Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

This is on CL near me and in good condition.   $125 will buy it...maybe less.   I don't "need" it but there's something about those channel-steel handles that I fine appealing. 

If it's going to make you happy and you can spare the $ 125.00, go for it!

If it were only that simple.  Forgot to mention that I'm married...lol.

Paul7 wrote:
If you're wife is taken care of, the kids are clothed and fed, I'm sure $125 and home packed lunches for a year would be a good compromise. 

Put up a shed, a place where the wife doesn't come out and see.  Store your OPE there.  Paint all your OPE  the same color.  They all look alike from your wife's perspective looking out the window. 

Now if you're hauling home a shiny new Honda or Yamaha, your wife has to be legally blind not to notice.  :)

My general rule is to understate the purchase price to a level that causes the least amount of agony to myself. It works pretty good!

That's right.  Threshold is the key.  How much does your wife tolerate.  :)

   $125 is an ok price.  The gearbox is probably ok.  I'd check for frozen rakes and slop in the wheel drive by going forward and revere.  The engine is either a 7 or 8hp and old.  Check the compression as best you can by pulling on the pull cord and checking for pullback.  That one is before the move to distance by most manf's so not a tossing monster but does well enough.  Check if the auger lever syncs with the drive lever if that's an important feature for you.

build like a steel girder wow never seen one like that before, go for it buddy.

aa335 wrote:
The money isn't the issue. 

The issue is the two current snow throwers, two riding mowers, one garden tractor, three rototillers, three walk behind mowers, plus the various generators, power washers, weed wackers, aerator, dethatcher, post hole auger, etc...

My shed is full and the wife has this crazy idea that her car should be parked in the garage.   Go figure.

Well, it seems that you priorities are quite different.

Our cars goes in the garage first, then if we have space left over, we get junk to fill it in.  :)

I built a 16' x 12' storage shed back in the bush behind the house to store some toys.  Now with two recently acquired snowmobiles, I'll be adding a 10 x 12 extension on the back of the shed.  Old lady don't go back there.  She won't even know.  She's heading off on a trip for a week or so in May.  I'll have that baby up before she gets home. 

I always said that I am a generator and my wife is the voltage regulator. I bought that  single stage Craftsman  last month  even though  my  ( Husqvarna built)  Craftsman  2 stage  was only a month old.  My wife said," You just bought a new snowblower" . I explained that the single stage was for the small storms, I could easily  get it up  on the deck to clear the snow away, no more shovelling the deck.  "Yes ,she said," I shovelled it off a few times myself and it was quite a chore".  I was still not  sure that she approved,   but I should have stopped there.......But then I   showed her the price, $199.00 for the   never sold   2009 model,  Saved $400. . "That is good , she said , " Now give me the $400 that you didn't  have to spend". ........... I gave it to her.   But I knew that it wasn't a money issue  , just the fact that got a joke on me. 

Henry Ford (the first one) had a wife that was continually changing their house around with new  furniture and renovations . Money wasn't a problem here either, but he didn't really approve of her actions , but summed it up by saying, "Peace at any price".

paul7,

Let us be honest here,  it is never about the money but everything is about the obsession.  It is fun to have a collection of OPEs and once you start, it is hard to stop.  Just have to be careful about collecting old vs. vintage (old but has some value).   Borat is a great example as he bought three SS within last three months, which he cannot use then all at the same time.  Of course, I have my obession with bikes as I have five of them which I cannot use them at the same time.  The more you look at the CL or eBay, you are inclined to buy another and another ...

Funny you mentioned me and the SS machines. 

I just got back from picking up three 1970's Lawn Boy mowers.  Two look complete, one is missing the carb and reed block.  I needed one decent unit for parts in case I have problems with the LB I'm presently using.  When the guy took my offer of $40.00 for all three, I couldn't refuse.   I mean after all, for a bit over $13.00 each?  Come on....   The wheels, decks and mufflers are all very sound.   I got a gooooood deal here.   So, now I have a project to see if I can get a couple of them running.  

Borat,

Thank you for your honest description and thought process.  I rest my hypothesis.

Yeah............. I know I have a two cycle problem.  

Particularly old two cycle machines that might be one of the finest example of functionality, simplicity, quality and durability in the history of motorized lawn mowers.   These old Lawn Boys are  very proud achievements of American know-how, quality of design and manufacture.   These lowly little machines are a testament to what the USA  used to be about.   They represent a period of time when pride and craftsmanship mattered.  Sure they're just lawn mowers.   But if they're not the best lawn mower ever built, they're certainly up there with the best of them.

I'll probably resurrect a couple of them and find them good homes and keep one for parts.

MN_Runner wrote:
Runner,  I considered your hypothesis but I have to reject it. 

You see, I can quit anytime I want to. 

I have excellent will-power so I can quit.  Anytime I want.

Really, I can...anytime I want to. Really.

I just don't want to...LOL.

Paul,

Of course, I think you have a full control of the situation.  I am honored that you even considered my hypothesis and decided to accept the null hypothesis. For those of us with some form of OPE addiction and obsession may need OPE Anonymous Support.  I will start the frist meeting at the Minneapolis Library.  Hopefully I have a support group.

MN_Runner wrote:
Hi, my name is Paul7 and I'm a......

Paul7 wrote:
Sounds like good dose of self empowerment mixed in with denial.  Sometimes can be can be misdiagnosed as procrastination. 

So you going to buy that snowblower?  With all that stuff you already got in the shed, I'm pretty sure the missus is not going to notice you got another piece.

We're here to help with the post purchase problems.  :)

Paul7 wrote:

Quitting is easy. I've done it dozens of times ...