Old equipment, How old?

[Lea R.]

I have several old pieces of equipment and need to know how old they are and any other helpful information would be welcomed.

Reel mower TORO Model 60102 Type 0305 Code 700129 PAT. 10013 002904

Tiller Sears Craftsman 5 hp 206cc chain drive
Model 917 298550 Type 1448 Code W34449
130202 0685 01 78032306

Reel mower 3 hp 3600 RPM 127cc
Model 80202 Type 0815 Code 01 79103101
LATO Equipment Co. 20w 092541

[Tom Schaech]

Lea:

I can tell you that your engines are dated as follows:

Toro Reel: Jan. 1970

Tiller: Mar. 78

Other Reel Mower: Oct. 79

Equipment manufacturers often purchase engines in lots; they use them as they assemble different models. I've seen new equipment on the displays with engines up to two years old, which means they sat in someone's warehouse for a while!

Hope this helps...

Tom Schaech
Vintage Briggs and Stratton Collector
Bel Air, MD

[Jim Tremble]

Lea

The tiller was made by this company.

917 Roper Corp. (American Yard Prod.) http://www.frigidaire.com/

917 of the modle # denotes the company that made it.

Jim

[Lea R.]

Thanks, that helps a lot.

[Andrew Mackey]

Sears will go to a manufacturer and tell them 'I want 100,000 units at X cost'. It is up to the manufacturers if they want the contract at the price given. Sears - Techempseh built engines are a prime example. They are techempseh engines, you can order parts thru a regular dealer, using a conversion chart, BUT the sears built engines use lighter service parts than the techempseh built and sold engines. It is called 'Programmed Obsolescense'. Parts for sears units are designed to wear out in approximately 3 years. If the plastic cam, governor parts do not break, then the mower deck will rust out, or develop stress fractures Face It, The average sears mower looks pretty shabby, after a few years time. They want to sell you a new machine every 4 years!
Andrew