My mower repair thread

[Vervepipes]

The electric Craftsman sold. The little red MTD that I got part trade on the red Poulan has been trouble for me. I've tried three ignitions and it still refuses to start about a quarter of the time, even with carb cleaner straight into the mouth. The other times it starts first pull. I refuse to believe that three ignitions would act the same, so I'll have to investigate the ground that's part of the engine brake to see if there's anything going on there.

This was the second Poulan, dirty but in great shape. It's spark plug lead was taped to the cowl because of a breakage in the plug end, I replaced the ignition and it ran badly. I had to empty and clean the gas tank and then it ran great. This sold hours after being listed. Before and after:


This Craftsman took only an air filter housing gasket to run well. Nothing spectacular about getting this one going. It sold hours after listing.

 

[Vervepipes]

This is the Lawn Boy that I bought earlier, I only just got into working on it today. It has suffered an unfortunate life outdoors in Nova Scotia weather and salt air, and needs some love. It ran at a very low idle, but started first pull. My first impression about it was not good, the filter housing screw was corroded badly and broke after half a twist. Upon investigating, the auto choke shaft in the carb was seized in full choke. I tried to work some liquid wrench into it but it was just toast. I found a spare engine with a broken off mounting flange, so I took it's entire carb and filter housing, slapped it together after a thorough cleaning and it runs great now. I don't have the key to the electric start, but it seems any small key will turn the tumbler. The battery however is toast and I don't have the charger. I think I'll have to sell it without the electric start feature working so I don't dive into a money pit, but it starts well anyways. The rear wheel drive is a pleasure to mow with too. I still need to give it an oil change and clean it up though.



This Brute is just that, big, heavy and seems quite tough. That being said, she needs some lovin'. It has 4 unmatched wheels, the engine cable is broken and probably needs a carb cleaning as I tied the engine brake mechanism to try it out. It starts with some fuel in the intake, but that's where it ends. I'm sure I can make a decent set of wheels with what I have on shelves, but this one will take a few days of working between mowers to get going right, I just don't want to waste an entire day or two with nothing much to show for it. Bit at a time will get it done.

 

[Vervepipes]

This Yardworks with a Powermore is finally ready to sell. I've had trouble with the carb overfilling when it sits so I just wasn't comfortable listing it yet. After some thought, I shaved a little from under the carb float where the needle sits, the end result is that the spring brings the needle up slightly higher. This seems to have solved my problem, I'll have to keep that in mind next time I have that problem with a Powermore. I don't have a bag for it, but I'll sell it without a bag for a little less. Here she is again:


I also picked up two mowers from a Kijiji add tonight. One is a basic MTD that will need handle brackets bolted to the top, the other is a self propelled mower, I didn't take a good look to see what it was but it needs both cables. I'll get to those sometime this week.

Also in the background of the Brute you can see my new garage in a box so that I can start work on my '77 Celica. The tent is a temporary measure that will allow me to use this year's mower funds for a camper for my lake lot, so that next year I might be able to build my garage.

 

[hanyoukimura]

This is the Lawn Boy that I bought earlier, I only just got into working on it today. It has suffered an unfortunate life outdoors in Nova Scotia weather and salt air, and needs some love. It ran at a very low idle, but started first pull. My first impression about it was not good, the filter housing screw was corroded badly and broke after half a twist. Upon investigating, the auto choke shaft in the carb was seized in full choke. I tried to work some liquid wrench into it but it was just toast. I found a spare engine with a broken off mounting flange, so I took it's entire carb and filter housing, slapped it together after a thorough cleaning and it runs great now. I don't have the key to the electric start, but it seems any small key will turn the tumbler. The battery however is toast and I don't have the charger. I think I'll have to sell it without the electric start feature working so I don't dive into a money pit, but it starts well anyways. The rear wheel drive is a pleasure to mow with too. I still need to give it an oil change and clean it up though.



