Lawn mowers....my nemesis!

[Tweevil]

How come I have to buy a lawn mower every year? I buy the self propelled, key start ones, cover them up, clean them off, treat them very well and for some reason they refuse to start!

Now, I am single with no one available to help me with this kind of stuff but I do have google and am handy with tools... I had treated the gas and at the end of the season drained it, put it away, said a goodnight story and he is refusing to work with me.

I took it apart, cleaned the lines, cleaned the fuel thing at the bottom of the other thing (has pin holes that squirt gas) and it now starts for a second and stops. New air filter, oil, and everything else I can think of......

I am going to Lowe's to buy another one - against my will as I have to dip into my savings.... UGH!

Anyone else have lawn mowers as their nemesis?

 

[Cogswel_Cogs]

Thaats why I buy one off Crais list for $40 . And dont worry about it over winter. The last one lasted forever the actual body fell apart. I dont think you really need to winterize them. Especially if you pay 40 bucks.

 

[manning]

What brand and model is it??

 

[Binnie]

We were in the same cycle for several years... Then we finally bought a new mower (a Toro) from a local landscape-equipment company. They sell the stuff and they work on it, too, so when it doesn't work, I take it to them and they work their magic. Apparently I need to sharpen the blade this year, but other than that, we're running smooth.

 

[diznygirl]

We have an electric mower that is about ten years old. Just spent a little over a hundred to get it refurbished and I think we are ready to go for another ten. I don't know what you are doing wrong.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

We have one (that I don't use LOL!).

I take it for tune ups when we want to use it. I've been told that a mower that sits idle for long periods may need it. They certainly should not be disposable. We have a Cub Cadet, I think it is called. (school bus yellow in color).

As I said, I don't use it--and since DH is not here we have a lawn guy and I don't have to worry about it. (I have very bad grass allergies.)

 

[Tweevil]

What brand and model is it??

It's a Troybilt - briggs and stratton motor. http://www.briggsandstratton.com/ma...e/docsearch.aspx?enginelookfor=124T05-0947-B2

I remembered what I was trying to say earlier - there is a float bowl nut that needed to be cleaned - I got juice but it just cut out.

I can't even find parts for this thing - seems Lowe's (or at least mine) doesn't sell the same one anymore. Funny it was from one season to another though???

Thanks everyone for your replies I wish I had a repair shop around here but I live in the sticks and there isn't anyone that I know of....

 

[hereyago]

After my DF passed away a few years ago, well even when he was alive and I cut the grass for him: he had a riding mower, that thing hated me. I would be in the shed with it cussing it out.

I ended up getting rid of it and doing the regular push mower and we have our moments. Today was the 2nd time this season I used it to cut the grass.

Good luck OP. Plus you rock for knowing how to do the mechanical stuff.

 

[Abby's Dad]

Up until this year I had similar problems until I found a product called Blaster LMT (Lawmower Tune-Up) at Lowes (in the department with the lawnmowers), and I believe that Home Depot has it also. It sounds like it is totally within your capabilities (actually is even easier - sounds like you have pretty good skills for stuff around your house), just follow the instructions, which include squirting some in the gas tank and removing the spark plug to squirt some in the cylinder, replace the plug, and fire that baby up. I was extremely skeptical when I first bought it, feeling certain that nothing could be that easy - vroom vroom, and we were off for the rest of the season once we got that first start out of the way. Cleans out the carburetor and fuel lines, so there is onsiderable smoke initially, but that rapidly clears.

I said up until this year, as we just bought a new mower, the Toro eCycler, which is brand new this year. My wife does the mowing and absolutely loves it - quiet, and just press a button. It is cordless, and has plenty of power for our entire lawn on one charge (lawn is fairly good sized and usually takes about two hours for the complete mowing).

Hope this is of some help to you - these things can be frustrating!

