The don't make em like they used to

[Techie1961]

I have an MTD lawn mower with a Briggs and Stratton 3.75hp engine that I got about 12 years ago. The thing has been really reliable but this year wasn't running like it used to so I bought a nice shiny new Husqvarna 21" with Honda engine. My new pride and joy.

I have run the MTD over pretty much everything and it has taken it in stride. My very first day with the new Husqvarna and it found a rock about 2" diameter. Bang, the blade is bent and the engine won't restart. I am so pissed off right now. I think that there has to be some internal engine damage. It doesn't pull over right and won't even fire.

 

[outdoorsman310]

do you know whats wrong with the older one? seems like most any new mower is crappier than its previous versions

 

[Virgil Cain]

Sounds like you sheared the flywheel key. If so, easy fix. Think of that key as a fuse.

 

[southalabama]

I've been grabbing every yazoo frame I can find. Scrapers crushing them.

Then beauty of them is they are belt driven and made for abuse. High wheels are nice in rough terrain.

Blades are so crappy now the metal rolls

 

[bobcatdan]

Probably bent the crank. No small engine is going to like hitting something 2" hard in diameter. Maybe you just sheared the flywheel key, but it would still pull over fine.

 

[Techie1961]

Sounds like you sheared the flywheel key. If so, easy fix. Think of that key as a fuse.

Interesting. Would that cause it to not start? I don't know much about the internals on these.

 

[Trey T]

Have you run over a 2" rock in the same manner with your MTD?

 

[jakemac]

Check/replace the fuel lines on the old mower. The new gas (especially if it contains ethanol) tends to eat the rubber. If so, then the carb may have bits of rubber in it and will need to be cleaned out. The gas may have eaten the tip of the float valve as well. That will need to be replaced.

With a little work, you may be able to get 'ol reliable up and running again.

 

[Techie1961]

Have you run over a 2" rock in the same manner with your MTD?

Yeah, pretty much that and everything else. It typically shatters the rock and spits it out.

 

[Virgil Cain]

Interesting. Would that cause it to not start? I don't know much about the internals on these.

Yes, a sheared flywheel key will cause a no-start condition. The flywheel will rotate on the shaft and put the ignition timing out of phase with the position of the piston. That key is designed to fail before damaging internal engine components.

Have a look here: http://outdoorpowerinfo.com/repairs/flywheel_key.asp

 

[Techie1961]

Sounds like you sheared the flywheel key. If so, easy fix. Think of that key as a fuse.

I looked up the parts diagram and it might be that. If it sheared off, the flywheel which has the magnet in it would be out of phase. I hope that is all it is. Regardless though I will need a new blade.

 

[Farmall450]

Honda engines are pretty reliable IMO, so I would look at the flywheel key...then again, I don't hit rocks either!

 

[Virgil Cain]

I looked up the parts diagram and it might be that. If it sheared off, the flywheel which has the magnet in it would be out of phase. I hope that is all it is. Regardless though I will need a new blade.

Undoubtedly you do need a new blade, I've never had any luck in straightening a bent one.

It's possible that you bent the crankshaft as well, though that will usually not in and of itself cause a no start condition. Most likely you simply sheared the key. On a new engine it's usually pretty easy to get the flywheel off. Shouldn't be a tough fix. Do however inspect the crankshaft by rotating the engine and looking for wobble before tearing into the flywheel, with the blade off and the sparkplug disconnected.

 

[Virgil Cain]

BTW, don't be too hard on judging your new mower. If you hit a rock hard enough to bend the blade it took a pretty tough lick. If you just sheared the flywheel key it did it's job and (hopefully) protected the engine internals.

 

[ttpete]

I think that if you bent the blade, you'll have other problems in addition to shearing the flywheel key. The closest analogy I can think of is when an aircraft engine has a prop strike, the engine is required to have a complete teardown and inspection of all parts for damage. Every internal moving part suffers a lot of stress when it's suddenly stopped from 3000+ rpm. The crankshaft can be bent or twisted, also the connecting rod.

Years ago, I hit a piece of pipe with a mower. It didn't bend the blade, but when I picked it up, it still had 3 inches of crankshaft attached.

