Mowers

[fan-of-fans]

It's that time of the year. I love a summer afternoon and listening to mowers going, it's relaxing.

What kind of mowers have you had? We had a 1993 Craftsman rider, then a 1991 Murray rider (that one was bought used after the Craftsman froze up), and now a 2007 Craftsman rider. In between we had a push mower from about 2003 I think it was a Toro but can't recall exactly. I forget what had before the 1993 Craftsman.

 

[frigilux]

2003 Snapper. It is self-propelled and has electric start. Briggs and Stratton engine. I use it in mulch mode. It's OK, but has needed repairs several times.

It will be replaced with a Toro when the time comes. The brand is rated well by CR and a nearby Toro manufacturing plant employs hundreds of area residents.

 

[cfz2882]

-1981 4.5 HP coast to coast hardware
-1987 lawn boy two stroke-steel deck,not a "real"lawn boy
-1996 lawn boy two stroke commercial
-2003 MTD cheapie-was $99 at wal mart in 2003...
-2012 sthil LiIon 36v rechargeable mini-mower
Also a 1995 MTD "lawn general" rider,but needs major engine repair...
IIRC,the "real"lawn boys,last made ~1985,were made by OMC corp.

 

[tolivac]

I have had several types of mowers-right now a non functional JD LA145 tractor-and Greenworks,Black&Decker,Homelite cordless electric push mowers.Love these-quiet-no smell and less maintenance.I have owned two Toro Mowers-one I loved-sadly it got stolen-guess someone else wanted one,too.The one that replaced the stolen one was TERRIBLE-Flimsy deck,poor quality B&S motor.That was replaced with a JD mower-didn't like that one,either.Another crappy B&S motor-HATE new B&S motors.Too many problems.The JD mower hit a stump adn the shear pin was INSIDE the motor.A mower shop had to take it apart adn fix it.Sold that one!!Remember the old days with older B&S motors you replaced the shear pin on the blade adaptor that mounted on the motor shaft.No mower shop-replace the pin and you are back in business within 10 min.The place that sold the mower had adaptors,pins,and blades.Not now.I used to have a KEE mower years ago-common in the South.these are belt drive-so if you hit a stump or survey stake,rock,whatever,the blet absorbs the shock.And a KEE mower wades thru thick grass at only half throttle.Miss that.Kee is no longer made.SAD.

 

[cadman]

This is our primary mower, the '49 Farmall C with a 5' Woods mower deck. This pic is actually from earlier today while cutting the grass. She's extremely dependable as long as you've got the belt tension set right and run non-ethanol, but unfortunately the previous owner didn't understand you need a tight seal between the air cleaner and carb inlet and used an old section of oversized rad hose. Maybe this winter or next I'll do an in-frame rebuild on the 4 pot.

 

[philr]

I just got a new one last week!

My oldest mower to date, from 1954...


I'm not a big fan at cleaning/detailing lawn mowers (or anything!). I just like when they work, I did clean the two next ones since I made the videos as you couldn't even touch their handle without getting your hands dirty!

1971 International Harvester 21" made by Lawn Boy.


That one is tired. I can't even tell which brand it is. Seems to be a Canadian product from the early 1960s, steel deck and a Briggs 4 stroke that smokes...



The first Lawn Boy Automower from 1957.


A Canadian Lawn Boy from 1958-60


I also have a few other old push mowers but I mostly use the 1993 or 1994 Craftsman riding mower that my aunt gave me last year! A boring machine without an hydrostatic transmission but it has 4 wheel steering (!) and it's Briggs 14.5 hp motor is better than the 12 HP Briggs and the 12 HP Tecumseh in my previous Noma/Murray and Craftsman freebies... It's my first non-smoking 4 stroke!

The second attached picture shows the 1976 Lawn Boy that Roger (Firedome) gave me. It looks dirty on this picture but it's in quite good shape. It's my newest push-mower.

 

[cadman]

Phil, that's a wonderful collection!

For the detail work, we've always used a cheap MTD but I did just happen upon a John Deere 14SE the other day, very similar to the one I used growing up. Kawasaki motor, aluminum deck, electric start and 5 spd trans. I'll want to grab a new blade for it and clean out the carb but it did okay this past weekend.

 

[delaneymeegan]

 

 

 

Yes, that IS quite the collection of mowers, Phil.  

 

In the early 80s, we had a few neighbors with Lawnboy and  I really liked the sound of it.  I don't why.  Maybe it was the 4 cycle ones?  Or it had a Honda motor.   The motor seem to spin at a faster rate and had like a 2-tone sound to it.   I'm not sure.

Lawnboy also had a electric key start push mower.  I thought was so cool.

 

I've bought two new Lawn boy Silver model mowers.  One in about 1995, another in 2002.  I had a used one before those.

 

 

These days will only do electric.  Quiet, clean, no fossil fuels, no grease, no smog, no exhaust belching in my face.  I use it with the easy to clip on grass chute and it does a beautiful job.  There is no trails of grass.  Keeping the deck clean (of any mower) is important.  I usually wax the underside of my mowers so the grass circulates out of the deck quickly, and is less likely to stick on.  I haven't waxed this one yet.

