The Lawnmower Thread

[Master slacker]

Air filter tip of the day. Take out the foam or paper element and stretch panty hose over the part that is exposed from the filter box. Most of the sticky dust and dirt will stick to it making for easier cleanup

 

[MA_PE]

Air filter tip of the day. Take out the foam or paper element and stretch panty hose over the part that is exposed from the filter box. Most of the sticky dust and dirt will stick to it making for easier cleanup

or buy a new one for $3

 

[knight1fox3]

I have a Craftsman. Oil/filter/plug change every year. Generally starts up on the first pull. Though it's a newer model with the "easy start" blue handle pull-start.

 

[Master slacker]

Never changed oil or air filter in my craftsman mower. Never a problem starting even after 7 years.

 

[knight1fox3]

^ ah the "enthusiast".

 

[Dexman PE PMP]

Wait, mowers need more than just gas to run? I haven't touched anything on mine since the day I bought it several years ago, and it still starts by the 3rd pull every time...

 

[Supe]

With cleaned air filter, started on third pull after sitting a week. And that was on top of grass, not a bare surface.

 

[knight1fox3]

Does anyone replace the blade and/or have it sharpened at all? I think I read somewhere that every other year was a good rule of thumb to either replace it or have it sharpened. Just curious.

 

[snickerd3]

we sharpen every other year but we had to replace the blades last season due to all the damage the tree roots sticking out of the ground did.

 

[Supe]

I will sharpen periodically. I find it helps if you're mulching instead of bagging.

 

[matt267 PE]

I sharpen the blade from time to time. If it has any big dings in it I'll replace.

 

[snickerd3]

universal blades that you can find at the local hardware store don't fit john deere equipment BTW...we had to go to a john deere store to buy replacement blades becasue they put a special feature that prevents non-branded blades from fitting into place. so the price basicaly doubled too.

 

[akwooly]

I buy my John Deere blades on amazon. Cheaper than the Deere dealer. But still more expensive than the universal 42" blades.

 

[snickerd3]

I buy my John Deere blades on amazon. Cheaper than the Deere dealer.

we might do that next time.

 

[MA_PE]

I have replaced the blade on my Craftsman a couple of times. For ~$12 for a new blade, I just don't bother trying to sharpen the old one.

 

[Dexman PE PMP]

I'll spend 30 minutes at least once a year with a file resharpening the blade. No set schedule, just when I think it's not cutting very well.

 

[ventilator]

I'll sharpen my blades and replace the oil each year around march when the grass starts growing again.

 

[Lumber Jim]

I sharpen the three blades on our mower a couple of times a year. I usually get a new set once a year. Sharp blades allow me to cut faster through the thick areas of our yard. Unfortunately, our yard isn't completely covered with thick grass so the mower finds some sand, dirt, and rocks that do a number on the sharp edges. I just had to order new blades this year because the local fleet supply doesn't carry the correct blades any more and the hole size isn't generic on a simplicity Zero-turn. Therefore, $21 per blade... They get stamped in the same plant as the generic blades but somehow the .0625" large hole makes them "special"... ldman:

I use my angle grinder with a sanding wheel for sharpening:

Only takes about 5 minutes a blade and works great... A slightly steeper edges seems to work better than the factory edges.

Yes, I am an engineer that has over thought this entire process...

 

[Master slacker]

Never changed oil or air filter in my craftsman mower. Never a problem starting even after 7 years.

Does anyone replace the blade and/or have it sharpened at all? I think I read somewhere that every other year was a good rule of thumb to either replace it or have it sharpened. Just curious.

Never sharpened or replaced my blade either.

Starting the 8th year of lawn mowing St. Augustine grass, (assumptions follow) 8 months per year of use, 1 use per week, for a grand total of 243 uses and nary a problem with starting, running, or cutting.

 

[Road Guy]

So today I decided the back yard needed a little trim before winter... My 11 year old got about half way done when a piece of the housing ( say 2 " square) breaks and shoots across the yard. It almost made me drop the beer while I was supervising the lawn mowing...

It's a 7 or 8 year old push mower... I'm actually thinking about ordering or acquiring a replacement motor and housing for a fun winter project?

My grandfather would be proud of me if I decide to rebuild a law mower instead of just goring out the $399 to get a new one?

Any idea what would make it do that in the first place?