My Lawn Mower Repair Thread (56k warning)

[Two-Stroke]

I've notice that one of the spokes on the right rear wheel is cracked all the way through. I wonder if Plastic Epoxy will sufficiently repair it? Otherwise it's running great and cleaned up nicely. I might even get lucky and get the bag for it.

To boost the strength of the epoxy:
Apply one coat of epoxy.
Then, with that still wet, press on a patch of fiberglass cloth and allow it to dry.
Finish with another coat of epoxy.

If the crack is near the hub, trying to repair it this way may be a losing battle.

BTW, I got the Lawn-Boy ($25 on CraigsList) that I mentioned earlier in this thread and I'm very happy with the deal that I got -- a very good parts mower for the money.

 

[hanyoukimura]

Good work hanyoukimura! Nice job and you should be proud, a little epoxy can work wonders sometimes you never know until you try.

Hanyoukimura does do good work. This is an excellent thread you've started here. You are a good reason to have a website like LMF.
I hope your good fortune continues.
Great contribution, thank you
:thumbsup::thumbsup:

Thanks guys! It's a fun hobby I'm glad I got back into. It's great that there are sites like this to share the interest. :smile: Since its the end of the season I probably won't sell any more, but I should be able to get some more end of season deals and be ready for spring.

To boost the strength of the epoxy:
Apply one coat of epoxy.
Then, with that still wet, press on a patch of fiberglass cloth and allow it to dry.
Finish with another coat of epoxy.

If the crack is near the hub, trying to repair it this way may be a losing battle.

BTW, I got the Lawn-Boy ($25 on CraigsList) that I mentioned earlier in this thread and I'm very happy with the deal that I got -- a very good parts mower for the money.

Sweet deal. I haven't heard back about the Lawn Boy I posted, but I have heard from the simplicity mower owner, and I'll probably take a look at it and get it tomorrow. It's an hour and half away but as it happens there is another seller nearby who is selling a Poulan Pro identical to mine. I should be able to get it for cheap, not free, but $15 isn't bad. I may keep one and sell the other. It's a heavy thing but it cuts really well so I kinda want to keep one.

As for the wheel, the crack is kind of near the hub. Wal Mart has the same style wheel in gray for $17 which is a good deal cheaper than anywhere else. It's not the right color but I may go that route if epoxy doesn't work.

 

[hanyoukimura]

Picked up both (the Simplicity and the Poulan) this evening. Haven't had a super good look at them since its dark, but the Simplicity one is really neat..and quite light. I'll have to get photos tomorrow.

 

[Two-Stroke]

Picked up both (the Simplicity and the Poulan) this evening. Haven't had a super good look at them since its dark, but the Simplicity one is really neat..and quite light. I'll have to get photos tomorrow.

The Simplicity mower could be a keeper. Is the deck alloy or steel? How's the engine?

 

[hanyoukimura]

The Simplicity mower could be a keeper. Is the deck alloy or steel? How's the engine?

It's definitely either aluminum or magnesium...not sure how to tell which, but its light and there's no rust, at least on the outside where the paint is missing. Haven't looked under it yet.

Engine's got compression, that's all I checked when I got it home. Owner said it ran when he used it last a couple years ago, then drained the gas and stopped using it because he has 3 other mowers.

If I have time I'll see if it starts up.

It's a neat mower.

 

[Two-Stroke]

It's definitely either aluminum or magnesium...not sure how to tell which, but its light and there's no rust, at least on the outside where the paint is missing. Haven't looked under it yet.

Engine's got compression, that's all I checked when I got it home. Owner said it ran when he used it last a couple years ago, then drained the gas and stopped using it because he has 3 other mowers.

If I have time I'll see if it starts up.

It's a neat mower.

The deck is probably an AL/MG alloy. That's my favorite material for a mower deck -- steel decks eventually rust unless they're perfectly maintained -- which is unrealistic for most people.

Good luck with your fine acquisition. Keep us informed.

 

[hanyoukimura]

The deck is probably an AL/MG alloy. That's my favorite material for a mower deck -- steel decks eventually rust unless they're perfectly maintained -- which is unrealistic for most people.

Good luck with your fine acquisition. Keep us informed.

Which is what I do with my Brute.

Matter of fact this winter I will probably coat the under side of the deck in either POR-15 or Bed Armor. Haven't decided which will work better yet.

So here are my latest acquisitions:

As it turns out the Poulan Pros aren't identical. The one I just got isn't self propelled Front wheels are loose and it only briefly runs (but runs and is a good sign) with carb cleaner sprayed in the carb. It' should just need a good carb cleaning.

While I haven't decided yet if I'll be keeping the first Poulan Pro for myself or not this one will be sold. Pity, I have two similar mowers and neither had a bag!

And now on to the interesting one:

If I'm reading the tag correctly it's model ID is 857 044933 but I dunno. I can't find any info on it. What I can say is its very cool, definitely a keeper. I did actually get it running with the aid of some carb spray. It actually stayed running and the self propelled feature works. It will need a carb cleaning and a tune but, but overall I'm really happy with this seemingly rare mower. :biggrin:

 

[Two-Stroke]

If I'm reading the tag correctly it's model ID is 857 044933 but I dunno. I can't find any info on it. What I can say is its very cool, definitely a keeper. I did actually get it running with the aid of some carb spray. It actually stayed running and the self propelled feature works. It will need a carb cleaning and a tune but, but overall I'm really happy with this seemingly rare mower.

I think the model number is 857 and the rest of the ID is the serial number. I did a little searching (hoping to find some background on the company -- not much luck there) and did get a couple of hits on the model number. There is a manual for sale on eBay and also a drive pulley.

It's a cool looking machine.

The engine looks virtually identical to the one on a Jacobsen mower that I've had for about 10 or 15 years (and it was free to me and about 20 years old at the time :laughing: ). The Jacobsen has an alloy deck and is not self-propelled.

 

[hanyoukimura]

That Grand Prix mower I picked up has the same engine, although its interesting how its got a boot for the spark plug. Most older mowers I've seen didn't have that, and it it's from the factory.

The model number still confuses me since it what I found is a different number than what is on the mower, but as near as I can figure it's a 1021

Free Simplicity 1021 Lawn Mower User Manual | ManualsOnline.com

Still not sure how old it is though.

 

[jamesslcx]

Those are very cool mowers, I think I'm getting the mower "sickness" and I have to blame it on this website! I was ok with my five until I found LMF, my problem is where can I go for help?!!:laughing: