Recent content by cruzenmike

The only issue is the labor. I just went through this with my CV15S when I considered having the valve work done. A head gasket job is $20-50 in parts but $360 in labor. The extent of the damage described sounds like minimum 6 billable hours plus parts which will near $800.

I could have looked at the MS 261 to shop against the 550 XP II but again it was more of what one I "liked" most and when considering price and how much I will use it, the MS 271 was still a better fit than the comparable $400 Husqvarna. I would guess that in the 7 years that I had the Poulan I...

You didn't give a budget, just your financing requirements which of course most brands will have. My vote is for the Exmark Radius E. A bit pricier than the competition, but excellent warranty, usually outstanding dealer support and if course great cut quality/striping. One thing to consider...

Kohler 7000, 22hp autochoke? Toro put this engine in the SS4225 for a handful of years including 2015. Just a guess but being in the Kohler sub-forum it only makes sense.

Hello All. Just picked up some new Stihl equipment today. After a little bit of research I decided on the following: - FS 91 R - BR 450 - MS 271 Farm Boss A little back story: In 2009 I purchased a Ryobi SS26 string trimmer and a handful of attachments for it including the edger, blower and...

Put about another 5 hours on it and still getting the smell of burning oil every once in a while. It comes and go and seems to be only when under heavy loads. She's not smoking or anything so I will just keep checking the oil level. Once it drops below where I can fill with the remainder of my...

It is apparent that they are not intending or wanting "brand bash" so much as let us know his dissatisfaction with the consumer rating system which he feels had let him down with the omission of ride quality in their consideration. If we did know the make and model, it might persuade some, but...

The issue is not that of the ride quality of the mower so much as the ground quality of your property. There are reasons why only a few companies have bothered trying to "improve" the ride quality of their mowers; the cost doesn't justify the potential gains is profits/market share and quite...

This weekend I will double check the oil level which might be a tiny bit high and take it down to a smidge below the full line and see what happens. I will then try the breather tube and see if that tells me anything. Worst case I already have a couple of quarts of the Kolher synthetic 10w30...

I use a 5 quart oil pan that is about 4-5" tall laying down beside the mower. When I remove the dip stick and turn the mower on it's side, the oil falls out into the pan. My oil pan has a spout that I can then use to dump into a jug for recycling. This seems to work just fine with the mower...

I looked at the valve cover and there is nothing leaking there. I am quite certain that it is coming from within the engine. I am still contemplating taking the head off to inspect and replace any valvetrain components that need it, which obviously includes replacing the head gasket so if this...

Just to give an update: I picked up the LT155 from the dealership on Friday and brought it home. The first thing that I did was add about 5 ounces of SeaFoam to the oil that was in it and ran it at idle for about 20 minutes and then did a complete oil change. The oil that was in the machine...

I guess part of this issue may be my fault; at least with the dealership. When I first noticed the problem I called the dealership and talked with a guy at the counter. I explained to him that I had an LT155 with the Kohler CV15 and that I was having a ticking sound under the valve cover which...

There excuse with the valves is that they are "not a machine shop" and therefore if they had any issue at all with the new valves, they wouldn't be able to address the issue. I do not disagree that they obviously don't want the business. When I first called it was going to be $500 to do the...

I guess I am picking up the mower tomorrow without any repairs being completed by the dealer. I got a call from them this morning and he went over a list that the Technician gave him. $1250!!!!!!!!!! This was what he stated was the "worst case scenario." The job would include a new camshaft...

When I first started looking into this, everything that I read kept saying to bed sure to run 10w30 in these engines as single weight oils will make more noise. In my case I don't think it would matter since the noise isn't at startup (10w) but rather when the engine gets up to temp (30w). I do...

I just had the bottom end apart and it looked great in there. I wasn't specifically looking for anything but from what I could tell, the engine was nearly flawless in appearance. Even at 22 years old it would still have golden yellow oil at the changes. As for the dealership fishing for more...

Just an update: I got a call from the dealership yesterday regarding my mower and this is how the conversation went... Matt: Hi Mike, this is Matt, I just wanted to let you know that the Technician looked at your mower and said that the sound you are hearing is normal. Me: What do you mean...

I certainly don't mean to disagree. You CAN do things that you otherwise shouldn't. I have seen people state that they used their riding mower to move their boat or whatever, and while capable of, that kind of thing should never be done. It does all come down to what the manual states. All I was...

One thing to consider regarding mower transmissions, is that only a rider type (with steering wheel) rated as having a "ground engaging" transmission should be used for towing any heavy loads. Yes, many have towed with K46's and alike without fail, but add the slightest grade or overloaded cart...

Your manual recommendation certainly makes sense considering that most 2 blade decks have the right blade out in front of the left one. On a 3 blade deck as the OP has, this issue would theoretically exist when turning right or left (which he stated is happening) and since these decks typically...

I tend to do 3 point turns with some backing up at the end of each row so if there happened to be an uncut strip from the turn it would be recut as I mow in the forward direction again. The fact that you mention that you only really noticed it now that the grass is thick points back to my theory...

Has this happened since new? Do you notice this only at certainly cutting heights? If the problem has always been present then it is the result of bad design. If not, then something has gone wrong in/under the deck. As for cutting height, there is a time when the blades may not be processing the...

You mention the difference between LA and Li-ion but what about Ni-Cd? I would have to think that if the batteries used in the Steering Wheel Cub Cadet only last 300 charge cycles as well, the cost to own overall would not be any cheaper over a 10 year period considering the higher battery cost...

Thanks for your review. I am very intrigued by this new generation of battery operated riding mowers. As for the noise from the deck, this is inevitable as your mower carries 2-1 blades which generate a lot of wind (air) noise; same as gas rider. I am sure that a wavy mulching blade or a low...

Owned a Radius E 48. Great Machine! Plenty of power, great cut, smooth controls, simple maintenance and good warranty. I looked at Hustler mowers two years back and for some reason I just couldn't find anything about them that I "loved." I am sure that they are decent machines, but most...