My mower repair thread
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Vervepipes
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I actually accomplish what I do with maybe 2 hours of repair time per day. Some time is spent driving out to pick up or deliver, but I try to tie this in to other tasks. If I had more time I'm sure I could do a lot more, but definitely not enough to match or beat the income from my other job!
The black Murray with the missing shroud piece just sold, that brings me past my total May sales. I have 5 mowers left to finish but I'm slowing my pace a bit for now, I have wines and beer to brew and veggies to tend to, plus the unfinished trailer project that needs to be done before winter.
The black Murray with the missing shroud piece just sold, that brings me past my total May sales. I have 5 mowers left to finish but I'm slowing my pace a bit for now, I have wines and beer to brew and veggies to tend to, plus the unfinished trailer project that needs to be done before winter.
Vervepipes
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I picked up a few parts mowers yesterday, one is kind of interesting but I need to take a picture of it yet. It is a Wedgefield mower by Canadian Outdoor Products Inc, it has some angle iron across the top the entire legnth of the deck and the handles are mounted to those bars, very odd looking and I'm not sure if it's like that from factory or what, because of the handle location. I also picked up a deck with half a quantum that I'll use to repair both the 6.75 HP one I got earlier this week and probably a 4HP short deck that needs an oil sump base. Then there's a Tecumseh MTD with a broken recoil. I think I'm getting up early this weekend to get some out the door.
Vervepipes
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So the guy with the 2500W genny is interested in my trade, after all he is now more interested in the Toro electric trimmer than the gas Weed Eater which is fine with me, the Toro trimmer was given to me and it didn't need anything at all, just the line was broken off in the spool and needed to be threadded back into the hole. I'm also giving him a set of garden sheers, a dandilion picker and a hand held fertilizer spreader and we're doing the swap on Sunday. I can't wait to tear into that one!
Last night I also took apart the gas tank and carb on the Noma, there seemed to be an obstruction in the fuel pick up tube that I couldn't remove so I replaced it with another tube, cleaned the carb and tank, inspected the diaphragm and spring and stuck it all back together. It started up and ran perfectly so I mowed a bit with it. I then had to put it aside while I did something else and went back to it, wouldn't start! The spark plug wire connector seemed a bit loose to I tightened it a bit and it ran, but after I shut it off after a few seconds it wouldn't start. This one is bugging me. I may have to place the engine on a shelf for now to get it out the door.
Last night I also took apart the gas tank and carb on the Noma, there seemed to be an obstruction in the fuel pick up tube that I couldn't remove so I replaced it with another tube, cleaned the carb and tank, inspected the diaphragm and spring and stuck it all back together. It started up and ran perfectly so I mowed a bit with it. I then had to put it aside while I did something else and went back to it, wouldn't start! The spark plug wire connector seemed a bit loose to I tightened it a bit and it ran, but after I shut it off after a few seconds it wouldn't start. This one is bugging me. I may have to place the engine on a shelf for now to get it out the door.
Vervepipes
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So is it time for a new phone when your car gets broken into and they leave your phone? Nothing was missing but everything was strewn about, probably looking for keys. Just a rant, nothing new today.
Vervepipes
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I found out from the neighbor across the street that they had the same thing happen to their car this morning as well, except their hood wasn't opened.
Anyways, this is the Craftsman that I picked up with the Homelite trimmer a few days ago. No initial pictures, but here it is almost done. I basically bot this as a block on a deck with the rest of the engine in a bag. The explanation was that it stopped running and the kids wanted to see what it looked like inside. Unfortunately, the kids also took a hammer to it, so the carb bracket was mangled. As with so many others, I happened to have a spare. It had a sheared flywheel key, so I grabbed one from a scrap engine. It also needed a filter housing gasket to be able to prime. After I got it all together, it sputtered but would just not start. It had a brand new spark plug so I took a look and the gap was HUGE! Fixed that and it runs perfectly. It still needs replacements for the front wheels and a cleaning but even dirty it looks nice and darn near new.
Once this one sells I'll buy all the engine brake cables I need, I think I'm up to 4 waiting on cables now...
Anyways, this is the Craftsman that I picked up with the Homelite trimmer a few days ago. No initial pictures, but here it is almost done. I basically bot this as a block on a deck with the rest of the engine in a bag. The explanation was that it stopped running and the kids wanted to see what it looked like inside. Unfortunately, the kids also took a hammer to it, so the carb bracket was mangled. As with so many others, I happened to have a spare. It had a sheared flywheel key, so I grabbed one from a scrap engine. It also needed a filter housing gasket to be able to prime. After I got it all together, it sputtered but would just not start. It had a brand new spark plug so I took a look and the gap was HUGE! Fixed that and it runs perfectly. It still needs replacements for the front wheels and a cleaning but even dirty it looks nice and darn near new.
Once this one sells I'll buy all the engine brake cables I need, I think I'm up to 4 waiting on cables now...
Vervepipes
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Wow what a busy day. The 6.75 Hp Craftsman is done and listed for $150, and I've gotten 3 emails already within 30 minutes of posting the add. Here she is all prettied up.
