Lawn Mower Musings

[Bekeart]

Ethanol vs Mower

Took two mowers for repair last week.

#1 Ethanol had damaged diaphragm in the carburetor.
Service tech said this was quite common on this model Briggs & Stratton engine. $25

#2 Broken pull rope - Replaced and checked out - $25

Had called ahead - delivered mowers 11 AM - picked up at 4 PM.

GREAT SERVICE in Paducah KY.

Bekeart

 

[G-Mac]

I'm a big believer in using Sta-Bil in the fuel. Also, we can get No Ethanol 91 Octane Premium around here at two different gas stations. All my small engines get this mix every time.

 

[sceva]

When I bought my last new mower about 10 - 12 years ago I bought a Craftsman and made sure it had the Tecumseh engine (Eager-1 in Sears Speak) Use 10% ethanol gasoline in it and always use Sta-Bil. So far so good. I much prefer the Tecumseh engine with it's pressurized oil system to the Briggs-Stratton with their splash sump but the Briggs do last a long time if cared for. I was very sorry that the Tecumseh's were discontinued.
From what I have heard the Honda's are very good mowers and engines too.

 

[w-30dreamin]

You want to wash and wax your new mower. Also you want to pick up Angus droppings prior to mowing.

I wash and wax my rider 2 times a year,at the end of the season and mid season. Blow it off with the leaf blower after every use...It's still my shiny toy!

My Family does tease me over the whole wash,wax thing but it's keeping my mower looking good!

 

[BigBill]

I use seafoam In everything. Our keeps the gas fresh all winter. It's an upper lube too.

I purchase the older cub cadets from the 60's & 70's. I clean the carbs and points and most of them are runners. I have one that's brand new when the gas went bad. I cleaned the carb and it's a brand new machine. These are garden tractors and can mow, till, blow snow, etc. I pull over a 1/4 cord of firewood at a time with a trailer on one.

 

[2152hq]

The first Craftsman Mower lasted about 20yrs. StaBil every winter and what ever gas comes out of the Regular pump. Just wore out.
This next one gave me a little problem running rough and quitting once in a while.
Snagged the governor(sp?) spring on the shrubs and stretched it out of shape. Finally got a new one and a spark plug. Must have been some dirt or something in the gas line too. But a shot of acetone in the gas has cleared that up.
The only engines I like are the ones that run. Hate messing with those things.

They're supposed to have dog poop on the wheels aren't they?,,especially in the Fall when it blends in so well with the fallen leaves.

 

[hsguy]

Caje, you need to buy two mowers, one for cutting and another for collecting. Just like some of us do with our S&W's.

 

[Old TexMex]

My wife registered in the local hardware store sweepstakes. She won $1000 worth of her choice. She was so proud of her new self propelled mower/mulcher. And she picked a toolbox for my new F150. Wonders never cease.

 

[klondike]

I run a 35 yr old Toro and the only love and care that it receives is non ethanol gas. In the winter, I throw a wheelbarrow over it hoping that when spring comes, I may see that I need a new one. Alas, it starts with a pull or two and cuts the grass as well as my son's new one does.

 

[Steely Dan]

I've got a 1995 Murray 22" pusher I bought brand new.

It's now my brush and back property mower.

Last year I dropped $100.00 in it rebuilding the carb, new pull rope and new cables.

I worked on that thing myself before finally breaking down and taking it in.

The shop I go to is on its third generation of family.

The original owner sits in the shop now and talks to customers.

I went in, told him I had try to fix it with no luck. (He knew my grandfather years ago).

The old man said, "Son, you can try to fix that mower but you'd have better luck going outside and whiz zing in the wind. Your just spinning your wheels".

"Yes sir" I said.

The old man was right. Runs fine now.

 

[blujax01]

I buy disposable mowers. Once every 7 to 10 years, I wait until after Labor Day when the hardware stores are clearing out the lawn equipment so they can put up the Christmas decorations (another rant), then I snag the cheapest push mower available. I never spend more than $200.

I run it until it quits and toss it in the trash. Usually with the original oil in the crankcase.

That's a $20-$25 per year investment. No muss, no fuss.

 

[absolutevil]

If you have a small engine that surges or runs only if choked a little try this first before you send it for repair or even taking it apart yourself. Go buy a can of Seafoam, Walmart and auto parts stores sell it. Add some to the fuel. Run the engine the best you can to get it into the carb. Turn the motor off and let it sit until the next day and start it up again. It might run better but still not perfect, let it sit another day, then try it again. The Seafoam removes the varnish from the carb and you have only the seven bucks you paied for the stuff to loose if it don't work. Works for me almost every time I have that same problem.

