Simple Little Mowers Are Much Better Than Batteries In A Lot Of Ways

[@M.TTT.]

Internal combustion will always be way cooler than any electrical motor - - - turning millions of years old decomposed dinos into thousands of small controlled explosions, spinning a hardened-steel blade dangerously fast so I can slice vegetation that I can rip with two fingers? I love it!

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

I like the way you put that!

[@dinewalton]

My lawn is over 1 acre, i bought a cheap corded electric mower and two 50 meter extension cords a few years ago and I love it. Its just a lot better than a gas mower.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

nice, nothing wrong with a good corded mower.

[@ethanmiller3935]

I definitely would. If l dont need it, fix it and sell it and repeat! Those briggs are tough to beat, and the older ones are even better!

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

you got that right, thank you Ethan Miller.

[@Rein_Ciarfella]

You brought up a lot of good points in this video, Eric. I have several curb finds like this in my yard for eventual flipping. Now that you’ve brought this to my attention I’ll look at them with a new perspective. If I had the room I might restore and then mothball as an investment for the time when people revert back to gas because batteries cost too much.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

nice, I like that idea. Thank you Rein Ciarfella.

[@gunnergunner8105]

That mower brings me back to the time when my grandfather and me mowed together his favorite mow was the mower in the video it was a troy bolt with the same motor

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

I like that story. thank you Gunner Gunner.

[@brianking1138]

I absolutely love these and always keep one around. Most of my yard is mowed with a riding mower then I use one of these for the tight spots . Most of my customers want self propelled mowers with bags.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

there you go, there's a good reason to keep these little mowers around, thank you Brian King!

[@colorblind1983]

I love those little mowers. Nothing to go wrong, lightweight, simple. Mowing ditches was easy. Cleaning the deck if I mowed over wet grass, quick. I wish they still made them like that….

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

you got that right!

[@RussellBooth1977]

I would pick it up & keep it once I get my own place because I am running out of room where I currently live !

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

nice!

[@copperheaddesigns672]

I LOVE simple push mowers to me there easier to fix and also easier than a walk behind they are super light and get the job done well

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

Me too, I've been overlooking these for years

[@tdumford1]

always amazes me what a 15 minute wash can do to a machine. kudos

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

Thank you!

[@Turningwrenches85]

I enjoy the simple mowers to get back up and running again, , and how easier to maintain

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

you got that right, easy Is nice

[@TheLawnmowerLady]

I would, and I do pick up these mowers. Even if they are not serviceable, they always yield good spare parts. Surprising that deck was in such good shape, clearly with the PO mowing wet grass. Thanks for the video.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

thank you The Lawnmower Lady.

[@lewiemcneely9143]

I'd grab one in a second! The kids have one just like it and it does just fine after I changed the pump diaphram. They are TOUGH to say the least. Thanks and BLESSINGS!

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

Totally agree!

[@nicklutz61]

Well said! I love those old Briggs flathead engines, so simple, yet so effective.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

Yes they are!

[@scrapyardengines9741]

I agree with the title of the video and I like working on these besides the carb and springs

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

I hear ya, thank you Scrapyard engines

[@jct300m]

Cant beat simple!!!!!!! I've seen a few pop-up in my local area site....between 10-30 bucks....running!! ..The wokesters rather buy a 300$ electric to do the lawns...I have 3 old school style mowers like this & just dont have room for more!! I also started a same collection of polan p3500 string trimmers....got about 5 total runners and a boat load of parts too...This basic style mower & trimmers are easy to work on & cheap to fix if needed.....As always!! Enjoyed your video!!!

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

thank you jct300m, I appreciate your time here.

[@billhacks]

Emissions has a lot to do with why flatheads aren't around as much anymore. Same as small diesel engines in Canada. a person used to be able to buy a 10hp diesel engine for an affordable price, but they don't meet the emissions standards now. Flatheads are wonderful little engines and should still be used.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

thank you billhacks it's a real shame how things have changed.

[@jaarryifleshblood315]

Not only that but you can fix it yourself too, you don’t have to worry about digging into the active wires and possibly short something out, twisting or stretching them too, and they don’t look like toys either.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

Well said!

[@mjg263]

Every time I find one of these “little cheapies” it always comes to life with minimal effort and runs beautifully. Great if you just need a simple push mower, and the Briggs Classic or Sprint style engine is so reliable and takes so much abuse. I grab them when I find them too!

