60+ year old thread.

My Sears special is 24 years old. I let it run out of gas and tip it to drain oil into a pan. Fresh 30W NON-DETERGENT oil (detergent helps keep stuff in suspension, but nondetergent lets it settle to the bottom of the crankcase). Fresh oil, put away for the winter.

My kids dropped off their self-propelled Honda a few years ago. Nice feature, but I prefer lower weight as I use the push mower under bushes, trees, etc. Places I can't get the riding mower to fit.

 

It's regular oil..... pretty sure. I'll check the bottle that came with it. There was no mention of an oil filter....

Morn.... er afternoon boys.

 

Most push mowers don’t have oil filters.

 

I've never seen one. But Carl mentioned one

 

I just mentioned an oil filter in general, never saw a lawnmower with one on either, that could make oil contamination even worse since there's nothing to filter out any fine metal particles or any other things it's made to catch.

 

Yeah, the reason they don't want you to change the oil is so the engine blows up sooner and they get another sale.

 

Small engines, like on a push mower don't have filters because they don't have oil circulation systems, lubrication is by splash. Garden tractors, well, bigger ones with overhead valves, do have pressurized oil circulation and hence, filters.

 

Sure... and the earth is flat, the moon landing never happened, and drinking bleach will make vaccines obsolete.

 

Nothing is built to last anymore, disposable society. Why should lawn mowers be any different?

 

That's true about some things, but not all things. I expect to get 300K+ miles out of my Taco. It's not uncommon for mechanical devices to last longer than the ones built decades ago.

Some people are very paranoid about maintenance. I've tested several "manufacturers recommendations" and found them to be overly cautious. Of course there are people that can't use a mechanical device without breaking it...

 

I'll give you the automobile point, but when's the last time you saw a washing machine last 25 years? You're lucky to get 5 out of most of them these days.

 

That's because you didn't buy the right one. People are fascinated by shiny things. They buy technology to impress, instead of reliability.

I used to move a lot, and never felt it was a good idea to tote appliances with me. I've bought used Maytag washers that were twenty-five years old and have never had one fail. I always ended up selling them for what I paid. Nowadays it would be hard to sell a used washer because everyone wants new. 4K front end loaders that leak, don't wash clothes, and have circuit boards... and won't last 5 years.

 

It’s a concept called “planned obsolescence. It means manufacturers deliberately design and build objects designed to break and or become obsolete in short to midterm. Two main reasons, first is to ensure continuous repeat sales and replacement business. Second to manufacture things to last longer would be cost prohibitive. The parts and materials cost would be beyond what many people could afford. Thus fewer sales and less repeat purchases and longer times between purchases. Planned obsolescence especially applys to electronics.

 

So true to most of product that labeled “made in china”.

 

Maybe... and maybe not. Surely manufacturing of products for the United States market are very often designed in the States and subcontracted to China for manufacture, and any oversight is done by people in the States for quality control. Ultimately, if a product is imported and accepted for sale, the responsibility for bad outcomes has to lie with those accepting the product they are going to be selling. There are great products made in China... and absolute crap. A lot of the crap is from companies trying to cut costs to keep prices down (for them) in order to increase their margins.

It doesn't necessarily mean Chinese products are crap... as much as it means that Americans aren't very demanding of quality.

 

Morning kids all my Yeti mugs, bottles, and bowls - Made in China, GREED plain and simple.
Yeti dog bowl $100, Yeti knock off dog bowl $30, both made in China, both great quality. GREED

 

The best stories are the ones that need the truth altered so impressionable youngsters do not try to do the same thing and get hurt. It does bring back memories and a smile to your face.

Good morning and a happy Saturday. Today is Arbor Day in our city and I do have a responsibility with the planned event. Going to be nice to see some old friends, help plant a tree or two, and maybe dedicate a park bench. Tonight, we are going to a dinner dance at an Elk's Lodge and the music will be by a band that my high school class used to hire to play in a battle of the band's dances. Going to be a fun evening.

 

Morning

 

Good Morning