Must be why my Wheel Horse is stll running and cutting with the same blades that came with it. It's a 1988 I bought in 1987 and it always cut 3 1/2 acres 2 times a week. NO ONE wqa allowed to touch the mechanical end but me. Still fires up after a couple of times of the starter. What you do Patty is have a hammer in your hands when the get near it and when fingers touch you touch with the hammer on fingers LOL