Free Mower in the Trash - Serious Problem or Easy Fix?

[@benkanobe7500]

Can you imagine how many kids would go into small engine repair/engine repair if he was their High School Shop Teacher? The *Perfect* persona for a leader and teacher.

[@wchaz3697]

⁹9⁹⁹

[@GrahamsGarage123]

At my cousins private school in 8th grade there was a small engine shot and they did things like each having a lawn mower and raced them!

[@brianparker6811]

I was just telling someone this Yesterday. He would be a great teacher

[@thomasr.5443]

Did I get that right? You have small engine repair workshops at US High Schools? I am just jealous right now!

[@benkanobe7500]

@@thomasr.5443 It depends on the location, but yes also Automotive Mechanics and Machine Shop.

[@131dyana]

My next door nieghbor fixed trashed mowers until he could no longer do that because of age. He was so good at it. thanks for sharing.

[@warddc]

That blade is a mulching blade hence the reason for the extended raised sharp area of the blade. It suspends the cut grass and chops it finer.

[@ouch1011]

Just stopped by to say the same. Yes, that is why more of the blade is sharp.

[@hikerJohn]

I just posted the same comment. LOL

[@milusoscualquierascz265]

What kind of a cleaner you used to clean the mower with?

[@bcad4066]

Surprised he didn't know that.

[@hikerJohn]

@@milusoscualquierascz265 Purple Power and Super Clean are great but almost anything will work and then wipe it down with WD-40. You can use break cleaner as well. Fantastic is like Purple Power but highly diluted so it's a lot more expensive because you have to spray iy a few times or let it sit longer.

[@paulmonk7820]

It was trashed because the homeowner had neither the tools nor the expertise to fix it. Great job, I was impressed that it started on the first pull.😊

[@ChristopherAndersonPirate]

Yeah I don’t have any of those tools either so I wouldn’t know what to do. I just found a free mower that works great on a curb and it just needed some gasoline. It’s def used but works just fine, no self pushing but hey

[@kenmassey2430]

this is the reason for running your small engine equipment completely out of fuel before storing them away for the winter ; this also includes generators which you can turn the fuel off and let it run until all the fuel in the bowl of the carb is depleted

[@gradyhernandez4699]

Its probably that they were not hard workers who may have had things on a silver platter .result: neglected mower

[@heavyd777]

I had someone give me a riding mower. Her husband had worked on the mower but then couldn't get it to start again. Being mechanically inclined and needing a riding mower, I took a shot at fixing it. It took me while it turned out the engine shaft key was inserted wrong. The motor timing was 180 degrees out. It started right up after putting the key in correctly. It was a 6 hp Briggs and Stratton with a 42 inch cut. A real beast.

[@bertgrau3934]

A 6 horsepower Briggs on a 42 inch cut? I had a 42 inch cut with a 12.5 horsepower Briggs and it was way under powered in my opinion. So I put a 25 horsepower Kohler V twin on it. Now it has more than enough power to cut whatever I need to cut. Weeds, grass, even hay.

[@womanofsamaria]

I cannot thank you enough for your patience in fixing these machines & sharing what you find step by step with us. I have a Yamaha EF1000 generator that I took to a Yamaha dealer for repair about 6 years ago & they fixed it, but it started surging after about 6 months, so I took it upon my self to clean the carb & it's been working beautifully ever since. I couldn't believe it! I fixed it myself! ;) Currently, I sadly let it sit for almost 1 year without cranking it monthly & now I'm paying for that huge mistake. I tried cleaning the carb twice, but it still isn't working, so I ordered a new carb from Yamaha & I just received it. I sure do hope that's the only problem once I get it installed. I asked a local mower shop guy if he knew anybody that would work on my Yamaha, but he woulds only refer me to a local Yamaha dealership & said nobody else will work on these machines because they can't get the parts. I told him 99% of parts are available for this Yamaha, but he wouldn't take it on nor refer me to anyone else. He said I'm better off fixing it myself. Ay yi yi! Guys like you who are willing to work on old equipment are very hard to find. I would love to find someone half as smart as you are about small gas engines & as patient as you are to work on my Yamaha. I would be willing to pay whatever it takes because everything I read about the EF1000 says it is worth fixing. I watch videos here all of the time where guys are working on small gas engines because I'm trying to learn anything I can & become comfortable working on them. So, this is the 3rd video of yours that I've watched in the last 2 days & I'm learning so much! I don't mind learning, especially with a great teacher like you, so I'll just continue to watch you. Thank you for sharing your knowledge & fixing stuff that would unfortunately go in a landfill if you & others like you didn't care & take the time to fix things others have discarded for trash. James, you are very inspiring, to say the least. Thanks again for taking time to film your work & share it with us. :)

