I'll probably regret saying this, but I've never had a catastrophic failure. Even the 1994 LB 10201 with 'V' engine that tended to fall apart served in some way or another until I sold it last year, still in running condition and looking good. A 1971 mower with B&S 3.5 HP engine lasted for years and finally the deck gave out, but the engine was transplanted. I sold it, got it back and eventually gave it to my wife's cousin who used it into the late '90s. A 1989 Homelite/Jacobsen with another 'Classic' engine is still in service at my sister-in-law's house. I guess I must treat them good, huh?

as a side line I repair mowers, Things were slowing down I was repairing an average of 10 to 12 mowers per week and most were clogged carbs for some strange reason I got real busy in the past few weeks with 85% of the mowers with bent blades and broken fly wheel pins. strange

rolm; it's lucky for you that people are idiots and can't even be trusted with a lawn mower.

Yeah....you'd think by now we'd know where all those steel post, worn down tree stubs, rocks, and lost golf balls are. I've even ran over the big mound of dirt so many times that it's almost smooth!! Oh well, if the front end goes over it....mow it down.......DT

There will be lots of carb repairs as long as ethanol blend fuel is sold in the US.

Neal

"rolm; it's lucky for you that people are idiots and can't even be trusted with a lawn mower."

Their a mower for crying out loud. If they die every 8-10 years buy another. I'm not rich but I can afford $400.00 every 10 years.

dom61 in my view a mower that is 8 to 10 years old is just broken-in. All one has to do is change the oil every 5 years and not hit anthing like a rock or water pipes. I have seen mowers that have never had an oilchange for 10 years after cleaning the carb changing the oil and spark plug you are good for another 10 years. I can't believe the abuse the B&S classic engine can take and they still run like a timex watch.

I agree rolm.... but the problem I usually have is not with the engine but with the chassis. The first thing that seems to wear out is the piece of metal on the front underside of the mower. I don't know what it is called or if it even has a name but I think it is to channel the grass around to a side or rear exit. Anyway it bends inward until the blade starts knocking on it. I use the 'hammer it back' method until it is just too bend to mess with and then beat it out. Now that is after several years so I can not complain too much. By then I'm ready for a new, clean, lean, mowing machine......DT

'There will be lots of carb repairs as long as ethanol blend fuel is sold in the US.'

True, but there's a remedy! STA-BIL has a new super-concentrated formula designed to prevent fuel system problems associated with ethanol fuels such as corrosion, etc. I'm now using it plus Marvel Mystery Oil in everything I have, including cars and trucks.

I started dosing my mower gas with MMO and wintering over gas with Sta-bil. I havent had to tear down a cab since I started doing this.

My 1988 Lawnboy 8480 is running like new. The 1996 White 18 inch with the 3.75 B&S is surging and running poorly when cold so I drained it and ran it out of gas and put it in the corner. The late 1950's Jacobson 2-cycle is running like new. It just needs the gas tank fixed and better tires.