Craftsman Lawn Mower - Never Change Oil - NEVER (1 Viewer)

[Dragonfly]

Sears.com

Briggs & Stratton 163cc engine, with Just Check & Add™ (no oil changes needed for life of mower)

So, I bought one of these. Seems like a fantastic claim, and one I'm willing to test out.

Anybody have one of these?

Are you doing the "never change the oil" thing?

 

[ttwtt78640]

When (not if) the oil breaks down causing parts to wear/fail then that ends "the life of the mower".

Sears is simply betting that the oil lasts 2 years (the warranty period).

http://i.sears.com/s/d/pdf/mp-tc/spinpdf/spin_prod_1251104712

 

[Dragonfly]

New Briggs & Stratton lawn mower engine never needs an oil change

The four-stroke mower engine is designed to last the life of the equipment it's used on, which could be about 12 years, without an oil change. Briggs says the engine will set a precedent in the lawn and garden equipment industry, and none of its competitors has an engine that doesn't require an oil change.

12 years....sounds good to me.

 

[bicycleman]

I don't care what Sears says. Always change the oil. Their statement is ludicrous.

I compare what Sears says with what the manufacturer of the new GPS units are saying, "lifetime updates." Lifetime, doesn't mean your lifetime or the lifetime of the product. It only means the lifetime that the GPS receiver is being manufactured. When the company no longer manufactures it, watch your updates disappear.

 

[Dragonfly]

I don't care what Sears says. Always change the oil. Their statement is ludicrous.

I compare what Sears says with what the manufacturer of the new GPS units are saying, "lifetime updates." Lifetime, doesn't mean your lifetime or the lifetime of the product. It only means the lifetime that the GPS receiver is being manufactured. When the company no longer manufactures it, watch your updates disappear.

It's Briggs & Stratton making the claim.

I'm gonna follow their recommendation. :mrgreen:

 

[ttwtt78640]

New Briggs & Stratton lawn mower engine never needs an oil change



12 years....sounds good to me.

Of course it does but the warranty is only for 2 years and excludes "commercial use". A typical (regular?) push mower will easily last 50 hours under "normal" conditions which is about two years if you use it to mow for about 30 minutes as often as once per week. There is no oil filter on these engines so any dust (grit) that gets in the oil stays in the oil. I would bet that the "super" air cleaner costs more to replace than a typical air cleaner and an oil change.

 

[Dragonfly]

nonbelievers!!!!

 

[jet57]

Sears.com




So, I bought one of these. Seems like a fantastic claim, and one I'm willing to test out.

Anybody have one of these?

Are you doing the "never change the oil" thing?

I do. I have a 6.5 and when the oil is dirty, I change it: Penz 30 weight.

Keep it clean, change the oil, keep the blade sharp, it'll run forever.

 

[Dragonfly]

Briggs & Stratton - making small engines for decades, designing and testing them, and supposedly honoring their claim

I'll trust them to make a honest claim regarding these engines.

Y'all can be skeptical all you want...you probably change your car oil every 2000-3000 miles too. :mrgreen:

:bolt

 

[Gaius46]

All my yard tools are electric, some battery operated, some corded. Both the hassle of oil changes and getting and storing gas were concerns in deciding to use electric.

That said it seems the Briggs engine is designed to last the service life of the mower without oil change, about 12 years. They claim the engine runs cooler and the air intake is designed to keep out most debris. Given Briggs reputation for building quality engines and that a bunch of people aside from Sears are using the engine, I'm going to bet that if it isn't bullet proof out of the gate it will be in short order.

 

[UtahBill]

In the mid 70's J.C. Penney sold sealed auto batteries that would supposedly last forever, or so the warranty said. When mine failed, they replaced it with a standard battery. The forever battery died a quick death.

Sounds like the outrageous claims method of marketing is still around, though.

 

[Dragonfly]

I figure, for a $200 push mower, it's worth the risk to see if it's a legit claim.

It's not a $4000 tractor or anything like that.