[@carlh2007]

now i wanna know if the new carb fixed your generator. put up a vid or something :)

[@royparker9509]

Nice to see you giving that mower another chance. I have a former neighbor who picks up disposed of mowers off of curbs and trash pile. He gets them working again and sell them very reasonably priced. I have purchased two from him and have been pleased with both. Thanks for the video.

[@baileyhatfield4273]

Where i live, sadly, the decks are ALWAYS rusted or just not in good shape, that being a side issue, they get thrown away for not starting or some busted part. So not really a market for that. Sure there may be one or two in a few years that could be good...but rare. If you had your own junkyard of 20 30 i'm sure you could make a few. Engines are almost always easy to fix.

[@rbell7666]

A friend taught me to grab vacuum cleaners. It's usually just the power cord. I gave one to my sister in the 1970's and she still has it.

[@royparker9509]

@@rbell7666 Yeah, my brother used to do that. He had a whole fleet of working vacs at one point.

[@SeattlePioneer]

> So do you have two working mowers or did the first one quit running? But I agree that working on mowers and mowers engines can be a satisfying hobby. Just keeping ONE running properly is a hobby for me! My mower is a self propelled MTD mower with a Briggs Quantum engine built in 7/99. I recently replaced the self propel belt and cleaned the carb when it got plugged.

[@andrewdonohue1853]

@@rbell7666 older vacuums were quite durable, more recent dept store vacuums are pretty bad. the motor bearings usually fail. it will sound stupid loud and eventually quit.

[@geraldharkness8830]

it always amazes me what some people throw out just because it wont start! their loss is your gain james!

[@ferfromla]

Living as we do in a throw-away society, it is good to see someone save equipment that can be fixed and used again. Hopefully, your example will inspire others to try to fix stuff themselves and save our landfills and environment from litter and waste. Thanks for showing us the way.

[@joewoodchuck3824]

I'm grateful that people like him are helping to right the wromgs of our throw away society.

[@watermanone7567]

Jim: The higher step on the blade that is sharpened is supposed to be for mulching the grass clipping to a finer cut. At least that is what I was told. I got a free mower years ago that was new and only used a few times. The guy hated the mower and gave it to me. I found the blade had been installed upside down from the place he bought it. I used that mower for about 12 yrs. Thanks

[@davidgilpin5200]

James - you are now an official Grass Rat ™. Well done! Taryl and the gang would be proud, keeping this MTD out of the junk heap.

[@Bri-tg6xr]

I once got a "junk" mower that was being thrown away. Started up but smoked really bad. Checked the oil and it was overfilled, drained some out, the smoke cleared up and sold the thing for $40 bucks. Easiest beer money I ever made in my life.

[@ShaamoneHeeHee]

Love your videos mate. I work a pretty stressful job and there is nothing more relaxing at lunch time sitting in the park with my dog, looking over the harbour and sea listening to you fix all these small engines. Complete escapism for an hour

[@CiscoWes]

25:40 That blade having a sharp area closer to the center is for mulching. Helps chop up the grass if you have the chute covered up for mulching.

[@daveb7663]

Thanks!

[@jcondon1]

Thanks Dave

[@eostrike]

That balancing tool was so cool. Never seen that before nor sharpened my blade. Amazon here I come. Thanks for the video, well done.

[@kenk3102]

...great job James....I never get tired of watching you clean carburetors....thanks for posting... 🙂

[@lewiemcneely9143]

Most always a carb stoppage. I had to give away all my toys. Took 2 trailer loads to haul them off; 8 mowers. Too old and goofy to deal with them. They all ran. Got the wife a Stihl self-propelled battery mower and kept my old 85 Snapper for a spare when it dies, if it does. Getting a 16 horse spare Craftsman rider for a spare for the 20 horse opposed so all will be in the shed is 4 mowers, a pressure washer and 2 blowers. I have ROOM! Very strange. BLESSINGS to yall! And we both have the same balancer!

