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Repairing a broken magnesium mower deck
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Joe Gandalf
Jun 2, 2013, 2:09:16 PM6/2/13
to
My wife loves her old Lawn Boy push mower; it's very lightweight (esp.
since I removed all the Rube Goldberg self-propelled mechanism) and
easy to start - still! However, the magnesium deck has developed a
crack that runs across the front of the discharge chute. I was going
to bolt a metal plate across the crack as a repair, but it would be a
really sloppy patch.
The more I look at it, the more I want to weld it, but I know what Mg
does when it gets hot enough to burn! Is there a way to do a decent
join without destroying the mower? I only have a Lincoln tombstone AC
welder, a cheapo HF DC Tig, and O/A gas setup. I also still have some
of those "miracle" repair sticks that used to be touted at flea
markets ("fix any Al device with just a propane torch - developed by
NASA").
since I removed all the Rube Goldberg self-propelled mechanism) and
easy to start - still! However, the magnesium deck has developed a
crack that runs across the front of the discharge chute. I was going
to bolt a metal plate across the crack as a repair, but it would be a
really sloppy patch.
The more I look at it, the more I want to weld it, but I know what Mg
does when it gets hot enough to burn! Is there a way to do a decent
join without destroying the mower? I only have a Lincoln tombstone AC
welder, a cheapo HF DC Tig, and O/A gas setup. I also still have some
of those "miracle" repair sticks that used to be touted at flea
markets ("fix any Al device with just a propane torch - developed by
NASA").
Bruce L. Bergman (munged human readable)
Jun 2, 2013, 3:19:56 PM6/2/13
to
On Sun, 02 Jun 2013 14:09:16 -0400, Joe Gandalf <jgan...@gmail.com>
wrote:
1. Call LawnBoy (or get on the Interwebs) and see if you can get a
new deck casting, and move the motor and all the other parts over.
https://www.shoplawnboy.com/Comergent/en/US/adirect/Toro?cmd=ToroLBOnlineModelLookup
1A. But first, do a financial study - the replacement deck part might
cost you more than a brand new mower, and you get a zero-hour engine,
new blade, etc. for that price.
The MSRP for the Manual Push model is $259, and if you can't beat that
price by quite a bit you aren't trying very hard.
2. Find a local Aluminum Casting foundry. and take them the stripped
bare mower deck casting to use as a casting blank - they'll probably
want you to fill in the crack with Bondo and fill in any drilled and
tapped holes that you'll need to drill and tap yourself on the new
casting.
It will weigh a bit more in an AL Casting Alloy rather than Magnesium,
it will be a little rough from the sand-casting (unless you spend a
lot more to make an injection mold like Lawn-Boy did) and it will Not
be cheap (it would be certifiably insane 10X the price of a new mower)
- but it'll work.
--<< Bruce >>--
wrote:
new deck casting, and move the motor and all the other parts over.
https://www.shoplawnboy.com/Comergent/en/US/adirect/Toro?cmd=ToroLBOnlineModelLookup
1A. But first, do a financial study - the replacement deck part might
cost you more than a brand new mower, and you get a zero-hour engine,
new blade, etc. for that price.
The MSRP for the Manual Push model is $259, and if you can't beat that
price by quite a bit you aren't trying very hard.
2. Find a local Aluminum Casting foundry. and take them the stripped
bare mower deck casting to use as a casting blank - they'll probably
want you to fill in the crack with Bondo and fill in any drilled and
tapped holes that you'll need to drill and tap yourself on the new
casting.
It will weigh a bit more in an AL Casting Alloy rather than Magnesium,
it will be a little rough from the sand-casting (unless you spend a
lot more to make an injection mold like Lawn-Boy did) and it will Not
be cheap (it would be certifiably insane 10X the price of a new mower)
- but it'll work.
--<< Bruce >>--
Bruce L. Bergman (munged human readable)
Jun 2, 2013, 3:41:06 PM6/2/13
to
On Sun, 02 Jun 2013 12:19:56 -0700, "Bruce L. Bergman (munged human
readable)" <bruceNOSP...@gmail.INVALID> wrote:
>On Sun, 02 Jun 2013 14:09:16 -0400, Joe Gandalf <jgan...@gmail.com>
>wrote:
>
>>My wife loves her old Lawn Boy push mower; it's very lightweight (esp.
>>since I removed all the Rube Goldberg self-propelled mechanism) and
>>easy to start - still! However, the magnesium deck has developed a
>>crack that runs across the front of the discharge chute. I was going
>>to bolt a metal plate across the crack as a repair, but it would be a
>>really sloppy patch.
readable)" <bruceNOSP...@gmail.INVALID> wrote:
>On Sun, 02 Jun 2013 14:09:16 -0400, Joe Gandalf <jgan...@gmail.com>
>wrote:
>
>>My wife loves her old Lawn Boy push mower; it's very lightweight (esp.
>>since I removed all the Rube Goldberg self-propelled mechanism) and
>>easy to start - still! However, the magnesium deck has developed a
>>crack that runs across the front of the discharge chute. I was going
>>to bolt a metal plate across the crack as a repair, but it would be a
>>really sloppy patch.
>1. Call LawnBoy (or get on the Interwebs) and see if you can get a
>new deck casting, and move the motor and all the other parts over.
>
>https://www.shoplawnboy.com/Comergent/en/US/adirect/Toro?cmd=ToroLBOnlineModelLookup
>
>1A. But first, do a financial study - the replacement deck part might
>cost you more than a brand new mower, and you get a zero-hour engine,
>new blade, etc. for that price.
>
>The MSRP for the Manual Push model is $259, and if you can't beat that
>price by quite a bit you aren't trying very hard.
I just did a random search for a deck from a 1996 model 10310, and
>new deck casting, and move the motor and all the other parts over.
>
>https://www.shoplawnboy.com/Comergent/en/US/adirect/Toro?cmd=ToroLBOnlineModelLookup
>
>1A. But first, do a financial study - the replacement deck part might
>cost you more than a brand new mower, and you get a zero-hour engine,
>new blade, etc. for that price.
>
>The MSRP for the Manual Push model is $259, and if you can't beat that
>price by quite a bit you aren't trying very hard.
they are available as repair parts - Over $310, not counting taxes and
shipping. And since a new mower street price will be about $200...
Dig a hole, Say Kadish, have a quiet mourning period, and go get her a
new mower already. If she's willing to mow the lawn for you she's
already a Keeper, dammit!! Stop griping and spend the money!
Buy her a Rider, even. Or a little Tractor with a mower deck.
--<< Bruce >>--
BQ340
Jun 2, 2013, 4:35:07 PM6/2/13
to
magnesium rod.
I would do that outside.....
https://lookup3.toro.com/ttcGateway/acrobat/manuals/lball40.pdf Page 9-16
MikeB
--
Email is valid
Jon Danniken
Jun 2, 2013, 4:35:15 PM6/2/13
to
On 06/02/2013 11:09 AM, Joe Gandalf wrote:
> My wife loves her old Lawn Boy push mower; it's very lightweight (esp.
> since I removed all the Rube Goldberg self-propelled mechanism) and
> easy to start - still! However, the magnesium deck has developed a
> crack that runs across the front of the discharge chute. I was going
> to bolt a metal plate across the crack as a repair, but it would be a
> really sloppy patch.
I would do the bolt-on plate. There is no reason that it has to look,
> My wife loves her old Lawn Boy push mower; it's very lightweight (esp.
> since I removed all the Rube Goldberg self-propelled mechanism) and
> easy to start - still! However, the magnesium deck has developed a
> crack that runs across the front of the discharge chute. I was going
> to bolt a metal plate across the crack as a repair, but it would be a
> really sloppy patch.
or be "sloppy", unless that is what you are going after.
Jon
Lloyd E. Sponenburgh
Jun 2, 2013, 5:51:27 PM6/2/13
to
BQ340 <BQ...@Roadrunner.com> fired this volley in news:51abad25$0$17285
$a826...@newsreader.readnews.com:
>
> The Lawnboy manual says to use a Heliarc welder in AC mode & pure
> magnesium rod.
>
Besides that, it ain't magnesium. It's "Elektron Alloy", or more simply,
a mixture of magnesium and aluminum (typically in a 35-65 to 50-50 ratio)
called "magnalium".
The same stuff was used for Porshe and VW (and Karmann) gear cases for a
time. When I was a volunteer fireman, I witnessed a co-worker from the
radio station where I was working burned alive in a Karmann Ghia that had
such a gear case.
In _any_ case, magnalium is highly combustible in air. We use it in the
pyro trade as a fuel for raising the combustion temperature of 'bright'
color compositions. Use an inert gas to shield it, and enough so it
cools below yellow heat before the gas shield leaves the zone.
Lloyd
$a826...@newsreader.readnews.com:
>
> The Lawnboy manual says to use a Heliarc welder in AC mode & pure
> magnesium rod.
>
a mixture of magnesium and aluminum (typically in a 35-65 to 50-50 ratio)
called "magnalium".
The same stuff was used for Porshe and VW (and Karmann) gear cases for a
time. When I was a volunteer fireman, I witnessed a co-worker from the
radio station where I was working burned alive in a Karmann Ghia that had
such a gear case.
In _any_ case, magnalium is highly combustible in air. We use it in the
pyro trade as a fuel for raising the combustion temperature of 'bright'
color compositions. Use an inert gas to shield it, and enough so it
cools below yellow heat before the gas shield leaves the zone.
