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Garden Gate:  My Redneck Lawnmower  |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
 Posted - Apr 18 2010 : 09:38:24 AM
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We have a redneck lawnmower. It's a big black Murray we got used at Lowe's about 7 years ago. It's horrible. When I want to use it now my hubby has to be here. He has to do major surgery on it. First he has to charge up the battery. Then air up all the flat tires. Then he has to file the blades. Check the deck. Check the oil. Fill the gas up. Then to start it he has to use a screw driver. Sometimes we get lucky and it cranks the first time. If not we have to wait some more. We'll get the yard all picked up and ready while we wait. Or work on some other crappy piece of equipment around here. Then try again. If it cranks I'll start mowing and usually I end up either getting it stuck, running over something, getting in grass too high and it shuts off, run out of gas. If we have a really lucky day, like today, I might get the WHOLE yard and garden area, mowed without any of those things happening. I almost got it stuck once today but got it out. So it was a good mowing day today. But I have to keep it at the highest setting or the yard will look like someone ran over it with a knife. But it's looking good out there!
Anyone else have a redneck lawnmower? Tell me your stories.I'd love to hear them.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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gramadinah
True Blue Farmgirl
3557 Posts
Diana
Orofino
ID
USA
3557 Posts |
Posted - Apr 18 2010 : 1:01:36 PM
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Mine wasn't until the DH got ahold of it I bought it brand new. Now Battery dead flat tires blades are crooked so if you turn right it just digs up the yard. Black smoke. If the grass is to high it will shut off.
But if the gods are good it will cut and do an ok job.
Diana
Farmgirl Sister #273 |
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redbud
True Blue Farmgirl
52 Posts
Christine
Luther
Oklahoma
USA
52 Posts |
Posted - Apr 18 2010 : 1:16:51 PM
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oh goodness, lucky me I have a fairly new lawnmower, but my redneck wheelbarrow finally fell apart last year-it was an old lawnmower body with the bucket from an old wheelbarrow we had that fell apart,does that count? lol
to everything there is a season, a time to every purpose under heaven
http://christine-88stitches.blogspot.com
http://myoklahomagarden.blogspot.com
farmgirl sister# 1194 |
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edlund33
True Blue Farmgirl
1515 Posts
Marilyn
Renton
WA
USA
1515 Posts |
Posted - Apr 18 2010 : 1:44:31 PM
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Kristin - your mower reminds me of one our tractors that always needs lots of quality time and TLC before it will cooperate for some simple task like loading a scoop of dirt!
Our redneck lawn mower is a walk-behind model. It's an old commercial Honda that wore out to the point we couldn't send our landscape crew out on the job with it anymore. So, my dad brought it home and we've been using it in their yard for about 10 years now. It requires starting fluid every time (even when it gets shut off to dump the bag after it warms up...) and it puffs blue smoke. The transmission pulls to one side so you have to steer it to mow a straight line. One wheel is missing part of the rubber and another one has been welded on so many times that now when it falls off we just stick it back on and keep going - the built up weld bead holds it nicely for a few passes. The height adjuster is broken so there is a bolt stuck in the hole and if you go over a bump it will fall out. The bag has holes in it. The blade is worn out but we manage to keep it sharp enough and the yard always looks nice after the lawn is mowed! Every year we say we are going to get a new mower, but it has yet to happen.......
Christine - I love your wheelbarrow story!
Cheers! ~ Marilyn
Farm Girl No. 1100
Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. - Ralph Waldo Emerson |
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Kerbear
True Blue Farmgirl
261 Posts
Kerry
Middle
Tennessee
USA
261 Posts |
Posted - Apr 18 2010 : 2:10:47 PM
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Does it count if the lawnmower blade compartment is held up by a bungee?
I love the Redneck lawnmower posts! Thanks!
~Kerry Anne
Farmgirl Sister #975 |
Edited by - Kerbear on Apr 18 2010 2:12:43 PM |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Apr 18 2010 : 2:41:39 PM
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Oh ya'll, this is so funny! I am so glad I am not the only one with a redneck mower. I love all the stories. Marilyn, sounds like ours could be related somehow. But that's what I say. When it finally breaks down and won't even attempt to start, it'll be time for a new one. I want a Troy push mower next time. I won't have to worry about flat tires or batteries.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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peafarm
True Blue Farmgirl
182 Posts
Penny
South Dakota
182 Posts |
Posted - Apr 18 2010 : 3:51:07 PM
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My lawnmower works fine although it's age is showing. My problem is that we are looking like a retirement home for redneck lawnmowers. Honestly, how is an unsolicited non-working lawn mower a prize that makes us forever in their debt?