[@wildefox1478]

It's just amazing what people throw away and when it comes to gas powered lawn equipment, most of the time it's just a simple fix like a carb cleaning. I've had really good luck picking gas equipment from the trash, just simple fixes, nice work James!

[@oatnoid]

Yeah I love it. Got a nice Craftsman self propelled that way. Needed a cleaning and some new front wheels. Like new.

[@aronschmidt6108]

the bob ross of small engine repair. Good stuff james

[@waynebrundidge206]

I love your videos you make the viewers feel as if we are right there with you discovering the problems as they show themselves. As always you have produced another classroom quality video thank you and have a blessed day.

[@jcondon1]

Thanks Wayne

[@lestergillis8171]

​@@jcondon1Where DID you get that cool lift ?🤔 How about the micro drill bit set ?😉

[@michaelkennedy2528]

I have pulled countless number of mowers just like that off the road and dumpsters. One quick carb clean, plug and at times a new blade. I have sold several for 60 or 100 bucks depending on the brand. Also, if I see a person that is starting a little lawn care service, I will just give it to them to help them out.

[@RickP654]

Hey James, I think maybe that blade was sharpened like that because it is a mulching blade. Good video, thanks for sharing.

[@mikesbarn1858]

Just a suggestion. If your hoses sit outside flush them before hooking up to pressure washer the first time. There are frequently bugs and debris in it.

[@lambition]

Great advice. I once found ants and their eggs inside. All frozen to death over the winter, but would been pretty bad if it had gone into the pressure washer.

[@robfinch1522]

@@lambition Yes, even worse if you try to suck start a syphon hose, 😵‍💫

[@HappilyHomicidalHooligan]

@@robfinch1522 I never suck-start a siphon for just that reason (and the fact that most of the time I REALLY don't want what I'm trying to siphon in my mouth) so I use a gas siphon hose with a priming bellows and whatever adapters I need to make the bellows fit the hose I'm trying to siphon with... Works every time and I never have to spit out something nasty and/or toxic...

[@JohnBenson-i8c]

Hey Mr. James Henderson, Nevada shouting at you. Love your show very informing. I’ve had a Honda knock off for about 20 years. The first day. It was started when it was new. I put full synthetic oil. It still runs perfect 4 gallon five horse. Keep up the great work.

[@jcondon1]

Thanks

[@kalaharimine]

Good job, I've had my B&S 190cc for 18 years now. Grass box & plastics look a bit ropey now, but it has never given me one bit of trouble. Change oil a few times a year, clean or replace plugs or air filter sometimes and it just works every week, year round. Our seasons are hot and not so hot.

[@kirkb2286]

Mower cleaned beautifully…..going the extra mile…..that is why I watch your videos

[@ricktimmons5438]

thank you. i know very little about motors. my main study in life has been computer area and security equipment, programing and sensors. i like learning how all the motor components work together.

[@ThienTran-ly9fi]

Thanks for making this video; it probably took more time than the fixing itself. I am sure a lot of people will benefit from this. Cheers from Canada

[@RiverratGoRVing]

Turning something thrown out into something useful. Good job James.

[@stevenelson8424]

I'm a little surprised you didn't recognize this blade as a high lift mulching blade...the large wing behind the part you did sharpen is to lift cut grass and the part you didn't sharpen recuts the grass. Totally necessary without a bag or side discharge. Love your channel!

[@johnmorse8434]

I didn’t know that but I assumed it had a purpose.

[@BostonG]

There is no such thing as a high lift mulching blade. There are high lift blades and mulching blades.

[@stevenelson8424]

 OEM Mulching Blade High Lift 2 Pack John Deere LT 100 105 107 108 110 111 118 GX20433OEM Mulching Blade High Lift 2 Pack John Deere LT 100 10… 100+ bought in past month $14.86$14.86 In Stock Shipped from: Landscape Supply, Co

[@stevenelson8424]

@@BostonG guess you should let John Deere know that

[@m9ovich785]

@@stevenelson8424 AHAHAAH My old 20 Year Something 6 Hp Sears had a High lift Blade that would suck the ground up if it wasn't Screwed down. And was a Mulcher too. In the Spring it was the best tool for picking up the Winter Trash that accumulated. I live in the Woods now so no need for Grass Equipment. Mike M.

