While I generally respect the quality of the Japanese stuff, I refuse to
use anything not made in the USA, on my property.....well, OK. My farm
tractor was made in England (Ford) and I have a couple of German chain
saws. But, the vast majority of the work gets done by stuff
manufactured in the 50s & early 60s by Gravely and Eclipse. The Gravely
(as well as Eclipse) stuff is "industrial quality" and one Gravely
tractor can do just about everything, given the variety of attachments
available(they even offered a "car pusher" attachment, for shunting
"dead cars" around the driveway/garage). Best of all, I can still get
virtually any part I need from my local Gravely dealer.
Since nothing on the Eclipse mowers ever seems to wear out, I haven't
had to look for any parts from a company that has been extinct for at
least 30 years.
But, since we've become obsessed with "newer, bigger, more powerful,
more EXPENSIVE", yet, cheap; the manufacturers no longer have to produce
high-quality products....just something appearing "new", that will last
5 or maybe 10 years. I figure that by the time my Gravely and Eclipse
equipment wears out, I'll be too damned old to need it, anyway. Now,
let's see.....my Dad mowed his lawn and fields until he was 85 or so.
Assuming the apple don't drop far from the tree, I guess that means my
old machinery only needs to run for another 25 years or so.
Hopefully, I can still find parts and fuel for my Spridgets for that
much longer, too......
Bud Osbourne
-----Original Message-----
From: Geoff Branch [mailto:gjbranch@comcast.net]
Sent: Monday, March 19, 2007 11:13 AM
To: Bud Osbourne; 'Frank Clarici'
Cc: 'Dave G.'; spridgets@autox.team.net
Subject: Re: LBC vs grass cutter...
I once bought a $700 Honda lawnmower. It had a bent crank...took all
summer
to get the dealer to fix it. Then I realized that the thing was geared
to
the gait of really short person and was so slow I couldn't use it.
Basically gave it away to a short person.
THEN I bought a very used 4' wide made in USA Ransom Bobcat walkbehind!!
This summer I had to replace the engine....after years of service. But,
man
that mower is indestructable and you can jog behind it if you so desire.
Great machine.
Geoff Branch
|