This Lawn Boy Sat 30 Years. Can We Get It Running?

In "The Lawn-Boy Thief", Taryl goes over this old 1974 Lawn Boy push mower he was gifted that was stored in a barn for 30 years. Will this thing run?? What kinda shape is it in after sitting in Taryl's yard for awhile before pulling it in? Let's find out.
Before and after the fix, local $cammer, Ronnie, is accused of stealing Taryl's missing Lawn Boy mower. See how it all plays out here in another funny, yet informative, how-to video featuring your pals over at Grass Rats Garage. And as always... There's Your Dinner!!
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[@Nunya_Bidnez]

Lawnboy mowers were so good. Most folks dont even know what one is. Taryl and Mustie1 bringing stuff back to life

[@Velocityshadow234]

Taryn and mustie1 should do a video together

[@TdK71]

Taryl, you are showing what all of us 2 stroke Grass Rats have known for years. Nothing cuts like a Lawn-Boy!

[@dougthornton6884]

Growing up on LI , NY in the late 60s and early 70s, Dad bought a Lawn Boy with a bagger.... Of course the job of cutting our plot was mine. LB always ran great and due to its magnesium deck, it was light and easy to move. He eventually replaced it with a Schnappa, which was as heavy as a anvil.... I have fond memories of the Lawn Boy !!! Thanx again for making me smile, Taryl.....

[@starcarrier1874]

That distinctive Lawn Boy sound. How many summer days I woke up to that sound as a youngster. Never did like that tilt forward drive handle though.

[@gamebredduramax71]

I learned why lawn boys had the off set tires when I was a kid from a old lawn boy dealer near our house. Most people thought it was just lawnboy trying to be unique, but the offset front tires were actually a anti scalp design, keep both front tires from dropping in a dip at the same time lowering the front of the mower scalping it.

[@ricksanchez3176]

Makes sense, to much sense for it to catch on lol.

[@donparker8246]

I've seen several old mowers with this deck design. I think they just give a better looking cut.

[@darrellwampler3882]

I was wondering that very thing when the video started. Lol

[@mikemorgan5015]

Two other advantages are much better clipping throw distance since the tangential path isn't interrupted by the wheel. Another is the ability to cut extremely close to objects at the front of the mower. The disadvantage is that you can only get close on the left side of the mower when going along a fence or wall. But once you know that, it's not an issue. The under deck muffler and exhaust made these much quieter than other mowers when in grass. The power to weight ratio with the cast aluminum or magnesium(even lighter) was incredible. You can really whip these mowers around with little effort. The non self propelled models were lighter still, of course. Doing a weekly cut in dry grass, you could cut VERY fast. They were very popular with commercial lawn care companies before the days of zero turn mowers. As long as you fed them the right fuel mix, they would last for generations, as this one has. All of these could side discharge, bag, or mulch.

[@darrellwampler3882]

@@mikemorgan5015 I don't know about that. The grass chute seems to be in the same place but one wheel is set back. I used on of these mowers when I was a kid. It's didn't even have a recoil pull rope. Had to wrap the cord by hand. If it started I wrapped the cord around the handle. Yep I'm a old dude

[@jasonvandervalk3679]

I love watching old engines start so easily after all the year it makes you appreciate the good things built to last.

[@BryanPAllen]

Another gem from Taryl and the boys. Congratulations on the 200K mark ! Should be millions!

[@patrickmorrissey2271]

We had an older Lawn Boy... Ran forever. It was creamy white, probably new in the 1960's... But besides the color, it really looked & sounded identical to yours. When it first started, that brought back soooo many memories..... That thing really spoiled me for life. All the other mowers I ever messed with, were crap, compared to that thing. It started, ran perfect, and cut the grass like Augusta National....

[@electroncraz91]

I knew Ronnie had to get thrown over that fence sooner than later. heh

[@scottdunn4506]

It’s amazing how older lawnmowers last longer than new ones

[@jonsonnenschein1253]

Your video brought a big smile to my face! Oh, the memories. That was the same exact mower I had as a kid, but mine came with a grass catcher bag. I paid $75 for it brand new from the local Coast to Coast store. I had a $75 savings bond my dad cashed in for me to buy it. I would throw the handle over the sissy bar on my bicycle and strap a 2-gallon gas jug on and away we would go. My first summer I had eight different yards to mow around town. I towed that mower behind my bicycle for three seasons. I saved enough money to buy my first motorcycle and a .22 LR lever action rifle. I have not seen one of those old Lawn Boys since.