Lloyd
cl...@snyder.on.ca
Jun 2, 2013, 6:05:40 PM6/2/13
to
On Sun, 02 Jun 2013 12:19:56 -0700, "Bruce L. Bergman (munged human
readable)" <bruceNOSP...@gmail.INVALID> wrote:
readable)" <bruceNOSP...@gmail.INVALID> wrote:
>On Sun, 02 Jun 2013 14:09:16 -0400, Joe Gandalf <jgan...@gmail.com>
>wrote:
>
>>My wife loves her old Lawn Boy push mower; it's very lightweight (esp.
>>since I removed all the Rube Goldberg self-propelled mechanism) and
>>easy to start - still! However, the magnesium deck has developed a
>>crack that runs across the front of the discharge chute. I was going
>>to bolt a metal plate across the crack as a repair, but it would be a
>>really sloppy patch.
>>
>>The more I look at it, the more I want to weld it, but I know what Mg
>>does when it gets hot enough to burn! Is there a way to do a decent
>>join without destroying the mower? I only have a Lincoln tombstone AC
>>welder, a cheapo HF DC Tig, and O/A gas setup. I also still have some
>>of those "miracle" repair sticks that used to be touted at flea
>>markets ("fix any Al device with just a propane torch - developed by
>>NASA").
>
>1. Call LawnBoy (or get on the Interwebs) and see if you can get a
>new deck casting, and move the motor and all the other parts over.
>
>https://www.shoplawnboy.com/Comergent/en/US/adirect/Toro?cmd=ToroLBOnlineModelLookup
>
>1A. But first, do a financial study - the replacement deck part might
>cost you more than a brand new mower, and you get a zero-hour engine,
>new blade, etc. for that price.
Unless you need the 2 stroke mower for mowing side-hills etc. No more
>wrote:
>
>>My wife loves her old Lawn Boy push mower; it's very lightweight (esp.
>>since I removed all the Rube Goldberg self-propelled mechanism) and
>>easy to start - still! However, the magnesium deck has developed a
>>crack that runs across the front of the discharge chute. I was going
>>to bolt a metal plate across the crack as a repair, but it would be a
>>really sloppy patch.
>>
>>The more I look at it, the more I want to weld it, but I know what Mg
>>does when it gets hot enough to burn! Is there a way to do a decent
>>join without destroying the mower? I only have a Lincoln tombstone AC
>>welder, a cheapo HF DC Tig, and O/A gas setup. I also still have some
>>of those "miracle" repair sticks that used to be touted at flea
>>markets ("fix any Al device with just a propane torch - developed by
>>NASA").
>
>1. Call LawnBoy (or get on the Interwebs) and see if you can get a
>new deck casting, and move the motor and all the other parts over.
>
>https://www.shoplawnboy.com/Comergent/en/US/adirect/Toro?cmd=ToroLBOnlineModelLookup
>
>1A. But first, do a financial study - the replacement deck part might
>cost you more than a brand new mower, and you get a zero-hour engine,
>new blade, etc. for that price.
2 stroke lawn boys.
>
>The MSRP for the Manual Push model is $259, and if you can't beat that
>price by quite a bit you aren't trying very hard.
>
>2. Find a local Aluminum Casting foundry. and take them the stripped
>bare mower deck casting to use as a casting blank - they'll probably
>want you to fill in the crack with Bondo and fill in any drilled and
>tapped holes that you'll need to drill and tap yourself on the new
>casting.
>
>It will weigh a bit more in an AL Casting Alloy rather than Magnesium,
>it will be a little rough from the sand-casting (unless you spend a
>lot more to make an injection mold like Lawn-Boy did) and it will Not
>be cheap (it would be certifiably insane 10X the price of a new mower)
>- but it'll work.
>
>--<< Bruce >>--
Just keep your eyes open for another old lawn-boy - with bad crank
>The MSRP for the Manual Push model is $259, and if you can't beat that
>price by quite a bit you aren't trying very hard.
>
>2. Find a local Aluminum Casting foundry. and take them the stripped
>bare mower deck casting to use as a casting blank - they'll probably
>want you to fill in the crack with Bondo and fill in any drilled and
>tapped holes that you'll need to drill and tap yourself on the new
>casting.
>
>It will weigh a bit more in an AL Casting Alloy rather than Magnesium,
>it will be a little rough from the sand-casting (unless you spend a
>lot more to make an injection mold like Lawn-Boy did) and it will Not
>be cheap (it would be certifiably insane 10X the price of a new mower)
>- but it'll work.
>
>--<< Bruce >>--
seals or whatever making it hard to start - and harder to sell..
Currently a good deck on Kijiji in Toronto for $15
Joe Gandalf
Jun 2, 2013, 6:38:45 PM6/2/13
to
Well, I am unable to find any new Lawn Boy 2-cycle mowers. Every
4-stroke mower I have owned weighs a great deal more than this old
machine. Since we end up picking it up to mow raised areas, weight is
important enough to make this a "must repair". Spending the money for
a new deck is not in the picture, either.
You are right about her being a keeper, so if she says this mower need
to be fixed, well...
We also have a Wheel Horse, but need the pusher for tight spots. OTOH,
we are looking into getting a ZTR to replace the Horse. I tried to
talk her into letting me use the finish mower I have for my 4WD
Mitsubishi, but she won't let that beast anywhere on her lawn -
something about ag tires and a heavy machine, whine.
This Lawn Boy is a 1975 model, BTW. They don't make 'em like that
anymore!
Joe
On Sun, 02 Jun 2013 12:41:06 -0700, "Bruce L. Bergman (munged human
4-stroke mower I have owned weighs a great deal more than this old
machine. Since we end up picking it up to mow raised areas, weight is
important enough to make this a "must repair". Spending the money for
a new deck is not in the picture, either.
You are right about her being a keeper, so if she says this mower need
to be fixed, well...
We also have a Wheel Horse, but need the pusher for tight spots. OTOH,
we are looking into getting a ZTR to replace the Horse. I tried to
talk her into letting me use the finish mower I have for my 4WD
Mitsubishi, but she won't let that beast anywhere on her lawn -
something about ag tires and a heavy machine, whine.
This Lawn Boy is a 1975 model, BTW. They don't make 'em like that
anymore!
Joe
On Sun, 02 Jun 2013 12:41:06 -0700, "Bruce L. Bergman (munged human
Lloyd E. Sponenburgh
Jun 2, 2013, 6:41:49 PM6/2/13
to
Joe Gandalf <jgan...@gmail.com> fired this volley in
news:dmhnq8lc9f0bc16fo...@4ax.com:
> we are looking into getting a ZTR to replace the Horse
I've got a Scagg 61", and wouldn't trade it for cash, unless it was
enough cash to buy a brand new one!
I mow 6 acres each week, and it takes only 3 gallons of fuel, and about
four hours. 'Looks like a golf course when it's done.
Lloyd
news:dmhnq8lc9f0bc16fo...@4ax.com:
> we are looking into getting a ZTR to replace the Horse
enough cash to buy a brand new one!
I mow 6 acres each week, and it takes only 3 gallons of fuel, and about
four hours. 'Looks like a golf course when it's done.
Lloyd
Joe Gandalf
Jun 2, 2013, 6:52:56 PM6/2/13
to
Thanks Mike. I never thought to look for welding instructions in the
copy of the manual I downloaded some years ago, but there it is.
Joe
On Sun, 02 Jun 2013 16:35:07 -0400, BQ340 <BQ...@Roadrunner.com>
wrote:
copy of the manual I downloaded some years ago, but there it is.
Joe
On Sun, 02 Jun 2013 16:35:07 -0400, BQ340 <BQ...@Roadrunner.com>
wrote:
Joe Gandalf
Jun 2, 2013, 6:54:53 PM6/2/13
to
So, should I (or, more likely, the shop I take it to) still use the
pure Mg rod, as the manual suggests?
Joe
pure Mg rod, as the manual suggests?
Joe
Lloyd E. Sponenburgh
Jun 2, 2013, 7:10:28 PM6/2/13
to
Joe Gandalf <jgan...@gmail.com> fired this volley in
news:d7jnq8t7c2so0bvpj...@4ax.com:
> So, should I (or, more likely, the shop I take it to) still use the
> pure Mg rod, as the manual suggests?
>
Yup... just lotsa-lotsa inert gas and a low enough amperage so that you
can have the weldment cool enough before leaving the gas shield.
Magnesium is fine for welding magnalium; though not quite as strong.
The aluminum was originally added simply because magnesium alone doesn't
pressure-cast very well without crystallizing (fractures), and doesn't
have the tensile strength of magnalium. The aluminum makes the mix more
plastic.
Lloyd
news:d7jnq8t7c2so0bvpj...@4ax.com:
> So, should I (or, more likely, the shop I take it to) still use the
> pure Mg rod, as the manual suggests?
>
can have the weldment cool enough before leaving the gas shield.
Magnesium is fine for welding magnalium; though not quite as strong.
The aluminum was originally added simply because magnesium alone doesn't
pressure-cast very well without crystallizing (fractures), and doesn't
have the tensile strength of magnalium. The aluminum makes the mix more
plastic.
Lloyd
Lloyd E. Sponenburgh
Jun 2, 2013, 7:11:39 PM6/2/13
to
"Lloyd E. Sponenburgh" <lloydspinsidemindspring.com> fired this volley in
news:XnsA1D3C30DC2DA6ll...@216.168.3.70:
> Yup... just lotsa-lotsa inert gas and a low enough amperage so that you
> can have the weldment cool enough before leaving the gas shield.
