It’s the start of a new mowing season, and you’ve probably mown your lawn a few times and seen how your mower is operating after a long winter. It may be time to make the hard decision of deicing whether or not it’s time to retire your faithful cutting machine. While we can’t speak on the sentimental bond between you and your trusty lawn mower, we can discuss the economics and whether a lawn mower is worth being repaired. Wonder when it’s time for new outdoor equipment? Here are some signs that it might be time to put your trusty lawn mower into retirement.
Engine Issues
The engine is really a make-or-break problem. If it’s an engine issue, it’s likely to be more cost-effective to replace your mower instead of repairing. A blown engine on a riding mower can typically cost just as much to fix as it would be to buy a new one, some of the lower end models usually start at around the $600 range. With that said, it may be a better deal to buy a new mower altogether.
Transmission Problems
The transmission is also a costly repair– costing about $500 to repair a riding mower’s broken transmission. Depending on the age of the mower you own, it may be a better investment to buy a new mower instead of fixing the old one. Again, you can buy a brand new one for nearly as much of the price.
Crankshaft Damage
A crankshaft converts the up and down motion of an engine’s piston from a circular motion to a rotational motion. If your lawn mowers blade strikes a rock, tree stump, or another hard object, it can cause permanent damage to your crankshaft. This causes the blade to rotate improperly, which makes the machine shake and cut grass inefficiently or not at all. A new crankshaft is at least $150 and that doesn’t include the cost of labor, which in some cases makes more sense to replace the mower.
It’s Not an Easy Fix
Some problems can be an easy fix and will allow you to keep a mower running smoothly and effectively for the years to come. Things like dirty spark plugs and carburetors can prevent a mower from starting, but both repairs are fast and inexpensive. Old fuel is another common mower issue and is also an easy fix.
However, some issues are much greater than others. If you’re not sure about the source of the problem, take your mower to us so that we can take a look at it and see if it’s worth fixing or if it’s something more serious. In some cases, it’s better to invest money in a nicer and newer mower than pour money into an old one.
You Just Want an Upgrade
Admit it, sometimes your old mower is fine, but you’ve been itching for an excuse to buy a new one. There’s no shame in wanting to upgrade your mower– there are many new models that are more fuel-efficient with luxurious upgrades that could ultimately save you money in the long run.
If you’re in the market for a new lawn mower, check out our demonstration yard located outside the store for customers to try outdoor equipment before purchasing, completely free! With our extensive inventory of new and pre-owned riding mowers, as well as other outdoor power equipment, you’ll be sure to find everything you need and know exactly what you’re buying, how to use it, and how it runs – before you buy it.
Resources
Now you know the signs that it’s time to buy a new lawn mower, however, do you know where to go to find a new one? We have the answer for that too! Watermaster is proud to serve Lubbock and the surrounding communities for irrigation needs, landscape lighting needs, and lawn maintenance equipment by Exmark. Come see us today or visit our website!