Lawnmower rant thread (aka why don't we have better stuff yet)

[Hopkins Medicine]

I've been living in condos/apartments for several years, just recently got my first house and it has a fairly big yard.

When I was a kid and had to mow the yard 30 years ago, I remember the "bad old days" when no matter how hard you pulled on the chain, the damn thing wouldn't start. You'd have to take it apart a dozen different ways in order to get thing working.

Well I figured 30 years into the future, the technology should be a lot better. After all we have these fancy lawnmowers with motorized wheels and automatic push button starts. Should be a piece of cake right?

I spent about $600 on a good quality lawnmower with all the bells and whistles, but the only thing I really cared about what the electric start. Well after a grand total of only 3 uses, guess what, the damn thing won't start. Push button start doesn't work, pulling the chain as hard as I can in 30 ways doesn't work either. I changed the oil, made sure the gas was full, made sure the air filter and oil filters are clean, changed the spark plugs, etc and the damn thing STILL won't start after only 3 uses. Now I have to drop it off at a mechanic shop for a brand spanking new lawnmower.

Whenever I hear about robots and computers taking over the world I have to laugh. How can robots take over the world when a $600 dollar lawnmower in the year 2018 isn't that much better than a $100 lawnmower from 1980.

End rant

 

[InjunJoe]

Three choices. 1. Clean carb. Use ONLY marine gas with stable. Run carb dry before putting up. 2. Buy an electric mower. 3. Pay a lawn service.

 

[Urban Cryer]

You mow your own lawn? Lol peasant!

 

[OrlandNole]

Electric mower, homie. You can can a nice one for $600.

 

[Formerly Rockymtnole]

I have a 25 year old Made in the USA Sears Craftsman and have never done a thing to it except sharpen the blade. Cranks up every time.

I dread the day it dies because I know the replacement probably won't last more than 5 years. But that's the way with most anything these days. Nothing's built to last.

 

[NDallasRuss]

They have roomba-like mowers now. Get one of those. Set it loose in your yard and relax.

 

[F4Gary]

Pay attention to the mechanic when he fixes it so it won't happen again.
My mowers work just fine.

 

[fsunole025]

I have all Ego products for lawn maintenance. My only frustration is when I forget to charge the batteries.

 

[RunRonnieRun]

Do all you guys with electric yard equipment take out your tampons before you pee?

 

[LesClaypool]

I guess OP works the front desk at Hopkins Medicine.

 

[PoopandBoogers]

Shoulda got the Hector model.

 

[Hopkins Medicine]

Pay attention to the mechanic when he fixes it won't happen again.
My mowers work just fine.

I expect equipment to break down. Just not when it's brand new after only 3 uses.

 

[divinnole]

Are you talking about a push or self propelled mower or a riding mower?

 

[Hopkins Medicine]

Are you talking about a push or self propelled mower or a riding mower?

It is a push mower with self-propelled option

 

[seminole97]

I expect equipment to break down. Just not when it's brand new after only 3 uses.

Injun was trying to tell you what’s up.
Mandated formulations of retail pump gas result in a product that doesn’t age well and if it sits in the carb and fuel system for weeks it can cause problems.
Likely isn’t the mower that is the source of your angst.
I don’t know any fuel stabilizers to personally recommend, but the alternative is run the thing dry before putting it away or buying ‘marine’ gasoline that doesn’t have the ethanol, etc that cause problems.

 

[F4Gary]

A push mower with electric start is dumb.
I have my late father-in-laws electric start Toro and the electric start part is the worst. Battery loses it's charge too soon, starter hangs up, etc.
I just use the pull start.

 

[divinnole]

It is a push mower with self-propelled option

$600.00 for a push/self-propelled mower would definitely be top end. Unless you bought a lemon which isn't likely it can only be gas or spark. If you have been using regular pump gas and not ethanol free that is the most likely issue. If you have even moderate mechanical skills cleaning the carb and tank will not be a big issue. While getting a lemon engine is not likely that does not mean you may not have a spark plug breaking down and needing replacing. Pull the spark plug and attach it to the spark plug wire and turn the engine, you will easily be able to see if you are getting a spark.

 

[F4Gary]

He hasn't had it long enough for the gas to go bad.
Mine run just fine on E10.
He should put a shutoff valve on it though and run it dry after use.

 

[funksouljon]

I have a 25 year old Made in the USA Sears Craftsman and have never done a thing to it except sharpen the blade. Cranks up every time.

I dread the day it dies because I know the replacement probably won't last more than 5 years. But that's the way with most anything these days. Nothing's built to last.

Funny, I was just thinking about how brand new looking my Craftsman is. For a 12 yr old mower, my wife says it runs great, never an issue. Just leave it outside, gas in, never replaced the spark plug. Just sharpened the blade a couple times.