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

you got that right, so underestimated

[@chrisnorden8043]

My backup mower is a simple design with a flat head Briggs.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

very good choice

[@WalterKnox]

I love those simple little briggs flathead engines with that style card. I have had quite a few of them, and have had maybe one or two that I couldn't (or weren't worth it ) fix. Those are forgiving little engines. I got one a while back that belonged to a friends neighbor, which they never took care of. I used it to mow his yard for a while for a small fee. The oil in that mower was the blackest I have ever seen. He eventually moved and left the mower, it sat for around a year. The gas was bad and it obviously wouldn't run, but with that style carb you can just tip it over and put clean gas in it. I did end up cleaning the carb and putting a new diaphragm as it surged, but it did start right back up. I am glad to say I have cleaned it and put new oil in it. It does burn some, but that isn't bad for a mower from around 2008 that had never had the oil changed or any maintenance. I like the older Quantum engines as well, they are reliable and forgiving as well, but not as much as this style. The cheap mowers now have crappy little engines that fail in a year or two, and the carbs they use now are junk as well.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

you got that right, these engines helped to make me realize how good Briggs used to be.

[@matthewpiper1421]

love the older mowers with the carb on tank briggs engine,

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

me too, so simple to work on.

[@covishen]

Where I live (extremely rural) not a lot of stuff on the side of the road, and the 2 most popular websites for free stuff just don't list anything in my area. I do have a small battery string trimmer, and it works very well for my standard trimming. For heavy duty work, I will be getting a gas powered trimmer, and hopefully it will have a blade I can use for brush and small trees, which I am not sure even exists anymore.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

yes the site only works for well populated areas. I'd prefer to live were you do to be honest. Yes using the gas to do the heavy lifting makes sense. Thank you covishen

[@qwertykeyboard5901]

It would definitely make a good item for the "Museum of Moderately Interesting Mundane Items".

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

yes sir

[@danieljones6805]

Interesting opinion on the oiling of the foam filter as I personally use motor oil to oil the filter as that is what the Briggs manual says for my 35 Classic engine.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

yes I just looked it up and it does say to do that, which Is pretty amazing. If you do excellent but I'm not going to. thank you Danial Jones for the information

[@ethanmiller3935]

I second that!

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

nothing wrong with a good 2 stroke!

[@ENGINERESCUE86]

Id grab that gem

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

me too!

[@GemmaLB]

I'd take a Briggs Flathead over a battery mower any time. The old Briggs will be chugging along years after the battery mowers are in the garbage. My dad bought a new mower in 96 with a Briggs Sprint engine like the Murray you're working on, he left it sit for over 10 years and after watching a KZbin video I got it to start after 3 pulls. Leave a battery mower that long and it will have all the electrical stuff corroded and the battery will be ruined - good luck buying a new one for an out of date product!

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

you make an excellent point, thank you Gemma B.

[@ShartsAndGiggles24]

I have this 22in Bolens that has the same briggs as the Murray, one winter i forgot to drain the fluids and came back to it only with a little water in the tank. Drained it, and put new fuel in it and it ran like a charm. Ever since then i have regularly change the oil and filters to keep it in top condition. I have a new Honda mower but still prefer the 5+ year old Bolens.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

those little engines are great and yes that was a tough lesson about the fluids but you did a great job of getting around it!

[@alpharaptor7510]

I’ve been kicking myself lately. Because I saw a really really good condition 2013 Victor lawnmower with a Flat head Briggs. The reason why I didn’t got it because it had no grass catcher with it which means I can’t sell it for a good price

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

hey you had your reasons at the time, so it's understandable

[@alpharaptor7510]

@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE I understand. But I realise that I have could have put the engine on another frame with a grass catcher

[@marshallcollins3376]

I would. My experiences with similar mowers would add a couple of cons to the pros you point out. Most designs require you to have to remove all four wheels to adjust the height. Secondly I have run into several that don’t discharge very well, especially if the grass is damp. Other than that I would agree with you especially if you have a small yard and perform the basic maintenance on a regular basis. Of course you should do that on all mowers.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

you know the first time I ran across the having to remove the wheels to adjust the height surprised me but to be honest, once set, most people never ever change the wheel height ever again, even if the grass is extra tall.

