Are lawnmowers built worse than 20 years ago?

There is no question about it, mowers today are just like most everything else... Made cheaper, with less quality parts, etc. Back when companies like International, Ford, Bolens, Massey Ferguson, and Case all made lawn tractors, they were obviously much much better. Now they are all pretty much all gone from that industry. Companies like MTD and AYP make the majority of mowers out there today and put different brand names on them like Craftsman, Cub Cadet, Bolens, etc. These are Not the same companies of yesteryear!