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!

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.

When you get a nice mower from the curb remember to always get around
the corner before you get it running again lest the original owners
change their mind.

When you get a nice mower from the curb remember to
always get around the corner before you get it
running again lest the original owners change their mind.

I'm sure the people who got my electric mower from the
curb a few years back were pleasantly surprised to find
that it worked perfectly when they got it. The only
problem with it (I found out later) was that the outside
plugs had had their switches 'tripped' and needed re-
setting, rather than the mower itself not working.

Tracey

Even the cheapest ones will last much longer than that if cared for even
half assed.

When I moved here in 1992, I bought a 20 year old Husky/Bolens garden
tractor with a cutting deck, rototiller, plow... About 4 years later I
traded in the cutting deck on a snow blower attachment, and bought a new
commercial walk behind lawn mower (X-mark), with a sulky to ride on. I
haven't done a thing to it but change the oil, sharpen the blades and
replace a belt once in 6 years. About 2.25 acres of grass to cut here
(but I keep planting more and more other stuff to slowly make the yard
smaller). The little old garden tractor is still used to pull the cart,
plow or throw snow, rototill,... Heck, it's only 31 years old, I can't
retire it yet! (I do have to wrench on it now and then though)

--
Tony


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!

Subject: Throw out the mower ? ? ? ? ? ?
From: A /A
(Beecrofter)
Date: Sat, Mar 915, 27200302 4:53 PM
Message-id:
When you get a nice mower from the curb remember to always get around the
corner before you get it running again lest the original owners change their
mind.
____Reply Separator_____
Not where I live! In Shaler Township, it's illegal to scavenge refuse set out
for a pickup. There were several old guys who went around in pick-ups taking
aluminum lawn furniture (to sell/recycle) and powered lawn equipment to try to
repair. An ordinance was passed forbidding this practice. I'd sooner see a
lawnmower repaired and put back into service than go to a landfill. But in
fairness to the township, sometimes these scavengers would leave the rubbish
scattered about, and the refuse haulers wouldn't pick it up.

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?

On 16 Mar 2003 14:05:50 GMT, c (TOM KAN PA) wrote:

Subject: Throw out the mower ? ? ? ? ? ?
From: A /A
(Beecrofter)
Date: Sat, Mar 915, 27200302 4:53 PM
Message-id:
When you get a nice mower from the curb remember to always get around the
corner before you get it running again lest the original owners change their
mind.
____Reply Separator_____
Not where I live! In Shaler Township, it's illegal to scavenge refuse set out
for a pickup. There were several old guys who went around in pick-ups taking
aluminum lawn furniture (to sell/recycle) and powered lawn equipment to try to
repair. An ordinance was passed forbidding this practice. I'd sooner see a
lawnmower repaired and put back into service than go to a landfill. But in
fairness to the township, sometimes these scavengers would leave the rubbish
scattered about, and the refuse haulers wouldn't pick it up.


Similar problem with cities that have recycling pickup. Scavengers
pick out the AL cans, which actually have enough value to help support
the program, and leave behind almost-worthless paper and glass for the
city to deal with. I'd guess it's illegal most places, if poorly
enforced.

k

Obgardening: a lot of what goes in the bins could be reused instead of
recycled, like plastic/metal containers to start seeds or newspaper as
mulch.
For more info about the International Society of Arboriculture, please visit http://www2.champaign.isa-arbor.com/.
For consumer info about tree care, visit http://www2.champaign.isa-arbor.com/.../consumer.html

How many of you gardeners have junked your mower in the third season?

LawnBoy.....16 years. I keep it maintained and the blades sharp. It's never
let me down. If you're throwing out your mower after 3 years, it sounds like
you may not be storing it properly through the winter months. Proper storage
and some basic maintenance should keep a mower going for much longer than 3
years.

--
Shadow
Made In Canada, eh.

"Shadow" wrote in message
...

How many of you gardeners have junked your mower in the third season?

LawnBoy.....16 years. I keep it maintained and the blades sharp. It's
never
let me down. If you're throwing out your mower after 3 years, it sounds
like
you may not be storing it properly through the winter months. Proper
storage
and some basic maintenance should keep a mower going for much longer than
3
years.

--
Shadow
Made In Canada, eh.


As a follow up, here are some URL's that speak of caring for your mower:

http://www.lawnboy.com/lawncare/lawncare.htm (scroll to bottom of page)
http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/dp_hfrr/hne...ps%20for%20Han
dling%20Frosted%20Turf
http://www.diynet.com/DIY/article/0,2058,1886,00.html
http://www.diynet.com/DIY/article/0,2058,634,00.html

Hope this helps

--
Shadow
Made In Canada, eh.

"TOM KAN PA" wrote in message
...
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!




Depends on the mower, mine was 25 years old and still working, I had
changed the oil about every 5 years and replaced plug and washed the air
filter at similar infrequent intervals. I am no mechanic by a long way.
It went in for service once or twice in the last 5 years due to dirty
petrol. Perhaps petrol was cleaner in the "old days".

It used to take up to five or six pulls to start. The deck was rusting
through and the height adjustment was worn out about the time I
eliminated the last of the lawn so I tossed it. The motor was a Briggs
and Stratton 4 stroke, I don't know if they are made anymore. Who
assembled the body I never did find out but it doesn't matter. Perhaps
I should have fixed it up and sold it for lots.

David

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!

It all depends on how well you maintain a mower, like any other machine,
as to how long it will last. I've owned two mowers since 1978. The first
was a Huffy, purchased from KMart for $95, that lasted 17 years (until I
let someome borrow it, and it was returned broken) and my current mover,
bought at Wal-Mart in 1996 for $150.

I gave mine away because it was such a pain to start. I now have a reel mower. The
more irritated I get, the more grass gets cut. Heh heh....
-Peg in Va zone 7

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!

Peggy Elliott wrote:

I gave mine away because it was such a pain to start. I now have a reel mower. The
more irritated I get, the more grass gets cut. Heh heh....
-Peg in Va zone 7

My ancient Ward's Garden King mower was rescued from a neighbor's trash. Runs
like new so long as I keep the oil up. Called their service department to see
if I could get a grass catcher for it. Gave them the SN. Date of manufacture
was 1970.


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!