I decided to cut the lawns this morning as it seemed like a nice easy job for a sunny Saturday morning. So, I started up my trusty 18 year old John Deere rider mower and got about 20 ft. before it stopped dead in its tracks. It wouldn't go forward or in reverse even though the motor was running just fine. So, I hopped off to take a look underneath and found that the main drive belt had broken - not too surprising as its an 18 year old belt!So, off I went to the local John Deere dealer to get a new belt. The belt cost $28 but, when the service guy showed me what was involved in replacing it, I knew I was probably in trouble. Underneath, there were multiple pulleys, bolts, springs and other pieces that had to be taken apart and re-assembled. It didn't look good.
When I got home, I had a look underneath and knew right away it was the kind of job I would just make worse by trying to do it myself. I figured I would end up with a lawnmower in pieces with no idea how to get it back together again. Besides, I noticed that the other belt which acts to lower the mower blade was also badly frayed and needed to be replaced. Give me a computer to tinker with and fix any day instead of something mechanical!
So, early next week, my trusty old John Deere is off to the service department for new belts, a new blade and a bit of a spring check over to see if anything else needs fixed or replaced - I think the rest of the mower is o.k as its been running just fine this spring.
In any event, I had to go to my backup push power mower to cut the lawn today. It's a little over a half-acre of property and I had forgotten how much work it is to cut the lawn without the rider! I sure wouldn't want to be doing that all summer - besides it takes too much time!
I'm hoping the service guys can fix my rider pretty quick as the grass is really growing right now - it needs cut about twice a week! Nothing runs like a Deere!
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