We all have different approaches to deciding when to replace something. I knew a man who bought a new car every few years, trading the old one in at his favorite dealership. At the other extreme, I’ve always bought used cars and drove them until I had to sell them for scrap.
Lawnmowers and cars are different things, but we can have similar approaches to them and other power equipment. Do you replace it on a set schedule to make sure that it keeps working without too much hassle? Or do you keep using it until it falls apart?
What to Expect from a Mower
The type of mower you get, how often you use it, and how you take care of it all contribute to how long a mower will last. Higher-quality mowers tend to last longer because they’re made with more durable parts. If you’re mowing your home lawn once a week, your mower won’t wear out as fast as if you’re using it every day in a lawn care business. And if you keep up with maintenance, the mower will last longer than if you forget tasks like cleaning the cutting deck and replacing air filters.
A lot of this depends on how much you use the mower. Mower warranties vary depending on whether the mower is for commercial or residential use. Honda, for example, has 24-month, 36-month, or 60-month warranties on their residential mowers (depending on the series). Those same mowers have 3-month or 12-month commercial warranties. Similarly, Toro offers 2-year residential warranties or 1-year commercial warranties (with 2-to-3-year warranties on their engines). You can expect your mower to last at least as long as the warranty period, and often longer with proper maintenance.
Signs You Can Repair a Mower
There are a lot of issues you might have with a mower that are easy to fix without replacing it. For example, if you start to notice the lawn looks ragged after mowing (like the grass blades are being torn instead of cut), then you probably just need to clean the mower deck and sharpen or replace the cutting blades.
Other simple repairs include cleaning or replacing the air filter and spark plug, and replacing small parts like the flywheel, ignition switch, or cooling fins. Typically, these repairs cost much less than purchasing a new mower, even if you take it to a service center rather than repairing it yourself.
Weighing the cost-benefit of repair involves considering how long you’ve had the mower, what type of mower it is, how much it originally cost, and how much the repair will cost. ConsumerReports.com has a helpful tool (click here) to help you visualize the pros and cons of repairing or replacing the mower.
Signs You Should Replace a Mower
If your mower is relatively new (5 to 10 years is considered old for a residential-use mower), there’s a good chance that the repairs will last long enough to make them cost-effective. Much older than that, and you might find it needing repairs frequently enough that it’s just not worth the hassle.
Similarly, the expected lifespan for a commercial zero-turn mower is 3,000 to 4,000 working hours. After that, the maintenance costs will typically be high enough that it isn’t worth it to keep the mower; it’s better to buy a new one. Many green industry professionals replace their mowers at the end of each season, often reselling or trading them in.
Another sign that it might be time to replace the mower is if it has a major issue with the engine or transmission and the mower is outside of warranty. In this case, the cost of repair might be so close to the cost of a new mower that it’s a much better financial decision to just get a new mower that would then be under warranty.
Maintenance to Extend the Life of a Mower
Keeping up with routine recommended maintenance can help extend the life of your lawnmower. A lot of these are things you can easily do yourself, like cleaning the cutting deck and cleaning or replacing the air filters. Other tasks like replacing the spark plug and other small parts or sharpening the cutting blades are fairly easy to DIY if you have the time and the right tools.
Proper storage is another important aspect of lawnmower maintenance. Before storing the mower for winter, make sure to drain or stabilize the fuel. This prevents ethanol-containing fuel from damaging the mower during storage. Pre-winter storage is also a good time for cleaning the mower, replacing the spark plug, and changing the oil (for mowers with a 4-cycle engine).
The Richardson Saw Service Center
You could also take the mower to a service center for a professional tune-up to take care of routine maintenance tasks. And if the mower needs more extensive repair or maintenance, your local dealership/service center can help.
Here at Richarson Saw, our mission statement is “Service what you sell and deliver what you promise.” Our factory-certified Outdoor Power Equipment (OPE) technicians also have certifications from Briggs and Stratton, Kohler Engines, Kawasaki, Stihl, Honda, and other lawn equipment brands. We perform all of our repairs in-house and our technicians are qualified to repair all major brands of mowers. We also have the largest parts inventory in North Texas to help ensure fast turn-around on mower maintenance so you’ll get your repaired mower back as soon as possible.
Whether you want a routine tune-up to keep your mower running well, need a mower repair, or you’re ready to replace the mower, Richardson Saw is the place to go. We carry top-quality residential and commercial mowers from trusted brands including Honda, eXmark, Scag, EGO, and more. We’ll also be happy to answer any questions you might have and help you figure out the best choice to make about mowers for your home or business.