Oh... it doesn't make a weldor happy to see the bottom-side of the work
catch fire, so gas should be applied to both sides of the work.
Lloyd
news:XnsA1D3C30DC2DA6ll...@216.168.3.70:
> Yup... just lotsa-lotsa inert gas and a low enough amperage so that you
> can have the weldment cool enough before leaving the gas shield.
catch fire, so gas should be applied to both sides of the work.
Lloyd
Pete C.
Jun 2, 2013, 7:27:55 PM6/2/13
to
enough access to get to the weld area. Pre-purge with plenty of argon
before welding, set post flow to the max time available.
Lloyd E. Sponenburgh
Jun 2, 2013, 7:41:53 PM6/2/13
to
"Pete C." <aux3....@snet.net> fired this volley in news:51abd6b7$0$17298
$a826...@newsreader.readnews.com:
> Purge box, even a taped up cardboard box enclosing the deck
Yeahbut... if you see how big a light a pure Mg rod makes, you may want to
think twice about using cardboard for the box <G>.
Lloyd
$a826...@newsreader.readnews.com:
> Purge box, even a taped up cardboard box enclosing the deck
think twice about using cardboard for the box <G>.
Lloyd
Larry Jaques
Jun 2, 2013, 7:58:03 PM6/2/13
to
blasted grass. Wasting good time, money, gasoline, fertilizer, and
ungodly amounts of water on something which maked their allergies
flare up and their noses run is beyond me.
Some books for those people:
Beautiful No-Mow Yards: 50 Amazing Lawn Alternatives by Hadden, Evelyn
The Edible Front Yard: The Mow-Less, Grow-More Plan for a Beautiful,
Bountiful Garden by Soler, Ivette
Lawn Gone!: Low-Maintenance, Sustainable, Attractive Alternatives for
Your Yard by Penick, Pam
The New American Front Yard: Kiss Your Grass Goodbye by Sarah Sutton
(My sister edited this for her friend Sarah.)
Food Not Lawns: How to Turn Your Yard into a Garden And Your
Neighborhood into a Community by Flores, Heather
Cheers!
--
They must find it difficult,
those who have taken authority as truth,
rather than truth as authority.
-- Gerald Massey, Egyptologist
Lloyd E. Sponenburgh
Jun 2, 2013, 8:08:51 PM6/2/13
to
Larry Jaques <lja...@invalid.diversifycomm.com> fired this volley in
news:8nmnq8hfc3e7ut4sk...@4ax.com:
>
> I'll never understand why otherwise sane people want so much farkin',
> blasted grass. Wasting good time, money, gasoline, fertilizer, and
> ungodly amounts of water on something which maked their allergies
> flare up and their noses run is beyond me.
FWIW, Larry, I water none at all. I fertilize none at all. I mow simply
because I want it to look nice.
The cows do the fertilization, and Florida does the watering. If it
wilts in a drought, I just don't mow.
If I made $30K a year, I wouldn't consider it. I'd just let it grow.
For now, I can afford the gas, and can _almost_ afford the time.
What if you just called it a "hobby". Would you object to spending the
money, then?
LLoyd
news:8nmnq8hfc3e7ut4sk...@4ax.com:
>
> I'll never understand why otherwise sane people want so much farkin',
> blasted grass. Wasting good time, money, gasoline, fertilizer, and
> ungodly amounts of water on something which maked their allergies
> flare up and their noses run is beyond me.
because I want it to look nice.
The cows do the fertilization, and Florida does the watering. If it
wilts in a drought, I just don't mow.
If I made $30K a year, I wouldn't consider it. I'd just let it grow.
For now, I can afford the gas, and can _almost_ afford the time.
What if you just called it a "hobby". Would you object to spending the
money, then?
LLoyd
Joe Gandalf
Jun 2, 2013, 8:12:39 PM6/2/13
to
I've made a similar pitch to Angie, but to no avail. I guess it's the
English part of her heritage.
Not as bad, though, as when I used to tell her to stop wearing herself
out raking the damn leaves. I would say "They call them 'leaves'
because you're supposed to *leave* them alone." I used that line one
too many times. Now I just shrug.
Lest anyone think I just lay around the house, I do all the
maintenance work on all equipment (I call it "work" when Angie is
around), run the bush hog, cut down trees, then cut up trees (the 2
jobs seem to be at odds with one another), dig holes, build
greenhouses, etc, etc. I'm getting worn out just thinking about it.
Joe
English part of her heritage.
Not as bad, though, as when I used to tell her to stop wearing herself
out raking the damn leaves. I would say "They call them 'leaves'
because you're supposed to *leave* them alone." I used that line one
too many times. Now I just shrug.
