Lawn mower thread

CAJUNLAWYER

CAJUNLAWYER

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On da Bayou Teche
Bought a Troybuilt 20" push mower with a 6.75 Briggs engine in September 2005. Today something went "clang" inside the motor and I can barely Pull the starter cord-SOunds like it done went and seized up. The last Briggs I owned went for about 17 years and I got rid if it when the chassis rusted out and OI couldn't find a new one-the motor still ran great. Is it too much to expect these things to last more than 4 mowing seasons???? Or is that the going life span??? I hate the idea of buying a new mower.
 
Sounds like the safety start mechanism at the motor end of the cable that connects to the handle you pull down before you pull the rope, broke. If you can pull it at all it isn't siezed.
 
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My experiance with B&S engines is, given a oil change every season they will run almost forever. But I guess nothing is perfect.
 
Strato said:
Sounds like the safety start mechanism at the motor end of the cable that connects to the handle you pull down before you pull the rope, broke. If you can pull it at all it isn't siezed.
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Nope-first thing I checked. That's how it feels though-but I took off the cowling and the safety start does work :rolleyes: It started smoknig like crazy when it stopped and there was oil dripping from the muffler.
Paid $175 4 years ago so I ain't gonna put a lot into it-but if it is something easy, I would try to fix it.
 
Trash it. Not worth the $ to fix it. Find a good clean used one in the classifieds.
 
Or, if your kids are grown and you're not addicted to croquet, till the grass under, invest the lawnmower money in self-sowing wildflower seed, and never mow again!
 
Clean it up like new, put it in the yard by the street. When some dude steals it, claim it on your homeowners policy!!
 
CAJUNLAWYER said:
Nope-first thing I checked. That's how it feels though-but I took off the cowling and the safety start does work :rolleyes: It started smoknig like crazy when it stopped and there was oil dripping from the muffler.
Paid $175 4 years ago so I ain't gonna put a lot into it-but if it is something easy, I would try to fix it.
Click to expand...

In that case it sounds like a broken ring. You'd have to tear it down. Parts are cheap but I think cass has a good idea
 
cass said:
Clean it up like new, put it in the yard by the street. When some dude steals it, claim it on your homeowners policy!!
Click to expand...

I am betting his deductible is more than the cost of a new mower. Mine would be for sure.

Lawyers are frugal. The hold on to money and save where they can. I know one lawyer making a good six figure income and never has more than $2 on him, has shoes re-soled six times before replacing them and drives a 1972 Impala.
 
cass said:
Clean it up like new, put it in the yard by the street. When some dude steals it, claim it on your homeowners policy!!
Click to expand...

I wouldn't submit an insurance claim..........but it would sure beat having to carry it off myself. Besides it would serve the thief right to get a worthless mower for their efforts. :D

Don
 
If that doesn't work put a for sale sign on it with a reasonable but not too cheap price and leave it where it will be 'borrowed'.
 
I have an old craftsman one pull start that despite being used and abused for over a dozen years now (okay... maybe 15+), it still runs with just oil changes, spark plugs, blade sharpening, and new air filters. The plug fouls a lot, so you have to clean it often, but when it gets running good mid-summer, it is still a one pull start. Leaks a bit of oil, I think, but nothing too bad. I've had to fabricate a few replacement parts for it (the bar that holds the clamp down lever from going back too far, the metal bar across the bottom that lets you turn it, and a bracket to hold the front wheels together).

However, we've got a newer B&S Sears mower, and I'm not a big fan of it. Keep breaking the two little bolts that hold the shield on in the back, causing the wheels to rattle like crazy and making it hard to turn (which reminds me, I need to fix it... AGAIN), though it is a one pull start most of the time. Also, unlike the old craftsman it only has one speed. Why can't I have a turtle/rabbit!? I can tell it is built a lot more cheaply than the old craftsman, for sure.
 
My 19 year old John Deere SB14 mowers deck is made of alumium and it corroded so bad there were big holes in the deck. I ended up having the dealer transfer my stuff to a "donor" JD mower deck and my old mower lives again! .....and I probably paid more to fix mine up than most people pay for a new mower!
 
