Thought for discussion if anybody is interested

[pugaltitude]

The problem with machinery is if they are not setup properly at pdi.
Consumers buy lawnmowers from big supermarket type stores at a cheap price but in a box.
They take it home, fit the handles the wrong way, add the wrong oil or no oil and usually the wrong fuel ie old fuel with no stabliser.
The engine runs rough, the machine dosent drive properly and customer then blames that brand.
Also with the engine running rough they think its a warranty when if they bought from a dealer they "should" be advised accordingly.

My hate is chainsaws from same as above.
They attempt to fit bar and chain and iv seen all different ways they do it.
Chainsaws should only be sold by dealers imo due to they are dangerous equipment.

 

[lawn mower fanatic]

The problem with machinery is if they are not setup properly at pdi.
Consumers buy lawnmowers from big supermarket type stores at a cheap price but in a box.
They take it home, fit the handles the wrong way, add the wrong oil or no oil and usually the wrong fuel ie old fuel with no stabliser.
The engine runs rough, the machine dosent drive properly and customer then blames that brand.
Also with the engine running rough they think its a warranty when if they bought from a dealer they "should" be advised accordingly.

Yeah that's a good point!

 

[midnite rider]

The problem with machinery is if they are not setup properly at pdi.
Consumers buy lawnmowers from big supermarket type stores at a cheap price but in a box.
They take it home, fit the handles the wrong way, add the wrong oil or no oil and usually the wrong fuel ie old fuel with no stabliser.
The engine runs rough, the machine dosent drive properly and customer then blames that brand.
Also with the engine running rough they think its a warranty when if they bought from a dealer they "should" be advised accordingly.

My hate is chainsaws from same as above.
They attempt to fit bar and chain and iv seen all different ways they do it.
Chainsaws should only be sold by dealers imo due to they are dangerous equipment.

Every box has a book enclosed labeled instructions that if followed would prevent 99% of these problems.:2cents:

 

[pugaltitude]

Every box has a book enclosed labeled instructions that if followed would prevent 99% of these problems.:2cents:

Yes but the translation on the instructions can be confusing. Not all customers are mechanically minded
Briggs had problems with engine seizures for a while when machines bought from a box because the insructions read "top up oil".
Customers assumed there was oil in there and then the engines would seize and they thought this was warranty.
Also they buy the wrong spec of oil from supermarkets and again when something go's wrong they expect warranty.
Buy from your local dealer and give them your money.

 

[MowerMike]

Every box has a book enclosed labeled instructions that if followed would prevent 99% of these problems.:2cents:

Not necessarily. The instructions that came with my Husqvarna 7021P push mower with the Honda GCV160 gas engine was full of serious errors and omissions that if followed would have surely ruined the engine. The instructions said to measure the oil level with the dipstick screwed in, which would have underfilled the crankcase, since the proper method is to do it without screwing the dipstick into the engine. The instructions said to change the oil every 25 hours with no mention of the important initial break in oil change after the first 5 hours of use. The instructions said to replace the spark plug with an NGK BPR6ES, which is the wrong (colder) heat range and is meant only for use in pressure washers. The correct plug is an NGK BPR5ES, which is hotter. Fortunately, the Honda engine instructions were also included, but I suspect most owners would not bother to read it and just read the Husqvarna manual.

 

[Ric]

The reality is that people who buy from a big box store like Home depot think there getting a deal when in reality they could buy the machine from the dealer, have it set up and explained to them the correct procedure for operation and maintenance for the same price or cheaper.
Now I do agree in the instruction manual that if followed would prevent 99% of these problems. Imo if a person isn't smart enough to read that manual, he isn't smart enough to have the machine in the first place.

They have something for those type of people

There called a LAWN-CARE BUSINESS
​

 

[Ric]

Not necessarily. The instructions that came with my Husqvarna 7021P push mower with the Honda GCV160 gas engine was full of serious errors and omissions that if followed would have surely ruined the engine. The instructions said to measure the oil level with the dipstick screwed in, which would have underfilled the crankcase, since the proper method is to do it without screwing the dipstick into the engine. The instructions said to change the oil every 25 hours with no mention of the important initial break in oil change after the first 5 hours of use. The instructions said to replace the spark plug with an NGK BPR6ES, which is the wrong (colder) heat range and is meant only for use in pressure washers. The correct plug is an NGK BPR5ES, which is hotter. Fortunately, the Honda engine instructions were also included, but I suspect most owners would not bother to read it and just read the Husqvarna manual.

I went through the same thing with the Honda manuals. As well as some others like Briggs and Stratton and Kohler, they all do the same things with there manuals. What you have to remember is that the manuals are set up for as many as three or four different engines. You'll find all the information for your mower there, checking oil, spark plug replacement will be there and it will be correct.

You stated the instructions said to measure the oil level with the dipstick screwed in, which would have under-filled the crankcase, since the proper method is to do it without screwing the dipstick into the engine. That would be true on some models but not all. The Kohler engines for example depending on the dipstick whether it's a screw in type or a push in can make a difference on how it and the oil should be checked.

 

[MowerMike]

I went through the same thing with the Honda manuals. As well as some others like Briggs and Stratton and Kohler, they all do the same things with there manuals. What you have to remember is that the manuals are set up for as many as three or four different engines. You'll find all the information for your mower there, checking oil, spark plug replacement will be there and it will be correct.

You stated the instructions said to measure the oil level with the dipstick screwed in, which would have under-filled the crankcase, since the proper method is to do it without screwing the dipstick into the engine. That would be true on some models but not all. The Kohler engines for example depending on the dipstick whether it's a screw in type or a push in can make a difference on how it and the oil should be checked.

The manual is meant only for the model 7021P with the Honda GCV160 engine and not other models with different engines, such as the model 6021P with the Kohler engine. So, this manual is completely incorrect for this model and does not pertain to other models.

 

[midnite rider]

Sometimes you can't fix stupid. :laughing::laughing:

 

[slumlord]

I will use plumbing as an example for lawn equipment to illustrate the point. Delta made a heck of a good single handle kitchen faucet. 20 years ago,they cost about 90 bucks at a wholesale plumbing supply store,and you could buy them for 30% less at ace hardware or the big box stores.

The ones you paid top dollar had better components inside where it counts. Stainless steel instead of plastic inside made the difference. The customer usually got ten years out of a valve pack without leaking. My Delta faucet is going close to 20 years without any more than a few bucks for replacement washers. Using silicone plumbers grease for assembly[proper maintenance] also pays dividends.

The engines are different at the box stores as well. The engine numbers from a Briggs or Tecumseh are different from the box stores than the small dealer who sells that brand to the customer .I strongly suspect that there is a similarity to my kitchen faucet,no?