Fred

 

[ctinct]

How come I have to buy a lawn mower every year? I buy the self propelled, key start ones, cover them up, clean them off, treat them very well and for some reason they refuse to start!

Now, I am single with no one available to help me with this kind of stuff but I do have google and am handy with tools... I had treated the gas and at the end of the season drained it, put it away, said a goodnight story and he is refusing to work with me.

I took it apart, cleaned the lines, cleaned the fuel thing at the bottom of the other thing (has pin holes that squirt gas) and it now starts for a second and stops. New air filter, oil, and everything else I can think of......

I am going to Lowe's to buy another one - against my will as I have to dip into my savings.... UGH!

Anyone else have lawn mowers as their nemesis?

Gosh, I feel lucky then. I only have had to buy mowers every other year. I've spent all week trying to get mine going--almost got it a few times. I'm going to have to look for the stuff the previous poster mentioned and give it a whirl.

On the plus side , I changed my toilet seat tonight. Doesn't sound like a big deal but I had a devil of a time getting one of the bolts that attached the old seat off. Funny the things that make me feel proud.

 

[cm8]

op, what you had happened to your briggs and sc and it was doing what you described, it turned out that the fuel line was bad and it was not getting enough fuel. Long story short, it worked for like 3 more years and then we bought a new one last winter. Since you have to buy a new one every year, I think it will be worth your while to "keep it new" you know like add one of those extended warranties on to your purchase so that you can get a new one if you keep having the problem. It will save you so much money.

 

[Becky2005]

Anyone else have lawn mowers as their nemesis?

I'm sorry!!! lawn mowers get along fine in this house -- however, dishwashers are another story!!!

Ours has broken AGAIN and we are just waiting to buy another one -- only will be the 3rd one in 10 years at this house and let's see I think we went through 3 of them before we sold our previous house. This one we had repaired under warranty because we got smart and realized -- as much as people may not need extended warranties, for us, our dishwashers REALLY need one. It broke with only 1 month to go on our warranty. Unforunately, they don't make the same dishwasher anymore and the replacement part was some weird rigged thing -- the repairman wasn't thrilled with what he got & even called the company to make sure what he got was what right. It broke again...so now it's out of warranty and alas, time for a new one.

I'm trying to decide if we go expensive this time and maybe it will work better or go cheap & get the warranty again because I know we will need it.

For my mom it was washing machines -- she would have the worst luck with those & have the most bizarre things break (one time it was leaking oil due to a part that is never supposed to break, break -- the repairman was stumped with a "I've never seen that before, that's not supposed to happen").

Do they even offer extended warranties on lawn mowers? If they do, it might be worth it for you to buy that.

 

[DVC-Don]

My small mower is a Honda 21" self propelled that I bought new in 1992. I change the plug, oil & air filter every year and sharpen the blade at the same time. Every 5 years or so I get a new blade. Always starts on the first or second pull. I also add a gas preservative when I get mower gas.

My lawn tractor is a Scotts (John Deere) that I bought in 2002. I have the dealer service it every fall before putting it away.

 

[Tweevil]

Up until this year I had similar problems until I found a product called Blaster LMT (Lawmower Tune-Up) at Lowes (in the department with the lawnmowers), and I believe that Home Depot has it also. It sounds like it is totally within your capabilities (actually is even easier - sounds like you have pretty good skills for stuff around your house), just follow the instructions, which include squirting some in the gas tank and removing the spark plug to squirt some in the cylinder, replace the plug, and fire that baby up. I was extremely skeptical when I first bought it, feeling certain that nothing could be that easy - vroom vroom, and we were off for the rest of the season once we got that first start out of the way. Cleans out the carburetor and fuel lines, so there is onsiderable smoke initially, but that rapidly clears.

I said up until this year, as we just bought a new mower, the Toro eCycler, which is brand new this year. My wife does the mowing and absolutely loves it - quiet, and just press a button. It is cordless, and has plenty of power for our entire lawn on one charge (lawn is fairly good sized and usually takes about two hours for the complete mowing).