Hey Caj, If you lived up North a bit you'd still be messing with a freakin' snowblower and not worrying about some darn lawnmower !!! I gotta move.......Shoo
 
Ring, or rod. Either way, she's dead, Jim.

Take it to the range for some group therapy and sigh about buying a new one.
 
Push mower? Starter cord?

Good grief - get yourself a decent lawnmower with cupholders for your beer.

JOHN-DEERE-EZTRAK-S.jpg
 
I have a Troy Built "Turf Cut" self propelled mulcher with a 6-1/2 HP B&S in the garage. Come and get it and it's yours. The motor works fine. The division bellied up a year after I bought it and my warranty was worthless. Right now, the mower chassis is resting on the cement. The fancy height adjustment lever broke off and you have to tear the whole thing apart to replace it. The self propelled mechanism gave me trouble too. Junk, I'll never buy another TB product or set foot in that mower shop again… but I’m not bitter.

Get a Toro Super Recycler! :cool:
 
CAJUNLAWYER said:
No....but I never changed the oil in the first one that lasted 17 years. As long as you keep it topped off you're good to go ;)
Quit tryin' to stir the pot :)
OK looks like I'm getting a new one
Briggs or Honda ???? $50 difference in price- worth it???
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For $50.....Honda.

Mowing grass is an excuse to have a Turbo Dog....right?
 
s&wchad said:
I have a Troy Built "Turf Cut" self propelled mulcher with a 6-1/2 HP B&S in the garage. Come and get it and it's yours. The motor works fine. The division bellied up a year after I bought it and my warranty was worthless. Right now, the mower chassis is resting on the cement. The fancy height adjustment lever broke off and you have to tear the whole thing apart to replace it. The self propelled mechanism gave me trouble too. Junk, I'll never buy another TB product or set foot in that mower shop again… but I’m not bitter.

Get a Toro Super Recycler! :cool:
Click to expand...

I'm just not feeling it, are you upset ? Tell us how you really feel....Shoo
P.S. I got a Troy Bilt wide mower with 5-speeds from my neighbor for free, figured I'd just fix her up a bit. Had to replace the nylon timing pulley so it would quit throwing the toothed belt along with the bearings for both shafts, and rebuild the tranny. I should have left it at the curb. Put about $400 into it and then sold it for $400. Good lesson in there somewhere...
 
I've got a 25+ year old Snapper rider and it still works fine.

However, I've worn out more than a few parts on it. :p
But not the 8hp Briggs on it- but did get one new carburetor and bunch of those recoil clutches over the years.

You can pick up (at least up here) a good used Snapper rider for a couple of hundred bucks.
 
It's gone. Engines fail for a number of reasons and it isn't necessarily your fault. It's not economical to fix it. Buy a new mower.

You got off cheaper than I did - I lost a 4 year old riding mower last summer the same way - up in a puff of smoke.
 
CAJUNLAWYER said:
No....but I never changed the oil in the first one that lasted 17 years. As long as you keep it topped off you're good to go ;)
Quit tryin' to stir the pot :)
OK looks like I'm getting a new one
Briggs or Honda ???? $50 difference in price- worth it???
Click to expand...

Is it a Honda mower or something else with an engine cover that says Honda?

My 2 pennies.... buy a Honda mower. Last one you will ever need. (Service it by the book)
 
ChattanoogaPhil said:
Is it a Honda mower or something else with an engine cover that says Honda?

My 2 pennies.... buy a Honda mower. Last one you will ever need. (Service it by the book)
Click to expand...

Not a "Honda" mower-but a Troy bilt with a Honda motor instead of a Briggs Motor-As much as I love the Briggs-grew up with them, think I'm gonna buy a Honda powered Mower-I have a Honda powered pressure washer that I really like. It's just that I can't stand the idea of throwing $250-300 away on something to do chores with-knda like buying a vacuum Cleaner.
 
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