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!

My 17-yr-old Craftsman mower was taken away and returned tuned-up and
in fine fettle by a local lawn mower repair person. He asked if I'd
ever changed the spark plug. Say what?

What about those reports on "durable goods"? This is supposed to mean
things like major appliances that last !4! years. A neighbor replaced
his (oil) furnace when sprucing up the house for sale. The original
equipment was getting cranky after 50 years use. Durable? Four years?