You know your getting old when...

[DaveR]

You know your getting old when you get excited about finding a Scott Bonner Roller Mower in the scrap metal heap at the local dump, and most importantly, sneak it out before the council lads eye it off.
Aint she Beautiful.....





It even has some compression. I couldn't find the catcher, and it has some dodgy alloy mounts for the handle. All going well, I shall have this ol girl looking sweet as and purring just nicely.

[Marschy]

I restored an old push reel mower many years ago that was manufactured in the 1950's. The biggest problem you will have is getting the rotary blade resharpened. You can give it a go yourself using lapping compound, but you have to make sure the knife blade on the bottom is true and has a good edge on it.

Otherwise you will need to disassemble it and get the rotary blade turned between centres on a lathe to get it resharpened. They probably do something similar in mower shops to resharpen anyway, but my brother is a fitter and turner and resharpened mine at his work on a lathe and he also reground the knife blade.

Depending on the condition of the knife blade, it could be easier to simply replace it as the more corroded they are the more trouble you will have with the rotary blades making good contact with the knife blade.

They mow couch grass beautifully. I used to be able to putt on my front lawn which has Casablanca (drought tolerant variety of Santa Anna), and I'm trying to get it back in that condition as we speak.

Cheers, Marschy

[DaveR]

Stop it , your talking dirty to me... 

My mate don't know it yet, but he and his lathe are a big part of the restoration.
I have a cheap push mower the wife and her mate got me for a laugh one dads day, it back fired on them has I was happy as a pig in......
And then, the lawn grubs got in to the couch. OH well, neary back to life, ready for the drum mower.

[Pipeliner]

You know you're getting old when you can remember using a mower like that - without a motor!

[Marschy]

The motor doesn't look very big, so if it needs replacing there are a large number of options if required. Looks like its about 2-4 hp.

You can pick up cheapy chinese B&S knockoffs nowadays really cheap, and for the most part they are pretty reliable. I replaced a B&S motor on my mates rotary hoe with a chinese motor and it had the same bolt pattern on the engine mounts as the old B&S motor. I think most motors of this size use similar dimensions, e.g. the crank is typically the same height above the engine mounts, the bolt pattern for the engine mounts are the same etc.

Or alternatively, restore it and get B&S parts directly from the US. I did this many years ago restoring a 8hp B&S ride on motor. Once you identify the motor, you should be able to get any part for it you need.

I'd probably be inclined to get a new motor for it anyway, it looks as though you are missing the fuel tank. And the cost of a replacement B&S tank in Australia would probably cost you more than doing a full restore using parts directly from the US.

Cheers, Marschy

[muzza01]

Looking forward to the restoration pics Dave.

[scarps]

Beautiful

[Marschy]

You know you're getting old when you can remember using a mower like that - without a motor!

I only recently bought a brand new Masport push reel mower. You can still get them at mower stores.

[edz]

Dave
That little beasty will come up a treat restored, great pick up ......can I sugest to get the blades sharpened and shimmed properly, go and see your local golf club grounds keepers, they will have blokes that are skilled in that job, our golf club does all the drum cutters in house .

[Pipeliner]

I only recently bought a brand new Masport push reel mower. You can still get them at mower stores.

They're not listed on the Masport website

[Marschy]

They're not listed on the Masport website

Maybe not be made anymore? I bought mine about 5 years ago. Could have been sitting in the mower shop for years I suppose by the time I bought it.

[Marschy]

You can still get push reel mowers on ebay.

[Brumbypt]

I used a sythe a few months ago.
I have even riden on a side saddle, yeah I know its a big girly, its now in a museum.




Peter,
iPad with IOS 7.0.3 using Tapatalk HD

[DaveR]

Thanks for the info and suggestion Swaggers.
When I got the clutch sorted on the wife's car, and a shed tidy up, I'll be on to it.
It is complete, with the fuel tank as well, mounted below the exhaust in the picture above. It is a 2.4 HP Briggs and Stratton engine. Opened the mower side cover up and it mostly looks good, gears and chains are near perfect, just some seized bearings, and fried clutch.

[speewa158]

,,,,,,,, Ummmmm ,,,,,,,,,,,what was the question  ,       , l must have knoddded of a bittttt .
Cleaned up the shed/man ly cave today ,,, found some newspapers ,,,shame about the Titanic .

[Mallory Black]

I have his bastard son

[speewa158]

I have his bastard son



Push Harder ,,, Push Harder ,,, Beat the Feet ,,,,

[Marschy]

I have his bastard son

Same as mine, what year were these things made? Replaced the handle on mine as it was completely rotted. Now that I can see what the original handle looks like I'll look into replacing mine

[oldmate]

When your son, calls and says, hey dad, got my L's today, and an apprenticeship. And I am only 36.

[Marschy]

Have you ever pulled it apart? The simplicity of its quite amazing!

[edz]

Aaahhhh the memories of pushing one of those around my grandma's house.....Half a days work in the summer sun and near 100% humidity for the princley sum of 20c and a cold glass of lemonade .....

[speewa158]

Aaahhhh the memories of pushing one of those around my grandma's house.....Half a days work in the summer sun and near 100% humidity for the princley sum of 20c and a cold glass of lemonade .....






& your still bragging about after all these years 

[thecamocamper]

Hi

I have a push mower sitting in the back corner at home

Rob

[Brumbypt]

when you get ya self out of a bog and you dont use plastic devices..


Peter,
iPad with IOS 7.0.3 using Tapatalk HD

[speewa158]

When the Copper that's going over your CT trying to pick faults & give you grief , WASNT born when you started to drive