How long have you had your lawn mower?

[Kern Dog]

My 4 year old Toro 6.5 Hp mower is ready to blow up. It smokes from the exhaust and the air filter. It fouls the plug too quick. It knocks like rocks in a coffee can when I try to cut thick grass. Its not like I'm a landscaper using this thing everyday. I mow my 1/2 acre of grass once a week in the Spring, Summer and Fall.
Does this seem like an acceptable lifespan for a mower?

[Bob T]

No, it sounds short to me.
I spent a grand on a push mower with Briggs n Stratton motor 8 1/2 years ago and its still running strong, could do with an oil change and plug though at the mo. I mow my 746 square metre section every two weeks on average and always hose it out afterwards, aluminum body though
I want it to last 10 years, I think that's reasonable and I'm too mean to pay someone to do my lawn who wont mow it as well as I would anyway

[nvrbdn]

yep, thats a short life. 6 years now on mine. no prob.

[JB400]

I've seen lawnmowers last longer than that.  For me personally, I've used a push mower for 4 years before I replaced it.  That mower was well over 15 years old when I was using it, and it still runs.  Right now, I'm on my 2nd 4.5ftlb. B&S engine overhead valve engine after a piece of pipe killed my first one. 

Please note that anyone with this B&S engine, the pull rope is coupled to the flywheel with a plastic coupler.  If this coupler breaks, it's almost $100  for a new one because you have to buy the pull rope and engine cover to get this part.  My suggestion, make your own.

[Kern Dog]

I guess that regular maintenance would have helped. I never added "Sta-Bil" or anything to it when the weather turned cold. I didn't change the oil regularly either. I should probably kick myself in the ass for this one.

[HeavyFuel]

I've got a Toro, and it's on it's 22nd season.

Course, I live in NoDak....and our growing season is short and it gets used probably 20 times a year.

[Fred]

Maintenance is the key to a long life. Be it human or machine.  Me and my machines are living proof. 

[kab69440]

There is a still functional Craftsman recoil start push mower in my garage as old as I am. The one I use is about five years old.

[Indygenerallee]

I have a 1991 Pro-star (Guy who made these also was involved with Dixie Choppers) Zero Turn 60" with a 18HP Kohler magnum. I have owned it 5 years and the first year I went through it did have to put a new right hydro pump on it and chains, re-painted it Sublime green and put new tires on it solid newer Dixie Chopper tires on the front and ATV tires on the back on aluminum wheels. I will never buy any "newer" lawn mower, This old pro-star is built like a tank and keeps truckin'

[TruckDriver]

LOL, My mom's Craftsman push mower is almost 40 years old, and it still cuts the grass. Had a new blade once, but other then a few zip ties, it keeps going.

[A383Wing]

I got 12+ on this Yard Machines one I got here from Lowes...I think this year is gonna be it's last one though

Bryan

[Kern Dog]

Maybe I also need to spend more than $200 to get a good one. I have been looking at some comparison articles online. There are some nicely rated ones once you get over the $300 price point.

[NHCharger]

Maintenance is the key to a long life. Be it human or machine.  Me and my machines are living proof. 

I thought lubrication was the key to long life 

We have a Husqvarna for the last 12 years. Change oil once a year, no problems.

[69 OUR/TEA]

One thing I can tell you about lawn equipment,the stuff you see in Home Depot IS NOT the same as if you bought from a hardware store/equipment dealer.The stuff from HD is specifically made for them(lower grade quality).You will not find my Toro Super recycler,and Ariens 926LE snowblower there.The models they carry that are supposed to be those I mentioned have slight differences to them.And those who bought John Deere from HD,don't tell people you have a John Deere tractor,cause you don't!!!!
My 15.5 Craftsman tractor from 1991 finally bit the bullit last year.Right on the steering whel was "Made in USA".My new 21HP tractor on the engine says"Made with US and Global parts" LOL !!!!!
My Toro 22" Super Recycler lawnmower I have had now since 2006 has been fine,no problems.I paid $500ish for it then on sale.

[Tilar]

My 4 year old Toro 6.5 Hp mower is ready to blow up. It smokes from the exhaust and the air filter. It fouls the plug too quick. It knocks like rocks in a coffee can when I try to cut thick grass. Its not like I'm a landscaper using this thing everyday. I mow my 1/2 acre of grass once a week in the Spring, Summer and Fall.
Does this seem like an acceptable lifespan for a mower?

As far as the "knocking" goes, make sure the engine bolts are tight. When they get loose from the frame it will sound exactly like it has a rod knocking.  The smoking from the air filter sounds like it's way too full of oil, which would make it smoke from the exhaust too.

