Yeah NormK this base is junk and the whole mower should be parted our as the engine isn't flash either but it still functions as a mower and I kind of like that it's a survivor and it's an original yellow Vortex instead of a made up one and until (if ever) I find a better one, I'll keep this one going.

Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!