[@MrSHAUNE55]

I've had a couple of those carb setups, one I had to change the diaphragm because of severe surging, and one would start when primed but only run for a second. I cleaned the carb 3 times without any difference, so I drained and replaced a full tank of good looking a smelling fuel. It started and ran first pull after that.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

nice, and yes most often, if there is an issue, a new diaphragm will fix it. thank you MrSHAUNE55

[@davidfutter9980]

Have you tried a turbo nozzle for cleaning underside of the deck, works great... But don't use it on top side because they strip decals or loose paint/lacquer right of...👍

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

I've heard of them, and yes I might have to try them out, thank you David Futter.

[@jamesfrench7299]

I used to only grab Victa two strokes, but for flipping, you can't go past (literally) a Briggs on the side of the road. I even grab those Chinese OHV Honda copies or Chonda as they're commonly known. I recently found one on a cactus self propelled frame with the intention of adding it to my scrap pile only to find the motor operates from the get go. I'm going to attempt to fit it to a push frame. Also found a small portable compressor oh the same pile and it works too!!

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

you got that right James French.

[@ramadinsookhoo6141]

Hey bro, what's up? In my opinion bro, depending on the size of your lawn, it is much better to go with the basic equipment. My reason are because they are reliable and once they are maintained properly they'll last you a life time.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

you make a good point, I you have a different size yard, a different choice, might be better. thank you Ramadin Sookhoo.

[@ramadinsookhoo6141]

@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE you're welcome bro 👍

[@rickthelian2215]

I actually believe a engine like this is adequate for most lawns. The fuel tank default storage space is an excellent design a that the fuel pick up can’t pick up contaminated fuel with water in it as fuel floats on top of water only the fuel will be sucked up if in that space at the bottom of the tank. It basically deals with condensation whilst fuel is in the tank.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

Very good point!

[@RussellHoughton]

That little briggs engine is t h e best one they ever made. I just wish they kept the all aluminum tank frome the older carb setup. And when they added that plastic cover they looked just as good as any other mower. They are always the first ones to sell at my little shop.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

you got that right, thank you Russell Houghton

[@scottdunn4506]

I like these Briggs engines they can take a beating and still run like a champ even with a blended crankshaft they still run like a champ every time I found a lawnmower with these kind of engine I take them and the bad thing about batteries is they are very expensive to replace

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

you got that right, they are that good!

[@martint766]

Yes I would pick it up. It’s called picking up money on the road. Lol

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

you got that right!

[@barryphillips7327]

Think of a battery like a disposable shaver USE it a few times BUT they are NOT made too last!!!!! These types of mowers the old flathead Briggs and Stratton are pretty bulletproof!!!!!!!!!!!! Look after the old BS 3.5hp it will out last you, change the oil once a year straight 30w oil for garden machines keep it clean top and underneath

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

I like the way you put that

[@Nono-rh4lr]

I recently went back to gas. Yes battery equipment is nice in its own way but I'm starting to see the classics for what they are. Reliable and consistent. I also started using Aspen fuel in all my stuff and it completely removes all of the unreliable aspects of fuel powered equipment. Alkylate fuels wont rot a primer or rubber like even other canned fuels. Spill some on your hand and 5 seconds later you cant smell anything. I'm now building my gas powered collection up again. Once you have a couple batteries go out on you and your stuck replacing them you realize what you had in a gas system. Plus lets not fool ourselves. The battery stuff is good now because the race is on to build the best. What happens when we get to the point we did with gas where its just a race to the cheapest. Then the electric quality will start to go back down. I'm going to hold on as long as I can.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

very well said, thank you No no

[@themowerman]

Simple is normally better.. the old Briggs will last forever.. ta for the video brother.. I would definitely pick up a free mower..

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

Thank you Mick!

[@2035jim]

I would stop and get it because these are better than new mowers ever will be

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

you are right about that

[@slipperyblueclay2521]

I have a similar mower with the Weedeater name brand. I need to clean it ( not as bad as the video) and get it started again. It's very light weight. When it was running, the engine was surging. What's the approach?

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

most often if its surging, it's not getting enough fuel or there's opposing the air flow. Do me a favor and the air filter off, and remove that little black rubber elbow for the breather tube. start it up, without the filter and see what happens. IF it's still doing it, then replace the pump diaphragm that sits between the carb and the fuel tank

[@slipperyblueclay2521]

I was going to replace the diaphragm and clean the carburetor. Thanks!!

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

no problem

[@timewa851]

30wt motor oil is/was the approved oil for that foam filter. Squeeze out excess after applying. Messy? Yep. Quantum paper filter is far superior, as is the Quantum steady speed governor & carb & primer. Breather system too. Convinced that's the reason Quantum runs 7x longer than the variable speed Sprints. >eyeroll

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

Yes I just looked It up. The only reason I don't use it is that i feel it's going to need constant cleaning

[@gavmansworkshop5624]

Stock up on engines and rebuild kits folks. I live for playing with these engines.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

good advice

[@sticustom]

Briggs and Stratton made great engines. The only one I’d consider after Honda.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

I agree!

[@electroddxful]

I would definitely pick it up for sure. They made things to last back then. Now it’s all 💩.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

you go that right. Thank you RayFpv.

[@Fender178]

We were looking for gas powered mowers that were in the $140-$160 dollar range several years ago but now a days purchasing cheap brand new gas powered mowers are out of the question now a days due to low demand of gas powered mowers due to changes in Emission rules. Which is the reason why Honda is getting out of the Mower business. Now Mowers that used to be $140-$160 bucks 3-4 years ago are at least double to 2.25 times that amount of money now. So the only way to get a decent reliable and cheap gas powered mower is to buy one used or find one for free on the side of the road. I hated Self propelled mowers because I used one back when i had a lawn care job cutting grass at a Cemetery and I had to use a self propelled lawnboy and man it sucked. I agree that battery or gas powered Self Propelled just adds unnecessary cost to the Mower and it adds another thing that can wear out over time. I have used many mowers with a similar engine design because I remember that fuel cap on it. We had a few mowers with that same fuel cap design. We got a battery operated mower because we needed a new mower to replace one of our gas powered ones and it was the same price as a gas powered one. I think Battery powered mowers have come a long way.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

I agree you with mostly about the "battery powered mowers have come a long way" but only if you buy an expensive one. The more affordable ones are still junk to me.

[@richardboggs7777]

Have you ever had to repair cracked plastic gas tank if so what did you do

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

sure, I used my soldering iron to plastic weld it. But the vibration from the mower will eventually crack it again. It's a temporary repair. Best to just get a new tank.

[@gearhead366]

"Self propelled is not needed on this type mower".... I say, it depends. Self propelled will decrease the time & effort needed for mowing. If you're spending more time mowing than you'd like, but you still can't quite justify a riding mower, a self propelled push mower may the answer. The self propelled mower is a step in the direction of a rider, but doesn't take up as much room as a rider. I had something very similar to this, a Murray w/a 3.5 Briggs flathead. I had it for over 10 yrs, and it ran as well the day I sold it as it did new. The wheels had a bit more play on the axles, but that's about the extent of the noticeable wear. Would I pick up one of these from the side of the road? Absolutely! I just picked up a power edger from the dump. I'm not sure I can save it, but it has a 3.5 Briggs flathead. The engine & carb look just like this one. Even if I can't save it, hopefully I can save the engine. Curious... why did you insert clips of a Honda powered pressure washer?

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

simple because that's what was using to clean the mower with a the time. Don't use it much anymore though

[@adammosher1115]

I got a serious question for you if a mower is deck is rusty and I get off the rust should I put a rubber under coat or a rust converter on it then paint it or just paint it

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

use the converter

[@AJRestoration]

Those plastic carbs are the worst. I replace them with a propper carb every time.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

nice, did you happen to make a video of that process?

[@AJRestoration]

@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE No unfortunately not, I used to service lawnmowers as a hobby before I started making YT videos. I dont get my hands on as many small engines as I used to. But when I get one, Ill make a video on it.

[@Kroooza]

Hello Eric. I have a 1993 briggs flathead similar to the one shown in the video. The problem is that it will not spark, even after replacing the coil, disconnecting the stop wire, cleaning all contacts, replacing the spark plug, regapping it etc. This engine has no points. Do you have any idea what the problem is? Thanks in advance.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

hello XB_Falcon, quite the mystery you go there. So I have to ask, How you are you checking for spark? inline spark checker or just removing the spark plug and grounding the threads to the metal on the cooling fins? The only think I can think of, is a bad spark plug. Do you have a different plug to check with?

[@Kroooza]

@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE I am checking for spark by removing the plug and sitting it against the fins as well as using starting fluid. (I really should buy a spark checker).I do have a different plug, I might try replacing it again. I will keep you updated.

[@jamess.putman1779]

Yes sir I would pick it up In a minute

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

me too!

[@Jergling]

You can't consume your way out of an overconsumption problem. All these serviceable gas mowers already exist. To "fix" the problem of gas equipment by making everyone throw them out and buy new, more disposable equiment is exacerbating the issue rather than fix the system that makes those crappy electric mowers the only option.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

thank you Jergling

[@scottjohnson5449]

damm skippy i would pick them up. even if it had a hole in the block, if not for parts then for all the nuts and bolts. as far as early on in the vid, i learned at an early age to K.I.S.S.= KEEP/ IT/ SIMPLE/ STUPID. for me its... as we say down here its mo better!!!!

[@timewa851]

Used a Sprint engine, it was needing something every cutting season, rewind, cracked intake pipe, loose head bolts (around exhaust port, those three bolts like to loosen up). Eventually it was drinking too much oil to keep operating. Swapped on a Quantum, all the maintenance issues, other than new oil, air filter every 3-4 years, stopped. B&S Q is a far better engine than puny B&S Sprint.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

you got that right, thank you Scott Johnson

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

I've never seen that engine have so many issues before.

[@twisted1253]

I have one of these and i put it through hell cus i know it won’t break

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

nice! thank you Twisted 125

[@SPAZTICCYTOPLASM]

I don't agree with this being more reliable than a metal carb gravity fed plastic tank setup. I live in Canada, i have more than a few Briggs motors with the pulse style carb and the gas tank is rusted through, which isn't cheap to fix and becuase of the pulse style having 2 pickups (usually plastic), it isn't easy or cheap to replace. The plastic carbs also like to crack over time, i have several cracked examples and this is because here in the north we have heat cycles of. Last year our high was +36c and the coldest was -20 this year in January. The other thing is that pulse diaphragm wears out over time gets hard and is useless, that isn't a part you can make yourself without having some knowhow and special tools. You can make other gaskets with some cardboard or material if you're fancy. You don't typically damage a carburetor with rust as all the working parts are aluminum or brass, yes corrosion can absolutely hurt it but in my experience a standard bowl carb recovers with a quick bath in the ultrasonic. You shouldn't put plastic carbs in the ultrasonic because it can damage it. The engine itself is great but that's all briggs flat heads, and tecumseh too but i prefer my aluminum carb with plastic tank. I do agree gas power tools gotta be preserved. Every winter i see people struggling with electric snowblowers as well. The corded ones are OK but the battery ones from what i've seen just don't last long enough when you get a heavy snowfall. The other thing is new gas stuff SUCKS, most of it is way lean from the factory for emissions and needs the carb readjusted and plastic plastic everywhere. My Toro wasn't a cheap machine but the plastic gears inside the rotating thing have cracked and stripped teeth. Meanwhile all the old mastercraft, seers, craftsman etc etc with all the parts that matter being metal run and run and run. Also engine oil is fine for the filter, we use 30wt engine oil for beetles and other cars with oil bath filters, the new hotness is ATF. You can spend the money and get specific filter oil but it don't matter. You can even use water, but that evaporates. The reaosn to not use anything too heavy is that it slowly sinks to the bottom of the sponge.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

I can see what you're saying.

[@JohnDeere165HydroOfficial]

This guy listens to all his podcasts on 3x speed

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

thanks (3x speed)

[@pieczona_cega5450]

hello

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

hi

[@christophermarshall5765]

I prefer simple mowers.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

Me too, I prefer less fuss

[@haloondrugs1173]

You should see what lithium mines look like.... ya great for the environment 😂

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

I know right

[@williamfair]

👍🏾

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

thank you William F.

[@davidcarper5411]

L head Mafia..

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

you got that right.

[@65csx83]

That carb throat is incomprehensible. It's filthier than the deck bottom. It makes no sense.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

I know, I was taken back by it too.

[@Nunyabusiness539]

Battery powered stuff is great until it isnt which happens pretty fast, batteries are a scam

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

batteries definitely have their drawbacks

[@erocker78]

I have no interest in battery electric lawn equipment. Boring!

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

I know right