HELP on a LawnBoy model - Thanks!

[northstar1]

Hi - My neighbor gave me a Lawnboy 4.5 hp 4 cycle Silver Series push mower, and I don't know what model it is -- the model sticker has been rubbed off. Wondering if anyone here can help identify it -- I'm attaching 3 pics. It doesn't want to start at this point, and I'm trying to decide how much effort/$ to expend on it.
Thanks to anyone who has thoughts!
Brad

 

[Phototone]

Thats the model with the Tecumsah 4-cycle engine. These engines are known for self-destruction. Not a REAL lawnboy in the sense of the durable 2-cycle engines. The only good thing is the stagger-wheel deck, which discharges the clippings quite well.

 

[northstar1]

Thanks Phototone, that's helpful. Yeah, I kinda figured that this might be the case -- one of my other neighbors has one of the older 2-cycles LB's that he loves -- he's kept it going for decades.
Any idea of about what years LB made this 4-cycle Silver model, or possible model numbers?
Thanks!
Brad

 

[2smoked]

Thats the model with the Tecumsah 4-cycle engine. These engines are known for self-destruction. Not a REAL lawnboy in the sense of the durable 2-cycle engines. The only good thing is the stagger-wheel deck, which discharges the clippings quite well.

I agree with Phototone. These mowers were nothing but a generic mower painted green with the name "LAWN BOY" slapped on them. Sorry if that offends anyone but there is lawn boy, and then there is Lawn Boy! I recall my old place of employment purchasing one of those models years ago. After about 4 hours of use, it was puking oil all over the place and just smoking like crazy. It did not last very long. They sold them by the truck load just because of the name. Just my 2 cents. Yes I am biased.

 

[kmaysob]

Digging up an old thread,
This was my first exposure to a lawn boy. While the motor may not have been a duraforce, I ran it for many years until the wheels broke and I stuck it in the side yard. I recall my dad and grandpa having a good laugh when I told them it mulched so good, we didn't need to rake the dog sh*t up anymore. It was true though.

 

[EdBrown]

I have a Lawnboy 4.5 HP, self propelled, and it is model 10302, serial 7901570. I bought it pretty cheap a couple of yeas ago, and it runs very good. Have not had any problems using it, and it runs and cuts very good. It was made in 1997.

It looks just like your LB, except it is self propelled.

 

[Phototone]

Even though it has the less-desirable 4-cycle engine, it still has the stagger-wheel front discharge deck, which is what is responsible for the nice cut of LawnBoys. Now, it seems, they have abandoned even this.

 

[bertsmobile1]

And while we are talking Lawn Boy can some one explain to me the logic of 4 individually adjustable wheel heights.
Is it because the decks warp ?
I just don't get it.
We went to 1 lever adjustment in 1959 on most mower although some did retain individual front & back adjustments into the 60's.

 

[BlazNT]

I do not understand the 4 wheel adjustment either but I do the front and back adjustment. Like it the 80's with cars. If you jack them up in the back they go faster.:laughing::laughing::laughing:

 

[Two-Stroke]

And while we are talking Lawn Boy can some one explain to me the logic of 4 individually adjustable wheel heights.
Is it because the decks warp ?
I just don't get it.
We went to 1 lever adjustment in 1959 on most mower although some did retain individual front & back adjustments into the 60's.

I'm guessing it saves weight. Also, how often do most people change the height?