This Brute is just that, big, heavy and seems quite tough. That being said, she needs some lovin'. It has 4 unmatched wheels, the engine cable is broken and probably needs a carb cleaning as I tied the engine brake mechanism to try it out. It starts with some fuel in the intake, but that's where it ends. I'm sure I can make a decent set of wheels with what I have on shelves, but this one will take a few days of working between mowers to get going right, I just don't want to waste an entire day or two with nothing much to show for it. Bit at a time will get it done.

The first mower I fixed, which was for myself, that got me started on this hobby was Brute. It's currently sitting in the basement. I haven't used it in like two years because I always have a mower to test run or something better like my Ariens or two Toros. However, I still like the way it looks and its in awesome shape, so I'm not parting with it.

Those four spoke wheels are notorious for the spokes cracking. They look nice but were really under engineered. Mine were both in great shape, however I've gotten two other Brutes that had a cracked wheel each. Turns out this is a known issue and Briggs redesigned the wheel. I ended up getting a free set from them, which I put on my Brute and whose original wheels went on the two machines that needed them. It's a MUCH sturdier design.

 

[Vervepipes]

I have a few wheels that could go on it, the trick will be to have the front somewhat match the rear. The Powermore Yardworks sold today, it was too cold, wet and windy to be bothered to work outside today. I think I should have the Lawn Boy ready to go tomorrow after supper, maybe even one of the MTDs that I picked up yesterday (the second mower was an MTD as well, but tall deck and rear bagging). I still have a few semi finished that need to be completed.

 

[Vervepipes]

I have quite a few updates but that will take a while of sitting to get through, so I'm going to do that tonight. I did however pick up a dathatcher, and have a thread for it here.
http://www.lawnmowerforum.com/showthread.php/37080-Bannerman-Kleen-Green?p=233967#post233967

 

[Vervepipes]

I've been going through so many mowers this year that keeping track has been impractical. I think I sold over 35 in May alone! Things have been going so we land I've been buying some equipment as we, I've registered a lawn maintenance/mower repair/sales company. For equipment so far, other than mowers and trimmers, I have the Bannerman dethatcher and a Billy Goat 27 inch vacuum. In my first week in operation I have 4 recurring properties to cut and trim and still getting people showing up at my house from word of mouth. The Yaris/trailer combo won't cut it any more, so I'm in the market for a used truck and I'd like to pick up a 12 or 14' enclosed trailer. Things are moving fast but I look forward to the challenge. I plan on keeping up on this thread somewhat, but mostly just with oddities and unusual problems.

 

[Lawnboy18]

Glad to see things are going well! Before you know it, you will be in this full time

That white car in the back... What is it? It looks like a Holden.

 

[Vervepipes]

That's a '77 Toyota Celica GT, kind of a long term project. As in, I got it 4 years ago and haven't been able to anything to it yet. I have my parts store mostly set up now in a storage locker and have calls for parts inquiries a few days per week. Not really enough to pay for the locker, but it keeps the bylaw enforcement off of my back for the other stuff that I do. I also have a pretty strong word of mouth going for servicing and get hired by a construction landscaper that I work with to do labour jobs like installing sod. Things are going alright now and I could see next year really taking off, but as far as mowing goes, somebody here is advertising $15 cut and trims, where I won't leave the driveway for less than $25 so that'll take a bit to get many customers I think. I'll be buying an aerator (my friend who does the contruction landscaping keeps getting calls for one, but doesn't want to get into that) and maybe a large brush trimmer. I can see the 27" vac getting some good use in the fall too.

 

[Vervepipes]

Things have slowed right down in the last few months. Ive repaired a few simple repairs and am probably near 40 mowers sold this year, my used parts store has been getting one or two sales per week. It isnt much but it keeps bylaw off of my back and I can write the expense of the storage off anyways. This time of the year sales almost come to a halt anyways. Even the lawn mowing side of the business is a flop this year but I'll try hard to gain contracts next year since I started late this year. I also have the billy goat 27 inch vacuum to get me some work in a few months, so hopefully that works out. Tomorrow I also go to pick up a used Toro proline 36 inch mower, decent looking for the price they want. The good thing is that this is a side venture, so I have something else bringing in income.