Weed Eater 961140003 Gas Powered Lawn Mower

by Ryan Herrington
(Carmel, IN)

I have a lawn mower which is a Weed Eater 961140003 model with a Briggs and Stratton engine. It's gas powered and has a 22" cutting width and side discharge/mulch chute. I bought this mower about 5 years ago from Wal-Mart. I didn’t have a lot of money to spend on one, so I bought one of their cheaper models, but not the cheapest one they had.

Overall, I’ve been happy with this mower. In the five years I’ve had it, I haven’t had to do anything to it, other than filling it with gas and checking the oil level occasionally. The only drawbacks to it, I would say, is when I fill the tank, by the time I get done mowing, it’s out of gas (and I have a small yard).

It started right up for me this year after sitting all winter in my cold garage, but it sounds like it’s idling fast and I’m going to have to change the oil, since it’s become dark. When I start it I usually have to prime it about 4 times, then let it sit, without trying to start it for about 2 mins., then it starts right away. If I try starting it right after priming, it won’t start.

Another problem I had with it, is the back guard (the little plastic piece that hangs off the back to protect you from flying debris), would always get caught up under it whenever I would back up. I would then have to lift up on the back wheels and push it forward to allow it to come back out.

About 3 years ago I took it off completely so it wouldn’t accidentally get caught up in the blades. This is something I will definitely look at the next time I am in the market for a new lawn mower, as now I have to deal with a safety feature that isn’t working. I think the brand itself is a good one and dependable for someone who can’t spend a lot of money but wants something that will last.

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Weed Eater 961140003 Gas Powered Lawn Mower

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I Need A New Black Back Guard
by: Dwayne Roll

I have had the same problem with the black safety guard at the back. It flips under the mower when you go in reverse and the blade cuts it. Anyone know where to get another one to replace the one I removed. Most part's sites sell the bolts but not the guard.

Rating

Weed Eater - Not A Quality Machine
by: Larry L. Mcgraw

I purchased this mower in the beginning of the summer in 2011. I used the mower one time during the weekend I bought it with no problems and was very satisified.

The following weeks, the weather was too hot and too dry to mow the lawn. Then, once rain came and the weather cooled enough to mow the lawn, the mower wouldn't start.

The oil is at the proper level and the mower has plenty of fuel. I am very disappointed with the mower and will definitely return it to the store where I purchased it. There is no reasonable explanation why the machine will not start.

The fluids are correctly filled. Nothing is obstructing the blade from turning and the machine has been safely stored in my garage.

I would highly discourage anyone from investing in this mower.

Rating

Frame Cracked After Hitting A Rock
by: Matthew A. Olivar

We purchased a Weed Eater model number 961140023 00 serial number 012611m 013020 late Winter 2011 and on the first mowing in the Spring I hit a rock and the frame where the motor mounts cracked and the broke at one of the screws....... Of course I did not purchase the insurance. Now I am stuck with a worthless mower and out money I cannot afford to have lost.

Rating

Good Value For My Small Yard
by: Melva Lozano

I purchased a Weed Eater 22-inch high wheel lawn mower, Model 961140023 from the Wal-Mart store in Clarksburg, West Virginia, for the 2010 mowing season. I purchased it in April 2010 and I used it at least once a week, sometimes twice, to mow my 0.75 acre property.

My property is mostly flat, but I do have a few inclined areas. Overall, this mower is great for the price (around $150.00). It was not ready directly out of the box; I did have to attach the handles and the wheels, as well as fill the oil pan.

The engine is easy to start, and is not overly loud. It does not bog down easily, especially when I mow an area of higher grass. The blades have stayed sharp and provide a nice clean cut for my lawn. I have not had any major trouble with it, and it works well on both the level and inclined areas.

As far as fuel consumption, I usually go through a two gallon can of gas in a four week period; which is about five to six hours of use. As with most push mowers, it is harder to clean, so I just spray it off on top every week, and at the end of the season, when I drained the fluids, I used a pressure washer on the bottom.

I rarely have a problem with clogging, unless the grass is really high or wet; however, my main complaint with this mower is that the wheels are too loose. I have to tighten them every time I use it because they get too loose and it makes it hard to turn the mower.

I also have trouble with adjusting the mower deck level because the clips for the wheels bend easily and dirt and grass make it hard to adjust the wheels up and down.

I am using this mower again for the 2011 season, and I had no problems with getting it ready because I winterized it last year. I did not have to sharpen the blades, as they have stayed sharp.

I would recommend this mower to anyone with a smaller yard, such as an acre or less. Because of it's great performance, I expect to be able to use this mower for the rest of this mowing season, as well as the next mowing season if the wheels don't break off.

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