Hi All. I'm Joe.
I've always been the kind of guy that would rather fix or build things rather than going out and buying. I enjoy doing it and it gives me a great reason to buy all sorts of tools, welders, a lathe, and a mill. Since so much of the modern stuff is disposable, I really like the old stuff!! It may take a little more time and effort, but the end result is well worth it.
Since retiring a few years ago, I'm starting to get into small equipment. I've had my fun with cars, trucks, small /medium equipment such as skid steers & excavators, along with dump trucks. I enjoy tinkering around repairing or rebuilding lawn and garden machines.
I came across this site while researching info. on my Lawn boy mowers. Realizing these machines have a bit of a "Cult Following", and for some reason I dig the heck out of them, I decided to register and hopefully learn a bit more than my experience has already taught me. and maybe gain and give access to some needed parts.
I have a 5243 that my Dad bought new back in 75 or 76. I mowed with it as a kid, then he used it throughout his life, and now I've been using it over the past 8 - 10 years. After having to spend 10 - 20 minutes to get it started every time I wanted to mow, it ran half way decent. I decided that this was getting old, so I gave it a check up only to find that the old boy only has 25 - 30 psi. compression. Time for some serious surgery...
Since then I've managed to acquire the following machines.
7266 that a buddy gave me. (Needs work).
10201 Silver Series that I picked up off the curb. I used it as a mulch machine for 4 years. It ran great until a few weeks ago when I hit a chunk of Mulberry and now it's broke... Although I haven't peeled it apart yet to see what's wrong, I'm hoping to find a good V series engine for it.
10415 Gold Series that I find to be a bit heavy, but it mows nice and runs like a champ!
R8240 that I picked up off Craigslist. I was told it will start, but not stay running. I gave it a new primer bulb and fresh gas, and away we went!
Other machines are my old John Deere 111 rider that runs like a beast!Though I've never mowed with it, I just use as a tractor to pull the log splitter or trailer to haul stuff around.
I just recently acquired a John Deere 724D Snow blower. I cant say anything one way or another about it as I haven't gotten to use it.
I'm just finishing up an engine rebuild on my Husqvarna roto tiller. It has the Honda GC 165. I was tilling along when the engine started making all sorts of racket. I shut it down, tore it apart only to find that the connecting rod bolts had unscrewed themselves. After polishing the crank and replacing the rod, I think it's going to survive.
Well, other than the smaller tools & equipment, that pretty much covers the basics. I look forward to swapping stories and sharing information about lawns, lawn equipment, or what ever else comes along.
Have a great day!!
