My neighbor just bought a new Craftsman lawn mower, and I noticed him mowing in slow motion. I actually thought he was having trouble, so I buzzed over on my 20 year old JD 425 to talk. He informed me that mowers were not supposed to run at the highest speed and that it would prolong it's life by running at only fast enough to cut the grass. Weeeelllllll, heck, color me green, I had no idea 
I explained to him about the governor and how it worked, then explained that his air cooled mower needed full speed (via governed speed) for adequate air flow over the motor to keep it cool, and that slowing down for long periods of time can cause overheating. Well, guess what, he worked a couple years at AutoZone and is a mechanical expert and more or less told me I knew nothing. Well, ok, I don't care how you mow, but my question is, where in the world did this kind of wisdom come from? I've read it hear a few times and just blew it off, but I don't remember anyone trying to tell me to my face. Just for fun, we got into a discussion of oil and he informed me that once you use syn in a motor, you can't go back, (another AZ bit of wisdom?). After most was said and done, I pointed out that my 20 year old JD, has had all kinds of oil in it with little regard for syn or dino, and that in over 20 years of mowing 2 acres and the last 3 or 4 years mowing 5+ acres a week, that it has never mowed a blade of grass at less than full governed speed and it seems to be rolling fine at ~870 ish hours, but I didn't work at AZ so I much be crazy.
I just thought it was funny, and you all could get a good laugh. It's not really any business of mine how he cares for his mower. I will say, he started the conversation after I asked if he was having troubles.
I explained to him about the governor and how it worked, then explained that his air cooled mower needed full speed (via governed speed) for adequate air flow over the motor to keep it cool, and that slowing down for long periods of time can cause overheating. Well, guess what, he worked a couple years at AutoZone and is a mechanical expert and more or less told me I knew nothing. Well, ok, I don't care how you mow, but my question is, where in the world did this kind of wisdom come from? I've read it hear a few times and just blew it off, but I don't remember anyone trying to tell me to my face. Just for fun, we got into a discussion of oil and he informed me that once you use syn in a motor, you can't go back, (another AZ bit of wisdom?). After most was said and done, I pointed out that my 20 year old JD, has had all kinds of oil in it with little regard for syn or dino, and that in over 20 years of mowing 2 acres and the last 3 or 4 years mowing 5+ acres a week, that it has never mowed a blade of grass at less than full governed speed and it seems to be rolling fine at ~870 ish hours, but I didn't work at AZ so I much be crazy.I just thought it was funny, and you all could get a good laugh. It's not really any business of mine how he cares for his mower. I will say, he started the conversation after I asked if he was having troubles.
