The Curse

[wkshank]

Here's the fun I've been having with 2 pieces of equipment.

Anyone else having (not) this kind of fun with equipment?
Mower was bought new 5/1999.

1. Late 2000: Oil sump gasket lets go
on junk Tecumseh.

2. 5/10/2001: Oil sump gasket lets go again. Cheaper
($322.) to put on Briggs and Stratton then fix
Tecumseh.

3. 5/11/2001: Day after I pick up mower with the new
engine on it the drive system locks up on it. Run it
down to the shop. Frees up while they look at it and
can find nothing wrong.

4.5/15/2001: Use trimmer to knock down a bunch of tall
grass etc. and it's running fine. Go to do my
first yard the next day and the trimmer has no power.
To the shop I go AGAIN!!!!!!


5. 5/18/2001: Around 8 hrs. on new engine. Mowing a
yard and the engine dies. Run it down to the shop.
Says to check on it tommorrow. Intake valve backed off
so it wouldn't run. Got the trimmer back too. Dirty
fuel screen.

6. 5/25/2001: Drive system is binding up on me. Then
it only binds up on me if engine's not running and the
speed control is on fast. If on slow it locks up on
me. With engine running pushes fine.

7. 5/27/2001: Have four lawns to do today and all
caught up on my lawns from the rain. Just start the
second lawn and what do you think happens. Engine dies
and will not start. Gee I wonder if the intake valve
is out of adjustment. To the shop I go AGAIN on
Tuesday.

Bill

[Richard Martin]

I haven't had problems like that since I got rid of my homeowner machines back in '95.

[Atlantic Lawn]

Looks like it's time to invest in some new gear, get on the payment plan and make some money for yourself not the repair shop. I had an old junk car once, after puttin gobs of money in it a mechanic said "ya know we give cars like this away just so people bring em back to be fixxed".

[cos]

Just when you thought you had a bad day, think of this guy.



http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1513230&a=13034614&p=49316983&Sequence=0&res=high

[Rooster]

Cos,

Would you say Ouch or Fore!

[Toroguy]

wkshank,
You seem pretty calm for all the crap that has been happening. I would have been throwing stuff and swearing. I agree with Atlantic, its time for some upgrades.

Good luck

[ronslawncare]

that what im saying i once had to bring my trimmer back to my mechanic twice in one day i picked it up and flung it in the road.but it still works to this day probally even better now.but why i did it because broke down twice on the same lawn i was trying to do and i only had it for a little over a day and i thought i got taken for.so there definately will be more of those days for all of us to look forward too .all i can say if you can buy new and commercial...

[deason]

I agree with everyone one else.....

BUY QUALITY EQUIPMENT!!!

I know the feeling. I bought my first commercial mower this year. An eXmark metro 48". If you have never owned a good piece of commercial equipment, you dont know what you are missing. Besides making money QUICKER, you will do a better job and your business will benifit from it. Dont let the price scare you. Get financed, spend the money (one time) and have more fun than before!

Next, establish a mantinance program and stick to it.... relegiously. You have to take care of your equipment as well as it takes care of you. Oil levels, filters (trash screens) won't check and clean themselves. You must do this. No engine has ever failed because someone remembered to check the oil, they forgot.:confused: