<p>I have a part time yard guy who takes care of some basics, off season. I don’t think this is a maintenance issue, is it? What is the average lifetime of a mower that’s heavily used? Now that you mention it, I noticed that the lever engaged too easy.</p>
<p>^^ I don’t know the answer but around here, where there’s no off season when it comes to mowing, I see some pretty old looking mowers being used by the professional landscapers who’re using them all the time. I assume they simply maintain them well so the last a very long time. There’s not that much to a lawn mower so it usually makes sense to fix it rather than get a new one unless the deck’s rusted through or possibly if the engine is completely shot.</p>
<p>Maybe you can give your yard guy a call and he can some by and at least take a look at it.</p>
<p>A simple push mower can last decades with regular maintenance. I have a mower from “Monkey Wards” which should give you an indication of age. Occasionally, I’ll take a chisel and scrape away an accumulation of dried grass layers from the underside of the mower. I’m certain that those layers can be read like tree rings and identify which decade of the Twentieth Century the mower was built.</p>
<p>I change the oil every other year and I clean the spark plug each spring alone with sharpening the blade. The aluminum deck has a small hole which is covered with duct tape and the front wheels are held tight against the frame with baling wire. Each spring I harbor hopes of someone stealing it from the backyard. As decades pass, no “takers”. Still, each spring, it starts right up and cuts the grass. </p>
<p>You mentioned that the lever seems too easy to push which might mean the spring has detached from the cable or is broken. I would call your yard man and have him look into the matter. This has to be more cost effective than buying a new mower.</p>
<p>I got to open the top and looked. It seems everything is in order. What should I look for? Springs are not broken, pulleys are good, rubber belts in place.</p>
<p>The guy works in a nursery during the season 6 to 7 day a week. Can’t count on him until October.</p>
<p>Press down on the lever and see what moves. You should see a tensioner wheel press down against the drive belt to activate the propulsion system. The mower’s drive wheel has to be attached to a metal gear that the belt goes around. Do remove the spark plug wire to avoid accidentally starting the mower. </p>
<p>If nothing moves, you may be looking at the wrong part of the mower. Follow the cable that is attached to the lever and see where it enters the housing. </p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>The lever pulls the spring. As far as I can tell, the tensioner wheel presses down against the drive belt.</p>
<p>Press the lever to engage the tensioner wheel against the drive belt. Carefully use your free hand and press down on the belt to see if there is any slack. If there is some slack and the belt is not firmly pressing against the drive gear, then the belt needs to be replaced.</p>
<p>If the belt is feels firm and you feel game, start the mower and press the lever. You should see the gear turning. If it doesn’t turn, you either need a new belt or the tension against the belt needs to be adjusted.</p>
<p>If you feel at all uncomfortable starting the mower with the cover off, by all means, let a qualified tech look into it.</p>
<p>BE CAREFULL!</p>
<p>That’s a bit too much to take on for me. Thanks for tips.</p>