Hey bloody... I got a 5.5hp push mower (yard machine) that I paid $179 for back in 2000. Still runs like a champ and I do my own maintenance on it. Replaced the blade once ($12).
Get off the damn thing, quit spending $400 to 'fix' it and get a push mower, ya lazy bastid!
*Sigh* Okay, fine, i'm jealous because you have a riding mower and a yard which requires a riding mower. Bite me.