[hemi68charger]

What lawnmower? 

in 2005, I came home from my 1st of two Iraq deployments... I was a dieheart-do-it-myself lawn guy..... But, I had made arrangements for a lawncare service to take care of the yard while I was gone. After my return and getting back into the swing of my civilian employer, I came home one day after work, totally forgetting I had a lawncare service, and it was already done !!! I said to myself, "Now, that was easy !!!!!"....... And well, I haven't done it since.... 

[GPULLER]

My John Deere 425 is a '93, bought it in 2002 with 300hrs, has 1030hrs now.  It has a liquid cooled V-twin Kawasaki motor and still going strong.  Takes me 4-5hrs each mowing, that's on my list of things to do today.

[Silver R/T]

I have Troy Bilt with briggs and stratton mower that we bought 7 years ago, still runs like new. Still original spark plug and belt. I do change oil regularly, sharpen blade and clean air filter as part of maintenance.

[Silver R/T]

I would recommend this one if you decide on buying a new one http://www.lowes.com/pd_4299-270-12AVB25U711_4294747213+4294965774_4294937087_?productId=4363617&Ns=p_product_qty_sales_dollar|1&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNs%3Dp_product_qty_sales_dollar|1&facetInfo=Troy-Bilt

[Silver R/T]

When you say it knocks when you try to cut thick grass. I would suspect your blade is dull and there's probably bunch of grass clippings built up under your deck. I would definitely clean it all out real well and then spray it with WD40 so the grass clippings won't stick to it. Sharpen your blade as well.
Btw, are you bagging or mulching?

[Indygenerallee]

What lawnmower?  shruggy

in 2005, I came home from my 1st of two Iraq deployments... I was a dieheart-do-it-myself lawn guy..... But, I had made arrangements for a lawncare service to take care of the yard while I was gone. After my return and getting back into the swing of my civilian employer, I came home one day after work, totally forgetting I had a lawncare service, and it was already done !!! I said to myself, "Now, that was easy !!!!!"....... And well, I haven't done it since.... 

Gets a little expensive when you have 4 acres to cut!!   

[Kern Dog]

When you say it knocks when you try to cut thick grass. I would suspect your blade is dull and there's probably bunch of grass clippings built up under your deck. I would definitely clean it all out real well and then spray it with WD40 so the grass clippings won't stick to it. Sharpen your blade as well.
Btw, are you bagging or mulching?

The blade is new and the oil level is correct. I prefer to bag to keep the yard clean.

[Silver R/T]

When you say it knocks when you try to cut thick grass. I would suspect your blade is dull and there's probably bunch of grass clippings built up under your deck. I would definitely clean it all out real well and then spray it with WD40 so the grass clippings won't stick to it. Sharpen your blade as well.
Btw, are you bagging or mulching?

The blade is new and the oil level is correct. I prefer to bag to keep the yard clean.

When you say blade is new, is it actually sharp? Whenever I buy new blade it has to be sharpened.

[twodko]

Sears craftsman 22" deck self propelled rear bag......12 years and running strong. I changed the oil every couple years, clean the air filter and burn premium in it.

[hatersaurusrex]

Also if you think Ethanol is bad in an old Dodge, it's 20x worse in a small 2-stroke or a motorcycle.   I bought a new Troy-Bilt a few years back and it stuttered and stammered like it was on its last legs right out of the box.  Took it in for service and they couldn't find anything wrong.  Did some googling and found some interesting posts about 10% Ethanol being very hard on 2-strokes.  Filled it up with 100% pure 89 octane and it ran like a champ.  Well, until some hoodrat stole it out of my storage locker.

[Mopar440+6]

I've got a 1970 John Deere 140 tractor that to my knowledge has never been rebuilt and it still runs like a champ. I do a little more maintenance than I probably would with a newer mower but I like the vintage stuff...

[Kern Dog]

I'm starting to wonder about the fuel issue...
A few weeks back I added about a pint of 110 octane unleaded (NO joke) to it and it ran great. Now I'm getting curious.

[JB400]

I believe it was done to the 5hp Briggs go kart racing engines that I raced against, so I say it will be alright for your lawnmower.  At least for a little while.   These small engines don't like this newer fuel, that's for sure.

[bill440rt]

My Crapsman mower is about 10 years old and still going strong.
I change the oil every year or two, plug, sharpen the blade, etc. Still starts on the first pull. However, the vented gas cap I think is plugged. It'll try to stall every now & then so I keep the cap just finger tight to allow air to vent. I probably should just invest in a new $10 cap. 

Also have a John Deere tractor, bought around 2003 or so? Runs great. Periodic maintenance is key.

[GOTWING]

I have a 2003 John Deere L120, it has 537 hours on it, it has been great as far as the engine goes, I change the oil every spring, I have done plugs twice, fuel and air filter every other year. Now for items that have broken from wear...