Lest anyone think I just lay around the house, I do all the
maintenance work on all equipment (I call it "work" when Angie is
around), run the bush hog, cut down trees, then cut up trees (the 2
jobs seem to be at odds with one another), dig holes, build
greenhouses, etc, etc. I'm getting worn out just thinking about it.
Joe
Jim Wilkins
Jun 2, 2013, 8:24:37 PM6/2/13
to
"Joe Gandalf" <jgan...@gmail.com> wrote in message
etc makes a good pattern that you can trace onto sheetmetal.
jsw
>
> You are right about her being a keeper, so if she says this mower
> need
> to be fixed, well...
>
If she designs the patch it won't be ugly. Cardboard from a cereal box
> You are right about her being a keeper, so if she says this mower
> need
> to be fixed, well...
>
etc makes a good pattern that you can trace onto sheetmetal.
jsw
Ed Huntress
Jun 2, 2013, 8:29:24 PM6/2/13
to
On Sun, 02 Jun 2013 18:38:45 -0400, Joe Gandalf <jgan...@gmail.com>
wrote:
>Well, I am unable to find any new Lawn Boy 2-cycle mowers. Every
>4-stroke mower I have owned weighs a great deal more than this old
>machine. Since we end up picking it up to mow raised areas, weight is
>important enough to make this a "must repair". Spending the money for
>a new deck is not in the picture, either.
FWIW, we had a Sears/Power Products mower with a mag-alloy housing
that my dad bought in 1959. It was light as a feather and I loved it.
He got a newer mower but I would only use the light one. It had a
2-stroke PP motor with an aluminum cylinder, with no lining, and an
integral head that didn't come off. No throttle and a wrap-on rope
starter.
In 1962 - I remember the day -- I hit a rock that flew forward and
cracked the front of the housing nearly off. It was held on by a thin
steel "comb" on the front of the housing, which was held to the
housing with two or three rivets.
When I read about your situation I nearly fell off my chair. It sounds
like the same thing.
Anyway, my dad cut a strip of 1/8" aluminum about two inches wide, the
langth of the crack, drilled holes, and screwed through the housing
into the aluminum. It clogged easily if the grass was wet but we used
it like that for another two years.
'Hope you can keep it.
--
Ed Huntress
wrote:
>Well, I am unable to find any new Lawn Boy 2-cycle mowers. Every
>4-stroke mower I have owned weighs a great deal more than this old
>machine. Since we end up picking it up to mow raised areas, weight is
>important enough to make this a "must repair". Spending the money for
>a new deck is not in the picture, either.
that my dad bought in 1959. It was light as a feather and I loved it.
He got a newer mower but I would only use the light one. It had a
2-stroke PP motor with an aluminum cylinder, with no lining, and an
integral head that didn't come off. No throttle and a wrap-on rope
starter.
In 1962 - I remember the day -- I hit a rock that flew forward and
cracked the front of the housing nearly off. It was held on by a thin
steel "comb" on the front of the housing, which was held to the
housing with two or three rivets.
When I read about your situation I nearly fell off my chair. It sounds
like the same thing.
Anyway, my dad cut a strip of 1/8" aluminum about two inches wide, the
langth of the crack, drilled holes, and screwed through the housing
into the aluminum. It clogged easily if the grass was wet but we used
it like that for another two years.
'Hope you can keep it.
--
Ed Huntress
Larry Jaques
Jun 2, 2013, 8:50:56 PM6/2/13
to
On Sun, 02 Jun 2013 19:08:51 -0500, "Lloyd E. Sponenburgh"
<lloydspinsidemindspring.com> wrote:
>Larry Jaques <lja...@invalid.diversifycomm.com> fired this volley in
>news:8nmnq8hfc3e7ut4sk...@4ax.com:
>
>>
>> I'll never understand why otherwise sane people want so much farkin',
>> blasted grass. Wasting good time, money, gasoline, fertilizer, and
>> ungodly amounts of water on something which maked their allergies
>> flare up and their noses run is beyond me.
>
>FWIW, Larry, I water none at all. I fertilize none at all. I mow simply
>because I want it to look nice.
OK. Works for me...I guess.
<lloydspinsidemindspring.com> wrote:
>Larry Jaques <lja...@invalid.diversifycomm.com> fired this volley in
>news:8nmnq8hfc3e7ut4sk...@4ax.com:
>
>>
>> I'll never understand why otherwise sane people want so much farkin',
>> blasted grass. Wasting good time, money, gasoline, fertilizer, and
>> ungodly amounts of water on something which maked their allergies
>> flare up and their noses run is beyond me.
>
>FWIW, Larry, I water none at all. I fertilize none at all. I mow simply
>because I want it to look nice.
