Lawnmower - replace body ?

Forums › Home Workshop DIY › Lawnmower - replace body ?

xpd

Geek @ Coastguard NZ
13765 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#192335 7-Mar-2016 10:30

Have a petrol mower (cant remember brandbut do remember the motor is a good one) that is approx 10 years old, has only had one service in its life (as well as the usual gas/oil top up)....... now the body has rusted away on it. Is it worth me getting a "new" body for it, or just get a new mower ?

Would prob get electric, as thats what ive been using since the body rusted - why dont I just keep the one thats going ? Its useless on slopes, its similar to a flymo, so no wheels to hold it in place on slopes, Ill end up chopping my foot off with it ;)

TIA

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

LinkTree

Dynamic

3867 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1507327 7-Mar-2016 10:36

I've purchased secondhand lawnmowers that have obviously been put together from bits. If you can find an old alloy body to put that fine donkey on you should have a winner. As you have found, the steel bodies just don't last.

Your local dump may be accommodating if you ask nicely (based on my experience repairing our rusted clothesline using pipe from the dump's metal scrap area - and wear decent footwear or you'll be turned away).

“Don't believe anything you read on the net. Except this. Well, including this, I suppose.” Douglas Adams

Referral links to services I use, really like, and may be rewarded if you sign up:
PocketSmith for budgeting and personal finance management. A great Kiwi company.

ajw

1932 posts

Uber Geek

#1507392 7-Mar-2016 12:05

Have you tried asking your local mower repair company. Perhaps they can find you another mower or just a second hand alloy body.

PANiCnz

990 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1507473 7-Mar-2016 14:10

I went through this exercise recently. Steel bodied lawnmower gave out. Spent forever trying to find a second hand replacement body but had no luck. It seemed at the time that when the engines give out everybody is too quick to cash in the body for scrap.

xpd

Geek @ Coastguard NZ
13765 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1507482 7-Mar-2016 14:27

ajw:

Have you tried asking your local mower repair company. Perhaps they can find you another mower or just a second hand alloy body.

Yeah thats on my list of who to catch up with this weekend, they have a bunch of 2nd hand ones sitting outside their shop, but I havent had time to stop and take a look :)

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

LinkTree

1101

3122 posts

Uber Geek

#1507489 7-Mar-2016 14:53

Just make sure the motor actually fits , bolt holes the same & shaft the same length

Dont ask how I learnt this

pknz

102 posts

Master Geek

#1507592 7-Mar-2016 16:34

xpd where abouts in NZ are you?

Can recommend a great repair shop in Henderson, West Auckland.

darylblake

1162 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#1507733 7-Mar-2016 20:33

I had a mower that was falling apart. Eventually it packed in.

I picked up a second hand mower for $120 off trademe with a briggs & stratton engine and I have had it for about 2-3 years now. It still starts first time. Thought I did pretty well.

I don't know much about electric mowers, sorry never used one.

Wise

Send money globally for less with Wise - one free transfer up to NZ$900 (affiliate link).

Incindre

117 posts

Master Geek

#1508127 8-Mar-2016 14:31

Perhaps you could make friends with someone at a local metal recycling depot. Get them to pull one aside for you in exchange for a few dollars or a box of beers.

My tip (having just saved a disintegrating mower body) would be to smother whatever you get in Blackguard rust protector/converter. That stuff'll keep it in good nick for a while.