Why don't todays lawn mowers last longer?

[1971 plymouth roadrunner]

Oh thank God, it's not just me. Every time I try to mow my lawn, the motor starts to surge, then will eventually break down if mowing lawn in any "weather", grass longer than seven inches, or any sticks it runs over will get caught in the blades (which I have to sharpen every other month). When I finally got sick of the engine, and decided to investigate "Briggs & Straton, John Deere", it turns out the thing was almost totally made of cheap plastic, and was in no way up to the job that I expected it to be able to perform. I guess even with regular maintanence, these things are such crap that they will never be up to the job "mowing a half acre every other week", that my old mowers could perform

 

[krowbar]

Oh thank God, it's not just me. Every time I try to mow my lawn, the motor starts to surge, then will eventually break down if mowing lawn in any "weather", grass longer than seven inches, or any sticks it runs over will get caught in the blades (which I have to sharpen every other month). When I finally got sick of the engine, and decided to investigate "Briggs & Straton, John Deere", it turns out the thing was almost totally made of cheap plastic, and was in no way up to the job that I expected it to be able to perform. I guess even with regular maintanence, these things are such crap that they will never be up to the job "mowing a half acre every other week", that my old mowers could perform

If you're mowing grass 7" or more, maybe you should invest in a brush hog. lol. I bought a Cub Cadet from Tractor Supply about 6 or 7 years ago. 46" Koehler 20+hp. Its starting to smoke a little from the oil dripping onto the exhaust. Starter needs a tapping with the hammer every so often ( freewheels ). I HATE that stupid reverse mow button. Knock on wood.....Its held up fairly descent. I mow about once a week. Probably 9-10 months a year. It was about $2000. We are a throw away society now....mowers,appliances,bikes,furniture,cars. We are all DOOMED.

 

[moparcanuck]

Planned obsolescence so you buy more lawnmowers.

 

[super-bee_ski]

I got a Honda walk behind mover a few years ago & it's the best one that I've owned. They're expensive (about $750.00) compared to a Toro, but I've come to realize that you get what you pay for.

I have that mower also,
My "gal" loves it so much...SHE CUTS tHE GRASS!

It starts on the first pull.
I change the oil 2X per season but YES...
Some mowers are not made as well.

All mowers are NOT created equal.

 

[Gpuller]

I bought a 1993 425 All-Wheel Steer John Deere in '02 with 300hrs on it, turned over 1072hrs this summer. Only thing other than oil, filters and blades I've replaced was a steering cylinder. Cylinder was $200. I'm real happy with it.

My brother is the parts manager at the local John Deere dealer. He can even get parts for the Home Depot mowers. Only thing Deere on those is the paint and decals.

 

[snakeyes]

things older than me never failed me.

 

[barnfind]

It seems everything is disposable now to include vehicles, its cost effective in someone's eyes. Bringing the customer back more frequently than ever before. I picked up a riding sears model that lasted a week before I returned it! It smoked and the muffler fried out (burned a valve) I exchanged it for the husky model that has been working great. For my rentals I use the cheap MTDs pushers (on close out) and get 2-3 years of abuse on them. Then replace with new. Anything green is popular out this way, but they don't come cheap. Again, you get what you pay for these days! I've noticed any fridge we get lately has gone the same way

 

[elephantengine]

I can answer your question in 3 words. MADE IN CHINA

 

[Cranky]

And PLEASE do to take a hose to your mower right after you use it! Think of the hot bearings when you’re spraying cold water on it. they just suck the water right in.

- - - Updated - - -Not sure if it's because of the hot bearings or putting it up wet but I quit hosing my stuff off right after using them too because of bearings going bad so fast and they all showed signs of water damage. Even my front wheel bearings did too and they don't get hot. I'm sure it's because of the dust caps not being water tight. Now they only get a blow job from the leaf blower.