[@laarshegdish6016]

I'm a true fan of your videos and enjoy your step by step approach to making engine repairs. Your videos guided me through restoration of a curb-found Troy-Bilt generator. It's running great!

[@litz13]

I have what appears to be an identical (or cloned) motor on my Cub Cadet string trimmer. Each spring I take apart and clean the carb and it’s a first pull start the rest of the summer. It’s a very easy repair. Runs really really nicely.

[@cynthiaclarke3979]

Most common for me to repair on a trash find mower is I always find that 9 out of 10 mowers is,,someone has hit something and sheared the timing key and they pulled their insides out trying to start it and push it to the curb thinking it is gone.I do check the blade for a broken piston rod..more over the parts come in handy.I learned from my daddy who taught me.I like your videos Mr. Condon.

[@PaulMack1249]

Jim, I had to do a double-take when I saw the mower in this video. It is the exact same model hand mower I own and have used for years. At least now I know where that air filter came from. I had the mower serviced two or three years ago and they replaced the air filter as part of the overall tune-up package. They gave that, along with the plug, back to me. Glad to see its getting new life. By the way, great little mower. Starts first pull every time, purrs like a kitten, and a tank of gas seems to last forever. Nice job.

[@gastontaylor6594]

Hello James, I enjoy watching your methodical approach in fixing small engines. You are one of the best in your field.

[@Guido_Sarducci007]

Right around 25:00 I see your Eastwood Bender. I bought one 2 months ago and it this great! Last bend was 3/16' x 2" bar for a project.

[@wolfman007zz]

I have that same mower! It’s a 3 in 1 mulching mower. Sensitive to overfilling the oil! Smokes like crazy if over 16 Oz of oil. I’ve had it for 3 mowing seasons now. Good mower. No user controlled throttle. $240 at Walmart.

[@alexanders.nurell1134]

I KEEP LEARNING FROM YOU ON ALL YOUR REPAIRS...THANKS. I WAS A DENTISR, LOST MY SIGHT.I BECOME ALMOUST BLIMD BUT I HAVE TO TINKER AND I NOW, REPAIR ANY LAWN EQUIPMENT I FINE FREE IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD. REGARDS !

[@robertbrown3291]

You are very knowledgeable on lawn mowers

[@martynbuzzing3327]

Nice job. I usually clean off the whole blade as some of the stuck on stuff can put the blade out of balance.

[@PabloDiablo682]

You know James, besides making videos and teaching us, you are also doing a service to the environment by stopping this throw away culture we live in. Your saving that from going to a landfill, which would be horrible. So, your making an honest buck, helping lots of people and the environment.

[@jimlum9127]

I bought one of these as a MTD yardworks / powermore which I did not understand was the engine brand. It ran for at most 3 years on a very small lawn. Then it would not start and I learned about newer gas engines and gas carburators after previous good performance from brand name engines. Part of my fix was the gas line filter in the gas tank. For me NO ultrasound and less disassembly. Last summer I worked on an 18 year old Tecumseh lawnmower That had never failed but was hard to start. Your Huskee ? MTD was an instant Deja Vu when I started the video. Thanks for the extra tips.

[@mjc4942]

I have a hand me down mower. About 2 years ago I thought it was near the end. I learned about Rec gas for small engines. I might have used a little Sea foam while it was running. It's been good since. Rec gas is nearly double the money but I don't need a lot. It's totally worth the money. Ethanol is so hard on these engines. Good job.

[@garystjean-w7h]

The tea brewing strainer is a nice touch, I will steal that idea, thank you

[@jayyoung5423]

Was going to add it's a mulching blade but other astute viewers knew as well, great stuff James.

[@GNX157]

I found a 1997 Gary Fisher Marlin mountain bike (made in USA w/USA rims) in the curb trash this winter. I took it home and went over it. It looked to be garage kept its whole life. All it needed was two new tires and rim strips, a spoke replaced in the rear wheel and a trueing (probably why it got trashed), and new brake pads and just a solid going over and tuning everything.

