I need a new mower. What brand? Please chime in
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So, If I need to be in the market for a new walk behind mower, What do you all say is the best one for the price. I don't need anything fancy, just reliable.
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Well, after you get the final diagnosis on the LB, I would lean towards a Toro or Honda, I think. Now, that's just one persons opinion. Some other folks will probably chime in with their thoughts and ideas, so be sure to read what they all have to say. And don't count that Lawnboy out just yet...
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The 7268 is one of the best Lawnboys ever made. Fix it or get it fixed and it will last you another few decades. Keep us informed.
I never ran one, but just to compare and know whats out there in the market place I would check out a Hustler M-1.
Hustler Turf Products - Commercial - M-1
Hustler Turf Products - Commercial - M-1
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Okay all, It's just as expected. Tore down the Lawnboy 7268 and found the piston stuck in the cylinder. When it locked up, I forced the blade and broke the connector rod to the piston. What are my chances in getting the piston out without harming the walls and replacing the piston and having it run good again. I tried to pull the piston out by the rod but its pretty stuck. What do you think about hammering a dowel rod thru the spark plug hole? Here is a pic of my findings. Please respond with ideas! Thanks and this forum is GREAT!
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If it were mine, I would push the piston down and through the crankcase after using liberal Marvel Mystery Oil or transmission oil soaking it overnight.
Then you'll know just how bad the walls are. If you don't have I.D. bore gauges and the appropriate micrometer (not many of us do), you can salvage a piton ring, fill the ring gap with feeler gauges at the top of the cylinder wall, do the same at the bottom and make the determination of how much taper there is in the cylinder. If the taper isn't excessive, you may be able to clean it up with cylinder hones.
Yep, allot of work but saving the engine and re-ringing it may add years of new life to your machine.
Mark
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Like Mark777 said, soak it good with MMO and then try to drive the piston out. I bet a light hone job and new rings and con rod will get you going. Good Luck.
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If you need a new mower, look at the Toro super recycler. I did and it's a great mower.
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Ger a Snapper Hi-Vac. Solid mower, good power, durable!
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Good news and bad news...
I drove the piston out with a dowel rod thru the spark plug port. The cylinder wall feels and looks very smooth. I don't think there is any wall damage. The bad news is the piston is very scarred and there are nee\dle bearings all over. I guess I need a piston, rings, rod, bearings, etc.
See the pic of the piston. Talk soon...
I drove the piston out with a dowel rod thru the spark plug port. The cylinder wall feels and looks very smooth. I don't think there is any wall damage. The bad news is the piston is very scarred and there are nee\dle bearings all over. I guess I need a piston, rings, rod, bearings, etc.
See the pic of the piston. Talk soon...
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Well, I can fix you up with the piston, and rod. You might be able to salvage the rings on the piston I have, maybe not, but you probably would be best to get new ones. I'll get it on the way next week.
You might want to save that piston of yours. Would make a good Avatar!
You might want to save that piston of yours. Would make a good Avatar!
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Question,
Since the motor is taken apart, I plan on cleaning it up really good. When replacing the piston in the cylinder, do you oil it? Is it wiped down nice and clean? How do you prepare the cylinder? Never had to replace a piston before? Any advice would be appreciated.
Since the motor is taken apart, I plan on cleaning it up really good. When replacing the piston in the cylinder, do you oil it? Is it wiped down nice and clean? How do you prepare the cylinder? Never had to replace a piston before? Any advice would be appreciated.
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You might just want to give it an ever-so-light hone. I take mine to Autozone and they have a loaner that you can use for free. I put a little oil in the cylinder, put the hone on my cordless drill in the parking lot, and give it a few passes. When you get it home, it's a good idea to wash it with soap and water, dry it real well, then put a light film of 2 cycle or machine oil in there. When you put the piston in, I would put a bit of oil on it as well. The only harm you will do with too much oil is make a bit of smoke. That's better than a dry startup.
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Hey all,
I have ordered some parts for my LB. I'll keep you posted on the re-building. Thanks Brad! Sure hope I can get my baby running again! I have borrowed my in-laws self-propelled Toro (which is not a bad mower) but I am not used to all those safety levers you have to hold to keep the thing running! Yesterday cutting the grass, I was wanting to release the front self-propell, but let go of the wrong lever and she shut off. Who can up with the safety lever ideas. I sure dont like them! How about you? My old LB doesn't have any of those levers and all was working just fine! Happy cutting!
I have ordered some parts for my LB. I'll keep you posted on the re-building. Thanks Brad! Sure hope I can get my baby running again! I have borrowed my in-laws self-propelled Toro (which is not a bad mower) but I am not used to all those safety levers you have to hold to keep the thing running! Yesterday cutting the grass, I was wanting to release the front self-propell, but let go of the wrong lever and she shut off. Who can up with the safety lever ideas. I sure dont like them! How about you? My old LB doesn't have any of those levers and all was working just fine! Happy cutting!
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