My Lawn Mower Repair Thread (56k warning)

[afoulk]

What engine is that on the ariens? I've seen a few of them for sale in my area on CL

 

[hanyoukimura]

What engine is that on the ariens? I've seen a few of them for sale in my area on CL

Tecumseh 5 horse

 

[hanyoukimura]

Well I the Ariens is officially for sale, here's some glamor shots.

I also pulled out a leftover from last year, one of the two Brutes that have been sitting in the garage.

This one had a sheered flywheel key, but happily the flywheel was undamaged. I replaced the key a few weeks ago, and today I cleaned out the carburetor and fuel tank, replaced the banged up blade. Started up first pull, and ran great. Very pleased with that. Finally washed it off as well. Looking much better now.

Now about those jammed front wheels. Anyone have any thoughts as to why they'd be completely jammed?

 

[Two-Stroke]

What was the problem with the electric starting system?

I admire your tenacity in working through that problem. But I think electric starters are a silly thing to add to a push mower. The engine, if tuned properly, should be very easy to start. Also... all that stuff (battery, charging system, starter, etc.) makes the mower heavier and much more complex. I like simplicity. But that's just my opinion.

I'm always happy to see a new post on this thread.

 

[hanyoukimura]

What was the problem with the electric starting system?

I admire your tenacity in working through that problem. But I think electric starters are a silly thing to add to a push mower. The engine, if tuned properly, should be very easy to start. Also... all that stuff (battery, charging system, starter, etc.) makes the mower heavier and much more complex. I like simplicity. But that's just my opinion.

I'm always happy to see a new post on this thread.

Well I found a ground wire had come off it's ring terminal, when the battery is charged it seems to work fine. Sometimes it doesn't always catch, but when I turn the key off and turn it on again it'll catch.

I want to sell the mower, any mower I work on, as a fully functioning unit, so I can get the prices I want from them, and it looks good I think. It's why I go the extra mile on the paint and overall appearance on these things. I think electric start is a feature that's not really needed, especially since this one starts first pull anyway, but it is a neat feature just the same. Plus weight is really a moot point on a heavy Ariens tank like this! :laughing: Can't argue with teh results though, my lawn looks great where I used it!

Always happy to post and that people enjoy it. :smile:

 

[hanyoukimura]

So I guess sitting outside for a year or saw at the previous owner's house caused things to seize up, but after some manual pushing with the drive engaged, everything freed up and now it propels itself great, and the wheels turn freely when not engaged. I just finished cleaning it up and listed it this evening. Its already got a buyer.

And a group photo of the current crop of mowers looking for a new home.

The Ariens may also have a buyer next week. So mostly a good day, although there was a hitch. I had a buyer lined up for the Craftsman. When they came to look at it today though, it wouldn't start. Couldn't get i to start for the life of me, and had to apologize to the buyer, who wanted that one not the others. I was not pleased. I fussed with it for over an hour. Carburetor is clean, has good spark, no oil on the spark plug, but won't so much as cough over, even with starting fluid. I was pretty annoyed about the lost sale and the fact that this thing won't so much as cough, when it was running well 2 days ago. At least the Brute works now and has a buyer lined up, and so does the Ariens.

 

[JSB33]

Just wanted to say how much I enjoyed the last hour of reading this entire thread. I learned a lot.
And its great to see another person that really strives to keep their equipment not only running well but looking good. I take a lot of ribbing from people about always washing and waxing my stuff but I enjoy it and enjoy having a clean machine.

 

[hanyoukimura]

Just wanted to say how much I enjoyed the last hour of reading this entire thread. I learned a lot.
And its great to see another person that really strives to keep their equipment not only running well but looking good. I take a lot of ribbing from people about always washing and waxing my stuff but I enjoy it and enjoy having a clean machine.

Glad you enjoy the thread! I'm pretty OCD when it comes to keeping my tools, equipment and my cars clean, and the result is no rust, and they stay looking nice.

It's like James May but without the hair and a better sense of direction. :laughing:

The Brute's gone. Fastest turnaround ever. :biggrin:

 

[impalass]

That's what I was thinking as I scrolled through your posts. You do beautiful work but all that effort seems to me wasted on low-end mowers.

The Lawn-Boys (and if I were investing a lot of time I'd go pre-1980) are not only "quirky and different" but designed better and made from better materials. The AL/MG alloy decks will last until broken and you don't have to worry about leaving them wet. The Lawn-Boy two-stroke engines are a delight to anyone who admires fine machinery. And they don't make them any more. :wink:

I might add that a really well restored Lawn-Boy can score big bucks on eBay. You might want to check that out. All that effort making a mower look beautiful ( :laughing: which none of mine do :laughing: ) can pay off when you start with something more collectible.

I have 2 8237 which i use now and before that i had a 8232 and a 8252.

 

[afoulk]

did you find the problem with the craftsman mower yet? this one has me intrigued