Dislike for mulching mowers!

[bones66]

One thing that might contribute is that maybe the quality of the steel in the cranks isn't what it used to be. Chalk it up to trying to save a buck here and there.

And just because the guy you talked to said he was a rep and a mechanic, that doesn't mean he's all that knowledgeable on the subject at hand. I've known reps who couldn't find their a$$ with a map and a flashlight. Unless you KNOW his qualifications, take his word cautiously. And while I'm new here, I'm not new to forums(I belong to 12 others!). I'd take these guys word over a rep, if i didn't think he looked experienced(read "young whipper snapper").

Stan

Could be you're 100% right. I don't type real well so there are several things that don't get brought up in my post to the detail that might help understand things. I as mentioned in my first post I called the companies of these mowers and talked with the Consumer Relations. That is except for the mower that hit the post and that story is by now well documented. One of the consumer employees who answered the phone for the a company encouraged me to write letters to certain people within the company. She gave me names, addresses and titles of each. She said she hears this all to often. Also several mechanics were visited during these years in my quest for a reasonable solution and replacement. Another popular excuse used by some sales people and/or mechanics and maybe a valid one is the HP out put of the current production mowers. It's not uncommon for push mowers to be 6.5 HP now where when I was a kid mowing a 3-3.5 was more the norm. I don't know if the HP measurments are done the same now as they used to be?

As far as chalking it up to saving a buck here and there? Stan I sure hope I don't end up making people mad at this thread but a 250.00 mower just to be used to trim where I can't get into with my larger mower is in my opinion reasonable.

 

[twall]

bones66,

I think you're onto something with the HP. I hadn't thought of that. When they hit, they'll hit with a lot more force than 3.5 HP........but my dad's mower was 3.5.....and like I said, I've seen blades on older mowers bent worse than my dad's, with no engine damage.

Also, I'm wondering the steel they use to make the blades - if it's harder (to keep an edge longer), it'll do more damage if you hit something than a 'springier' steel......

 

[Mini Motors]

I hadn't thought about HP either. Something else, some blades are flat(relatively), but some have the sides folded up in the center at the blade holder. This will give them more strength against folding on impact. I don't remember any of those back in the day.

Stan

 

[twall]

I hadn't thought about HP either. Something else, some blades are flat(relatively), but some have the sides folded up in the center at the blade holder. This will give them more strength against folding on impact. I don't remember any of those back in the day.

Stan

I wonder if that was intentional, or an unintended consequence? Now that you mention it, if you hit something REALLY hard years ago - it'd move the blade on the hub (as well as bend it). Whereas that folded design is, I assume, to keep the blade from moving on the hub.......

 

[JDgreen]

Could be you're 100% right. I don't type real well so there are several things that don't get brought up in my post to the detail that might help understand things. I as mentioned in my first post I called the companies of these mowers and talked with the Consumer Relations. That is except for the mower that hit the post and that story is by now well documented. One of the consumer employees who answered the phone for the a company encouraged me to write letters to certain people within the company. She gave me names, addresses and titles of each. She said she hears this all to often. Also several mechanics were visited during these years in my quest for a reasonable solution and replacement. Another popular excuse used by some sales people and/or mechanics and maybe a valid one is the HP out put of the current production mowers. It's not uncommon for push mowers to be 6.5 HP now where when I was a kid mowing a 3-3.5 was more the norm. I don't know if the HP measurments are done the same now as they used to be?

As far as chalking it up to saving a buck here and there? Stan I sure hope I don't end up making people mad at this thread but a 250.00 mower just to be used to trim where I can't get into with my larger mower is in my opinion reasonable.

Been a while since I have seen a pusher rated at 6.5 hp, they all are torque rated now instead of by hp. My oldest pusher dates to '89 and it's a 3.5 hp Tecumseh. I don't think the newer models develop almost twice the hp that older one does.

 

[twall]

Been a while since I have seen a pusher rated at 6.5 hp, they all are torque rated now instead of by hp. My oldest pusher dates to '89 and it's a 3.5 hp Tecumseh. I don't think the newer models develop almost twice the hp that older one does.

the new Snappers have 6.5 HP engines on them. Lots of other makes do, too........it's become as common as the 3.5's used to be.

 

[Mini Motors]

I don't think the newer models develop almost twice the hp that older one does.

I totally believe it. Remember when the first emissions control devices appeared on cars and everyone said it would kill fuel economy AND power? Granted, a lot of the advances were computer related, but some weren't. What we learn for one engine type, gets used in all engines.

The down side of this is now we have punk kids in 4 cylinder cars "tuned" thinking they have muscle cars.

 

[KennyV]

I

The down side of this is now we have punk kids in 4 cylinder cars "tuned" thinking they have muscle cars.

Down side???
I'm from the Boss 351 days... still have one...
Those 'punk kids in 4 cylinder cars' Do have muscle cars... and their abilities at tunning is not just slight of hand...I know some of these guys that are getting over 1000 HP in their super tuned STREET cars...
They are doing unbelievable things at the strip ... in cars that they drive daily ...

I think any of the 4 cylinder engines could handle mulching decks, with OR without tuning.... :smile:KennyV

 

[bones66]

Down side???
I'm from the Boss 351 days... still have one...
Those 'punk kids in 4 cylinder cars' Do have muscle cars... and their abilities at tunning is not just slight of hand...I know some of these guys that are getting over 1000 HP in their super tuned STREET cars...
They are doing unbelievable things at the strip ... in cars that they drive daily ...

I think any of the 4 cylinder engines could handle mulching decks, with OR without tuning.... :smile:KennyV

Hate to get this thing going off topic but a Boss 351. Rare. I had a 351 Cleveland in a 70 Mach 1 & I agree with you 100% on the little 4 cyl. motors. They can put out some serious HP / displacement numbers. Oh well back to mowing!

 

[twall]

I totally believe it. Remember when the first emissions control devices appeared on cars and everyone said it would kill fuel economy AND power? Granted, a lot of the advances were computer related, but some weren't. What we learn for one engine type, gets used in all engines.

The down side of this is now we have punk kids in 4 cylinder cars "tuned" thinking they have muscle cars.

I agree with Kenny. Those Hondas and Toyotas pumping 1000 horse could whoop some serious Detroit butt on the dragstrip.......

I hate to break this to anyone - but to modify any Sequential Electronic Fuel Injected car these days - it takes a computer, and that isn't just putting a Texas Insturments calculator under the dash. "Just" being computer realted means a lot - they are doing with chips and electronic components what you older guys did with aluminum intakes and 4 bbl "back in the day". Can't applaud the march of time, and spit on it at the same time, I'm afraid........