Further exercise

[jhetley]

Okay, the power lawnmower has gone on strike.  Starts, but sputters and dies -- diagnosis is a fuel feed problem.  I've pulled the fuel line and blown it out, drained the tank, no problem there.  Ergo, carburetor.   Perhaps a sticking float valve or gunk in the needle.  I've seen reports that this happens with older engines when we switch from MTBE to ethanol as an additive...

Anyhow, just ran the Jim-power reel lawnmower around our yard, instead.  Emergency backup system.  And a blow to the petro-oligarchs.

But I haven't used some of those muscles in 20 years.

Comments

[txtriffidranch.livejournal.com]

Ouch. I feel for you. Sure, a reel mower doesn't use any fuel, but you're generally going to have to mow twice a week so the grass doesn't get too tall for the mower to cut.

[jhetley.livejournal.com]

We thought we'd raised up a couple of sons to care for us in our dotage, but both of them are now resident in California. Reduces usefulness for this latest crisis.

There may be a new power mower in my future. I have the skills and tools to dissect the beast, but no longer the inspiration. Or the workbench -- it's about six feet under in crap...

[cymrullewes.livejournal.com]

I pay the eldest $2 to use the reel mower on the front lawn when I tell her to.

We're thinking of switching to something like this or this. They seem to be describing the same thing but one says grows to 4" and folds while the other says grows to 9" and folds to 4".