repair or replace 6 year old lawnmower?

[robbase]

I have a 6 year old self propelling lawnmower. Unfortunately today it stopped self propelling, other than that it works fine.

Would you recommend I look at repairing it at a shop or should I just get a new one (what is a normal lifespan for a lawnmower?)?

thanks

[Tiny]

My old lawnmower is 29 years old and still running (gave it to my brother as he's got more lawn than I currently have). I bought a new mower to go with my 'new' house with a smaller lawn - I bought one that was smaller and lighter.

I would get the 6 year old mower fixed - and if you haven't changed the oil, air filter, spark plug and maybe had the blade sharpened - I'd have that done too. Those last things are something you should do yearly or ever other year at the least.

[Savoir Faire-Demogague in NJ]

My first reaction is how much will it cost to repair the unit...and what is the cost of a brand new one.

[debtheaven]

If that happened to us we would take it to our garden center and get an estimate, and then make the decision. I'm assuming the estimate would be free though, it would be here.

ETA: I would get the 6 year old mower fixed - and if you haven't changed the oil, air filter, spark plug and maybe had the blade sharpened - I'd have that done too. Those last things are something you should do yearly or ever other year at the least.


I agree, DH does all of that himself (except for sharpening the blade). But I have no clue whether a new spark plug could fix the self-propelling issue, I'm guessing not.

[tskeeter]

rob, the last Toro self propelled mower I had was driven by a belt. If the belt has broken or come off a pulley, it should be about $10 - $15 to get a new belt. A lot cheaper than buying a new mower. Even if you take it in and have a repair shop replace a belt, the cost of the belt and 15 minutes or so to install it would be a lot less than a new mower.

[katedenorm]

If it's a good mower and you can find the parts - fix it.
BF's mower is 15 + years old and all of our neighbors covet it. One neighbor even bought a POS one of the same make and close to the same year. He's put probably $250 into parts, but just loves the fact that he has it. Remember - they don't make anything like they used to.

[tskeeter]

Could be as simple as a loose set screw that holds a pulley to a drive shaft. Why spend hundreds of precious dollars on a new mower just cause you've got a screw loose? (Sorry, couldn't resist!)

[katedenorm]

Also - if your yard is flat, do you need it to self-propel? If it still cuts, consider it a little extra workout. ;D

[Sharon]

My lawn mower is about 20 years old. I take it in to be serviced every couple of years and it runs like a champ.

[DVM gone riding]

in some cases I could see it wouldn't be worth it but in other cases I think you could fix it, I have my 6 yr old lawnmower to BF, but it was 100 mower. I bought a 300 mower and would do more to fix it if it has an issue.

[robbase]

if you haven't changed the oil, air filter, spark plug and maybe had the blade sharpened - I'd have that done too

I do that stuff myself (except I have not sharpened the blade); also since it does not self propell, it actually has resistance now when it is pushed. I had no idea the self propel thingee worked off a belt, I think I will have it looked at first, thanks

[robbase]

if you haven't changed the oil, air filter, spark plug and maybe had the blade sharpened - I'd have that done too

I do that stuff myself (except I have not sharpened the blade); also since it does not self propell, it actually has resistance now when it is pushed. I had no idea the self propel thingee worked off a belt, I think I will have it looked at first, thanks

[rileyoday]

put your make and model in a search for belt replacement. you might find a video and get an idea if you can do it yourself.

[cronewitch]

I bought a excellent mower that not only self propels but also keeps running when you go empty the grass bag. My boyfriend loves it so almost always mows for me but sometimes I mow a little when he is hauling away the grass. Since I paid about $750 for my mower I would have it fixed. If I had a $200 mower I would buy a $750 mower.

[jeffreymo]

Lawnmower repairs are surprisingly cheap in my experience. I'd spend the 30-40 bucks to fix it rather than buy a new at $300.
I've got a Toro that is 4 years old. I want it to last at least 10 years, and then I may go out and buy a Honda or a riding mower depending on how big our yard will be (if we move).

[2kids10horses]

I have a 18 year old Honda Masters self propelled lawnmower. The hydrostatic drive is kinda on the fritz, so I've got to take it to the shop. It works, but it moves REALLLLL SSLLLLOOOOWWWW.

LOL!

That was a $750 lawnmower, and it still works great, present issue excepting. Once I get it into the shop, I'm sure it will be just fine!

[olderburgher]

Our 8 or more year old Honda mower from Home Depot would definitely get a repair. It has been great. Every 3 years or so it goes "into the shop" at a local place for a spring tune up on engine, blade wheels transmission and comes back to run another 3 years.

[rovo]

robbase, Why not just list the make and model here so we can try to find the solution to your problem. Also, can you be more specific on symptoms.

[TD2K]

It all depends what is needed. I had a weedwhacker that wouldn't run so I took it in. The shop said it wasn't worth it to work on it. The charged to take a look at it and come up with an estimate which I can understand since that takes time. Then there would be the repair costs (time and labor) and at the price of a new weedwhacker it just didn't make sense.

[robbase]

I just dropped it off at the shop, the belt slipped off. They will check if it needs replacing, but the problem is the belt, so it seems easy, thanks all. I was really surprised to hear a lawn mower could last that long as some of you indicated. Thanks again.

Rob Base rockin' the place

[robbase]

total cost was $20 at the repair shop!! Thanks all