Life expectancy of lawnmower

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networkn

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#191069 22-Jan-2016 10:30

I am considering the purchase of a new Lawn mower. It's a Ryobi with a very powerful engine and reviews of the engine are good, but some say they experienced less reliability with other things like the deck, wheels, pull starter.

I called Ryobi and confirmed it has a 2 year warranty.

It's a $500 lawnmower, and I'd have thought most people would reasonably expect that a $500 mower getting used once every 2-3 weeks should last longer than 2 years.

I presume the CGA would protect me for longer but bunnings were adamant it's 2 years which is a year longer than the 1 year mandatory limit of 1 year.

Thoughts?

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#1476630 22-Jan-2016 10:40

We purchased a mower approx 10 years ago, (cant remember brand) has a good engine but over the years the body has rusted away to nothing, its now held together with cable ties ;) When we moved (4 years ago), we picked up a cheap electric job (smaller yard) which died recently, so I pulled the old gas one out, put fresh gas and pulled the starter.... kicked into life immediately.

Been told to get an aluminum body for it, and it'll fine for another 10 years :)

So either look for one with an aluminum body to start with (at a premium obviously) or buy the standard job and pay out for a new body down the track.

The starter cords are just one of those things that can wear over time, dont know of anyone that hasnt had to replace one at some time of the mowers life.

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#1476631 22-Jan-2016 10:40

Years and years and more years

Hoofhaarted

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#1476632 22-Jan-2016 10:40

Would also depend on the size of the property ( well the lawn part of it).

But you did say it was a large engine, so as long as its not a full acre section, or a hobby farm etc, 2 years at least is minimum, for any parts.

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#1476633 22-Jan-2016 10:42

I have a lawnmaster (S&B 198cc motor) with a aluminum body. 6 years old an going strong. Just need to fix the throttle cable on it, but that is fairly minor.

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#1476637 22-Jan-2016 10:44

I have a Morrison mower (or is it Masport?) I bought well over 6 years ago. Still going strong and original pull starter.

Cast Iron alumium (?) I believe, which hasn't rusted or degraded.

Avoid the cheaper iron chassis ones that will rust out.

Think this one was around $500-$600 when I purchased it new.

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MikeB4

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#1476639 22-Jan-2016 10:45

So many variables, how big are your lawns, how long do you let them grow between mows, how well do you look after the mower, how is it stored. The nature of your ground is it flat raised or has

hazards and debris that may be hit.

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#1476640 22-Jan-2016 10:46

I have a plastic electric lawn mower, victa lawnkeeper, that's 8 years old. It's a bit beaten up from being rammed into fences and picked up to be used as a hedge trimmer, but it still works fine. Another advantage of electric :)

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networkn

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#1476650 22-Jan-2016 10:52

Well as mentioned in my OP, we mow once every 2-3 weeks. Our lawn is about 100m2. We aren't super rough with it, it's a flat lawn. We probably don't clean it as often as we should, and understand that may reduce it's life slightly, but to my mind, it would be reasonable to expect 5 years from this mower, minimum, and that the CGA would ensure I get 5 years from it, even if 2 years is the stated warranty, does that sound about fair?

NotReally

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#1476656 22-Jan-2016 10:58

Aluminium body is a must for long life. Service every 2-3 years at a minimum. Check oil for 4 strokes. Mine is now 21 years old and still going strong (Lawnmaster).

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#1476665 22-Jan-2016 11:10

None of my mowers are less than 15-20 years old, but then they only cost $15 to $40 each. Many people get their lawns mown and just dump well maintained mowers. My wife bought a new mower that was destroyed in 18 months by the blobby 14 year old son of a friend that was renting her house. So it depends. If he hadn't left it clogged with wet grass and not bashed the wheels at every opportunity that mower would be more than a spare engine now :(

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#1476679 22-Jan-2016 11:30

I think the Ryobi is a steel deck, it's heavy at 32KG.We don't tend to get large items getting caught in the mower.

ajw

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#1476684 22-Jan-2016 11:34

Bought my mower 23 years ago and still going strong. Briggs & Stratton 3.5 Horsepower engine, ballbearing wheels, alloy body an plastic catcher. And yes I do look after it including regular oil changes.

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#1476688 22-Jan-2016 11:40

We take our mower to a mower shop annual for service and cleaning.

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#1476693 22-Jan-2016 11:51

Looked after and not "stressed" I would give it 8 years at least. My brother has a mover that was previously owned by my Dad, my Dad passed on 15 years ago and he had the mower for about 20 years. He was a Motor Engineer and was fanatical

about keeping his tools clean and well looked after.

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#1476696 22-Jan-2016 11:54

I have a Husqvarna that Dad bought after I left home. I think it will be 20 soon. Still looks pretty tidy. It's had one new pull cord and a new set of blades last year. It gets an oil change sometimes....

Aluminium deck, a decent motor and they'll go forever.

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