My Lawn Mower Repair Thread (56k warning)

[hanyoukimura]

Literally saved a mower from the junkyard today. I was looking for some car parts and found a MTD push mower and a Toro Recycler together. Both had compression, but the Toro was missing the rear bag attachment/door and apparently its drive system don't work. I paid $25 for it which is more than I would like but this year its hard to find mowers in my area for some reason, so I'll just have to keep costs down to get it going. The MTD is a basic mower but the deck looks like its in very good shape, the wheels are solid, and its all there save for the air filter assembly...but its a Tecumseh and I have like 15 of those in various styles.

The carburetor is likely junk, as brown liquid came out of it when I tipped it back, but again I have plenty spares. I'm going to try t get it running tomorrow.

 

[Vervepipes]

I've had to buy some on slow weeks, but it usually works out even if just a little. I don't waste time on Tecumseh carbs, I also have plenty of spares so I usually just throw on a good one, or one that looks good but hopefully needing a primer and I've gotten a lot out the door that way. I find it odd though that some seem to have the intake and exhaust valves changed around, judging by whether it's a top or bottom mount carb or muffler. 25 seems good for any Toro deck, even if re-engined. I saw one recently with a 10 HP tractor engine, electric start and all.

 

[hanyoukimura]

I've had to buy some on slow weeks, but it usually works out even if just a little. I don't waste time on Tecumseh carbs, I also have plenty of spares so I usually just throw on a good one, or one that looks good but hopefully needing a primer and I've gotten a lot out the door that way. I find it odd though that some seem to have the intake and exhaust valves changed around, judging by whether it's a top or bottom mount carb or muffler. 25 seems good for any Toro deck, even if re-engined. I saw one recently with a 10 HP tractor engine, electric start and all.

Its still there if I want it, but between the missing parts and broken drive system it might be more than its worth. If it were complete I'd have snapped it up in a second. I'll fix this MTD first and see what I get by the time it leaves.

Typically, I reuse what I can. I've only ever had to toss out a handful of carburetors due to excessive corrosion or just couldn't get it to run right. Keeps spare parts up for when I really need them.

That junkyard has a few mowers there. A complete Toro Recycler with a seized Suzuki 4-stroke, an old Craftman mower and a couple other mower in various states of decay. That place is where I got the rear wheels for the ServiStar.

 

[Vervepipes]

The only things I've thrown out are control cables and a few odds and ends. I'll be buying a 20 or 30L ultrasonic cleaner soon and they will be cleaned and probably returned to service as part of a rotation. Even the rusted decks I'm holding on to until I find a scrapper who will trade me a good deck for a number of rusted ones. My plan for the engines I part out will be to break them down and sort them into aluminum and steel for when I get my trailer done, then I can keep just enough complete spare engines on the shelf, maybe 5 of each common type (Tec, Briggs flathead and Briggs Quantum) to keep flow going. I'm borderline hoarder so I need to set a limit for myself. As is I have about 10 mowers awaiting dismantling, not counting the 8 or so that I'm in the process of building...

 

[Two-Stroke]

I'm just about ready to break down and get an ultrasonic cleaner. Any tips on features or brands?

 

[Vervepipes]

Still looking myself, I'm considering the style sold on Ebay, pretty much every seller has the same model for the 20-30L styles.

 

[hanyoukimura]

I only had an hour or so to putz around with the mowers, but I I got a bit done.

First up is the Ariens 911029

Came back to me. He said his son hit something with it. It started leaking oil from the dipstick and it hasn't been run since. Took a real quick look at it today. The shroud bolt by the dipstick had backed out and was lying on the deck. Easy fix.

Started right up, but the engine vibrates quite a lot with the blade disengaged. Engage the blade and the vibration goes way. Not sure why.

He was going to have me look at it but was given a Craftsman by a neighbor. A week later his son decided to stop mowing yards, so he elected to keep the Cub Cadet and I give e the two mowers for cheap.

The Craftsman apparently runs but need the correct throttle spring, I haven't looked at it yet.

What I have looked at was the Yard Machines I got out of the junkyard the other day. I swapped out carburetors and put in a new spark plug and it came to life! It was dark by the time I got it running but I don't think it smoked.

Tuesday or Wednesday I;ll have time to get more done on these.

 

[hanyoukimura]

Been hectic with other things lately, but finally got time to work one the mowers. First of up is the Craftsman. It's only a few years old and besides the missing hubcaps, looks almost new.

It needed a governor spring as the previous owner had a copper wire holding the throttle open. Otherwise a general tune up and cleaning.

The other mower is the Yard Machines I saved from the junkyard.

I didn't even bother looking at the carburetor, when I picked the mower up to put it in the trunk a small amount of brown water came out of it...so its probably all corroded inside there. It was also missing the air filter assembly. looks like it was one of those foam filter elements judging by the cutout in the shroud. Replaced the carburetor, put a different style air filter assembly, replaced the spark plug and it came to life.

Changed the oil which was black but not the worst I've seen and sharpened/balanced the blade...which was really out of balance despite being in good shape and not bent. Finally, I replaced the broken cable bracket and installed the correct bail followed by a thorough cleaning (the paint was really faded and took some effort to bring the shine back) and a quick shot of paint on the side.

Not bad for scrap!

 

[mmanter]

Reading this post is an inspiration. I have 4 mowers in the garage that need repairing & reading this is giving me the little push I need to keep going.

 

[hanyoukimura]

Not dead! it's just been a very slow summer. Typically by July sales slow down but this year i didn't sell either of the two mowers I listed. They're still for sale! Oh well.

Otherwise, I've been busy with other things. My poor car was rear ended at the beginning of the month so that was a mess, but she's all better now. The I took a week off work for a much needed vacation and I decided to spend it relaxing for once.

There hasn't been much for mowers to pick up this year either, however a coworker gave me a Poulan Pro the other day.

I'll get pictures up later, but this poor thing is pretty messed up. The bracket for the throttle linkage is broken off, the coil wire is frayed, missing a shroud bolt, left rear wheel/handlebar bracket was loose, and the metal gas tank is broken as well!

I did play with it a little today and fixed the wheel bracket, then replaced the throttle linkage bracket and springs with a spare I had. I have a spare tank, but it has some rust in it, so it's sitting overnight with some Evap-O-Rust in it. I'll have to see if I have a spare ignition coil. I've got tons of Tecumseh coils but few, if any Briggs coils.

The other project I've started to tackle is a Poulan 2150 chainsaw for a friend. I don't like chainsaws/blowers/trimmers. They always seem to be much more of a PITA to work on push mowers.