[@joshsimmons2663]

This is awesome I just picked up one of these a couple weeks ago after my father-in-law passed away and I can't wait to start working on it

[@bobanddebbiec6929]

Best mowers👍

[@steved.5628]

Nothing cuts better than a lawn boy on setting 4 with the bag on . Tons of suction perfect cut !

[@MaxNafeHorsemanship]

I've never seen a blade that looked that good BEFORE I sharpened it.

[@MrLangDog]

I like when he works on 70's stuff. Brings back good memories!!!

[@TerryLawrence001]

Congrats on 200K - It's the fun way you do things and the way you guys all show how much you love the job that keeps us coming back for more!

[@jimgill5706]

I've been in HVAC service for 45+ years and I really enjoy your videos. You are a brilliant mechanic. Thanks.

[@larrycroft470]

i have always liked Lawn Boy mowers. Since many many years ago as a young boy i mowed with one. I also greatly enjoy the multi talented Dactyl troupe entertaining me on Sundays!!! Thank you brothers!!!

[@JoseSanchez-wb5rz]

Nice work. That old mower will putt a lot of the newer ones underground.

[@duaneanderson1043]

Watching your channel has inspired me to tackle a new job when the Army decided to medically retire me because my ptsd and physical injuries from multiple tours in iraq. I lost my federal mechanic job and needed to find a decent replacement job. Now im a mechanic for a polaris and toro dealer and loving it. THANK YOU FROM SGT ANDERSON

[@rorannerusan]

Lawn boys 2 cycle mowers have always been my favorite. I was told the exhaust exiting underneath the mower made the grass greener as a kid.

[@doubleohseven9934]

What did the Lawn-Girl say to the Lawn-Boy? "Stop beating around the bush and make me a Lawn-Baby, I don't care that you are rough around the hedges!"

[@BillLaBrie]

Lawn equipment sex joke. I like it. 👍

[@steventhompson299]

200k subscribers. Nice work kids!

[@WildBill236]

A friend showed me the flap disk sharpening method about 4 years ago, havent looked back since, works awesome and use same M18 fuel grinder! Congrats on 200K!

[@outlaw6849]

My first job I was 14 years old, I should say punching the time clock job, I worked at a hardware store and we sold and serviced these mowers, they were the easiest mowers to work on and hardly ever break down. Love all your videos

[@mattdomenic4814]

Had many types of mowers over the years but lawn boys were the best. The cut was so much better than others. Yes they are tricky to work on but easy after you lean how. Parts are getting pretty scarce though.

[@donparker8246]

I want it, even with the Ronnie sticker. I love these old Lawn Boy mowers.

[@scottgm321]

Thanks for the smiles and memories. Back in the 70's i was just a boy and Granddaddy always had the Green Lawn Boy mowers. I inherited his last one in the 90's when he passed away. Also, back in April, some barn swallows built a nest over my office door and had 3 eggs. Only two hatched. I loved coming to work every morning and seeing those babies look down at me. They flew off on May 28th. I hope Muffkin and Blade and Momma cat don't find out you have birds in the shop.

[@Boondogsaint]

Taryl wallops 5 mins in you know it’s gonna be a good episode lol 😂👍

[@mrromantimothy]

I love your channel ,in 1974 I was probably pushing a Lawn Boy, Snapper, Toro those were the good ones, , after mowing too many lawns for 50 cents, I hope I never see a lawn mower in person again, that's why I moved to the Mojave desert, lol anyway ,I was watching the news and parents were removing dirty books from the school library and that was the title of one of them Lawn Boy .

[@swallowinn4410]

Hello Tarryl I still have the old lawn boy. With original owners manual and the side discharge bag and support pole. Original bag long gone but replacement bag still doing a good job. No power drive on mine. Almost all lawn services used them back in the day, as power to weight ratio great due 2 cycle.i hope to get another 20 years from mine and see me finished mowing and leaf pickup. Great video keep them coming.

[@72hourbob61]

I went out in the back yard and took my dad's Lawn Boy apart one day, I was still in grade school. He never did get it put back together. Mom was happy as she did not like mixing the gas and oil. When I turned 14 I went to work in a Motorcycle shop and worked on motorcycles for the next 25 years or so.

[@timothymilam732]

My Granny had one, and I don't know how old it was, but it never failed to start. I know she really never did any mainly to it other than more gas, and only lawn boy oil was ever used in it. She wouldn't even let you change the blade out till it was paper thin and no wider than one of her old hickory butcher knives. Which she sharpened them on the concrete steps where she'd worn it down smooth on one corner from sharpening her knives for 50 plus years. Only I don't remember ever sharping her mower blades are even seeing her do it Where she lived out on the middle of the woods in southeastern Oklahoma it was sugar sand, and she scalped her grass down as low as it'd go, and I bet blade only lasted a year at the longest. But she'd set it out by the smoke house, and put old number 3 was tub over it to keep rain off of it, and it set there year round. I'm betting that thing was abused by her and occasionally one of us grand kids would catch her gone to town with our Ma. Then we would mow her grass for her, otherwise you couldn't mow it because she wouldn't let us. So Ma would take her to town 40 miles away, then stop and do whatever it tiok to keep her away until we had a chance to get it all done for her. Granny knew what we were doing, but she'd still fuss we did it wrong, and make make like she was mad at us. Don't even remember what happened to her olf mower, but eventually I bought her a 12 hp Montgomery Wards riding mower some time in the early 80's she was probably 78 or so still lived in middle of nowhere and she still had her 1/2 acre garden and still mowed her grass up until I moved her in with my family in 1992, at 88 years old she still gave me trouble about mowing my grass for me. Which wasn't happening but she walked the boys to school and walked down there every afternoon to bring them home 6 blocks away.

[@browngreen933]

That's the lawn mower we're all trying to find! Starts right up after sitting for years and years!

[@daviddedick14]

Nice video Taryl. Learned a few things I can use on my ancient Lawn Boy. Thanks!

[@mmarciniak]

When I was growing up, Lawn Boy mowers were always owned by the more affluent families, at least the households with the nicest lawns, in my hometown. That made me realize the higher grade of quality that Lawn Boy exemplified as compared to the “cookie cutter” four stroke brands.

[@jdmccorful]

Ronnie rides again! Great antique repair tips also. You guys have a good time , thanks- enjoyed.

[@sepresley1]

when i was a kid we used to have a vulcan mower 20 inch cut. Ball bearing wheels and a cast iron deck..Couldnt tear that thing up. great mower

[@korhing1066]

Thank You Taryl Love to see the for gotten and left for dead live again , you are a Great Mechanic

[@TripGibson]

I have about four of those. Best lawn mower for trim work specially if you have a lawn with a steep bank. Lightweight and you don't have to worry about getting proper lubrication on a steep hill

[@charlieretro]

There was one model of these where they put this black bar inside of it and it would cause grass to get stuck in it.

[@robertroberts9782]

I love this machine...grass rats give this a 👍

[@richardlucy3822]

90* TDC blade ! I was told that by Grandpa! Keeps down vibration! Absolutely cool 😎

[@SuperPaulbunyan]

That’s a cool old mower Taryl. Good fix.

[@rapturebound197]

Unreal how that fired up and ran after all those years of sitting. Amazing.

[@prevost8686]

Two strokes are far superior as far as reliable and simple power.

[@imakedookie]

@@prevost8686 if they had fuel they always had oil.. self preservative!

[@mikemajor2037]

Love these guys I learn so much from him

[@billyoungberg3207]

Thanks for another great video. The blade orientation does make a difference. 90 degree on the D series and parallel to the cylinder at TDC on the F series. Noticed in the video you were not getting fuel when priming. Those primers had a tiny washer that would lift fuel from the bowl. They do go bad after years of use. When rebuilding the carb it's probably worth it to change that primer. I have 15 Lawnboys ranging from 1968 to 1982. D-400, D-600, and F series. Also a couple of Lawnboy edgers and 2 Lawnboy string trimmers. I have a 1971 IH Lawnboy and a 1976 Lawnboy Liberty. Love them all and currently use 4 in the rotation. Keep up the good work on the videos. Bill

[@hunter7476]

Nice one taryl congrats on 200 k halfway to 400

[@mikemelchiorre7414]

Watching you follow behind the moving mower , reminded me of a flying model of a Lawn Mower .

[@boatbeard7767]

In Oz we have the Victa. A simple two stroke mower that is hard to beat even today - sounds remarkably similar to that lawnboy. I pick them up for nothing or maybe a few dollars. Couple of 'O' rings, maybe an upgraded needle, flush the tank and new aircleaner and off they go for another decade... :)

[@dale5303]

Oh yea!!! Lawn boy!

[@patjohnson3100]

Really great mechanic. I bet this mower hasn't run this well for a long time, even though it's in good condition. Thanks for saving this still very useful and practical mower. It has a useful life ahead. ""Waste not , want not," my grandparents used to say.

[@ricksanchez3176]

Those old 2 cycle Lawnboys, My next door neighbors, 2 households, to the East and North, still use their 1970s models. They are older, they say they are light and start right up. The on to my North, still has the original spark plug!! I kid you not. He asked me if I could find one and change it for him. I asked if it was running funny, figured I might need to clean the carb or something. He said nope, just thought it was due. I said I wouldn't mess with it, but if it acted up would change it for him. LOL. those old things were built right

[@Sludge73]

Awesome video, great old mower. I miss that lawn boy sound. That old mower was pretty impressive. Thanks for sharing.

[@andybecker2693]

The only thing missing is a plume of smoke from the 16:1 mix ratio mix like the one my dad had.

[@michaelglynn2638]

Good simple quality construction, those were the days. Great video guys, thanks👍

[@jammy46235]

Man they sure didn’t care about safety back in the 70’s lol that self propelled is dangerous and I love it 👍

[@kurtdikkers7659]

And us oldies started mowing at about 7 years old.

[@dfields9511]

Yah. And now car manuals warn not to drink the antifreeze. Back in the day the manual gave directions to adjust valves.

[@donmoore7785]

Heck no. Safety was not a priority.

[@tommyhanlon8012]

Yea, remember when people were responsible for themselves ! ?

[@mikemorgan5015]

Personal injury attorneys, consumer watchdogs and the Consumer Product Safety Commision "fixed" that. When the recoil broke on my grandmothers 1965 LB(which I still have and use occasionally) I started it like prop starting an old airplane for a couple of years. I didn't mind and thought it was cool. My uncle saw me do that and had the recoil fixed that afternoon. Good times!!

[@cashen7384]

I use a 4" flap disc as well, 60 grit. Takes no time at all to do my zero turn and push mowers. Great video taryl

[@jamesadams2333]

Well this was an amazing find! And a lucky one to boot I say. Now that mower was taken care of by a good lawnmower owner. Keep up the great work and I hope to see more.

[@derrasenmaher9730]

Congrats to your 200k subscribers and keep up the great work. Lawn boys are one of the best mowers ever made cause they are so light but powerful. These are perfect mowers for tall grass and steep hills, cause with a two cycle engine you always have proper lubrication. Too sad they dont make them like this anymore. Here in germany 2 cycle mowers are hard to get this days.

[@chrisgotgames6405]

they are the best mower ever made especially the f engine

[@mr1pearl]

Sure are learnin' about them Lawn Boys thanks for the tips ! Hope you're getting some time off this weekend you sure have earned it 👍

[@mjg263]

Thanks for all the great tips! Haven’t run across an old 2 cycle LawnBoy yet but this may be the summer!

[@michaelkoon8371]

Great job fixin the lawn boy keep it up tyral ol friend

[@joetaverna5264]

Thanks Taryl for doing another segment on lawn boy mowers P.S. lawn Boys are legendary God Bless You And The Crew and there my friend s Your Dinner

[@leonardbartley5670]

My dad had a brand new one back in the day , they were a pretty expensive mower at the time. Great video Taryl.

[@TripGibson]

Taryl love this video I'm glad you kept going on this machine I learned a few things and I've been around a long time. I think I'm gonna have to get one of my lawnboys out and fired up fired up. lol

[@scrotiemcboogerballs1981]

I used a lawn boy just like that back in the 90s I didn’t like it just didn’t have any power a 3hp Briggs would out mow it all day long love watching you guys thanks for sharing everything with us god bless everyone

[@deanmoore420]

Nice job Taryl I worked on a lot of them and plus I have one of them fancy blade balancers great video enjoyed working👍

[@jimmyday9536]

Great video as always! I know nothing about Lawn Boys but as far as the engine speed lever is concerned, it's probably to slow down the self-propelled speed, for us older slower guys ☺️

[@barrypettit3668]

Awesome videos, learned a lot . Keep up the great work.

[@rickycompton2610]

This video brought back memories I found one of these mowers years ago and put a new plug in it my Son cut so many lawns when he was a teenager growing up to make extra money.Taryl they don’t build like this anymore Lawnboy made one hell of a mower.

[@andysukosd8177]

Great video, I use to love Lawn Boys. Back in the day.

[@johnready630]

Ronnie sure knows how to pick the good ones , those old machines will run forever with a little TLC.

[@hpelisr]

Nice work Taryl , I have a couple of the Lawn Boy's, I like using for trimmers around the house.

[@ronsbeerreviewstools4361]

Very good post, especially the beginning Ronnie at the different doors ha ha. And its informative and entertaining. We need to see more Taryl junior in the skits, also a Junior on a mug or decals, the slippers mug and decals I received last week looks good on my workbench ,are very good. cheers ! fro Massachusets the land of tea, fog, very old buildings,clam chowder, funny english type accents, and BEER Samuel Adams.

[@electroluxlad]

Very first lawn mower I ever received from my great uncle was a 1977 lawn boy F series 100 I still have this mower And honestly it’s one of the best lawnmowers for tallgrass

[@howitzer8946]

I worked at the OMC lawnboy factory. My job in the diecast building was to sort the muffler housings coming out. BORING. Thanks for all the info Taryl.

[@ford6835]

Your show proves that even a 70 year old man like myself can learn alot thanks

[@veb6814]

Those old lawnboys are about my favorite mowers!

[@johnnylong8821]

Congratulations on the 200k, great stuff as always!

[@AndrewHCann]

Excellent video Taryl :) got all tune up also my first push mower used was 1966 Lawn Boy 2.5 hp had be 30:1 oil mix and 18 inches cut bed one speed only 1 gallon fuel tank and 2 primer up with also pull cord 1/2 up way go ! No self propelled just me Lol and last till 1993 then died of lots use!

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Best skits on KZbin 🤣😂

[@antoniomarc7174]

That was a great vlog on the Bible of lawnmowers, the indestructible Lawnboy…Amen 🙏

[@maccustoms2295]

Had a 70s lawn boy but wasn't self propelled looked similar to that model just minus self propelled that thank ran like a champ for years. Great video thanks for sharing.

[@maccustoms2295]

Cool thanks your channel is great

[@brianbanks3044]

that thing cut through anything...shocked it started right up...a friend had one and we were all amazed at all the plastic parts and mixed gas-oil and the sound!!!!.....now we have electrics with all the plastics and ohhh, that new sound

[@user-gm1nu7fb8y]

Lawn Boy 2 strokes are the best mowers ever built!

[@derpydog1008]

The more lawn boy stuff I see the more I want to get one. I would like to have a snow blower like the one you fixed a while back.

[@donmoore7785]

These were awesome machines. Brings back memories. I suspected right away that Jerkenstein stole your mower.

[@johnobiro5202]

That was an Awesome mower Taryl. Looks like better than the Crap we get today. I would have one anyday. 👍🇬🇧🔧

[@dennishernden2264]

Flapper disk does a better job than the grinder as you recommended on the hammer knife unit. Does a quicker job with more control and less heat, although to not totally kill the job I usually finish it up with a hand file.

[@vernonbruce3722]

Cool old mower. Thanks Taryl.

[@joebutchko2223]

I think these were among the first rotary mowers. My dad bought one around 1956 or so... Right away the neighbors borrowed it , then bought their own. When I grew up and got my own place, I always had nothing but lawn boys. That was until they went 4 cycle. Now I just buy $20 mowers on Craig's list!

[@onceagain77]

Sounds pretty good. Even in that tall grass a 4-stroke engine bogs down about the same. That self propelled system on it pretty neat too. Buddy of mine had a John Deere self propelled mower like that Lawn Boy but the transmission on his broke and was very difficult to push even with it disabled.

[@FOOKYOUTUBENUMBERS]

I suppose the high and low is for the push pull system so it's not to fast for Granny cutting Her Lawn pulling granny down the garden by her peti coat! Great vid yet again

[@LostRoaming]

This is funny (and awesome). i have the same mower that was also stored for 30 years (may be a tiny bit different it has 8072 model also self propelled with the same system). Belonged to my grandfather. When my new-school mower died I looked at it and thought "what the heck, may as well try it". Grabbed the chainsaw 2-cycle mix I had and filled it up. Started first pull. Out searching for vids on it because I hit a rock and it bent the little square piece under the blade, just needed to see what it should look like so thanks :-)

[@dsmreloader7552]

Mowed a ton of lawns for people around town back in the late 60s with a Lawnboy.. They were light, easy to push and mowed great. Still remember the Lawnboy "smell".

[@chrisgotgames6405]

nothing better than that lawn boy smell

[@davidpotter9462]

Great job on the Ron Boy

[@andersforrad]

Congrats on the 200k - cheers from Sweden 🎉

[@jimbohnenkamp5082]

I had one very similar to this that I bought at an auction in the 80's for $16. It ran very well for a long time. I'd use one again.

[@AnthemBassMan]

I mow every week with my 1975 LawnBoy 5024 Bricktop, and 1987 LawnBoy 5254. Both still start on the first or second pull every time.

[@mikefisc9989]

Great video. If you ever get one in the shop, I'd love to see a repair video for the rear wheel drive system on a early 2000's Toro personal pace mower.

[@jeffcard3623]

Check springs under the handle, tension of the cable, and wear in the belt. Usually 3/8 x 33".