I seen on earlier post 10 years for a mower life? First of all I buy used if I can. I bought my push mowers in the 70's, my JD 1980, my Wheel Horse 1991, and my Ferris 1999 new and only one I ever bough new. The push mowers only get used for trim work so they don't get many hours per year, The JD mows my camp, Wheel horse for snow removal and the Ferris gets used hard by more then one family weekly+. All I care about is that they run and do there job. I do give them a paint job with a paint brush when they start to get scratched and rusty. I give my mowers yearly maintenance and they are in top mechanical repairs. How long do you keep your mower and when do you determine when to replace it?
I keep mine 10+ years, my last rider was a 2004 yard machine by MTD, I keep them fixed till something happens that would cost about half a new one, on the yard machine it was 9 years old and transaxel cratered (bolt came loose inside and split a hole in transaxel) the engine is still good and will use for a transplant if someone in family need engine. Mower before it is a 1982 snapper rear engine rider that I bought new that still runs and mow's, I hope to rebuild it someday.
#3
Ric
Depends on the warranty. The GS will be gone at 5 years, The ztr probably 4 years, the last two ztr's were gone in 2 years as well as the g 1336.
I will also keep a mower until there are issues that cost a lot to repair. I have no set time limit. I kept my last lawn tractor 10 years, and only sold it because I wanted a ztr mower. I am hoping to get at least 20 years out of my current mower.
My sister still uses dads old 1956 Victa ( which reminds me I was supposed togo & service it last week , bummer there goes my chrissy present ).
I use various Victa push mowes from 1984 till about 2000.
My slasher ( roughing mowe to you lot ) is from 1976
My ride ons date from 1966 through to 1978.
Use different ones for different jobs.
Old enough for you ?
#8
reynoldston
1956 Victa
Now that is keeping a mower only 59 years old. Just what dose it use for a engine? Sure would like to see some pictures of it.
27 years on my last John Deere 318 garden tractor, still running great when I sold it to buy a new JD X739. Probably still had another 10+ years of life in it.
If I remember I will take a couple of happys for you.
It is the old 125cc two stroke Victa engine.
With the snorkel up high ( we had this thread befeore didn't we ) and running 30:1 they will go forever.
I put an Atom ignition module in it back in the 60's and have done the carby twice.
The compression is a bit on the low side but she lives in a unit and they have about 30 sq yards of grass to cut so it is not a problem
St. Peter sees a soul approaching pearly gate riding a lawn mower and says:
Snapperfreak, it seems to me
That your lawn wasn't kept as it ought to be.
You ought to mow right by the opening there,
And never ride on easy chair.
My sight is dimmed, St. Peter said,
But I don't like the way your lawns are shaved.
They're cut too wide and outward pitch,
They'd look better narrow, and cut Square as a ditch.
It's a fine gospel, by which I pray,
But the chosen few I expect to mow the right way.
St. Peter sat quiet, and stroked his beard,
Then pressed a button upon the brim.
And said to an Angel, who answered the doors,
"Escort this lad around my lawns."
I retired my JD 14PZ push just last year after 20 years! I still have it and it still runs great, but i wanted something new that was self propelled. I'm getting old!
The wife wants me to get rid of it as it's taking up room in the garage, but i just can't let it go!
a good owner can keep a mower forever. As long as you still have a decent frame, it's amazing how cheap you can put a new engine or tranny on these days.
My problem is that I never get rid of them :laughing:. I have a:
- My main mower is a two year old Toro MX5060 ZTR
- A 2000 Craftsman GT that I use to tow around the DR leaf collector, a thatcher, a roller, and an aerator. I also occasionally use it to move my empty car trailer around the yard. I bought it new and it has about 550 troubler hours on it.
- A 1967 Sears Suburban SS12. I don't really use it, but I can't bear to part with it. It is pretty nice with chains, wheel weights, snow plow, three point hitch, and a ground breaking plow. I even have all the original manuals. I bought it used in 1979 and used it exclusively until 2000.
I drive my wife crazy, but I do get attached to my machines.
My mowers are cheap and treated roughly and consequently are rattled together for the next season over the winter. When one breaks, it's "Next man in". I generally have little worth trading in or selling. I'm learning (too little, too late) to go more for quality, and am still making mistakes in my choices. My older than dirt 126 Cub Cadet is my favorite and is kept around to pull my others out of the mud and back to the shop when they shoot craps. BTW you gave me some good ideas the other day on a post, my friend, and I appreciated it. Gearjammer
I'm selling my Scag after 10 years only because my neighbor, who happens to be buying my home, wants to buy it.
After 470 hours, it's only needed a handful of belts (mostly self-inflicted) and two sets of gator blades per season (I'm too lazy to sharpen them). There's no question in my mind it would go another 15 or 20 years the way I use it. 7 gauge steel just doesn't wear out and the motor should be good for 2000-2500 hrs.
I have a 22 year old AYP lawn tractor that's still going, although I'm not sure how much longer. Not sure of its history but it looks well used. Everything is leaking but it still cuts the grass. I hope to get that long out of the new one.
Makes me feel bad got ride of my Cub Cadet 2550 after only 12 years. It was still running good when I traded it in for a new Scag Tiger Cat. The dealer sold it the same day he took it in. I'm 67 thinking this Scag will be my last mower?
had a wheel horse from 1989 till she gave up the ghost...can't remember the model number now. Old age I guess...then moved into a 2000 John Deere LX255 which I still use. Also have a bolens 1886,1972 vintage...I think this mower will out live me by a few life times...lol they just don't build them like they used to. as far as push mowers I still use an old 1980 MTD 18 inch cut...very easy to push , and use another MTD pusher that I got for free , this one maybe 6-8 years old
