Get a laugh from my old lawnmower

[debodun]

I bought this lawnmower on May 4, 1994. This year when I went to use it, one of the back wheels started to disintegrate and by the time I finished mowing, it was virtually shredded. Silly me, I thought I could remove the wheel, take it to a chain hardware store and get a replacement. When I popped off the wheel cover, it looks like the wheel has some kind of gears on the hub. Also, I couldn't loosen the 7/16" bolt and I didn't want to force it if it's connected to some kind of drive. Everyone else I've told about this says that it's just time to get a new mower rather than trying to fix a 24-year-old one. Opinions? And what are those ratchet-looking gears on the wheel?

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

The "ratchet looking gears" on the wheels are there to make it harder for you to backup the mower and mow your toes in the process. The ratchet allows the wheels to turn only one way, forcing you to drag the locked wheels when attempting to back up.

It's possible you may still be able to find replacement "tires" for the wheels (they are a bear to slip on and off the wheels, though) although I haven't seen them in years. However, you can just replace the existing wheels with regular ones. Just remember not to back the mower over your toes (and be sure to wear sturdy shoes—preferably bulky boots—while mowing).

Or, you can just get a goat to keep your lawn clipped. Goats prefer weeds over grass so they go after the weeds first. They also fertilize lawns for free.

 

[debodun]

Hmmmm....I never has a problem pulling the mower backward.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

It's possible the pawls were stuck open due to rust. Or, if the mower was self propelled, the ratchet mechanism may have served as a differential and allowing the mower to be backed up. If the latter and you don't mind pushing it yourself, you could might be able to disconnect the drive train from the wheels (probably by just removing a bet, then bolting on new wheels on both sides

 

[townsbg]

Everyone else I've told about this says that it's just time to get a new mower rather than trying to fix a 24-year-old one.

A mower that old, I'd say it's earned it's keep and a nice retirement.

 

[chefduane]

Donate it to a school that has a 'small engines' shop class. The kids get to learn about the mechanics of small engines (and maybe get it running again, giving them a sense of accomplishment) and you get to write it off as a charitable donation. I've done that with various stuff, including old computers.