[Scottish2008]

When is it a good time of year to get a lawnmower for a real good deal. Some people say in the winter time. As well I am thinking of getting a craftsman lawnmower powered by Honda. Any great suggestions?

[twinkiedooter]

Basically I'm a lawnmower killer having successfully killed several so I can tell you the ultimate best time to buy a lawnmower is at the end of the mowing season - late summer or early fall for the best deals.

[Scottish2008]

Basically I'm a lawnmower killer having successfully killed several so I can tell you the ultimate best time to buy a lawnmower is at the end of the mowing season - late summer or early fall for the best deals.

Sounds reasonable but what about the lawnmower I am asking about. Does a craftsman powered by Honda a good machine? It's going to cost me $349.99 plus tax. Any feedback on this type of machine?

[twinkiedooter]

Am not familiar with that particular model. Would suggest you search the web for reviews on this machine for reliability and servicability or if not contact customer service at Sears regarding this particular machine. It all boils down to what do your want the machine to do for you. This way you get the right machine for your needs versus get something that is too much power and you only want to just mow you yard. Take into consideration do you want to push it, have it self propelled or ride it.

My son fixes mowers in the summertime and he says the easiest to fix are the push ones. Self propelled and riders are more complicated and cost more in parts and labor if you have to get them serviced at a shop. (unless it is still under warranty). My son says that as a rule craftsman parts seem to cost more.

Lawn mower fix it books are hard to come by, but not impossible.

[KISS]

I can make a lawn mower last forever. The one I'm using almost all the time and is self-propelled is a Toro/MTD. It's 13 years old and was given to me by a neighbor. It had a bent blade.

My backup lawn mowers and snowblower are at least 30 years old.

Minimum maintenance would include:
0. Check oil at every use.
1. Oil change at begin of season (end of season would be better).
2. Sharpen blade and re-balance (begin of season)
3. New air filer (begin of season)
4. New plug (begin of season)
5. Drain tank, let gas stall mower on last mow.

The self-propelled needs periodic drive wheel replacements. It had it's variable speed drive rebuilt once.

The snowblower got an extensive rebuild this year. Stabil additiveused for the season. Drain gas in summer.

[twinkiedooter]

I got my last mower at Habitat for $30. It's a late model MTD with a Briggs & Stratton motor. He referb'd it and gave it a set of b@lls and now it runs better than new.

I have a bad habit of decapitating my cast iron hose guides and killing lawnmowers. I killed 3 in two weeks with no problem. My son's friend asked him if I was drunk when I did it. No, he said, she got drunk after she killed the mower.

[KISS]

My father taught me not to run a lawn mower without oil. I had to rebuild one when I was probably 12 years old or so. You learn quick.

[MOWERMAN2468]

Ah ha, so many folks will purchase a new unit from a retail giant. Carry it home, crank it up and not read the owner's/ operator's manual. Especially the part that says to add the oil. Then they ruin the new engine, or at least temporarily lock it up.