And I don't know about everything being junk. My 95 Dakota is still kicking and so is the 97 Diesel and 2000 Durango....but would I buy a brand new car today? Probably not.
Bought my 84 Gravely garden tractor in 88 and the Toro 20" in new in 86. I just now took the carb off the Toro because the primer plunger disintegrated but other than that, it was running good. The Gravely has had some maintenance work including a new PTO clutch which was a pita to do. It has a low/high range 4 speed forward AND reverse and everything had to come out to get to the clutch. Other than new bearings in the deck and front wheels, that's all I've done to it. It was mowing 1 1/2 acres plus box bladed a full 1/2 acre. Sold off a 1/2 so I don't do that plus the 1/4 acre easement anymore. It moves my trailers around too. I does a nice wheelie with the 16 footer on it . It has a 16 horse single all cast iron and it still runs great.

 

[Budnicks]

Planned obsolescence so you buy more lawnmowers.

exactly, they need to sell more product... if they made it too good, they wouldn't sell anymore

- - - Updated - - -

things older than me never failed me.View attachment 149013

Snakeyes that ol' thing looks like work there...LOL... I did many a lawn in my early days for car money, near 40 years ago now, I used one of those on something like 20 lawns a week... I'm sweating just thinking about it or looking at that ol' manual push mower...

- - - Updated - - -

I did have an old "Made in the USA Craftsman 20" self propelled mower" {they're made in China crap now}, that old mower lasted for maybe 20 years, I kept the blade sharpened, the oil changed & took the carb bowl off every winter & cleaned out the fuel tank/lines & carb bowl... It was worked pretty hard too, on a couple of big lawns in 1st Concord & then in Rancho Murieta about a 1/2 acre once a week, in areas or communities where you have to have a perfect manicured yard, to keep up with the Jones's & other city dwellers...LOL...before I moved here... I gave it away & it still runs great... I have no lawn now, thank goodness & near maintenance free yards & will keep it that way... I spend more time on stuff I actually enjoy doing, instead of mowing & trimming around lawns every damn week end...

 

[Moparsmitty]

I bought a 1993 425 All-Wheel Steer John Deere in '02 with 300hrs on it, turned over 1072hrs this summer. Only thing other than oil, filters and blades I've replaced was a steering cylinder. Cylinder was $200. I'm real happy with it.

My brother is the parts manager at the local John Deere dealer. He can even get parts for the Home Depot mowers. Only thing Deere on those is the paint and decals.

Your brother would know that to get a good new JD lawn tractor you have to buy an X series tractor at your John Deere dealer. Bring plenty of $$$$$$ with you. They start at about 10K. You can't buy a real JD at Lowes or Home Depot.

 

[69PLYRRUNNER]

I was the hardest thing on my dad's mowers. As soon as I was old enough to mow it was my job. It was his to keep them running and fix what I tore up as a kid. He believed in Snappers. Still has one that is over 30 yrs old that he uses to "mow the rough stuff". About 10 years ago he scraped his old Snapper and bought a Cub Cadet. Last winter he rebuilt the motor d/t burning oil. I agree with a lot of the above statements, in that things are not made to last. So you have to decide if you go cheap and replace often. Or spend the extra and hope for the best. But no matter you have to maintain them to make them last. As for me it's John Deere Green I have an 1986 185 Hydro that was moved to back up in favor of X500.

 

[coronet340]

I buy my mowers on Craigslist throw in a new plug. figure 50 bucks for 2 or so years. And I don't feel bad when the blade finds a rock.

 

[HYRDGOON]

I bought a cheaper mower with a Honda engine and it's help up strong for 5 years now with no issues. My snowblower I went Briggs and Stratton from Sears and it's been fantastic too,

I'm heartbroken my Dad's roto-tiller finally died though after 49 years! lol He got to the point of having to pull the plug and clean it off after every return pass in the Garden but just wouldn't let it go! If I had the extra $$ I would have it completely rebuilt and refurbished for him!