Had request to look at a non-starting, petrol-leaking generator at a nearby property, Chinesium rubbish with stuck needle valve and muffler filled by mud wasps, got it started and then chatting about old machinery and they had a couple of defunct mowers sitting out in the open some years, since replaced by a ride-on.
Two Victa Craftsmans, one green Model #BC082 AA90 which I brought home, the other orange which will be picked up next time I'm going past. Said to be seized but turned over OK and started up with a few mls of 2 stroke down the plug hole. Cleaned out the grotty tank and it's a good runner although revving much higher than I like.
I have been trying to avoid acquiring any more 2 strokes but, hey, how can you say no when they just jump into the back of your car?
There is a YouTube video showing removal of front axle , in the video he uses long nose pliers to remove the clips but I use a flat blade screw driver.
The back axle (depends on Rover model) usually has two pop rivets that you drill out at the rear sides to remove a metal bracket that holds the axle in.
The catcher cover also depends on model ,if there are no locking parts on the ends of the cover hinge rod you just use a hammer and a small punch to hit the hinge rod out ,once it moves out a little you can use vice grips on that end to wiggle the hinge rod out but this can slightly damage the hinge rod so you just file it before a refit.
The 2-inch shaft length depends on the motor used on the base. As you know, if you use a 2-inch shaft on an old Victa base with a Sprint motor (Briggs), the petrol tank can hit the discharge ramp on the base. This is why older mowers had the motors turned with the exhaust facing the operator—so the tank wouldn’t interfere with the base. Otherwise, you would need a longer crank and a spacer to lift the motor, then rotate it so the tank is on the right side.
I forgot I picked up a Tornado 4 stroke the other day ,it's 70 mm the crank length.
They didn't need to lift the engine on a Tornado for the tank to clear the discharge ramp, as the discharge ramp is lower on the Tornado compared to other Victa bases. This provided enough clearance for the tank when using the Sprint-type motor.
I've given Neighbours a free starter for them to only destroy it the minute they fit the starter because they haven't checked the starter pawls then they come back asking for another starter.I had one Neighbour break 2 flywheels this way.
How the stuck plastic pawl caused the original problem
The symptoms you had before opening the starter are classic:
The cord rarely “catches”
Engine sometimes turns over, sometimes not
You heard something break just before the failure
This points to the starter pawls (dogs) not engaging the starter properly.
On most whipper snippers (string trimmers) blowers etc:
The pawls are usually small plastic pieces on the pulley
They swing outward when you pull the cord
They engage metal cups or notches on the flywheel
If one pawl sticks, or the spring behind it fails:
The pawl won’t swing out reliably
The pulley spins freely without turning the engine
You feel the cord go “light”
Sometimes it catches just enough to start the engine
A stuck pawl can also jam between the pulley and housing, which can crack, deform, or lift the pulley slightly—enough to upset the tensioned recoil spring underneath.
Inspect both pawls (dogs) — look for wear, cracks, sticky movement ✔ Check tiny pawl springs — if missing or bent, replace ✔ Inspect the flywheel engagement cup for damage ✔ Rewind and reinstall the recoil spring (or replace the entire starter assembly if damaged)
You can even end up with a broken flywheel or key when the starter jams but in this case it may have just damaged the spring,where the spring locates it often can break the plastic tabs that hold the ends of the spring, then you will need a new starter.
The screen is pulled downward while still under load
The retaining system is slightly misaligned
Before bending anything
Before forcing the screen back into position, run through this quick checklist to ensure the problem isn’t elsewhere:
1. Check the cradle / carrier / screen frame for packed material
Sometimes debris hides in the frame lip—not visible from the top.
2. Confirm the screen drops fully into its normal seating position
If it’s sitting 1–2 mm off, the pin hole won’t align.
3. Check both sides of the screen for symmetry
If one side is lower or twisted, that strongly indicates bending.
4. Check the pin itself
If the pin is slightly bent or burred, it can also cause misalignment even if the screen is fine.
carefully, and only enough to refit it. Screens on most commercial shredders are mild- or abrasion-resistant steel but still somewhat flexible. Operators frequently "tweak" them back into shape.
Avoid bending if:
The screen is cracked or warped severely.
Do a slow-speed test after reinstalling to make sure the rotor doesn’t brush the screen.
After a couple of mows, it's clear one of the reel bearings is squealing. Given the stethoscope and frankly simple hearing it's the non-drive side.
We pulled the reel and bearings today and both of them feel fine. They were replaced 2 years ago by the bloke who sharpened the reel and bedknife. They don't look like cheap bearings, they don't feel like cheap bearings but when spinning the reel under motor, one of them squeals. This thing has probably mowed ~20 times since they were replaced. Never seen moisture, always stored under-cover. It's weird. The bearings have standard size markers but no manufacturer details. I can only assume they were replaced with sub-par bearings.
I'm off tomorrow to my local bearing supplier to replace them with quality Japanese bearings and we'll see how we go. I might buy 4 and stick 2 on the shelf to replace in case the next sharpen has them replaced with "less than quality" units.
I'd like to get it sharpened, but my son seems hell bent on mowing without a thorough raking and we get the periodic "ting!". So I'll set it up with new bearings and that'll do for a while.
Already have a working MTD trimmer although 2-stroke, just thought I'd like to play with something electric. The cat's not a big fan of the petrol stuff either!
I wasn't planning on buying a new mower, but just had to use my Fathers one. I managed to get a 2nd starter assembly from the High School I used to work at and it was my lucky day as they had a skip and were getting rid of all the mowers and some other engine bits and pieces from cars and other machines. Thank you again
Hi AVB, how's things going in your world over there, always seems chaotic to us over here?
It could be better I just got back on the net after my internet provider insisted on me upgrading my equipment. What a nightmare; ended up having to get the local office to straighten things out.
And its chaotic here too with the government screwing things up.