 

This is my first New electric mower.  It's so light weight I can pick it up with one hand.  And turning it on its side to clean the deck after each useage with soap, water, and a scrub brush (something EVERYONE should be doing regardless of type mower) is very easy and don't have to worry about flooding an engine or gunk leaking out.  

 

 

[volsboy1]

I love your collection of Lawn-boys!! We have always had the 2 Cycle  mowers.They will chew through the tallest grass and not bog down..My Mom bought 4 of the Dura-Cycle Red-tanks  the last year they were out, for the farm there are tons of hills.

My Favorite is my 1995 L.B. 1995 Gold-pro aluminum deck  ,I don't know what it is about those mowers.The smells and the noise they make

and they last so long.. That 2 cycle  engine does not bog down in Zoysia Grass like it does with the 4 cycle mower..

  That is some collection of wonderful mowers,I have always been a fan of  2 cycle mowers.

My Neighbor hates when I mow,he is one of those Smug Eco-nuts 

that only use electric everything.Telling me how much better his battery mower is for the environment.

 

 

 

 

[delaneymeegan]

Wes / Volsboy1

 

 

What is the opposite of a "Smug Eco-nut" ?

 

Does your neighbor have a Robo-mower?   Cuz, those are absolutely FAB !

 

I had one of those in 2005.  They ARE Great !

 

And the new battery operated maintenance tools like edgers and weed eaters, last even longer than those before them.

 

 

 

[delaneymeegan]

battery trimmer

Lithium Ion battery

 

Again, no petroleum, no oil, no filthy exhaust in your face, low noise, don't have to worry about getting burned on hot exhaust muffler.

 

You can literally trim your grass, put the trimmer away, and go inside and NOT have to take a shower to get all the exhaust fumes off your body.  You don't even have to wear ear plugs to block out the petroleum burning engine just inches from your face.  

 

[philr]

About the electric-start model, Doug (drh4683 here) happens to have one. I'd really like to find one of these.

 

[tolivac]

If you have to use a gas motored mower-the Lawn Boys were excellent-and its 2cycle motor seemed quieter than the 4 cycle ones.also did like the exhaust smell.Other gas mower I liked was a Kee mower.Yazoo,Roof made similar front deck rear motor,belt drive walk behind mowers.They didn't have to be self propelled-their large rear bicycle type wheels made them easy to push.Presently I as mentioned before gone to the cordless battery mowers.also found these are MORE powerful than plug in ones.My yard is too large to use a mower that requires a cord.Greenworks is supposed to come up with a cordless riding mower-WANT to see and try this!

 

[volsboy1]

I like what I like, if's its not broke why throw it in a landfill and buy another?There is NO way that a electric mower can cut

Zoysia grass.That grass will bog down a ridding mower easy,the stuff is like carpet.My neighbor  is Smug bad,and he kinda drives me nuts.Those people that talk about there Carbon footprint size and then yours(Which I found ironic when I have a real Carbon foot). I hate his guts with a passion to be honest,I do things out of pure spite sometimes just to give me some way to amusing  entertainment pissing him off

.I know petty and childish, but let the world beware.His name is Harold  and he drives a Prius! 

Which I find gut wrenching funny because, I call him Gerald all the time on purpose.He never got it till his son  told him it's from South Park.

 

[this post was last edited: 6/21/2016-13:35]

 

[norgeway]

My Dad

Would have NOTHING but a Lawn Boy. He bought one in the summer of 65 before I was born in September and I mowed with it as a teenager. I wish I had it now. it was a 19 inch and was white instead of green. it used the 16 to 1 gas mixture. and he only used Amoco high test and Lawn Boy oil.

 

[norgeway]

We have a

38 inch cut John Deere and 3 electrics. A 1960s Craftsman a 1950s Wizard and a newer Lowes electric with a bagger that Don mows the front yard with.

 

[tolivac]

I have a B&D cordless electric that will cut BETTER than a gas mower-the gas mower was stalled in thick grass(Craftsman)-My electric mower cut thru that grass like a mini bush hog!That did run the battery down quickly-but it cut what the 5 Hp gas mower couldn't cut.My electrics have cut any grass I have used them in.The electric mowers have more torque than the gas ones-esp the cordless ones-no cord to limit the power.The battery is right beside the motor-and connected with heavy guage cables.On todays gas mowers I don't like the fixed speeds--usually too slow to cut well.Remember when older mowers had the throttle speed control on the handle?Liked that so much.

 

[volvoguy87]

Cut Quality & Capability.

No matter what mower you have, having a good sharp blade which is properly balanced really makes a big difference in the quality of the cut and the capabilities of a mower (not bogging down). Mulching requires more power since there are more clippings in the blade at any given moment. After having my Snapper's dull blade sharpened and balanced, it is easy to tell a difference.