I couldn't get a diaphragm kit locally for the Nome, so I bought a kit for a newer style carb and swapped one, then another onto a good tank and neither would prime or push fuel in to run. They both make a gurgling inside the tank. I'll have to figure that out later. I pulled a complete assemble off of a basket case, for some reason the tank was full of black oil. In any case, it pumped fluid, so I cleaned it out and filled it with gas, it starts and runs well. Finally done with this headache of a mower. Nah, I like it, it has character. Washed (again) and ready to sell (again...).
This Lawnflite I've had for a while but haven't gotten around to fixing it. The carb gasket was leaking badly but it ran. I couldn't get a gasket for this one locally either, so I swapped another basket case's tank assembly on. I got it running, but forgot it doesn't have a blade. The blade adapter actually free spins on the shaft, the key way is not even engaged because it is not pushed far enough up the shaft, but it is thoroughly stuck on there. I need to get a new wheel for my griner and I will carefilly split it in half, and then install a spare in it's place. The wheels are a bit wobbly, but I'll market this one as a beater so I'm not sure I'll replace them. It didn't clean up to well with the pressure washer, but the engine sure looks cleaner.
Before:
After:
This is the Yard Machines mower that I got running a few days ago. It needed the carb cleaned, a new filter (it was so dirty that I would not come close to running after I cleaned the carb, I just HAD to try it out) but still needs a cable. Runs great though.
After:
I also picked up the generator today that I swapped for an electric Toro trimmer along with a few other things. The oil leak was really only the oil drain hole that was less than finger tight, and I replaced the pull cord. It started on the first pull so I tested it out with some power tools. Nice unit, quiet and easy to use. I'll keep this one.
I couldn't get a diaphragm kit locally for the Nome, so I bought a kit for a newer style carb and swapped one, then another onto a good tank and neither would prime or push fuel in to run. They both make a gurgling inside the tank. I'll have to figure that out later. I pulled a complete assemble off of a basket case, for some reason the tank was full of black oil. In any case, it pumped fluid, so I cleaned it out and filled it with gas, it starts and runs well. Finally done with this headache of a mower. Nah, I like it, it has character. Washed (again) and ready to sell (again...).
This Lawnflite I've had for a while but haven't gotten around to fixing it. The carb gasket was leaking badly but it ran. I couldn't get a gasket for this one locally either, so I swapped another basket case's tank assembly on. I got it running, but forgot it doesn't have a blade. The blade adapter actually free spins on the shaft, the key way is not even engaged because it is not pushed far enough up the shaft, but it is thoroughly stuck on there. I need to get a new wheel for my griner and I will carefilly split it in half, and then install a spare in it's place. The wheels are a bit wobbly, but I'll market this one as a beater so I'm not sure I'll replace them. It didn't clean up to well with the pressure washer, but the engine sure looks cleaner.
Before:
After:
This is the Yard Machines mower that I got running a few days ago. It needed the carb cleaned, a new filter (it was so dirty that I would not come close to running after I cleaned the carb, I just HAD to try it out) but still needs a cable. Runs great though.
After:
I also picked up the generator today that I swapped for an electric Toro trimmer along with a few other things. The oil leak was really only the oil drain hole that was less than finger tight, and I replaced the pull cord. It started on the first pull so I tested it out with some power tools. Nice unit, quiet and easy to use. I'll keep this one.
Vervepipes
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The Cratsman 6.75 sold, and I used 15 bucks of the money to buy an old KGrow (MTD made for KMart). The deck is near perfect and has a few details unusual for a lower end mower, like the huge bolt on muffler for example, and the ergonomic handle shape. The problem again is that it needs a cable, so now I have 5 mowers needing cables. I'm going to break down and buy them soon, I really need to clear room of this almost finished inventory. The rest of the money I'm debating on. There is an add for 2 Toro comercial decks with Suzuki 2 strokes for $75. There is only a picture of 1, and the deck looks beat, but I could likely swap everything onto my non runner. It is said to be running and also needs a gearbox for the self propel. The second mower is "only for parts" and not pictured. Out of the 3 mowers I'm sure to get one nice runner and lots of spares, or maybe even 2 runners, but for one thing I don't like to spend that much on a broken mower, second I need funds for cables!... I also don't have much room left for "collection" mowers. Decisions...
Vervepipes
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Another rant, I cannot beleive the price of shipping to Canada from the US, it's gauging simply put. I've shipped numerous auto parts south of the border and it never came close to what is being quoted as shipping costs. That is, for the 5% of retailers that will even ship to Canada. Boo...
Vervepipes
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The orange Noma found a new home, to be used as a cottage mower. I have lots of parts mowers but none left ready to sell. I've been taking it easy the last week or so and have started on the trailer rebuild project. Today I removed the old springs and now have to wait 2 days to get the correct length of bolt to use in the trailer frame. Stores closed early today and tomorrow is a holiday. The new springs are much smaller than the ones that came on the old trailer, but the change in size brings the axle back around where it belongs instead of smack in the middle so it should tow nicely. I have brand new tires on 5 bolt rims, both have cut valve stems and the trailer came with a 4 bolt axle, but the tires are done on it, so I think I'll upgrade to a 5 bolt hub while I'm at it so I can use the nice new rims. As for the stems, I'll break the bead and try to replace it without removing the tire. I don't know if it can be done but I'll try. Something tells me though that this is going to be a case of " the longest way to do something is a shortcut".