Last week when Tom was using the self-propelled Toro mower he said it wasn't working right. "This thing needs service," he said. I forgot about it until yesterday/ I hadn't planned on mowing at all - it's been much too hot and wet - but I decided mid-afternoon that I had no choice.
I quickly found what he was talking about. When the mower is pulled backwards it makes a ratcheting sound. It does sound a bit serious. But at least mowing forward things seemed to work reasonably well.
So I called my service guy and he said he'd be by this morning with his truck and pick them up.
Then I switched to the John Deere lawn tractor - something I've had no recent trouble with - and got the sides of the yard mowed. But while I was mowing around the henhouse, it began to cough and sputter and sound like it was running out of gas. I headed for the garage. I didn't make it.
The last dozen yards I had to push it and pull it (with a rope) as a thunderstorm approached from the southwest. I got it into the cover of the garage but I think every muscle in my chest is strained.
That's a frame from one of our security cams of us loading the mowers into Jay's truck. He said he's buried in work but will try to get to them next Monday.
In the meantime, I'm having a neighbor's teenage son mow our back yard (which I didn't get to at all). It's about half an acre and I plan on paying him $40. That sound seasonable to me, neither cheap nor extravagant. If I ever have him mow the whole yard, I'll offer $80.
So now to wait and see what this costs.
Later [07/01]: Jay returned the Toro but the JD is pretty much shot. The cam shaft broke internal to the mower and I'd need a new engine. Is it worth even putting a used one in a very old mower? I bought it used many years ago. And the mower was only produced for three years (2008-2010) so it is at least 15 years old.
Tom and I drove to Lowe's yesterday but they had none of the model I'm interested in (a John Deere S100). I suppose I'll drag my feet and order online. They say delivery and assembly is free. I'd pay over $2500 with tax so it bears some thinking.
In the meantime we'll mow the yard with the Toro. It's certainly not designed for an acre (nor am I in the heat) but it'll buy me some time.
It looks great mowed with the Toro ... but never again (if I can help it). We mow an acre and that's two much for two old men.
07/6: Bought a John Deere S100 at Lowe's today. They'll deliver for free this Friday. The mower will be assembled.
07/11: The mower was delivered at about 12:45 pm. They gave me a four hour window (9 am - 1 pm) and the text messages and e-mails were quite timely and accurate. One of the drivers called about 12:15 pm and said they'd be here "in about 45 minutes". That was a nice touch.
Now all I have to do is fill it with gas and read the manual Since I've used a JD rider for years it shouldn't be too different. I seer that there are different pedals for forward and reverse and that sure beats the way the old mower was put into reverse (with a small pedals you pulled backwards with your heal).
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