Amazing what people throw out!

[jlitzz]

Just wanted to share a short story about a mower I recently acquired. On a morning walk a few weeks ago, my 4-year old son and I came across two lawn mowers put out with the garbage. The first was a Yard Machines mower with 6.5HP B&S engine and the tall rear wheels. The mower didn't look too bad, especially in that yellow and green combo. Took them home and tried to start the Yard Machines.

To my surprise it started right up but belching blue/white smoke and pushing oil through the carb. Checked the usual stuff and found that this mower was overfilled and had about 2 quarts too much oil! Changed the oil to proper level, changed the soaked air filter, and changed muffler (had spare one laying aroung). Low and behold, the mower runs great and does not have oil issues! Used for several mowings and decided it was a very saleable unit. Got $85 for it. Not bad for a $10 investment in the filter and oil!

jlitzz

 

[motoman]

Twenty years ago on a morning walk I noticed a shop vac in the trash. Much to my wife's chagrin I dug it out , still in its box. The dimbulbs had tried to vacuum fireplace ashes and it was clogged. The owner's manual clearly states , don't do that. Still in use.:laughing:

 

[bakerg]

One man's junk is another man's gold.:thumbsup:

 

[mrstafford]

I really recommend never ever throwing away rolawn grow right to never be thrown away. My friend james threw some in the bin, came back a week later and there was a lawn in his waist bin!

 

[DaveTN]

I used to see push mowers and an occasional weedeater thrown out a lot in the past 10 years. But here in the last 2, I haven't seen many at all. Once in a blue moon I'll see one to give away on Craigs, but I gave up on calling as they're almost always gone. Besides I don't need any more push mowers to fix unless they're minor repairs. Another thing that's getting more and more difficult to find are these cast iron Kohler side-shaft engines anywhere from 10, 12, 14, 16 HP! My friend has a 14 on a big heavy Ford LGT and it started clanging and banging and what it was turned out to be the counter-shaft gears. One rides on a shaft on each side of the crankshaft and held on by a snap ring! Just putting off working on it till this winter. I've heard you can just remove them and it will run about the same, maybe some more vibration but nothing serious. My cousin came dragging his mother-in-law's old "Compaion" 11HP rider in the other day. She had given him directions (I dare say an order! hehehe) to haul it to the dump. He thought of me and curiosity got the best of him and before he brought it here, he lives next door and decided to tinker with it and got it running! Then drove it over here on 1/2 choke! Still have to clean the carb and go through it. Best way to get old push mowers is to put the word out with friends and neighbors and family. Just in the last week I've had 2 offers to come and haul about 6 old push mowers off.

 

[motoman]

OK, you guys triggered a rant of mine no one in my family will listen to. Yeah, we are groomed to be a "throw away" nation. I save almost everything just shy of being arrested as a hoarder. Put 'em in a box with similar stuff and avoid buying them later where they hang in bubble paks for $1-$2. Course I'm a fixer/tinkerer. But the message is not received by family members who even duplicate- buy tools when they cannot find the one they used once. This is not small stuff in the lifetime run, but worth $$$$. There, I said it. :drink:

 

[djdicetn]

Twenty years ago on a morning walk I noticed a shop vac in the trash. Much to my wife's chagrin I dug it out , still in its box. The dimbulbs had tried to vacuum fireplace ashes and it was clogged. The owner's manual clearly states , don't do that. Still in use.:laughing:

Hey......just an FYI. I don't know whether that is a "Shop Vac" brand or not(I bought the Craftsman version), but Craftsman carries a filter for their shop vacs(and most likely it would fit a "Shop Vac" brand since we know Sears doesn't manufacture anything and Shop Vac probably builds the Craftsman models too).... that is "specifically designed" for vacuuming ashes, etc. and I use it to clean my fireplace and grills all the time. Doesn't hurt it a bit!!!

 

[motoman]

Hey......just an FYI. I don't know whether that is a "Shop Vac" brand or not(I bought the Craftsman version), but Craftsman carries a filter for their shop vacs(and most likely it would fit a "Shop Vac" brand since we know Sears doesn't manufacture anything and Shop Vac probably builds the Craftsman models too).... that is "specifically designed" for vacuuming ashes, etc. and I use it to clean my fireplace and grills all the time. Doesn't hurt it a bit!!!

dj, I hear ya,' but this one prohibited it and I have never needed to. I did take the motor apart to grease the bearings when they began to howl...10 years ago?