John Deere burning deck belt up.

[grumpyunk]

Depending on the time of the year and how fast the grass is growing, sometimes waiting a week or two (or longer) to get something fixed at a local shop isn't feasible. Plus, many folks don't have a way to get their machines to the shop, and the shop doesn't have a pickup and delivery service. So it isn't that folks don't want to support local shops, it's the hassle and wait time. I mean no offense; I believe in and support local businesses regularly. Just offering some perspective.

I have done all the work ever done to my machines. My experiences with 'professional' mechanics has not been something I wish to repeat. Had a camshaft replaced under warranty and the tech forgot he had closed the drain petcock on the radiator, and closed it with a wrench. At least I can make the assumption as he broke the plastic and the plug leaked. Of course it was denied. Luckily some fishing line, some super glue and I was able to reinforce the broken part. Otherwise, at the time, it would have been time to replace the radiator.
Took a new car in as the A/C compressor was dripping. The fixed that, but placed the power steering pump on the engine and let the fluid leak all over. Got home, and had more drips than before, and an oiled engine on a brand new car. Took my truck in for the 1st oil change, to keep it in warranty. Next time I went to drain the oil, the drain plug threads were hosed up, and I had to use a wrench all the way when removing. I could not rotate it by hand alone.
I like taking care of the small engine stuff myself. I know a shop cannot afford to do small repairs without charging minimal time, likely by the quarter hour, and have minimum charges over what I think reasonable for little things. I do understand they have overhead and variable costs. Some people have no interest, and are willing to pay the fees, or buy a new machine when they have problems. Some are unwilling to dirty their hands. I expect surgeons, for example, to value their hands highly as that is their living.
In short, some don't care how they do the job, even as trivial as an oil change. Others have better things to do. Even more have no interest or are all thumbs, and then there are those who likely post here and other sites as they have interest and knowledge.
I expect there are enough of the non-backyard mechanics to keep the mower shops in business. I have no idea what they plan on doing once the battery powered everything phase kicks in. I likely won't be around or won't care as I won't have need for any of it. So far I have not needed their services. The one place where I bought parts has closed their doors. It had changed hands one time in 30 years, and the new owners did not last more than 4-5 years. The other local service provider is the Ace Hardware, likely backed up 30-60 days, which is useless at this time of year given grass seems able to grow 4 inches in a day or two.

 

[godsey1]

I got the deck off and took the idler pulleys off and both sound like they had sand in them. From what I was told, that is what I should be looking for. Got the new ones on, it took about 1 hour to mow the yard and it ran great. Thanks for the information. Great group. On the topic of working with local shops. I have hadone doing all the work with the one that used to be our John Deere dealer. TRI-Green came in a few years ago and took the dealership from our old dealership. I stuck with the old shop until this year. They are charging $70 to come 2.7 miles one way to come and pick up the mower and bring it back. The same as Tri Green charge. I'm going to try and do all the work myself.

 

[ILENGINE]

Depending on the time of the year and how fast the grass is growing, sometimes waiting a week or two (or longer) to get something fixed at a local shop isn't feasible. Plus, many folks don't have a way to get their machines to the shop, and the shop doesn't have a pickup and delivery service. So it isn't that folks don't want to support local shops, it's the hassle and wait time. I mean no offense; I believe in and support local businesses regularly. Just offering some perspective.

A week or 2 is quick service this time of year. Due to the lack of repair shops and even more lack of OPE techs 3-4 weeks this time of year is more the normal than the exception. I have been running a 3-4 week backlog since February. Have talked to my local Honda powersports dealer and as of right now they are scheduling December.