Penny
www.peafarm.weebly.com |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Apr 18 2010 : 3:55:07 PM
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Penny, we still have our old mower that we used for years in the back yard. It's now a goat kid toy. They love to jump all over it and play king of the mower. What fun! So I know what ya mean. We just can't seem to do anything with it. It was the best mower though. I guess that's why my hubby still keeps it here. Lots of good memories.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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LakeOntarioFarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
933 Posts
Brenda
North Rose
NY
USA
933 Posts |
Posted - Apr 18 2010 : 4:08:42 PM
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Oh Kris, you got me laughing!!! I so know where you are! :)
15 1/2 years ago, when we bought our first country property, the first thing hubby did was buy a Craftsman rider mower. I have pictures of him the very first time he mowed on it. We had one of our neighbors come over with his bush hog, and chop down our fields so we could plant nut trees and mow out there too.
Well that was his baby for many years.
Even though it rusted, fell apart, belts broke, blades got dull from our teenage girls mowing, he kept that thing running. Eventually, we had to use a screwdriver, and sometimes a hammer to get that thing started and towards the end, it constantly had to be charged.
After a while all the vinyl started wearing off the seat, so that I would have to put a towel down first to be comfortable.
Every spring, right when the grass was growing the fastest, it was a race to see if he could keep it going before the grass got too tall to mow.
One by one my girls grew up and left home. Soon, it was only me and hubby to mow 6 acres by ourselves. Well I can remember trying to keep an even speed going down those hills, so as not to overshoot the yard and end up in the road when a car was coming!
When we sold our house, our tractor went to our oldest daughter's husband who used it for one year, now it sits... a play toy for their kids, but not able to mow anymore.
We now have someone who mows for us, and I just have to say that just a tiny little bit of me misses that cantankerous old mower, and all the times I spent on her... dodging holes, getting a sun tan, swatting at the swallows who came too close to me for comfort, and making our lawn look absolutely beautiful!
Oh, and I almost forgot: the sound of hubby yelling from the yard to our kids in the house: "KIDS, come and move the TRAMPOLINE!!! KIDS" shrill whistle "COME AND MOVE THE CHAIRS"!!! lolol! :)
Brenda
FarmGirl # 711
Nothing we achieve in this world is achieved alone. It is always achieved with others teaching us along the way. Lee J. Colan
http://theviewfromhere-brenda.blogspot.com/ |
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bdhughes77
True Blue Farmgirl
126 Posts
Debbie
Menomonie
WI
USA
126 Posts |
Posted - Apr 18 2010 : 4:34:05 PM
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You gals are funnnny!! It sounds just like home...we have a John Deere Spin Steer that doesn't steer when you go downhill...I've hit a big post, the clothes line (twice) and had to have my daughter pull me off of an imbankment that goes 10 feet straight down into a creek!! That was scary but we've had many good laughs about it since...I had my foot braced against a tree to stop from going any further over and she's on the four wheeler in her pajamas trying to save me!!!
Count your blessings! |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Apr 18 2010 : 4:54:34 PM
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Brenda, I just love that. If lawnmowers could talk all the stories they could tell. Yours sure has lots of good memories. What a great story.
Years ago when our kids were just barely teens mu hubby got laid off. We started a lawnmowing business. We had the old red Murray that's in the backyard. We mowed several yards and when the kids were out of school they helped us. We had a good time doing it. And the kids never complained either.
Debbie, you were lucky your daughter came to your rescue! No telling what would have happened. Do you still have that mower now?
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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LBP
True Blue Farmgirl
81 Posts
Linda
Goodview
VA
USA
81 Posts |
Posted - Apr 19 2010 : 05:16:58 AM
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Do we share the same lawnmower? To start ours you have to bypass the ignition and place the wires on the battery and starter and fire it that way.
Come visit me at:
http://lbpsews.blogspot.com |
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KellyWall
True Blue Farmgirl
336 Posts
Kelly
Apison
Tn
USA
336 Posts |
Posted - Apr 19 2010 : 2:35:48 PM
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WEll, I am what you call a spoiled farm girl! My DH loves the best of the best, I mow with a 72" John Deere zero turn mower, he bought it last month brand new. It is really nice and gets the job done quickly! I also have 2 sons that get the pleasure of doing the weed eating. But don't get me wrong, I did have the old walk behind mower that I used as a kid! My dad had to start it for me, I remember the 1st time I got to use my grandpa's rider, I ran right over 2 of my dads fruit trees!
