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Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!akgua!sdcsvax!bmcg!cepu!trwrba!trwrb!sdcrdcf!hplabs!tektronix!teklds!azure!michael
From: michael@azure.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.garden
Subject: Re: Sears Lawnmowers
Message-ID: <2749@azure.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 3-May-84 11:25:33 EDT
Article-I.D.: azure.2749
Posted: Thu May  3 11:25:33 1984
Date-Received: Tue, 8-May-84 00:04:36 EDT
References: <758@houxz.UUCP>
Organization: Tektronix, Beaverton OR
Lines: 32

[line 1]
My experience with Sears lawnmowers has been very satisfactory so far.
I purchased a 3.5 hp, 21 in. push mower in 1978.  This is the stripped
down version.  It is not self-propelled and there is no throttle
control, just on and off.  As I recall, It cost $129 at the time.

I've never had any trouble with it.  It has always started easily and
run well.  The only maintenence I perform is to change the oil once a
season, and drain the gas tank and run any remaining fuel out of
the engine before storing it over winter.  It still has the original
spark plug.

There are a couple of design features I don't like.  The switch for the
motor is a small lever that you push against the spark plug to shut
it off.  It's awkward to get at, I usually use my foot.  For safety and 
convenience I wish it was on the handle.  I purchased an optional
grass catcher that hangs on side of the mower.  To install the
catcher, you remove the guard that covers the hole where the grass
blows out, and put on a bracket that holds tha bag.  The problem
is that sometimes, like if the grass is wet or I don't need the
mulch, I don't want to catch the grass.  Then I'm using a mower
with no guard against flying debris, unless I remove the bracket and
re-install the guard.  Since this about a 15 minute job, I've opted
to take my chances.

I expect a mower to last several years and give reasonable performance,
and so far I've gotten it.  If you get one, Sears will try to sell
you a maintenence agreement.  I didn't buy one and haven't regretted
it, but then I like to gamble.

Michael Brouhard
Tektronix, Inc.