Normal Lifespan of Consumer Lawnmower

tplyons · #1 08-08-2010, 04:42 PM

I've got a six year old lawn mower and have done maintenance regularly. Only problem is parts are becoming hard to come by.

Things are starting to break and parts aren't easy to find. But what's the expected lifespan of a consumer lawnmower with regular maintenance? Yes, they CAN last forever I'm sure, but what's average/normal?

Mine's a Craftsman with a 22" deck and 7.0HP Briggs & Stratton engine. Yearly tuneups done by yours truly.

**embellisher** · #2 08-08-2010, 09:18 PM

Parts are hard to find, even online? I have some cruddy brand I bought at Home Depot about 10 years ago that I still use. I have been able to get most of my parts at the local small engine shop, and the ones that they didn't have (or wanted way too much for) I got online.

mike_v_s · #3 08-08-2010, 09:23 PM

Like everything, they just aren't what they used to be. My old man had a mower so long the wheels were worn smooth (20+ years, if I recall). Now, if mine died tomorrow at 4 years old I'd put it on the curb and buy another.

Mike

elgecko · #4 08-08-2010, 09:30 PM

I have a corded Craftsman electric that didn't even make 2 years. Luckily, I bought the extended warranty! Took it back and they fixed it good as new. Well worth the extra money!

DRafalske · #5 08-09-2010, 06:29 AM

I'd say you're looking at 10 years on average. Mine is in it's 11th season (Poulan Pro, Briggs 6.5hp) and probably won't see a 12th. It knocks and smokes, but starts every time. I'm just waiting for it to quit.
My weed eater (Homelite 1/4 hp) just went t/u a couple weeks ago after leaking sparkly oil out of the crankcase for 2 seasons, but hey, it was an $80 weed eater and I got 10 years out of it. Not bad, IMO.
Oh, and I won't buy another Briggs powered mower. The next one is going to have to be Honda powered.
D

invader3k · #6 08-09-2010, 06:44 AM

I inherited a Toro lawnmower from my uncle. Every other year, I get it fully serviced. I don't bother doing that every single year, as my lawn isn't that big and only takes about 20 minutes to mow. So the mower is probably at least 6 years old, probably closer to 10 and still kicking.

hover · #7 08-09-2010, 06:57 AM

I piss through briggs motors like they're going out of style, and I have a 30 minute mow. It's ridiculous. I check the oil all the time, put in decent gas, stabil in the winter, and SOMETHING always goes. Be it the magneto or some other lame stuff. Thing is shedded all winter and dry.

I'll either get a reel mower next or a Honda powered. Only thing with reel mowers is finding someone that can / willing to sharpen them...my yard is flat and clean, but still...oiling the blades will only carry you so long...

CrashClint · #8 08-09-2010, 07:24 AM

I have a 35 year old Craftsman push mower I inherited from my parents about 25 years ago. For the past 25 years and just like my cars I have used Mobil 1 5w-30 oil. I will put a little Seafoam in the tank at the end of the season so the gas doesn't degrade and it keeps the carburetor bowl clean. I sharpen and balance my blades once a year. I have noticed the new blades are a lot lighter and do not last nowhere near as long as the old ones.

My neighbor bought a brand new lawnmower, hit part of a small rotten stump and bent the crankshaft. I have hit things with mine in the past and with the old blade I would shear the shear pin between the crank and flywheel, with the new blades it just bends the blade.

As for maintenance I change the oil and spark plug every year and normally replace the points and condenser every two to three years if needed. It is still running on the original magneto. I have 10 sets of points and condenser sitting on my shelf just in case, but they are still readily available.

tplyons · #9 08-09-2010, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by embellisher

Parts are hard to find, even online? I have some cruddy brand I bought at Home Depot about 10 years ago that I still use. I have been able to get most of my parts at the local small engine shop, and the ones that they didn't have (or wanted way too much for) I got online.

Yep, Craftsman has their parts website but half of the items aren't available for my mower. It looks like they tried something new, realized it sucks, and discontinued everything about it.

I've spent time digging through parts diagrams, manuals, etc. but the exact piece I need doesn't exist. I may have to jerry rig something to get it through this season and curb it after the first snowfall.

And CrashClint, I've noticed the same thing... blades are getting super thin. First stump I hit (which I hit every year with the older blades with no problem, bent my new one in half... so I sharpened up the old one to get another few months out of it until I curb the best)

hdracer · #10 08-09-2010, 03:35 PM

I just walked outside and asked the lawn service guys how long their mowers last. The first guy acted like I was speaking english or something, the other guy said they get about two years out of their Honda's. That's not bad considering they run them 8+ hours a day 6 days a week.

i_got_a_mohawk · #11 08-09-2010, 03:57 PM

My folks have had a Toro mower for years and years (must be at least 10), certainly not showing any signs of quitting in the near future.

I think the conditions in which you store the mower will probably have an impact on the life span, ie if you have a really damp garage or whatnot.

Pilgrim · #12 08-09-2010, 05:17 PM

Depends a lot on the brand of mower. Craftsman is not the top of the heap. Toro and Lawn-Boy are up there.

We have a late 80's/early 90's Lawn-Boy self-propelled walk-behind. It has aisde discharge, but we normally use it in mulching mode. This tough little sucker mowed grass every week for 8 months a year when we lived in central Texas, and has continued mowing the grass for at least 4 months a year since we moved to Colorado in 1998. it has performed magnificently. When we're done mowing the lawn, we stick a bag on it and use the bag to collect leaves when they fall from the trees.

ALL I have done in addition to sharpening the blade, cleaning the air filter and putting a couple of spark plugs in it (and I mean two in 15+ years of heavy use) is one service call for a failed ignition module. No carb problems, no drive problems. I've replaced one other piece - the guide for the pull-handle to start the mower.

Aside from that, it has worked flawlessly for nearly two decades.

I've heard that new Lawn-Boy mowers aren't as durable, but that's the story you get about everything.

I sold a Craftsman to get the Lawn-Boy. Why? Because the Craftsman was self-propelled with the front wheels, and every time I jammed a wheel against something the metal drive gears tore up the plastic inside of the front wheel. I was replacing a couple of drive wheels a year at $15 a wheel.

The Lawn-Boy is driven with the rear wheels - which is actually much easier to manage while mowing - and I've had zero problems with the drive mechanism.

I've heard that the Honda line is good, but if you take your time and read online reviews you get a rather mixed bag of opinions on just about every mower out there. We tried Honda this year and the motor froze up. Huh. I know I'm not turning loose of that old Lawn-Boy any time soon.