My Lawn Mower Repair Thread (56k warning)

[hanyoukimura]

The only cure is more lawn mowers! :tongue:

Fixing and flipping is a fun (and profitable) way to obtain a bunch of them without having too many clutter up the garage.

I've got at least two which have found permanent residence, the Brute and the Simplicity. I'm still debating about the self-propelled Poulan Pro. I'd like to add a newer Toro Recycler (I like the way they look) and an older Lawn Boy and something really old to my permanent fleet.

 

[Two-Stroke]

The only cure is more lawn mowers! :tongue:

Fixing and flipping is a fun (and profitable) way to obtain a bunch of them without having too many clutter up the garage.

I've got at least two which have found permanent residence, the Brute and the Simplicity. I'm still debating about the self-propelled Poulan Pro. I'd like to add a newer Toro Recycler (I like the way they look) and an older Lawn Boy and something really old to my permanent fleet.

I would also have decided to keep the Simplicity. It has such an interesting look that I couldn't give it up. Having the Briggs engine that was installed on so many mowers is another plus.

I have a Toro (powered by a two-stroke Suzuki engine) that I wrote about in this thread. It doesn't look pretty but it's the most powerful push mower I've ever come across.

 

[hanyoukimura]

I've heard about Suzuki engines being really good engines, including the OHV ones Toros used later on.

 

[jamesslcx]

Hey everyone! There a lot worse hobbies than mowers! I never thought I would get "addicted" though, gambling, alcohol, sex, drugs nah, mowers yes!:laughing:

 

[jmrec100]

wow. What beautiful work. Makes me sad I recently threw away my old lawnmower I used when I was 15, now 50. I am inspired to work on my current lawnmower. Thanks

 

[hanyoukimura]

New toys to play with!

I got two given to me by the scrap guy. Both are Murrays. One's got a 3.5 hp Classic Briggs on it. I knew this was going to be a real cherry by the duct tape all over it. Sure enough there's a massive crack along the deck and the duck tape is basically keeping the engine from falling through. It did start briefly and there's plenty of good parts to nab before the deck gets sent to the crusher.

The other the has a Quantum on it. Needs a cord , air filter cover, and a shroud to make it presentable but the deck is solid. Will put a cord on and see if it starts soon.

What's interesting is the side discharge design. It opens like a door to discharge and closes to mulch. It's a pretty nifty feature.

Then tonight I got another Murray from a friend. I'm a bit disappointed because the deck is actually in really good shape with the notable exception of a piece of metal missing from one of the places the engine bolts to. Is there a way to repair it?

Pics tomorrow.

Before I work on those though I have a slightly bigger project.

Repainting a fork lift!

 

[Two-Stroke]

I've seen lots of those old Briggs mowers with steel decks that have rusted but with salvageable engines. I have at least three of those engines. It's funny to think of trying to fix the deck with duct tape.

How's the Simplicity? Please update us in this thread.

 

[hanyoukimura]

The Simplicity does run, once its warm it'll start on its own. Used it to cut the lawn the other day. Works really well even in the thick grass. It'll definitely need a carb cleaning, that way it starts on its own when cold and won't want to stall when the throttle is adjusted quickly.

It's definitely going to get some TLC, I think parts will be the hardest thing to find. I've located what type of belt it takes, which is good. I'd like to replace that cover.

The only problem with it is there's a piece of the deck missing underside. Does effect how it mows though.

 

[Two-Stroke]

The only problem with it is there's a piece of the deck missing underside. Does effect how it mows though.

You meant that it does not affect the mowing -- right? That kind of thing can happen with alloy decks. Somebody must have hit a rock or something and cracked off that piece. It looks like it wouldn't show when viewed from the top.

 

[hanyoukimura]

You meant that it does not affect the mowing -- right? That kind of thing can happen with alloy decks. Somebody must have hit a rock or something and cracked off that piece. It looks like it wouldn't show when viewed from the top.

Yeah I meant doesn't. :tongue:

Can't see any damage from the top.