On 15 Mar 2003 17:15:34 GMT, c (TOM KAN PA) wrote:

From HouseSmart by Lou Manfredini appearing in the USA Weekend Magazine:
Get more from your mower
Simple tips for years of use.
"Many of us are assiduous about car care but slack off when it comes to our
mowers. When they're new, we're thrilled with how easily they start and how
neatly they trim the yard. By the second season, they don't start quite so
easily, and the lawn begins to look rough around the edges. By the third
season, we junk it and buy a new model. (The average lifespan of America's
lawnmowers and other yard machines is no more than three years.) "
How many of you gardeners have junked your mower in the third season? I can see
me telling my wife, "Well honey, the $500 Toro is going on its third mowing
season, time to take it to the curb on garbage pickup day, and buy a new one."
Yeah, sure!


We gave up our LawnBoy two-cycle (gold series) after four years of
expensive repairs. Our Honda 6HP has been running on its 7th year
without any repair, but we do regular maintenance per the owner's
manual. We bought an extra blade so that there is always a sharp
blade available. A sharp blade makes a big difference in the overall
appearance and helps reduce grass diseases (fungus, insect attack,
drying out, etc) by giving a cut rather than ripping the grass blades.
I think the Honda mower was about $600.