Mower Shaft Replacement?

silentcrow · #1 04/26/08, 05:34 PM

I received 2 mowers in the last 2 days intended for scrap. One was only used once. The people said the shaft was bent or broken from hitting big rocks. I checked the newer one and the blade doesn't spin at all (frozen/locked up) and the pull cord doesn't pull. Is this fixable? Is it worth the time, effort or money if it is? Thank you for any info and/or advise.

arabian knight · #2 04/26/08, 05:46 PM

The one that has the bent shaft probably not because that is the crank shaft as well so that will take a complete tear down and way to much for replacement parts and such,
But the one that is frozen try this. take the plug out and squirt quite a bit of WD40 in. That will if the piston is seized may free it up. Let it sit for a day or so and see if that will free up things. If not that one is also junk. Because of the price for parts etc.
Gee at lawnlower places most of them have trade-ins for 75 bucks to 125 bucks for used ones. That Work~! And have been checked out.

Windy in Kansas · #3 04/26/08, 06:13 PM

If it were me I would investigate to make sure the mowers are indeed as they seem.

Is the locked up mower a self propelled one? Might be something other than engine if so.

silentcrow · #4 04/27/08, 07:49 AM

No, the locked up one isn't self propelled. The shaft looked straight on it. I haven't checked the other to see if it's actually bent, or frozen like the first. Could the shaft be bent or broken up inside the engine? My old push mower has hit many rocks that were hidden (some were decent sized) but it only damaged the blade. I replaced that last year, but if I could somehow fix one or both of these "junk" mowers, the mowing could get done faster....Ever try to push mow 3+ acres?

Sand Flat Bob · #5 04/27/08, 12:36 PM

If I had to push mow 3 acres, I would get some goats or at least a cow. And put in a 1 wire electric with step in posts.

Bob

gone-a-milkin · #6 04/27/08, 03:09 PM

I learned the hard way about driving my expensive mower over rocks..you sure CAN bend the driveshaft doing that! The mower was harder and harder to start, then started vibrating very badly...up until the deckbolt holes stripped clean thru! the motor is only about 12 hours used, but it is junk.

I had the Briggs and Stratton guys look at it, it was still under warranty...they said that it was MY FAULT so no replacement. They also (quietly) said that the metal they use on these things "aint what it used to be".

Wendy (who is using a cheapy old pushmower on 1/2 acre of rocky hill in the Ozarks)