The solid cast iron front axle snapped in half ( local JD dealer had in stock ) common problem so they say.
Front spindles worn out until front wheels literally came off. Had to replace both sides and replace wheels, the holes were worn
Both tie rods broke on two different occasions.
Fuel pump failed this spring, ( got one brand new on ebay $23.00 w/ free shipping )
Replaced blade deck spindles and of course blades every other summer.
The belt usually lasts a couple of seasons before it breaks.

I'm still keeping it, however I did just get a new John Deere Zero turn, I love it!

[bakerhillpins]

I have a 98 John Deere JX75.  It's kinda survived. My wife has detonated the blade clutch 2 times and managed to bend the crankshaft.  She successfully got me mowing the lawn again.    It's still moving and cutting very well though. Regular maintenance! 

[Kern Dog]

I bent a crank on a mower by cutting tall grass and hitting a horseshoe!
After that, I bought the mower I have now.

[JB400]

I bent a crank on a mower by cutting tall grass and hitting a horseshoe!
After that, I bought the mower I have now.

I thought horseshoes were supposed to be lucky.

[GOTWING]

 

[Cooter]

Last mower before the Wifey bought me this newer one, was an old MTD. Ran good when it was running, but had to work on it before I could mow.
Got a new Riding mower now and love it. Run straight fuel in it though, and always changed oil regularly.

[chargerboy69]

I bought a Craftsman push mower, nothing fancy, during a end of summer sale 8 years ago.  It runs as good as the day I bought it.

[GPULLER]

I've got a 1970 John Deere 140 tractor that to my knowledge has never been rebuilt and it still runs like a champ. I do a little more maintenance than I probably would with a newer mower but I like the vintage stuff...

Would like to find a 140 cheap someday. I would make it look like this.   

[nvrbdn]

my john deere rider isnt that cool.

[ACUDANUT]

I've got a 1970 John Deere 140 tractor that to my knowledge has never been rebuilt and it still runs like a champ. I do a little more maintenance than I probably would with a newer mower but I like the vintage stuff...

Would like to find a 140 cheap someday. I would make it look like this.   

How does it cut grass ?

[ACUDANUT]

Anyway, my riding mower is a Home Depot "Scott's" 25HP 50 inch cut Briggs and Stratton is 15 years old and still does the job. 

[JB400]

A person could get a horse or a cow, then they wouldn't have to worry about mowing the lawn and wouldn't have to pay for gas either.  Another thing is, you'd have something to entertain the kids while your at it.

[GPULLER]

I've got a 1970 John Deere 140 tractor that to my knowledge has never been rebuilt and it still runs like a champ. I do a little more maintenance than I probably would with a newer mower but I like the vintage stuff...

Would like to find a 140 cheap someday. I would make it look like this.   

How does it cut grass ?

Don't care looks cool as hell.   

[GPULLER]

A person could get a horse or a cow, then they wouldn't have to worry about mowing the lawn and wouldn't have to pay for gas either.  Another thing is, you'd have something to entertain the kids while your at it.

Growing up my family raised Quarter Horses, 65 of them.  My brothers and I were into cars, trucks snowmobiles, tractors my parents always tried to get us into riding and working with the horses.  Never really worked, mom always used the line "the boys are more into horsepower than horses".  She's right.

[ACUDANUT]

Girls will always want to get close to a Horse VS. a loud car.  You missed out buddy. lol

[GPULLER]

Girls will always want to get close to a Horse VS. a loud car.  You missed out buddy. lol

Not really, in the late 70's when we were heavy into showing there weren't much for girls around.  My wife likes cars more than horses. 

When the car is in the garage don't have to feed it or pitch sh$t.

[ACUDANUT]

Also if you think Ethanol is bad in an old Dodge, it's 20x worse in a small 2-stroke or a motorcycle.   I bought a new Troy-Bilt a few years back and it stuttered and stammered like it was on its last legs right out of the box.  Took it in for service and they couldn't find anything wrong.  Did some googling and found some interesting posts about 10% Ethanol being very hard on 2-strokes.  Filled it up with 100% pure 89 octane and it ran like a champ.  Well, until some hoodrat stole it out of my storage locker.

I have run Ethanol (10 percent) in everything for over 20 years.  I don't like it, but we have no choice. Thanks EPA.

[bull]

I agree with the ethanol comments. Nothing but trouble with that crap until about three years ago when I located a zero ethanol station and started filling my small engine cans with it. Now there are three non ethanol stations nearby. We got a Husqvarna mower with a Honda engine more than ten years ago and I fought that thing tooth and nail every spring getting it to run, even with Stabil. But ever since I started using nothing but real gas the mower is up and running with 2-3 pulls after sitting all winter. One pull every time all summer after that.

[Silver R/T]

Best thing you can do is run some Sta Bil, Sta Bil actually has ethanol treatment (marine formula) but I havent tried it yet.