Dave

 

[iheartmaytag]

Carbon footpring?

Though the gas mower is burning gas on site, the electricity has to be generated somewhere, thus a coal, or gas fired electric plant may leave you with a larger carbon footprint in the end.

 

The only way to be totally independent would be a push real mower. 

 

[frigilux]

I purchased a new Toro mower yesterday: Model 20384 with Personal Pace self-propel system and electric start. Price: $650.00

It is lighter than the 13-year old Snapper it replaces and is easier to maneuver. It's also quieter and doesn't need to be primed. The Snapper was fussy with priming and flooded easily. It also didn't like to restart if the engine stopped mid-mow. You'd have to let it cool for awhile.

The Personal Pace system took a bit of getting used to during the first mow. I was used to leaning into the handle on the Snapper and doing so with the Toro caused it to jump to the fastest propel speed. The mower popped a wheelie a couple of times, LOL. Part of my yard is a hill and the Toro handled it well.

I like the Washout Port for the deck. Connect a hose to it, turn on the water and start the mower. It cleans out the underside of the deck.

I'm using it in the mulch mode---it mulches the grass more finely than the Snapper---so the bag has been removed and put in storage.

The Snapper, an expensive mower which I've paid for again in repairs over the years, needed almost $200 put into it; so I decided enough was enough and sprang for the Toro.[this post was last edited: 6/24/2016-08:34]

 

[countryguy]

I have the Toro Personal pace mulcher also but mine is 7 years old. Mine usually starts on the first or 2nd pull but if I shut it off mid mow, it is hard to start again. The last time I did that I had to remove the spark plug, dry it off and let it sit for about 20 minutes before it would start.

 

[tolivac]

The Toro mower in the picture looks like the one I use to have that was stolen.Agree on sharp,nick free,balanced blades.BUT don't go TOO sharp NEVER file your blades to a knife edge.It will dull or nick quickly.For most walk and ride mowers a 1/32 " edge is best.For large tractor mowers-1/16" cutting edge is good.

 

[volvoguy87]

Hard starting.

I know on many small engines, you should not tip the engine on its side with the carburetor down. Gas (maybe oil sometimes if things aren't right?) can flow out of the carb and get into the air filter. Once this happens, it is hard to start when the engine is hot. Try replacing the air filter and its foam sleeve, if it has one).

David

 

[frigilux]

The Snapper seemed to get oil in the filter no matter what I tried. I'm glad the Toro has a washout port so I never have to turn it on its side (although the manual does state the same thing you advised; to turn it on its side with the air filter up).

 

[volsboy1]

I have been attached to Lawn boy 2 cycle mowers ever sense I had a lawn service when I was 15.I did not know much

about small engines back then.I went through two mowers a summer they kept throwing rods on me.

My Mamaw bought be a new 2cycle  Lawn-boy commercial mower.Then it clicked in my brain, my Green Machine had oil in the gas that is why it could be turned any which way. 

 

My neighbor just likes to preach about everything,and I poke holes in his limited logic all the time.Me leaving lights on when I go work,me watering my grass to long,me using my dryer instead of hanging it outside,me leaving my heat pump on when I am gone.

He caught me in a BAD mood Saturday,he gave me timers for my lights.

He has two identical sprayers for his yard. One has fertilizer in it with a Green cap and one with Round up  weed and grass killer with a Red-Cap.. I swapped the caps on them and threw his daughters toy next to it and walked away..Sunday, I sat on my porch drinking my coffee watching the feel good movie of the year

. Him put fertilizer on his yard.

You know maybe,I should not watch Desperate House wives,I think it's rubbing off on me..

 

 

[frigilux]

So you not only killed his lawn, you're going to let a little kid get punished for it?

 

[countryguy]

My Toro has the washout port but I have never found it to be very effective. I always flip the mower on its side (carb side up) to clean underneath with the hose or using the power sprayer. Afterwards I start the mower and let it run for a few minutes to help dry the underside. It is always hard to start after doing this however.

 

[washman]

Frig do you dig the Toro?

I only used the Husky once right when I got it to sort of clean up the yard from the last mow. Since then, been as dry as a soda cracker around here.

Watch those wheelies, you're not a spring chicken any more!

 

[frigilux]

Have only mowed once; will do so again tomorrow. The Toro is noticeably easier to maneuver around objects---mainly because it is lighter than the Snapper. I like not having to prime it. Poured in the gasoline, pulled the cord once and it fired right up. Finally got around to charging the battery (which is also easier; the charger connects to a cord on the handle) so will try the electric start feature. The Toro is also quieter than the Snapper. Overall, I'd say it's less fatiguing to use and it climbs the hill on the north side of my lawn with no effort on my part.

Check The Fine Print: I live close to a Toro manufacturing plant where they build snowblowers and lawn mowers. Came to find out the nearby plant builds their commercial mowers.  Consumer/Residential mowers are assembled in Mexico.  Oh, well.  

 

[washman]

Ole!

Keep 'em working Frig!