>The cows do the fertilization, and Florida does the watering. If it
>wilts in a drought, I just don't mow.
>If I made $30K a year, I wouldn't consider it. I'd just let it grow.
>For now, I can afford the gas, and can _almost_ afford the time.
lawn and am using a rider, mowing takes me only 35-40 minutes a week.
>What if you just called it a "hobby". Would you object to spending the
>money, then?
--
Truth loves to go naked.
--Dr. Thomas Fuller, Gnomologia, 1732
Stanley Schaefer
Jun 2, 2013, 9:56:25 PM6/2/13
to
On Jun 2, 4:38 pm, Joe Gandalf <jganda...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Well, I am unable to find any new Lawn Boy 2-cycle mowers. Every
> 4-stroke mower I have owned weighs a great deal more than this old
> machine. Since we end up picking it up to mow raised areas, weight is
> important enough to make this a "must repair". Spending the money for
> a new deck is not in the picture, either.
>
> You are right about her being a keeper, so if she says this mower need
> to be fixed, well...
>
> We also have a Wheel Horse, but need the pusher for tight spots. OTOH,
> we are looking into getting a ZTR to replace the Horse. I tried to
> talk her into letting me use the finish mower I have for my 4WD
> Mitsubishi, but she won't let that beast anywhere on her lawn -
> something about ag tires and a heavy machine, whine.
>
> This Lawn Boy is a 1975 model, BTW. They don't make 'em like that
> anymore!
>
> Joe
>
> On Sun, 02 Jun 2013 12:41:06 -0700, "Bruce L. Bergman (munged human
>
>
>
> readable)" <bruceNOSPAMberg...@gmail.INVALID> wrote:
> >On Sun, 02 Jun 2013 12:19:56 -0700, "Bruce L. Bergman (munged human
> >readable)" <bruceNOSPAMberg...@gmail.INVALID> wrote:
> Well, I am unable to find any new Lawn Boy 2-cycle mowers. Every
> 4-stroke mower I have owned weighs a great deal more than this old
> machine. Since we end up picking it up to mow raised areas, weight is
> important enough to make this a "must repair". Spending the money for
> a new deck is not in the picture, either.
>
> You are right about her being a keeper, so if she says this mower need
> to be fixed, well...
>
> We also have a Wheel Horse, but need the pusher for tight spots. OTOH,
> we are looking into getting a ZTR to replace the Horse. I tried to
> talk her into letting me use the finish mower I have for my 4WD
> Mitsubishi, but she won't let that beast anywhere on her lawn -
> something about ag tires and a heavy machine, whine.
>
> This Lawn Boy is a 1975 model, BTW. They don't make 'em like that
> anymore!
>
> Joe
>
> On Sun, 02 Jun 2013 12:41:06 -0700, "Bruce L. Bergman (munged human
>
>
>
> readable)" <bruceNOSPAMberg...@gmail.INVALID> wrote:
> >On Sun, 02 Jun 2013 12:19:56 -0700, "Bruce L. Bergman (munged human
>
> >>On Sun, 02 Jun 2013 14:09:16 -0400, Joe Gandalf <jganda...@gmail.com>
> >>wrote:
>
> >>>My wife loves her old Lawn Boy push mower; it's very lightweight (esp.
> >>>since I removed all the Rube Goldberg self-propelled mechanism) and
> >>>easy to start - still! However, the magnesium deck has developed a
> >>>crack that runs across the front of the discharge chute. I was going
> >>>to bolt a metal plate across the crack as a repair, but it would be a
> >>>really sloppy patch.
>
> >>1. Call LawnBoy (or get on the Interwebs) and see if you can get a
> >>new deck casting, and move the motor and all the other parts over.
>
> >>https://www.shoplawnboy.com/Comergent/en/US/adirect/Toro?cmd=ToroLBOn...
>
> >>>My wife loves her old Lawn Boy push mower; it's very lightweight (esp.
> >>>since I removed all the Rube Goldberg self-propelled mechanism) and
> >>>easy to start - still! However, the magnesium deck has developed a
> >>>crack that runs across the front of the discharge chute. I was going
> >>>to bolt a metal plate across the crack as a repair, but it would be a
> >>>really sloppy patch.
>
> >>1. Call LawnBoy (or get on the Interwebs) and see if you can get a
> >>new deck casting, and move the motor and all the other parts over.
>
>
> >>1A. But first, do a financial study - the replacement deck part might
> >>cost you more than a brand new mower, and you get a zero-hour engine,
> >>new blade, etc. for that price.
>
> >>The MSRP for the Manual Push model is $259, and if you can't beat that
> >>price by quite a bit you aren't trying very hard.
>
> >I just did a random search for a deck from a 1996 model 10310, and
> >they are available as repair parts - Over $310, not counting taxes and
> >shipping. And since a new mower street price will be about $200...