 

[RangerNole]

That is unusual. I always believed in buying the higher end yard stuff. Thought being it might cost more, but will last longer and work better. I have Sthil or other high end yard stuff, even though I don't have a ton of yard to cut. Mower just died and is at least 12 years old.

 

[Fijimn]

Sounds like you need some 3-One and a set of ball bearings.

 

[LesClaypool]

Sounds like you need some 3-One and a set of ball bearings.

And fix that fetzer valve...it’s got filth muck in it!

 

[funksouljon]

And refill the LED fluid.

I would agree with the comment above, having a push button start on a push mower is silly. Just adds non-essential parts to break.

 

[billanole]

And refill the LED fluid.

I would agree with the comment above, having a push button start on a push mower is silly. Just adds non-essential parts to break.

Refilling the LED fluid made me laugh out loud and reminded me of a bygone time. Me and some buddies used to catch a ride to High School with a neighbor. She had a new to her VW bug and one morning was telling us what a great deal she she got when buying it. Why, they even threw in lifetime radiator fluid.
Ahh,no.
The bug was air cooled and had no radiator.

 

[Finance85]

Someone mentioned marine gas. I think that should have been non-ethanol gas. Even though it takes awhile to gum up a carb, the other factor is it separates, and can atteact water.

Link is a gas station locator for stations having non-ethanol gas. Ethanol only takes a couple of weeks to mess up a carb.
https://www.pure-gas.org/

 

[funksouljon]

Refilling the LED fluid made me laugh out loud and reminded me of a bygone time. Me and some buddies used to catch a ride to High School with a neighbor. She had a new to her VW bug and one morning was telling us what a great deal she she got when buying it. Why, they even threw in lifetime radiator fluid.
Ahh,no.
The bug was air cooled and had no radiator.

I used to have an air cooled motorcycle. We used to screw with the new guys at a buddy's shop with the same type of jokes.

 

[F4Gary]

Someone mentioned marine gas. I think that should have been non-ethanol gas. Even though it takes awhile to gum up a carb, the other factor is it separates, and can atteact water.

Link is a gas station locator for stations having non-ethanol gas. Ethanol only takes a couple of weeks to mess up a carb.
https://www.pure-gas.org/

I have no problem with my 72 Vette sitting for a few weeks with E10 in it.

 

[Nole-4-Life]

A push mower with electric start is dumb.
I have my late father-in-laws electric start Toro and the electric start part is the worst. Battery loses it's charge too soon, starter hangs up, etc.
I just use the pull start.

This...I have a cheapo (less than $100) push mower for tight spots the rider can't get. Had it for at least 6 years. Cranks on the second pull every time.

 

[Formerly Rockymtnole]

The gas issue is overrated, IMO. My mower works fine with old gas or new gas. Not saying it's always running at peak performance but it runs fine.

 

[NoleMoreTears]

I don't see gas as the problem but perhaps climate affects that. Probable that the push starter's connection got busted and you could solder it...but that sure doesn't bode well if it breaks after 3 starts.

Time to get the warranty involved. FYI, I went Lithium cordless this year and love it.

 

[bigmamanole]

Are you talking about a push or self propelled mower or a riding mower?

Has to be a push mower at $600.00.

 

[funksouljon]

The gas issue is overrated, IMO. My mower works fine with old gas or new gas. Not saying it's always running at peak performance but it runs fine.

Agree. I leave it for 7 months or so across every winter. Heck, I left the gas in my Wagoneer sitting for over a full year and no issues.

 

[More Kirk Less Spock]

my mower keeps quitting. I have taken it apart a bit a few times...found a few things that were fixable...finally gave up and took it to the shop. They have had it for 9 days...STILL not fixed. Ah well, eventually I'll tell them to keep it and buy another one. They told me that using gas that has been in plastic container for a few months is the problem.

 

[Bubbz]

Ha laugh all you want, my EGO works like a champ

 

[ChimpNole]

Non ethanol gas is an important factor especially if you let the mower sit for a while. I have a honda mower. It starts very easily.

 

[F4Gary]

my mower keeps quitting. I have taken it apart a bit a few times...found a few things that were fixable...finally gave up and took it to the shop. They have had it for 9 days...STILL not fixed. Ah well, eventually I'll tell them to keep it and buy another one. They told me that using gas that has been in plastic container for a few months is the problem.

That is total BS. Plastic container? Everyone keeps gas in plastic gas containers. Smh.

 

[funksouljon]

That is total BS. Plastic container? Everyone keeps gas in plastic gas containers. Smh.

Yep, all winter long. Oh, and the 2stroke gas in my PLASTIC container didn't seem to impact my chainsaw running last year and again this year.