Is thirty years too long to keep a lawn mower?

[sd455dan]

I love old iron.
My passion is Wheel Horse tractors and implements.
They range from 1984 to 1992 vintage and do most of the snow removal and all the mowing duties.

yep, Still using the Gilson lawn tractor my grandpa bought new in 1976, No plastic gears in the Peerless transmission, and the 180* opposed 16 HP Briggs I/C twin is a very smooth runner and has never burned oil.

The Deere X 500 will out cut it, but for tight work with a 42 " cut we still like the old machine.

I would not trade it straight across for the new bargain priced JD mowers at HD, but jmo.

 

[sixdogs]

yep, Still using the Gilson lawn tractor my grandpa bought new in 1976, No plastic gears in the Peerless transmission, and the 180* opposed 16 HP Briggs I/C twin is a very smooth runner and has never burned oil.

The Deere X 500 will out cut it, but for tight work with a 42 " cut we still like the old machine.

I would not trade it straight across for the new bargain priced JD mowers at HD, but jmo.

I had occasion to work with a 20-30 (?) year old Peerless gearbox and it was a beauty of steel gears and quality workmanship. I had to call the company on something and what a wonderful group of people I spoke with. We agreed that, with occasional gear oil changes, my gearbox would likely never wear out.

 

[gsganzer]

I was surprised to realize that I'm now at 22 years on my Kubota BX2200. It's been a phenomenal machine. Just the other week, I replaced both year axle oil seals. Only one was leaking, but the seals were cheap and replacement process was simple. The only other issue was a hole that developed in a steering hydraulic hose. I think that's pretty good dependability.