andy10917 wrote:If the lawn equipment wasn't working 100% last Fall, the time is NOW to either tune it up yourself, or take it in to a garden center/small-engine mechanic. Having worked as a small-engine mechanic, I know that you'll get more attention, better work and maybe even a better price now than when there is a waiting line when everyone wants the work done yesterday.

Do it now if it needs work...

My stuff is getting picked up this week. The shop is kind of empty, in 4 weeks they'll have 100's of mowers/blowers, etc. all over the place.

Become your own "guru" and learn how to maintain your own equipment. Most walk behind mowers and LT's are simple machines that are easily maintained simply by reading the owner's manual. If that doesn't help, that's why Al Gore invented the Internet. It will save you time (away from your mower) and money. I've learned how to maintain every piece of equipment I own, and I'm absolutely not mechanically inclined. You can do it.

Also remember rule #2 lefty.. loosey, righty...tighty

and don't ever attempt to rebuild an updraft carburator yourself!

Took mine in this weekend. Guy did not have much of a backlog, and he was the head mechanic. However, he gave me the distinct impression that this was basically his equivalent to an accountant's tax season, and that I was just barely beating the rush...

FYI - he was interested in my 15+ year-old Honda HR194 mower. Apparently the older Honda's have the same engine as found in commercial mowers. Newer mowers have a non-commercial engine that, while good, were not as good as their commercial equivalents.

So it turns out that my SuTech needed two new belts; the mechanic said they would have blow out in about two months. While mulching leaves in November I hit a lacrosse ball and the mower made an awful sound but kept on going. He said that could probably did it; but he also said that heavy leaf/branch/twig mulching does put more stress on everything.

Jackpine wrote:Also remember rule #2 lefty.. loosey, righty...tighty

and don't ever attempt to rebuild an updraft carburator yourself!

Exception to rule # 2 Left hand thread. Not sure of any mower having it ya never know.
radiator fan clutches and old chrysler wheel lugs.

Used mine today after a tune up and a new mulching blade. Makes a world of difference.