Hope this is of some help to you - these things can be frustrating!

Fred

Thanks Fred, I am going to look for this ASAP. I still want to get it moving. Now it's principal.

op, what you had happened to your briggs and sc and it was doing what you described, it turned out that the fuel line was bad and it was not getting enough fuel. Long story short, it worked for like 3 more years and then we bought a new one last winter. Since you have to buy a new one every year, I think it will be worth your while to "keep it new" you know like add one of those extended warranties on to your purchase so that you can get a new one if you keep having the problem. It will save you so much money.

I did purchase the extended one last night when I bought my new one. Thanks for the idea

My small mower is a Honda 21" self propelled that I bought new in 1992. I change the plug, oil & air filter every year and sharpen the blade at the same time. Every 5 years or so I get a new blade. Always starts on the first or second pull. I also add a gas preservative when I get mower gas.

My lawn tractor is a Scotts (John Deere) that I bought in 2002. I have the dealer service it every fall before putting it away.

I went last night was was looking at JD mowers and almost got one but I started to talk to a guy at Lowe's and he said a lot of people had the parts problem with B&G. Funny thing is, there are models almost duplicate at Lowe's but the engines are either B&G or Honda. I got a Honda this time. I am going out now to put it together and mow this Amazon yard of mine. I bet the neighbors will love me now. lol

Thanks for your help! It's nice to know I am not nuts....

 

[cm8]

Thanks Fred, I am going to look for this ASAP. I still want to get it moving. Now it's principal.


I did purchase the extended one last night when I bought my new one. Thanks for the idea



I went last night was was looking at JD mowers and almost got one but I started to talk to a guy at Lowe's and he said a lot of people had the parts problem with B&G. Funny thing is, there are models almost duplicate at Lowe's but the engines are either B&G or Honda. I got a Honda this time. I am going out now to put it together and mow this Amazon yard of mine. I bet the neighbors will love me now. lol

Thanks for your help! It's nice to know I am not nuts....

, your are so welcomed!! Watch out for the snakes

 

[JR6ooo4]

did you check the condition of the spark plug?

my mower has started on the fourth try every spring for the last 5 years! and that is with just putting it away every fall. no gas treatment.

Mikeeee

 

[SAHDad]

I pretty much ignore my mower once I stop mowing in the fall, and do almost nothing to it, other than change the blades every year or two, and the air filter about as often, and add oil or gas as needed. It's only eight years old or so, but I figure it is probably good for another five or ten.

(It does geta little finicky the first couple times in the season, but that goes away after it has been used a couple times.)

 

[JR6ooo4]

I pretty much ignore my mower once I stop mowing in the fall, and do almost nothing to it, other than change the blades every year or two, and the air filter about as often, and add oil or gas as needed. It's only eight years old or so, but I figure it is probably good for another five or ten.

(It does geta little finicky the first couple times in the season, but that goes away after it has been used a couple times.)

why do you change the blade? you can sharpen it.. if that is the problem.

Mikeeee

 

[SAHDad]

why do you change the blade? you can sharpen it.. if that is the problem.

Mikeeee

When I lived in Omaha, I could take the blade off, take it in to work, and the guys in the shop would sharpen it. (Nice perk, too.) I can sharpen the blade, but usually it has a couple nicks in it - we have some rock features in the yard, and no matter how hard I try, I manage to catch a couple per year. Small nicks aren't a big deal, but bigger ones are more effort to fix than simply getting a new blade.

 

[torinsmom]

Well, mine is about 11 years old and when I took it out yesterday, it will not even turn over. I prime it, pull the string and.......nothing. It doesn't even try. I did not put in new gas at first, but once it didn't start, I drained the old out and put new in with stabilizer, but no luck. Any ideas? I have never done anything to it except for add oil and gas when it needed it.

Marsha