>
> >Dig a hole, Say Kadish, have a quiet mourning period, and go get her a
> >new mower already. If she's willing to mow the lawn for you she's
> >already a Keeper, dammit!! Stop griping and spend the money!
>
> > Buy her a Rider, even. Or a little Tractor with a mower deck.
>
> >--<< Bruce >>--- Hide quoted text -
> >>1A. But first, do a financial study - the replacement deck part might
> >>cost you more than a brand new mower, and you get a zero-hour engine,
> >>new blade, etc. for that price.
>
> >>The MSRP for the Manual Push model is $259, and if you can't beat that
> >>price by quite a bit you aren't trying very hard.
>
> >I just did a random search for a deck from a 1996 model 10310, and
> >they are available as repair parts - Over $310, not counting taxes and
> >shipping. And since a new mower street price will be about $200...
>
> >Dig a hole, Say Kadish, have a quiet mourning period, and go get her a
> >new mower already. If she's willing to mow the lawn for you she's
> >already a Keeper, dammit!! Stop griping and spend the money!
>
> > Buy her a Rider, even. Or a little Tractor with a mower deck.
>
>
> - Show quoted text -
EPA says 2-cycle=bad ju-ju. So no more new ones. The one Briggs book
talks about getting cat converters stuffed into 4-cycle mowers,
they're ready with golfball-sized ones.
If it were mine, I'd drill the end of the crack, polish it up and JB
Weld a piece underneath.
Stan
John B.
Jun 3, 2013, 7:59:23 AM6/3/13
to
On Sun, 02 Jun 2013 14:09:16 -0400, Joe Gandalf <jgan...@gmail.com>
wrote:
We used to TIG magnesium quite regularly when I was in the A.F.
--
Cheers,
John B.
wrote:
--
Cheers,
John B.
Jon Elson
Jun 3, 2013, 3:25:35 PM6/3/13
to
BQ340 wrote:
>
> The Lawnboy manual says to use a Heliarc welder in AC mode & pure
> magnesium rod.
>
> I would do that outside.....
Yes, and you'd want to set up a back-side shield-gas flood system, too.
>
> The Lawnboy manual says to use a Heliarc welder in AC mode & pure
> magnesium rod.
>
> I would do that outside.....
Maybe a separate shield gas nozzle for the front side, too, and follow
along behind the welding torch.
Jon
Lloyd E. Sponenburgh
Jun 3, 2013, 3:48:39 PM6/3/13
to
Jon Elson <jme...@wustl.edu> fired this volley in
news:ttmdnc7wAMVCdjHM...@giganews.com:
> Yes, and you'd want to set up a back-side shield-gas flood system, too.
> Maybe a separate shield gas nozzle for the front side, too, and follow
> along behind the welding torch.
Jon, all that's been discussed before in this thread.
Both sides of the work must be shielded until the Mg is well below yellow
heat, and that will involve either cabinet welding, or several nozzles.
LLoyd
news:ttmdnc7wAMVCdjHM...@giganews.com:
> Yes, and you'd want to set up a back-side shield-gas flood system, too.
> Maybe a separate shield gas nozzle for the front side, too, and follow
> along behind the welding torch.
Both sides of the work must be shielded until the Mg is well below yellow
heat, and that will involve either cabinet welding, or several nozzles.
LLoyd
Kristian Ukkonen
Jun 3, 2013, 4:58:25 PM6/3/13
to
http://www.weld-aluminum.com/
or use the "miracle sticks" you already have, if they are similar.
If you really want spare one, check ebay..
www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=lawn+boy
www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=lawn+boy+casting
Michael A. Terrell
Jun 3, 2013, 11:14:07 PM6/3/13
to
Joe Gandalf wrote:
>
> Well, I am unable to find any new Lawn Boy 2-cycle mowers. Every
> 4-stroke mower I have owned weighs a great deal more than this old
> machine. Since we end up picking it up to mow raised areas, weight is
> important enough to make this a "must repair". Spending the money for
> a new deck is not in the picture, either.
>
> You are right about her being a keeper, so if she says this mower need
> to be fixed, well...
>
> We also have a Wheel Horse, but need the pusher for tight spots. OTOH,
> we are looking into getting a ZTR to replace the Horse. I tried to
> talk her into letting me use the finish mower I have for my 4WD
> Mitsubishi, but she won't let that beast anywhere on her lawn -
> something about ag tires and a heavy machine, whine.
>
> This Lawn Boy is a 1975 model, BTW. They don't make 'em like that
> anymore!
same with Craig's list or any free local ads. Hell, even Ebay has got
into local ads. Someone may have one in a shed, or garage and they
don't bother to list it, thinking no one wants it.
http://www.freecycle.org/
http://craigslist.org/
http://www.ebayclassifieds.com/
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