[2 cycle freak]

you know a few years ago when i told people i was into mowers they would say that was awesome and ask questions about mowers,tell stories about what they've done with them and it seemed like people then though it was cool to hear about a person that took a machine that cuts grass and made it into a show pice,or a toy.now days they look at me with fear in there eyes and say "now why would you do such a stupid thing about a stupid lawn mower?"
this makes me think and notice the change in people.has any one else noticed this? i think our type is getting smaller and smaller at a alarming rate :dunno: :crybaby:

 

[The Commercial King]

Jealousy (sp)

 

[Dane in PA]

Everyone is getting into "New". Or have the "nothing old can be recycled" attitude... Its a shame, but yes I fear that us mower/tractor families are the last of our kind.

 

[Indy452]

Thats why we have MTF. I hear ya though.....any more I just keep my hobbies to myself....I'm too old to be put down for doing what I love and believe me...I love to tinker on about anything mechanical.

Like the old saying goes "they just don't make'm like they used too"

 

[kentucky wildcat]

What do you mean, "our type"? Okay, I know what you mean. I recently told someone of my enjoyment of old garden tractors, I was greeted with an odd look and then a, "WHY?"

If I had said I like using apps on my iphone the response may have been "Great". I don't have an iphone and I wouldn't know an app if it bit me.:dunno:

 

[Dane in PA]

Well, around here there are a bunch of GT lovers too, and a few in my age group. I often get questions from strangers who over hear me on the phone with someone how something needs to be fixed, or what year something is, or other mower related questions.

 

[Shawnlb]

I walk to the beat of my own drum. I don't even think about it if someone says why are you doing that. I just say it makes me happy and if you don't like it then its your problem.

 

[hamman]

Our society is fast becoming a "Throw away Society". I noticed this while in the HVAC business. The attitude is make out of the US,make it cheap, sell it as good, and expect the public to throw it away and buy new in a very short amount of time. I've seen and heard it. Can't believe how many people would rather have a new one, rather than repair what they have. IDK, IMHO:dunno:

 

[BXIluvu]

Yes, but...have you noticed that some appreciation is showing up in popular culture. I find the TV show American Restoration fascinating by the incredible skill sets those guys have to bring all sorts of things back to life...and the thrill the customers get when they pick up their items. American Pickers & Canadian Pickers are also shows featuring guys who know a great deal about also sorts vintage items and have a genuine appreciation of them. These shows have large audiences and I think they're having a great influence these days. I can't or haven't done any restoration, but my hat's off to those of you who can.

 

[2 cycle freak]

yes i belive the throw away world has changed people too much.they dont want to deal with the problem.thy throw it away and get a new one trying to ignore the fact of how much money they are wasting.one of my dads friends asked me why we drive old cars and i told him because we know how to fix and keep them going for little money and he looked at me as if i broke a law.

 

[s10lowrider1994]

People laugh at me all the time for having an equipment fetish. They typically shut up once they find out how much money my fetish makes me.

 

[LilysDad]

What do you mean, "our type"? Okay, I know what you mean. I recently told someone of my enjoyment of old garden tractors, I was greeted with an odd look and then a, "WHY?"

If you had told them you were restoring an old sports car, they would think nothing of it. I think the problem is mostly lack of familiarity.

 

[PeoriaMurph]

I think another thing to consider is that we are now on the second generation of the "throw away society." People may flat out be unaware that things CAN be repaired after they break or wear out.

 

[Dane in PA]

I think another thing to consider is that we are now on the second generation of the "throw away society." People may flat out be unaware that things CAN be repaired after they break or wear out.

I'm happy I didn't grow up like that.

 

[2 cycle freak]

I'm happy I didn't grow up like that.

same here,it just makes it easier for us

 

[Tencubed]

We have people visit the farm from time to time that were raised in a city and have never, ever, been in a rural setting other than to drive thru it.

It interesting when the occasional one really stops and looks at what is going on on a daily basis. When they find out the age of some of the tools we use they simply can't believe it.

I really think a lot of it is perspective and, as has been mentioned, familiarity.

Not a lot of people repair toasters, mixers or other small appliances. This is the kind of "equipment" a lot of people have experience with.

Mike

 

[LawnBoy2ndToNone]

The people I work with, I can tell, just don't care about my lawn mower projects anymore. Now that I found MTF, I don't say much about them anymore at work. I let it all out here, and it feels great to have people that have the same passion about the old stuff as I do! Long live the days when things were made to last, not just lawn mowers but everything from cars to furniture!!!

 

[Chevy_Trucks]

I think another thing to consider is that we are now on the second generation of the "throw away society." People may flat out be unaware that things CAN be repaired after they break or wear out.

But with the way people ave to work now with our economy, people don't have time to fix or repair their old things. That's how I got into doing this type of stuff, my dad had to work long hours and didn't have time to fix things so he just bought another used lawnmower. But we always keep the old ones and let me tinker around with them in summer. But other people don't have the time, money, or energy to do it anymore. And yes it is sad but it's true people can't do it anymore. And kids in my generation don't care about old/used stuff anyone more, they are spoiled little brats that have to have everything new out of the box.

 

[Shawnlb]

My neighbor keeps asking me when I am going to retire old green and get a new mower. I keep telling him my Lawn-Boy does everything his new mower does. If it breaks I can fix it easily. In the 9 years I have lived in my house he has gone through 3 mowers. Its the same reason I keep my old tube radios. When something fails I can fix it. Modern things are nice, but the old stuff was built to last.

 

[Brad]

I think another thing to consider is that we are now on the second generation of the "throw away society." People may flat out be unaware that things CAN be repaired after they break or wear out.

I agree with this statement whole-heartedly. But does the average homeowner have the skills to repair his lawn mower? OK, I'll widen that up a bit. Can the average homeowner change the oil in their machine? Do they want to? Buy a mower for $149, use it 3-4 years, don't change the oil or clean the clippings out, come spring it doesn't start (gas left in the tank), call the mower shop and find out it'll likely cost $50-75 to get it running again so it goes out on the curb (where 2 cycle freak finds it and drags it home and repairs it for $7.59 and sells it for $50), and go buy a new one. All the time wondering why that guy picked up their dead lawnmower.....

The throw away attitude has been brought on by our own population, tho. Look at how household appliances are put together. With screws that the average folks can't remove, open up the appliance, stick a butter knife in there, get shocked, and bring on a lawsuit. Probably a good thing that you can't get your finger between the piston and cylinder head on a Briggs and Stratton engine while it's running or they'd use non-removable bolts as well!


Oops. Off topic. Sorry....