 

[Wee Hooker]

There is a better way....Every Wednesday afternoon my lawn is cut, edged and blowed.

Then the young man knocks on the door and I give him $40. He says "Thanks" and I go back to my adult beverage and Judge Judy.

I'll call and raise you. My wife mows our lawn. About every other , she'll weed whack too. Cost? I have to remind her that it gives her nice legs although I think she does it mainly for the exercise

 

[Hack]

Honda makes a good mower, but I prefer Ariens. After owning my first Ariens for fifteen years, I replaced it with a new model:


The first one had a 6.5 hp Tecumseh engine, and it was my first self propelled mower. It also was my first mower purchased from a mower shop. It was a mulcher/bagger/spewer cut. Loved it. It was still running when I put it out on the curb for the garbage pickers to take. I kept the bag, because it was still in very good condition, as I only bag the lawn in the early spring and late fall. The rest of the year I mulch the grass.

The new Ariens has a Kawasaki engine, and it is a grass mowing animal. Where the old Tecumseh would bog down, the Kaw just keeps on turnin' and churnin'. It does an outstanding job at mulching the grass.

Since I got old/fat/lazy, I also purchased one of these:
zero_zpsa17fbf4f.png Photo by HackFabrication | Photobucket@@AMEPARAM@@http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r320/HackFabrication/zero_zpsa17fbf4f.p@@AMEPARAM@@147.photobucket.com/albums/r320/HackFabrication/zero_zpsa17fbf4f.p

30" Husqvarna zero turn. Perfect size for my sub-division sized lot. Its got an 18 hp Briggs, and it's also one grass cutting machine. I run the mulching blade on it, and it cuts the grass into small bits. It'll also cut grass at 6 mph if you're in the mood. But mostly I take my time with a good outdoor/work cigar and my Peltor headset. It's also got a spot to attach the garden hose and clean out the mower deck.

When my Craftsman snow blower reaches retirement, I'll be replacing it with either a Husqvarna or Ariens.

 

[Qball]

There is a realy Quick fix to your problem.

Move to an apartement.
I did, no more cuting grass or moving snow.

 

[Qball]

There is a realy Quick fix to your problem.

Move to an apartement.
I did, no more cuting grass or moving snow.

Now why does my computor put capital letters in the middle of a sentence?

 

[Hack]

Move to an apartement.

I don't like sharing walls or a building with strangers.... Bad enough I live in a subdivision and have neighbors...

Now where's my tin foil hat? Time to go on patrol...

 

[LazyKB]

Not a good thread to read when I am faced with a yard that needs mowing and I am equipped with a 20 year old Lawnboy that I supply the propulsion.

How long does it take ethanol to eat one up?

 

[Camster]

I run a 35 yr old Toro and the only love and care that it receives is non ethanol gas. In the winter, I throw a wheelbarrow over it hoping that when spring comes, I may see that I need a new one. Alas, it starts with a pull or two and cuts the grass as well as my son's new one does.

I'm using a 34 year old Toro.(and wish that I could find non ethanol gas in my area-Ideas?)
My $40 a week guy got aggressive with trying to do "extra work " intentionally and "by mistake" that I didn't want,so I fired him in May.The Toro had been sitting for more than 20 years,but I got her running.Fixing the "frozen shoulder" that resulted from getting the thing out of the attic and pulling the start rope repeatedly,has cost me $400+ so far in MD bills and Advil,.....never mind the pain,never mind that it will take a few more months of self therapy.

 

[BigBill]

I had problems with using stabil with the new blend of gas. It didn't work in
My motorcycle over the winter. My carbs were gummed up.

Buying an older cub cadet and getting it running. These will last for a lifetime if we maintain it properly. Here's what I check and do to make it run.

First inspect the complete machine to make sure it's complete.

1. See if it turns over to make sure the engine isn't stuck by hand.
2. I run the starter/generator with the belt off to make sure it works.
3. Next I clean and reset the points. There in that little cover under the governor arm.
4. Look in the gas tank for stale gas. Flush tank if needed.
5. Pull the carb bowel off to check it for dirt. Make sure the float is free to move. I do this without removing the carb unless it's really bad. Make sure the air filter is clean.
6. I will try to fire it up.
7. If she runs my next step is to look at the front section of the head for head gasket leaks. I find the average is the head gasket needs replacement
7/a. Change the motor oil.
8. Now once its running I first push the clutch to make the disc is free and not stuck.
9. Check the brake pedal to make sure it functions and stops.
10. Try to engage the pto/mower. If it functions ok drive it.

If you need any further help email me.