Farmall Cub

Since I was big enough to push a lawnmower, (@ 6 years old I had to push on the cross bar, and begged to do it) I've always used an aluminum or magnesium deck Lawnboy. I considered them to be nearly indestructable if used correctly. Assuming that corrosion on the deck is nearly zero on these things, I ignored the underside except to sharpen the blade. Well, I began to notice a little hole in the topside a couple of years ago and thought there may have been a bolt hole filled with grass and continued operating. (I only use it for trimming) This year, I dumped fuel in it and went about business as normal. There seemed to be another tuft of grass in the nearly the same spot...carry on... Now I am getting peppered by twigs and can see light through the hole...Uh oh. Time to retire that deck.. (I pickup used "real" lawnboys @ yard sales for parts or fix-up, so I have another deck to swap out)
So...Don't assume that an aluminum deck is good for life....

I'm with you 100% on the Lawn Boys. I mowed neighborhood yards during summers as a kid and that's all I used. This is a late '70's model that I still use for trimming. Starts first pull....every time. It's light and maneuverable. Excellent mower.

Harold, that's the same model as the one I have with the hole in the deck. Light weight, no bells & whistles. I probably should shoot a photo so you'll know where to begin looking. I have replaced the wheels several times, and now have a set of wider ones from a late model for even less ground pressure. Sometimes I mow when the ground is way too soft to support even a lightweight like these. (In my boots BTW, long story)
Early in the season, I can't even think about using the Cadet, and normally leave the chains on it all season.
Regards,

I still have an old Lawn Boy that I used to trim with, haven't run it for 3 - 4 years, pretty much trim with Round up now days. Like you fellas, I liked the no frills Lawn Boy for it's light weight and durability. Mine is a 1957 model.

I'm with you on the Lawn-Boys. 4 of mine are in IH livery, and one is a parts Spirit of '76. About 4 more lawnboys, two which run, BTW I have a NOS "D" series SP deck if any one is interested. Also have an "F" series commercial SP deck used and repaired (welded)

http://photos.cubfest.com/displayimage.php?pos=-24440

You'll notice the holes in front of the RR wheel. Since the blade rotates in a clockwise direction as viewed from the top, the discharge is toward the operator. This old girl has been "rode hard & put up wet" many times. (The blade is a mulcher, all I had at the time, and this probably contributed to the problem)

P.S. the short block on this mower was found at a yard sale NIB about 10 years ago. I walked away with it for $10.

Yours has the same faded paint pattern on the shroud as mine. What's up with that? My Dad bought the one I have new and used it problem free for 10 years or better, then one spring he pull it out of his shed and it wouldn't fire. He assumed the coil had went bad so he parked it and used another mower he had gotten from a neighbor fairly cheap. A couple of years ago I was complaining to him about how cheap made push mowers were these days and how I wished I could find an older lawn boy. He reminded me of the one he had parked and said if I could find a coil for it I could have it. I was in the process of taking the coil off when i moved the flywheel and heard a slight "tick" at the spark plug. I had the cap loose on the plug, so i pulled the chord and got good fire. I had already taken the two wires loose from the switch, which means I had un-grounded the coil. I thought the switch was bad, but it too can be disassembled, and I found the copper tangs corroded. Once I cleaned those up and got it back together, it runs as good as new. I did offer to give the mower back, but he said keep it.

P.S. My rubber primer bulb is about rotted.....do you know of a source for those?

I hadn't tried to find a primer, but mine's getting there also. I do know that the switch is no longer available. (knob also I believe) I replaced the coil a few years back and it was a bit pricey at that time. As far as the discoloration above the tank...I think it's fuel vapor impregnating the plastic...It's not paint. Actually the mower I will be using for parts has yellow wheels, and a yellow shroud. It's discolored too. (Almost like John Deere colors) I may have a frankenmower when I get done...
Regards,

P.S. When my coil went, It would run great until it warmed up, then started mis-firing and quit. Would start back when cooled off.
I have another Lawn Boy (newer) as a back up, aluminum deck & 6.5 HP, It's still heavier than this one...(harder to push)

Lawn Boy was bought out by Toro and now you get a Toro in Lawn Boy colors. If not already, they'll discontinue the line and they're thinking that I'll buy one??? Wrong..
I wrote them a nasty-gram about a year ago and never got a response... Kinda reminds you of another company that bought a name then cheapened the product, doesn't it?
Sorry to vent..
Regards,

Harold R wrote:My rubber primer bulb is about rotted.....do you know of a source for those?

Auto parts store.

Prime line part number, NAPA part number, Federated part number: 7-02310 Primer Button. Replaces 607310. For engines 1974 - 1982.

Ignition modules/coils, switches, - ignition parts in general are still available from your auto parts store.

sdurnal wrote:Lawn Boy was bought out by Toro and now you get a Toro in Lawn Boy colors. If not already, they'll discontinue the line and they're thinking that I'll buy one??? Wrong..
I wrote them a nasty-gram about a year ago and never got a response... Kinda reminds you of another company that bought a name then cheapened the product, doesn't it?
Sorry to vent..
Regards,

Lawn Boy is gone.

The wife was telling me that the local lawn & garden shop has removed the Lawn Boy sign, so I guess they are gone..sad.

Stan:

I am not so sure about that. Lawn Boy. Oh yeah, was thinking about the Toro buyout and I knew that had happened a longggg time ago .. sometime around the time frame that OMC sold their OEM sled line etc.,. (Another of one of the great OEM Sleds). So I checked the About Lawn Boy link and re-discovered the time line that I sort of remembered. OMC sold Lawn Boy to Toro 23 years ago back in 1989 and has been marketing Lawn Boy's ever since. They still are.

Are they the original ones Nope, about as original as a Cub Cadet from MTD is an IH

Yep, if you can't build a better machine, buy them out and kill (ruin) them. NEVER met a Toro that I liked! First encounter was a 31" Whirlwind with sulky (mankiller) and later 5hp. push mowers with cast iron engines and steel decks, commercial grade, not self propelled. BTW, after making "D" series mowers for IH, L-B made some "F" series mowers for JD.