[mitchntx]

(IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/banghead.gif)

I'm out doing my normal Friday morning deal and notice that there is a lot of noise coming from the rear end/trans area ... a LOT of noise.

I figured it was not good, but needed to try and nurse it along.

I've been hearing this gnarled thrash coming from way down deep and it's been getting louder and louder as the weeks go by.

I really don't feel like spending more money on this thing.

As I cruised along, the whole thing started jerking as I made turns, like spider gears were broken.

The sharper the turn, the more it seemed to free-wheel and then catch, jerking the thing forward.

And holy cow ... reverse was non-existent, but the noise was certainly there.

Shifting to ANY gear was next to impossible.

After about a third the way through, it got to the point where forward movement was in jerks and lurches.

I knew it was done!

My God .. the noise it was making.

















So, I said screw it ... I'm not spending any more money on this heap.

(IMG:http://www.lawmotorsports.net/OldCraftsman.jpg)

It has seen over twenty years of service, between me and my parents.



So I bought a new one ... sort of ...

(IMG:http://www.lawmotorsports.net/newtroy.jpg)

22hp Briggs
46" cut
hydrstatic trans

It was a customer return marked down to $1149 from $1599 after replacing the ignition switch. I offered them $800 and was loading it up 10 minutes later.

Nice!

(IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/2thumbs.gif)

[Mojave]

I picked this guy up today:

(IMG:http://mowhineracing.com/kubota1.jpg)

It's used, just over 100 hours, and was definitely more than $800, but it's a NICE mower. Compared to the stuff at the big box stores, it feel very solid and sturdy, and the frame is even tubing! It also has shocks/springs on the rear to give a smooth ride. Does Koni have a set of shocks for a Kubota? What's the ideal ride frequency for a mower? (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/rotf.gif)

I haven't mowed with it yet, but I'm sure it will be worlds better than my $125 MTD Craigslist special, which also was experiencing transmission problems (slipping when in forward gear). I've managed to adjust the shift rod so it stays in gear, but I think it's time to put it back on Craigslist while it's still running.