The Mower

The Mower is dead! Long live the Mower!

Last August, our seventeen-year-old MTD Ranch King riding mower decided enough was enough. It refused to start.

No problem, the battery had been acting a bit weak. So, a new battery was bought. Lots of battery juice now! Still no start. Sort of sounded like the starter motor was not engaging or not trying to spin the engine. Well, OK. I guessed a new starter motor was in order. New starter motor bought and installed and . . . no start. No joy.

Obviously our 17-year-old needed a time-out. So, out to the shed with it. It could just stay there until it decided to start. It could stay there all winter, if needed. I did the rest of the season's mowing using the walk-behind mower. (It's only about 30 years old.) And, I did all the leaf-picking-up by hand. Not to say that all the leaves got picked up, but those that did were done by rake and garden cart - not with the rider with the bagger.

Ah Spring.... Moved the mower out of the shed. Checked the oil. Added fresh gas to the empty tank. Put the battery on the charger. Huh? Won't charge? Dead short the charger says? But, but, but, I just bought that battery last August! Phooey. As long as I had to take the battery back to town I figured I'd swap out the fuel filter - couldn't hurt.

In town I found that the battery tested bad (90-day warranty - no adjustment) and that the fuel filter I need is no longer stocked.

Alright, Alright, I can take a hint (or two or three) when they're handed to me.

Walked across the parking lot and ordered up a Sears Craftsman 24hp 42 inch cut rider. Supposed to be delivered next Friday.

Long live the Mower!