Rant: freakin lawnmowers.

Every time I turn around I'm breaking something on them. It's highly, highly frustrating.

Today, I managed to catch the left front tire on a retaining wall I got a hair too close to, and the cheapo stamped steel spindle lived up to its name. Folded up like origami.

Managed to mow the rest of the front yard with comical amounts of toe out, mower wouldn't/won't turn any tighter than about a 10' circle right now.

Oh well, at least Sears stocks parts.

:(

(Feel free to mock me: operator error 70% + crappy part 30% = irritated Jake 100%)

Nuttin to add,

so this is obviously outta the question

Long before I ever owned a riding mower, I heard a respected co-worker giving advice to someone else about buying a lawn tractor. He said, "Just make sure you get one with a cast iron front axle." I heeded that advice when I bought my Deere, and I've been happy with that purchase.

1988RedT2 wrote: Long before I ever owned a riding mower, I heard a respected co-worker giving advice to someone else about buying a lawn tractor. He said, "Just make sure you get one with a cast iron front axle." I heeded that advice when I bought my Deere, and I've been happy with that purchase.

Ya but if you do enough wheelies with your Cub Cadet... you can still break those also...

In reply to ronholm:

Luckily I haven't yet, I just need to replace the deck belt every year thanks to an ungodly amount of rocks and roots.

Thats why I dont mow my lawn Then again I have no lawn. Just lots and lots of trees and natural vegetation.

This is what I have. I somehow cracked the block in half where the cylider is at. Replaced it with a newer, updated engine from the same family. Hit a hidden block of concrete and literaly snapped the con-rod at the big end. Swaped the con-rod and piston from bad engine block, just to see I had the(edit) ring (/edit) gaps on the wrong side, burns oil bad. But, when I pulled the head, I snapped the top bolt off in the block. Have left it since. I got mad.

I was given a Toro Wheelhorse that needed a fuel pump and a carburetor cleaning. I've been using it hard and putting it up wet since I got it. I don't expect any problems at all out of it. Right now, it has 250 hours on it. While it was a pain to get running, it's been excellent since I've worked out the kinks from sitting for so long.

I don't know what it is, but I've lived a past life as a lawn service helper. I've bent one spindle, and that was due to a pot hole that was overgrown. I would love if my luck continues.

I waste a significant amount of car time, fixing, maintaining, and sharpening. But the wife mows so it's OK.

Given the amount of $$$ and TIME mowing takes, I've wondered if paying for a lawn service wouldn't be cheaper... at least with regards to my g/f's 1/2 acre of grass... and PITA Troy Bilt mower that has been giving me fits over the past few weeks... I've become far too adept at R&R'ing the deck on that damn thing than I ever cared to be...

At my own house, I have a small enough lawn that I can get away with a cheap push mower. I buy the cheapest one I can find. Don't touch it for years (other than gas) and buy a new one at THD when it blows up.

Anyway... I feel your pain...

My Forrest Gump mower was having fuel issues, which I diagnosed to a tiny rubber fitting within the needle valve assembly. Doh! So I had to find a obscure part for a 35 year old motor from a company that went out of business long ago (Tecumseh).

Thankfully, Al Gore invented the internet and I was able to find it in less than 5 minutes.

OK, not an exact match. But close.