Briggs & Stratton is THE name in small engine machines.

 

[Helix]

12 years is about as many years as i've ever gotten out of a lawn mower. however, even if they tell me not to change the oil, i'm going to change it, because i don't want to listen to a machine die slowly of preventable causes. if it can really make it twelve years with no oil change (which i highly ****ing doubt,) then it can make it thirty with regular oil changes.

Mini does this same kind of ****. my car didn't call for its first oil change until 23k miles. that's ****ing ridiculous. i changed it well before then. i can see going 10k on synthetic, but not 20. it's probably because the oil changes under warranty are free. made me glad that i didn't buy the car used, because i guarantee a lot of people just wait until the car calls for an oil change. it's probably that way for all BMWs, i would guess.

as for lawn mowers, i just bought a new Toro, and it's the best mower that i've ever used.

 

[jet57]

In the mid 70's J.C. Penney sold sealed auto batteries that would supposedly last forever, or so the warranty said. When mine failed, they replaced it with a standard battery. The forever battery died a quick death.

Sounds like the outrageous claims method of marketing is still around, though.

Was it Penny's or the Sears Die Hard?

 

[jet57]

12 years is about as many years as i've ever gotten out of a lawn mower. however, even if they tell me not to change the oil, i'm going to change it, because i don't want to listen to a machine die slowly of preventable causes. if it can really make it twelve years with no oil change (which i highly ****ing doubt,) then it can make it thirty with regular oil changes.

Mini does this same kind of ****. my car didn't call for its first oil change until 23k miles. that's ****ing ridiculous. i changed it well before then. i can see going 10k on synthetic, but not 20. it's probably because the oil changes under warranty are free. made me glad that i didn't buy the car used, because i guarantee a lot of people just wait until the car calls for an oil change. it's probably that way for all BMWs, i would guess.

as for lawn mowers, i just bought a new Toro, and it's the best mower that i've ever used.

Really. Why is that?

 

[Helix]

Really. Why is that?

the Toro? it has power assist, bag and mulch, starts on the first pull, and the power assist is variable speed. it's designed to go faster as you walk faster. i'd say the thing is about as hard to push as an empty wheelbarrow. you can easily mow one handed with it.

i think this is the one i bought :

 

[Dragonfly]

i think this is the one i bought :

View attachment 67188674

Most likely - a Briggs & Stratton engine too. AmIright? :mrgreen:

 

[Helix]

Most likely - a Briggs & Stratton engine too. AmIright? :mrgreen:

yep, 190cc. and i'm supposed to change the oil after the first five hour break in period, which i will do after two more mows.

 

[Dragonfly]

yep, 190cc. and i'm supposed to change the oil after the first five hour break in period, which i will do after two more mows.

Yep.

I did that too. Then never again. :mrgreen:

 

[UtahBill]

Was it Penny's or the Sears Die Hard?

Penneys, back when they had a service dept....

 

[bicycleman]

It's Briggs & Stratton making the claim.

I'm gonna follow their recommendation. :mrgreen:

I had a neighbor, who never changed the oil on his lawnmowers. He used them until they wore out and bought new ones. Perhaps, it's possible, but they last longer with proper maintenance.

 

[Dragonfly]

I had a neighbor, who never changed the oil on his lawnmowers. He used them until they wore out and bought new ones. Perhaps, it's possible, but they last longer with proper maintenance.

I'm 52 years old, I'm hoping that by the time this mower dies, I'll be some place where a service does it for me, or over me. :mrgreen:

 

[bicycleman]

I'm 52 years old, I'm hoping that by the time this mower dies, I'll be some place where a service does it for me, or over me. :mrgreen:

You're a youngster. You'll be around for at least another 40 years. You better change your oil every year.

 

[countryboy]

It's Briggs & Stratton making the claim.

I'm gonna follow their recommendation. :mrgreen:

Does it have a drain plug?

 

[Helix]

back on topic : my new mower, unboxing.



it has a compass in the stock, and this thing which tells time.