'No mow May' turned into no mow at all: what to do when your lawn equipment breaks

April Barton, Burlington Free Press
·4 min read

It's prime time to enjoy your lawn but what to do when your lawn equipment peters out.

Picture this: You're looking forward to enjoying the beautiful Vermont summer day from your yard, but you just need to do a quick mow to get it manicured just the way you like it. You rev up the motor and get partway through the cut and something goes wrong.

You could go out and buy a new mower, weed eater, trimmer or leaf blower, but that can be expensive. Trying to fix it yourself can get you deep into manual reading trying to understand the mechanics and guessing at whether you've ordered the right part.

Or, you can get your equipment fixed by a small engine repair service. There are several such businesses across Chittenden County, many of which offer pick up and delivery and some that also sell new or used equipment should the damage be too extensive. A few are even open on Saturday.

The businesses below did not make it clear online if they would work on electric-powered equipment. For those needs, you may want to contact them directly.

The Small Engine Co., Colchester

The list of services offered by the The Small Engine Co. isn't so small. The business offers repairs for push and riding lawn mowers as well as leaf blowers, trimmers, chain saws, power washers, snow throwers and generators. They can sharpen mower blades and chainsaw chains, fix lawn equipment tires and have a delivery and disposal service.

The website suggests you give them a call about your need.

  • Location: 492 Hageman Ave., Colchester.

  • Contact: (802) 654-1010.

  • Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.

  • Website: https://www.thesmallengineco.com/

Vermont Small Engine, Essex Junction

Vermont Small Engine works on all the traditional lawn equipment and services compact tractors, ATVs and golf carts. One thing that sets it apart is it provides a mobile service, coming to your house to make repairs. This method is the most popular among homeowners with riding lawnmowers, according to the website. The mobile service costs $150 per hour of work done on-site for locations in Chittenden County and $65 per hour if fixed at their shop.

The business is by appointment only, and can be reached by phone or email.

  • Location: 1 South Summit St. in Essex Junction.

  • Contact: call 802-318-5813 or email VermontSmallEngine@gmail.com

  • Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 8 a.m. to Noon Saturdays.

  • Website: https://vermontsmallengine.com/

A person mowing a lawn on a zero turn riding lawn mower. (File photo: provided by Gene Caballero)
A person mowing a lawn on a zero turn riding lawn mower. (File photo: provided by Gene Caballero)

CCR Sales and Service, Essex Junction

CCR Sales and Service will work on handheld equipment as well as mowers and tractors. They can also install accessories for you and offer pick up and delivery. If your equipment is on its last leg, you could browse their inventory of new and pre-owned equipment for sale.

To schedule an appointment, you can call or text their phone number or email.

  • Location: 70 Upper Main St., Essex Junction.

  • Contact: call or text (802) 872-2666 or email service@ccrsalesvt.com

  • Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to Noon Saturdays.

  • Website: https://www.ccrsalesvt.com/

Spear Street Mower Specialties Inc., Charlotte

Spear Street Mower Specialties lists the repair cost estimate, plus the hourly service rate on their website, so consumers can know what to expect to pay.

There's a $95 hourly service rate. The repair costs listed start at $85 for a push mower and are as high as $347 for a commercial zero-turn riding lawn mower.  They also offer a pickup and delivery service which, for a round trip, is $50 plus $5 per mile.

A person interested in servicing their riding lawn mower, push mower or snow thrower can fill out a service quote request form at https://www.theservicingdealer.com/servicereq.

  • Location: 217 Carpenter Road, Charlotte.

  • Contact: (802) 425-4556.

  • Hours: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mondays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays.

  • Website: https://www.theservicingdealer.com/

United Ag & Turf, Williston

United Ag & Turf is a John Deere retailer but also offers servicing on a variety of models of lawn equipment. The business is located in Williston, but the national website suggests you fill out a form for a request for service at https://www.unitedagandturf.com/ne/service/request-service/. Or, you can live chat with them through the website at https://www.unitedagandturf.com/ne/.

  • Location: 4705 Williston Road, Williston.

  • Contact: (802) 288-1160.

  • Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to Noon Saturdays.

  • Website: https://www.unitedagandturf.com/ne/

Find them locally at 4705 Williston Road or call 802-288-1160. They are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to Noon.

Contact reporter April Barton at abarton@freepressmedia.com or 802-660-1854. Follow her on Twitter @aprildbarton.

This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Where to get lawn equipment repaired in Chittenden County