mdshaw
HalfDork
9/3/22 3:51 p.m.
After getting really tired of using my big Husqvarna weed eater with the chainsaw toothed blade on it to trim our pond banks, I think a simple lightweight mower would work great to keep them maintained.
I mentioned it to a friend & he tried the same twice & blew up both mowers. On steep slopes there is an oil starvation issue worse than a Subaru.
So I started looking for an old 2 stroke mower. They are nearly collectors items by the looks of the prices.
I found an Australian company that makes new vertical shaft 2 stroke mower motors for this purpose but shipping is expensive. I was sure some Chinese company would make one but can't find one.
Then I thought about a 150cc motor that is on eBay & Amazon. Would require running it in a vertical position which should only require rotating the carb. But then need a tank, exhaust & blade adaptation. The idea of a lightweight 10,000 rpm mower with a tuned expansion chamber would be awesome. Handle bars & twist throttle would be extra awesome.
Anybody have an old Lawnboy that they don't want collector money for?
I have one that I'm almost done rebuilding, but I'm in Pennsylvania.
Weed wack for an hour, dick with the motor for three.
Sounds like a good use case for a battery powered mower
mdshaw
HalfDork
9/3/22 5:44 p.m.
In reply to RacetruckRon :
Except when the blade dips in the ponds & water goes everywhere & takes out the motor.
mdshaw
HalfDork
9/3/22 5:45 p.m.
In reply to jimbob_racing :
Is it a Lawnboy or the Suzuki motor model?
Noddaz
PowerDork
9/3/22 6:02 p.m.
Anybody have an old Lawnboy that they don't want collector money for?
That would be me. But you are in Florida and I am in Maryland.
Or maybe you can find a used one of these. DR Pilot. Dang, it is 55 pounds!
In reply to mdshaw :
Hover mower might be what you are looking for. Quite popular in Europe for some reason, really only used around golf courses here in the states.
In reply to RacetruckRon :
I wasn't aware of these. Pretty cool.
I have a lawn boy that needs a rebuild I can drag to the challenge if you want a project.
In reply to singleslammer :
If he is not interested, I would me. And you go within a few miles of me on the way.
Lawnboy did also make mowers with Briggs engines hat painted green, but the two strokes are well worth a rebuild!
mdshaw
HalfDork
9/4/22 3:21 p.m.
In reply to singleslammer :
I would love it. I'll be there.
My high school had a hover mower back in the 70s to mow some of the steep slopes.
I will try and remember to throw it on the trailer. If you have something interesting to trade, lets do that. If not, whatever, it is less scrap I have to deal with! 
mdshaw
HalfDork
9/4/22 4:29 p.m.
In reply to singleslammer :
How about cash? I pm'd you my #. I can only make it Sunday.
Recently, there was a thread about vehicles powered by outboard motors. Lose the lower unit on an outboard and you could put a nifty mower blade on there! Might be a tad top-heavy for mower use.
Not sayin' it's a good idea. Just sayin'.
Back in the day my buddies made fun of these mowers. That front wheel is in a goofy spot and there's always a blue oil cloud above the lawn as you cut it.
Sell me on the finer points......
Datsun310Guy said:
Back in the day my buddies made fun of these mowers. That front wheel is in a goofy spot and there's always a blue oil cloud above the lawn as you cut it.
Sell me on the finer points......
The staggered wheels are for anti scalping. It also allows you to get really close to things on that right front corner. This one has an aluminum deck which will essentially last forever. The 2 stroke engine never needs an oil change, can cut on extreme angles without oil starvation and has no valves to adjust.
The only issue with them is if you don't use ashless oil, you'll get deposits which will clog the exhaust ports. They are easily cleaned with wooden dowel once you pull the blade and muffler off from under the deck.
If you have one of these, it will probably be the last lawnmower that you will ever buy. They really are that good
In reply to jimbob_racing :
I pulled one of those out of a dumpster and found a bolt jammed between the blade and deck (making it appear siezed). I removed the bolt, fuelled it, gave it to my parents, and it ran for years. I was irritated when they binned it: ran fine, but they wanted something newer. I'd buy another without thinking twice. The offset wheel simply works, and they run forever. Great deck, wheels with real bearings, etc.
My favorite mower since 1973. Push bulb primer works better than a choke, replace the bulb every 10 years. Self propelled mechanism works forever, adjustable when things wear in about 30 seconds. Remove the governor, just wire it for full throttle. The only problem is people forget to mix the oil and then it seizes up. Once it cools down you can usually break the rings loose and keep using but not after the second time.
