I've been babying my 18-year-old gas-powered lawnmower along ever since the end of last season while I wait for the new reel mower to arrive. It's hard to start, stalls frequently, and the blade has never been sharpened. (B and I disagree on whether the oil and sparkplug have EVER been changed: I say no.)
Yesterday, the left rear wheel fell off, as it has been threatening to do for some time. The metal body of the mower is completely worn through around the hole where the wheel attaches, and since the wheel is only bolted on (no axle), the wheel assembly can just slide right out. B tried to undo the assembly so that we could use a giant washer to plug the hole, but the wheel assembly was fused together with 18 years of rust, dirt and grease, so no dice there. He improvised a solution with a bunch of wire, but that didn't last 10 feet.
What to do? Buy another gas mower new? Seems crazy, when we just shelled out $$ for the reel mower. Find one used? Seems crazy to pay $100 for someone else's trash. Finally, an inspiration! B's sister wanted to give us her mower (2 years old) because she has a service. I had declined at first, but now I believe I will take her up on it. Win-win: she wanted it out of the house; I need a part-time gas mower!
I have another series of rants forthcoming about small plastic do-hickeys that snap off and render whole appliances useless,* but I really can't complain about metal corrosion on a tool that's been used hard for 18 years. (Well, I COULD complain...but I won't.)
*Braun coffeemaker; air pump for balance ball.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I can't believe the way things are built today! Why back in the 30s everything lasted FOREVER and NOTHING EVER BROKE! Why I just the other day had to return to SEARS and get a part for a practically new vacuum cleaner! AND THEY DIDN'T HAVE ANY PARTS! I mean it was less than 40 years old??? Are they kiddin me?
ReplyDeleteI tells ya... things today just ain't the same... ~mutter mutter mutter~
You are in very serious danger of becoming your father hunny!
er, planned obsolescence? Heard of it? They (the infamous "they") deliberately design stuff not to last, and they've been doing it since 1945. Do you really think a race that sent men to the moon can't design non-run pantyhose?? Don't even get me STARTED on THAT can o worms!!!
ReplyDelete