It's A Rant Warning--Lawn Mower--What Idiot Designed This

[jh]

So I have a Toro Push Mower Smartstow push mower, less than a couple of years old for places in my yard my rider can't get to.

The rear baffle, being made of quality plastic I am sure broke and needed to be replaced. No big deal I thought, ordered the replacement part and followed the instructions from this video to replace it. In the video he suggests using a telescopic magnetic pickup tool to attach the top washer sleeves and nuts to the bolts inside the new baffle.

Thought I would try without the magnetic pickup tool and just use my hands. Holy pain in the *^$ Batman. You can't get your hand in there to hold the washer and nut on the bolt. Even my wife's hands which are much smaller than mine were of no help. Finally got one side on which has more more room but the other side no way. I had forgotten that my wife had a magnetic tool and she retrieved it for me. Success? Nooooo. After numerous tries and a few choice words I was ready to give up for a while but tired one more time--success!

My later wife remarked that I muttered that I wanted to meet the imbecile who designed this feature since he/she obviously never had to replace this rear baffle from h&*@. What were they thinking?

oapbox:

[artie67]

jh, start here for grabbers. The washer should be easy, but the nut might take some tape to hold it in position. This is a good tool for the "kit" in the future.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CMFK0Q?tag...go-ffsb-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1
It's late here so here the Amazon discription for one.
24" Four Claw Pickup Tool. Many more on site. Good Luck!

[Thrift Store Scott]

I've said it before, I'll say it again: Engineers should be forced to service, maintain, and repair the machines they design as well as similar and possibly better-designed machines from other manufacturers.

[MindMeld]

Thrift Store Scott wrote:

:agree: I've said it myself many times.

[deckeda]

At least their instructions told you to get a tool. The ones I come across assume you know what you need.

[cbelt3]

There is Design for Assembly, and there is Design for Repair. Guess where the effort goes ? You think mowers are bad ? Automobile designs, ESPECIALLY American companies, are crazy impossible.

Replace spark plugs:
Step 1- Remove engine.

[rgG]

Just like when you are working on a car or other things.
I have felt your pain many times.

[tenders]

Those of us accustomed to working on boats snigger at your tribulations. Call me when you have to press a shaft off of a rusted coupling of a V-drive with four inches of room to work underneath an engine.

The YouTube guy told you how to do it and you didn't take his advice?

[macphanatic]

cbelt3 wrote:
There is Design for Assembly, and there is Design for Repair. Guess where the effort goes ? You think mowers are bad ? Automobile designs, ESPECIALLY American companies, are crazy impossible.

Replace spark plugs:
Step 1- Remove engine.

Ferrari 308 - remove engine to replace belt.

[jh]

tenders wrote:
Those of us accustomed to working on boats snigger at your tribulations. Call me when you have to press a shaft off of a rusted coupling of a V-drive with four inches of room to work underneath an engine.

The YouTube guy told you how to do it and you didn't take his advice?

Yes I did take his advice when we finally got my magnetic device my wife borrowed and finally found it. While waiting for her to secure it I when ahead and and was able to secure the washer and bolt by hand on the side that had a little more room to move around in. However, as I mentioned, took numerous tries to complete the task on the side with much less room. As I mentioned in my original post (in my opinion) it was a poor design by somebody who may not have thought about what it was like replacing the item--which was my point I was expressing.