 

[steed andersen]

I'm a small engine mechanic and no push mower is made to take that kind of hit without damage being a very real possibility. It would be like throwing your car into reverse at 60 mph. You are right they are not built like they used to be but rocks are definitely beyond any mowers abuse factor-shy of a brush hog.

 

[Travinsky]

Check/replace the fuel lines on the old mower. The new gas (especially if it contains ethanol) tends to eat the rubber. If so, then the carb may have bits of rubber in it and will need to be cleaned out. The gas may have eaten the tip of the float valve as well. That will need to be replaced.

With a little work, you may be able to get 'ol reliable up and running again.

I also have a 12+ year old MTD and it's a tank that never had a problem with the new ethanol mix. But when it started leaking oil i decided to spring for a new craftsman with Briggs 6.75 tq. What a piece of ****,with the 10% ethanol gas its been in for service 3x to replace the carb and now out of warranty I am gone use your advice to fix it myself. For now the MTD is back in service, leaking gasket and all.

 

[e30bradley]

I bought a '98 push mower today. I forget the brand but it's got a b&s engine and it's a beast! I mowed down 2' weeds with no bogging at all. We've had all sorts of push lowered before, all newer than this one and this is deff the best. Oh and it was $40 with no bag or chute

 

[Haveblue]

Fix the MTD. I have had the same MTD as you for years, and never had a problem with it..You guys are right about them being tanks..they start right up and mow like hell! One thing that has made a big difference for me is that years ago I started running Stabil in all my outdoor equipment fuel, all the time. I recently switched to the "marine" Stabil. I don't drain my fuel, or run the carb dry to store..and I dont have the problems that I see customers having.

 

[pauls_workshop]

I have an MTD lawn mower with a Briggs and Stratton 3.75hp engine that I got about 12 years ago. The thing has been really reliable but this year wasn't running like it used to so I bought a nice shiny new Husqvarna 21" with Honda engine. My new pride and joy.

I have run the MTD over pretty much everything and it has taken it in stride. My very first day with the new Husqvarna and it found a rock about 2" diameter. Bang, the blade is bent and the engine won't restart. I am so pissed off right now. I think that there has to be some internal engine damage. It doesn't pull over right and won't even fire.

Hi I've done lots of work on those old "classic" briggs 3.75 hp engines over the years. I love those. Most of the time, they will need a carb job with a new diaphram when they don't run right. You might try rebuilding the carb on it. I had one of those go 20 years straight on me with only a carb job or two in the middle. They still cut great if you don't use a mulching blade on them and let the grass just blow out the side chute on the mower deck the way God originally intended. Newer mulching blade mowers need more power though. I have a project to restore an old Toro 3.75 hp briggs self prop mower when I get to it with a donor briggs engine.

I have a couple MTD recent briggs push self propelled mowers now and I've had lots of problems with those, both the MTD drivetrain in the self propel system (wheels fall off, wear out fast, etc), and with the carbs on these newer briggs. Like the 6.5, 6.75 hp types. I think they are not as reliable as the older small 3.75 hp briggs, which were pretty legendary. MTD owns just about everyone now so hard to NOT buy an MTD sourced mower. I'm fond of Toro myself, but they use those same briggs engines also. I can't stand Tecumseh mowers, never had success with them at all. - Paul

 

[Techie1961]

So, a little update. I was a bit too hard on the Husqvarna and Honda. I took the flywheel off and everything was fine up top. I got a new blade for it and it starts up and runs fine. Mmm, crow ain't so bad. I don't know why it wouldn't start after the rock muchies but everything is okay now. Mowed a bit with it and no issues.

I think that I will fix up the old MTD and keep it around for a while though... just in case. Thanks to all that replied.

 

[Displaced Hokie]

Thanks for the update, glad all is well.

I work in the power equipment industry, and in most cases things are built better today than in the past. Especially engines.

 

[CZ_Greatwrench]

My dad had an old Toro he bought new around 1969-1970. Besides normal maintence he never had any issues out of it. About four years ago he bought a new Snapper just because he wanted a new mower, wanted self prepelled since he's getting older, and got a good deal. Sold the old Toro in a yard sale and since he's had all sorts of issues out of the newer mower. Regrets ever getting rid of the Toro because it probably would have lasted his lifetime, and that was the first mower he ever bought. Judging by that old mower...I don't think they make em like they used to. I have a Poulan Pro, so far so good but its only two years old.