[@alfredocuomo1546]

Funny, I also have a neighbor who he & his friend collects mowers, power washers & snow Blowers out for garbage fixes them up and has them on this front lawn for sale, usually like $20 for the mowers. Now I see he has a small Craftsman air compressor out for sale too.

[@trek520rider2]

Sharpening tip. After you grind the bevel edge take a fairly fine file and remove any burr on the flat side being sure to keep it flat.

[@CiscoWes]

Knock off that rooster tail

[@blazinggazelle6957]

I've learned quite a bit about working on engines and generators from your channel. You do a great job fixing someone else's treasures.

[@PeterDurrant]

Another great repair and a tribute to recycling James👍Having spent two days getting two Stihl strimmers going again after some neglect I appreciate your endeavours even more - new carbs and coils soon sorted them out. Thanks again for a wonderful in-depth video. Over here in the UK people are more reluctant to discard equipment. They tend to rust away in sheds🙄and the equipment as well😉

[@jimbrewer2893]

True. Saw some of that when I was stationed in England. I will say, best assignment I had in my 20 years service.

[@gregre052]

I had 2 mowers last season and i just kept saying "It HAS to be water in the new season gas!. It was. Finally drained whatever I could and it roars now. It runs so high i wonder if it is killing itself.

[@michaelkorrek7856]

❤❤ ty for service

[@kenmitchell3784]

It to bad we live in a throw away society, my daughter had a lawnmower that would not start in the spring and was ready to go buy a new one. Ten minutes with some carb cleaner and torch wire and it was running like new

[@bertgrau3934]

I've mentioned it before, I like how you clean things, I have been told I spend too much time cleaning, but the end result is worth it in my opinion. Like you have said as well, cleaning may help find other problems. I enjoy your videos sir. One thing I have learned, is most problems are in the fuel system. Carburetor, bad fuel, fuel tank. I have found other problems, like a moved valve guide, bad coil. Those are usually uncommon. Great video Sir 😊

[@womanofsamaria]

I think cleaning shows pride in our work.

[@bertgrau3934]

@@womanofsamaria 🤝 agreed. Many times customers don't agree.

[@thebridge707]

Best small engine channel on the youtubes!! Thanks friend.

[@ronaldlapointe1219]

Hello James, Being retired for a few years, I often spend my summers buying used mowers, which the owners let go for very little, because they don't start anymore. So I take them apart, clean them and resell them via Marketplace for about ten times throughout the summer. Does it pay...no, but it's busy and I meet lots of interesting people. I like what you do and it looks like me!❤

[@MikeRattle]

the high part of the recycler blade cuts the grass finer for faster compost when not useing the bagger. you the man

[@billlynn6550]

I really hope you teach small engines repair somewhere. You would be an excellent teacher. I would go out of my way to take your classes.

[@S1L3NTG4M3R]

A friend of mine does this too, and he finds A LOT of them thrown out, and all was needed as a carb job\cleaning... 👍 thanks again!! :)

[@justinblanchard2746]

Great comment about pulling the plug before turning the blade.. 🤦… i have not done that in the past.. i will now. 😊

[@691lucian]

The most opulent and relaxing mower repair video I've ever seen❤

[@KAFKUBA]

Very satisfying seeing you clean it at the end. My neighbors make fun of me for wiping down my mower .

[@MrTonyPiscatelle]

Nice job James. I noticed the deck exhaust chute was closed for mulching. It is my belief that the riser on the blade that was sharpened and you didn't know why ?. I believe that is to assist in mulching,

[@PabloDiablo682]

You know, i admire that you fix everything on the stuff you work on. There is FIXED and then theres FIXED ENOUGH, I fall into the latter category.....lol It sounds like a new mower.

[@oliverscratch]

My Honda powered Troy-Bilt mower just turned 15 years old and is still going strong. I chalk it up to regular maintenance, clean fuel, and the fact that here in Southern California it does not spend the Winter sitting idle in the garage. The down side is that I don't get an off season either. 😄

[@speakstheobvious5769]

25:30 That's a mulching mower. Blades for mulchers (aka 2-in-1 blade) are sharpened much further up than straight blades.

