does this new mower come with a warrantee? if so, i would buy the new mower and start cutting with it, and sell the current mower while it still runs decent. that makes the new 'bargain' mower an even sweeter deal. 14 yrs. is a longish time for a homeowner? mower.:smile:I have a 14 year old mower with a 5HP Tecumseh engine. I know its like asking how long is a piece of string but what is the lifespan of a mower in hours when cutting grass of average height and the mower is not over loaded? I use the mower for about 2 hours on average a week, and for 7 or 8 months from about March until October or November. It hasn't started to smoke from bore wear yet but just generates the odd puff of blue smoke when I run into a region of 6 inch long grass. I change the oil in the engine every year. The reason I ask this is because I can't make up my mind whether to buy a new mower with a 5.5 HP, 190cc B&S 650 series engine. The mower is at a bargain price and I want to keep it in storage until my mower packs it in. The second question is do any of the rubber o-rings or seals in an engine deteriorate over time if it comes from the factory with no fuel or oil in the engine. The chances are that I mightn't use the machine for years.
Most new mowers come with a 2-5 year warranty, depending on the manufacturer. It would start the day of purchase, so if you let your new mower sit, the warranty may run out before you use it. Read the literachure carefully. If you feel that you are getting a good deal I would go for it. Can I ask the mower brand name?
I have a 14 year old mower with a 5HP Tecumseh engine. I know its like asking how long is a piece of string but what is the lifespan of a mower in hours when cutting grass of average height and the mower is not over loaded? I use the mower for about 2 hours on average a week, and for 7 or 8 months from about March until October or November. It hasn't started to smoke from bore wear yet but just generates the odd puff of blue smoke when I run into a region of 6 inch long grass. I change the oil in the engine every year. The reason I ask this is because I can't make up my mind whether to buy a new mower with a 5.5 HP, 190cc B&S 650 series engine. The mower is at a bargain price and I want to keep it in storage until my mower packs it in. The second question is do any of the rubber o-rings or seals in an engine deteriorate over time if it comes from the factory with no fuel or oil in the engine. The chances are that I mightn't use the machine for years.
I got my first mower in 9/1999 and just replaced it in 6/2012.
9/1999 $325 Honda self propelled side discharge Lawn Mower
6/2012 $428 Honda self propelled rear discharge Lawn Mower
12 years 9 months so essentially 12 seasons in Long Island NY on a small 1/4 acre (yes I could've just done a push mower ;-). Changed the oil probably 4 times over that time frame, once after the first month of use which was probably the most crucial.
The old one wouldn't start at the beginning of last year's season and then after a $40 visit to a small engine repair shop ran as always first pull. This season it started becomming harder and harder to start where it required many pulls and finally wouldn't start flat out. I visited this site, talked to some friends and neighbors, decided that it wasn't worth another trip to the shop, especially with HomeDepot's new low price of $399 for the Honda Model # HRR216VKA.
What should I do with the old one?
Heck, I'd put it on Craigslist for $40.00 and see what happens. Someone out there might just need parts of it.:smile:
OMG you would not believe the response. Five people responded the craiglist post in 12 hours. Sold!
I use a 60 inch Great Dane Charriot XL to do most all my mowing on my 15 acres.
I have an old 2cycle Lawn Boy with a rear basket I keep around to use around the back door to keep from tracking in grass clippings. I bought it new in 1958, making it 54 years old. When did I last use it? Yesterday. The only special care is I keep it in the shed and run the carburetor dry after use and drain the gas tank. I did learn that if you don't keep the axles lubricated, they will wear out.
Graydog, 54 years, that is amazing! I and others sure would like to see a picture of the old boy if you could post one. Talk about longevity. They really don't build them like they use to. :thumbsup:
I attached some photos after washing it off with a little gasoline and a brush.
It has never been washed with water or rained on. I am a retired firefighter and farmer. The fire truck's compartment floors and the cab floor rusts completely through from being washed so often. My tractors and combine were never washed except to get mud off. Machinery and water don't do well together. At the farm sale when I sold out, they brought top dollar.
Thank you Graydog for taking the time to share your story and the pictures of the old boy. Man it really looks good for being so old. Wow, I am in awe of it. For everything to still be functional and complete shows how well you have maintained it. I believe if we had a contest for the oldest piece of equipment still being used you would win hands down. It is justified that the color is gold for you have got it's value of weight in gold out of it and then some! I will take your advice on not using water as your Lawnboy is a testament to it. I usually just blow off my equipment with my blower. Thanks again.
Thank you for the nice reply. I did get to thinking.....I bought the Lawn boy in 1960, just after my son was born, not 1958. I don't guess that makes a heck of a lot of difference, but if someone was curious as to when they made this particular model, it might. I don't mow a lot of grass with it, but do use it weekly and it starts and runs good.
I also blow off my mowers using compressed air.
:thumbsup: Yes, Graydog, looks like you have a 1960 vintage. This was the first year, that I saw in the catalog which Lawnboy had a grass catcher model. According to the 1960 Lawnboy catalog picture that I attached below it is model #7250. A very rare and collectible model in my opinion. It would bring top dollar also if you decided to sell it someday, probably 2 to 3 times or more what you paid new after using it for 50+ years. :laughing: :smile: