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

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.😊

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.

Lightweight is good and what did I use it for it’s a lawnmower youtube.com/post/UgkxTPN04aT-Qdjr_KS3ql7ng8wnU3wws… also recommend Yes it is lightweight so hence not as robust as our old one. But if you take care it does the job really well.

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. :thanksdoc:

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.

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.

the bob ross of small engine repair. Good stuff james

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.

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

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

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

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. :)

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

It amazes me how many people don't use a fuel stabilizer. Conditions like this are easily prevented. Enjoy your videos. You are very thorough...