[@madamcjwalker67]

I'm glad I'm not the only one that tries to salvage things. Not a hoarder. And I'm assuming it worked out or he wouldn't have posted the video right? Smile

[@lambition]

Most people do not know how to store small engines. All mowers I found on the streets had clogged carb. Easy fix. I fixed 5 so far. Some of those I fixed also had very worn out engine from not replacing oil. Smokes until engine warms up. I gave them away after I found a mower with good engine and stainless steel deck. :)

[@mechcntr7185]

I wish people would silicone grease the o rings before reinstalling them. These are some of the best videos I have ever seen.

[@thepaperboy9009]

Great job. Too many people just throw stuff in land fill. It's truly sad.

[@mjg263]

Great video! I love saving mowers from the trash. I agree about the Honda clone engines, they seem very robust and the carb design is much easier to service than the Honda engines they are “inspired” by.

[@frankie7508]

Excellent video and very helpful james, thank you. I make a recommendation that you shoukd also remove the top plastic portions of the mower to expose the air cooling vanes to make sure that it is entirely clean because it is an air cooled engine. And there could be some debris inhibiting the air flow and hence, cooling. I personally believe this is the most important part of the air cooled engine to keep clean and I hope you agree. Take care. 👍👍👍

[@the2060ish]

Its amazing you find these mowers on the side of the road were you live. I never see this where I live. Good video.👍👍

[@elliejackson6907]

Hey James, that was a lucky find. The 'fix' was no more than the cost of what you would spend on normal maintenance. 😊 Love your videos, very informative. Thanks EJ

[@radarrider607]

Nice video! A lot of times just a simple fuel purge with fresh fuel fixes the problem. The gasoline they make nowadays is crap compared to what it was 40 years ago and ethanol is notorious for separating and clogging up after a short period of time.

[@TheSmokie55]

I literally just yesterday grabbed a little red gem very similar to this. It said "Free" - "Broken". I plan to follow this video tonight with these steps and save another from the almighty heap. I have needed a companion mower for my JD Rider for years. I hope mine find is an easy repair. If not, i may convert it to electric motor.

[@manofharmonizingstrings]

Hey James, I've been a viewer of you're channel since I've found you, (a little late I'll admit) I'm 15 years old and my stepdad and grandpa had put me through a test to see if I could fix things with small engines like this mower, about a week ago I got this exact mower running and cutting :) it was one from my stepdad's dad that I was welcome by to see if I could get it running after 4 or so years, turns out I could! a long the way it wasn't easy due to after getting it running after fixing the start and stall issue it had after cleaning the carb it was surging majorly, discovering it had a vacuum leak around the carb to engine gasket and possible other places after applying silicon to the mating surfaces where everything met on carbureted side of the engine, it was happy then, and my stepdad's dad was happy and impressed, haha, if it wasn't for you or other guys that do this kind of thing, from who I was then I wouldn't be who I am to my family now 👍thanks, and an excellent vid.

[@RaysLaughsAndLyrics]

Good job. Your step father's dad would be called your Paternal Step Grandfather.

[@manofharmonizingstrings]

thank you, I agree, I can definitely see him as that lol

[@RustyNail5856]

Nice find and a Great save.

[@darkwing4475]

This mower has almost the identical engine that is on my Husquevarna,, My mower developed a severe hunting problem,, but using information gained from watching your videos, a carb disassembly and through cleaning of the idle circuit fixed it,, :-)

[@seanstreets9268]

Lovely film. Helps the baby feeds just fly bye.... Greets from the UK...

[@BW12149]

I’ve found those diagnosis and repairs are fairly easy. Once it started with carb spray I knew it was the carb,,probably the needle and seat. Rarely have to replace the float. I have two Troy Bilt with Honda motors, and keep rebuilt carbs and other parts available for quick repairs.

[@jrocco36]

Ive picked up a few mowers, pressure washers and generators from the side of the road over the years and found most where good to go with little work. Most die of neglect when they are stored with fuel in the tank.

[@AW-Services]

Brilliant video James. Thursday just got better

[@pc5569]

Thanks James

[@jasonstarnes3838]

I got a cub cadet pushmower from a friend cheap. It has a powermore engine. Had it 5 seasons. I have used mobil 1 10w30 and non ethanol gas. Always starts first pull. I do run it out of gas for the winter months.

