? More importantly, how many sq. feet of lawn? You mentioned an old fashioned reel blade push mower in you initial post. That may be your best answer, if your lawn is small enough. A bit of good exercise as well. I use a snapper commercial, 21" self propelled rear bagger walk behind...commercial means many things built tougher, designed for mowing services, park services, people who do a LOT of mowing. It's running a Honda OHV engine. I'm now on year 2 with it, and it has served me well so far. I'm hoping to get at least 6 years...but I do a LOT of mowing. Not commercially, just a big lawn of about 1/3 acre in size. I just mowed today...takes about 3 hours. Why don't I buy a riding mower? The walk behind delivers a better cut, it does the trim areas better, and hell...I need the walking exercise. BTW, a "commercial" 21" walk behind mower is pretty close in price to an entry level riding mower...but you have less grief with a "commercial" grade product.

[mattdavis11]

Lawn tractors break sprinkler heads. Ok, done there.

Any 3.5 Briggs will do 25 years if maintained properly.

pwd72s, wait til you have to change the idler roller. Never mind, that'll be a project for a grand son/daughter.

One happy snapper(s) owner.

[RickM]

I bought an MTD rear bagger at Costco 10 years ago and it's still going strong. I used it to do my entire property but after a couple years I decided to go with a 48" Bobcat.... . Now the MTD is used for trim work.

I believe MTD is made in the US or Canada and there parts availablity is very good.

[928ram]

Toro self-propelled with the big rear wheels, 6.5hp-Home Depot- $299; great mower.

Unfortunately, right before I moved I thought I broke mine and ran out and bought a Troy-Built (MTD). Don't buy anything made by MTD, they've really gone in the crapper quality-wise; I've had to make several repairs on a mower I've had less than 4 months, and it just doesn't measure up to the Toro. MTD makes alot of the "name-brand" mowers out there. The only good on the Troy-built is the B & S 7hp OHV engine; that thing's got some giant steel nads.

[kach22i]

My mower, my wife's mower cost us about $10 a year to own ($125 divided by 13 years).

We will be using Consumers Reports to select a mower, she wants electric start.

I'll let you know what we end up with, maybe post it before we purchase.

I hope there are no lawnmowers in the afterlife - I'd hate to be chased around hell for all eternity by this one. I let it down, but I'm repenting.