Kelly #238
May your bobbin always be full... |
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Annab
True Blue Farmgirl
2900 Posts
Anna
Seagrove
NC
USA
2900 Posts |
Posted - Apr 20 2010 : 03:43:57 AM
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LMYO
Oh yea we have one of those too here at work!
Makes me curse lake a sailor every time. It should have been turned out to surplus, but someone just HAD to resurrect the thing.
It's an old style Gravely. I love how they ride and cut, but to start the dang thing and keep it running takes an act of congress!
You literally sit there and crank it about 100 times and it still wont start. Pull up hard on the choke, release the break, put the gas pedal in neutral. Come back in an hour when the air temperature is above 70 and it'l crank right up! And to go backward you have to stomp on the gas pedal every time and stand up to bear full body weight so it will move. I have cut aniaml paddocks while steering it backward just b/c the blades cuts better this way sometimes!
I think the deck is 62" so something that cuts a swath that wide will spoil you rotten!
If we wern't saving uo for our kitchen remodel, I'd buy a new one of these for home. Then DH and me would have to arm wrestle to see who gets to cut the lawn
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22944 Posts
22944 Posts |
Posted - Apr 20 2010 : 06:11:50 AM
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You ladies are so funny! I have an old electric mower. I have to drag an extension cord with me when we mow. It mulches like a champ (if the grass isn't too long or wet) but it HATES to bag. So when I want grass clippings for compost or mulch I have to fight with it. My husband is going to file the blades for me this year though so hopefully that helps!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
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Especially For You
True Blue Farmgirl
541 Posts
Tina
Watkinsville
GA
541 Posts |
Posted - Apr 20 2010 : 06:21:24 AM
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Alee~ I had an old electric lawn mower when my DH and I got married. He bought me a new one because he said that he was spending to much money on extention cords that I keept running over. It was cheaper to buy a new (somewhat) mower.
Blessings,
Tina |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Apr 20 2010 : 07:05:47 AM
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Anna, I usually end up cursing at mine too plus a few good kicks. I think that helps it run.
Linda, mine has wires hanging out all over. I have no idea what they are for. I am afraid I might get a shock one day.
Kelly, that's my hubby's dream. To have a John Deere riding mower. He loves them. Maybe one day.
I could not have an electric mower because I too would run over all the cords. I hate cords anyway. And hoses. My hubby ran over the hose the other day.
We also have a redneck tiller. It's a Troy. And it's ancient. We bought it used 31 years ago. No telling how old that thing is. Last year it would not work much. But this year it's doing a good job. A friend up the road called to see if we'd loan it to their son who wants to have a garden this year. I was telling her all the things they's have to do to it and she said she's have to let her hubby and son come and take lessons first! So they did yesterday. It leaks gas from the gas line so there is a shut off valve my hubby put on. I forget sometimes and it won't stay on then I'll remember to turn it on. Then it has no reverse. I have to keep pushing to one lever that makes it go down all the time. It's tied down with a bungee but not tight enough. But I love that old thing. I am curious to know how it worked for the guy. They should bring it back today.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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natesgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1735 Posts
angela
martinsville
indiana
USA
1735 Posts |
Posted - Apr 20 2010 : 10:31:19 AM
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We have a newer model john deere. The problem is the seat bolts broke, so you have to sit still on it or it shuts off. Plus the break pedal doesn't work right, so if you're goin down hill you have to use the reverse pedal or it wont stop. My DH didn't tell me that and I went full bore down the hill at the fence last week! I was yellin and turned the stupid thing at the last minute. It slowed down enough runnin along the side of the hill to stop. I left it there and walked back to the house! Mowin is my DHs job till he fixes the brake!
God - Gardening - Family - Is anything else important? |
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Catherine
True Blue Farmgirl
166 Posts
Catherine Ann
Temple
TX
USA
166 Posts |
Posted - Apr 20 2010 : 1:11:12 PM
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You ladies made me laugh with your redneck mower stories. There are 3 push mowers in my backyard ... 1 works, sort of. Well, I tried for half an hour to start it last week, gave up and came back inside. My husband walked out and started it with one pull and mowed the grass. Fine with me, I am not that fond of mowing anyway ;) . We seem to have issues with mowers around here. My husband works in a factory and designs, builds, repairs complicated machinery; but the lawnmower and weed eaters drive him crazy LOL! I've been suggesting one of the "old fashioned" reel mowers, but that hasn't gone over well ... and I don't push the issue too much because I might have to prove that I can use it!
Blessings,
Catherine :)
http://lovelivingsimply.blogspot.com/
Judge each day not by the harvest you reap but by the seeds you plant. ~Robert Louis Stevenson
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Garden Gate: My Redneck Lawnmower |
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My Redneck Lawnmower