[@redmondjp]

I use ethanol-free gas and I leave my tanks full over the winter. Just started the mower at my mother-in-law's place which has 3 year old (purchased November 2021 and kept in air-tight steel Jerry cans) ethanol-free gas in it and hadn't been run since last fall - it started on the first pull! I mowed her yard for mother's day. Ethanol-free gas was a massive game-changer for me so I preach it to everyone who will listen. Keeping your fuel in air-tight steel containers is another secret that I use, but it's getting harder to find the "good" fuel containers - the closest new ones still available are the modern NATO jerry-can-style units but the quality versions of those are very expensive. The Chinesium copies are OK but the metal isn't as thick. I stalk estate auctions and yard sales to find the "good" gas cans - any extras I don't need get passed along to my family members and good friends.

[@emoryking5278]

Ihave picked up A few like this one but still believe I learned something.

[@hikerJohn]

That blade that's sharp that far back is a mulching blade that's suppose to chop the grass finer. I dont know if they actually work as advertised but that's why they are like that.

[@davepompea]

Most of the time there is no need to pull the carb and all the linkages. Just drop the bowl and unscrew the jet. It's way to easy, if you don't take pictures, to totally bung up the various linkages. If it's more than a clogged jet, then take the carb off.

[@summerforever6736]

That makes a 6 min video only

[@johnclarke6647]

I use Pennzoil Platinum 10W-30 in all of my four cycle equipment. They do not use any oil. I change the oil each Spring and Fall and fill to the full mark. I do use 30W in my tiller because it is only used during the summer. I use two cycle to prime engines. I keep a squirt bottle full of it in the shop. The extra oil lubricates things that might need it.

[@real_Nadventures]

P.S. KUDOs to the Wife, who makes sure your hands and nails are presentable! She deserves a raise!

[@tomg721]

James, the mulching blade has a longer cutting edge.

[@jayyoutube8790]

Something I’ve found that works well for oil and gas is a Turkey baster with about 7in clear vinyl tubing on the end. Got for the “custom professional” model and get ya a hose clamp for the plastic hose, and a big one to go around the part you squeeze👍🏻

[@RuthlessMindset68]

Nice save James! But all small engine repair guys (and yes Chickanic! ) need to be carb gurus! As for your frozen hose. Keep it in your garage, throw it out under the door to use. Retract when done. Put a water line in garage if not have already!

[@brianhind6149]

Another top notch video James.....BTW, I bet that you are glad you bought that lift for putting equipment on, instead of wearing out the knees of your trousers ! Cheers!

[@BKD70]

I've been using starting fluid ever since it was nearly 100% ether back in the day, never a problem. Now, starting fluid is only about 20% ether content, so it should be much safer than the old good stuff. We call starting fluid a can of "Instant Motor" 🙂 I've been using Heavy Duty diesel engine oil in small engines ever since I was old enough to change the oil in them. SAE 30HD in the old Briggs' (summer engines) and now the new Hondas and CHONDA's with the OHV heads I've been running 15W40 HD Diesel oil (Mobil Delvac 1300Super is my brand of choice) with absolutely zero wear related failures. The engines seem to appreciate the diesel oil, it is supposed to have higher levels of zinc additive than regular automotive engine oil, which is reported to be beneficial for small engines.

[@ryelor123]

They're starting to remove the zinc from diesel oils as well. People will have to use additives.

[@Nancy-xg9nc]

Great video! Nice content, camera, audio and edits! I mean..niiiice! Will look for more of your work!👍

[@kenmassey2430]

nice video ; fyi that is a mulching blade designed to lift the cut grass on the outside edge of the blade and throw the grass to the raised area of the blade which circulates the clippings back down and recuts all the clippings several more times ; this is the kind of blade you would want on a mower without a permanent side discharge

[@scottjohnson5449]

this video is prof that a little maintenance can go along way as far as being able to keep what you bought in good shape for years to come!

[@daivdash]

the extra sharpened length is because that's a mulching blade. At least that was what I was told by a lawn and yard machine dealer

[@kenharper7189]

James. I totally enjoy your videos! I see now that I've most likely tossed a couple of good mowers 😳 The videos are clear, you explain the how, and what perfectly. 👍 Thanks for sharing!