The owner said the gearbox is siezed, so maybe I'll just use it as a push mower. So I won't repaint . And he got the engine rebuilt, used it for a while then left it out in the weather for 4 years...... So the motor is good... speedy
........................Keep your blades sharp......................
I hit it with a few wire brishes on the drill........just wanted to get some paint on it...... The cogs are missing from inside the wheels so will never use self propelled but it will be a good mower for when it ever rains again up in Bundy. I know you will all be wondering how I got the white Victa logo so nice.............. Spray some sponge and dab it on gently.......
The height adjuster is rusted up, on the axle, I will undo that soon..... cheers speedy Bundy
........................Keep your blades sharp......................
That looks fantastic!! Smart move Speedy, using matt paint to blend with the sun exposed cover. That's a sharp looking mower now. Thank you for fitting the six inch front wheels back in!!
Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
Norm, the self propelling is stuck on engaged, locking the wheels in both directions. Cable is faulty but I have a feeling that isn't the only culprit. Previous owner claimed it has a faulty clutch and the mower had been in storage for 20 years. I can believe that last part as the base is in good condition. If only I had a catcher for it. It's a fantastic looking mower.
Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
I very much doubt the cable is the problem because with these the clutch is always disengaged until the cable is put under tension. This indicates something is wrong in the gearbox or the axle has locked up in the bushes, but this is unlikely. As Speedy said, remove the belt and the gears in each wheel and it will be a good push mower and once you remove the belt you can start on getting the motor running. You can't with the belt on and gearbox locked up
Thanks for that info Norm. I had to have it up on wooden blocks with rears off the ground to see if the engine would start. It worked at first (with wheels turning at the same time) and then the motor made a popping sound and stalled. It wouldn't fire again. My theory, a seal had hardened/ perished from prolonged lack of use.
Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
Tested it today, starts so easy, good power, but the height adjuster is stuck. I thought it was the rear drive gear and alxes, so as my mate said the gearbox was siezed. I thought I would take the gearbox off and fix the height adjuster as it was mowing too low for me. I studied the diagrams and couldn't figure it out, but undoing a few bolts, got the axle/gearbox assembly off..... Anyway I cut the gearbox off, it's not pretty............ I thought , this will be good, less weight, plug that big hole with a nice plate, and I'll have a nice mower..... Fitted the lightened axle assembly .... without bolts just seeing how it fitted, and the adjuster was still jammed....... The front axle /plastic bush must be rusted up..... That's the next job, after I make a nice plate for the hole in the base..... I was going to give the gearbox parts to anyone like MF was wanted to restore one, but that didn't work. cheers speedy
........................Keep your blades sharp......................
I assembled the rear axle , patched the whole. Took off the front axle, sheared a bolt, drilled it a bit, but it was through a aluminium lug so I couldn't wack it and break the lug off, so I ground flats on each side of the bolt and it loosened....cleaned up the axles, greased them with plastic bushes......put together, adjuster works well now.. haven't finished yet... See the rust in that bush.....that's why they were siezed... Old machines are a chalange, but it's a blast to see them even half restored like I do...... and reuse them. speedy
Last edited by speedy; 27/08/1904:43 PM.
........................Keep your blades sharp......................
What are you talking about Norm? Just a couple of goes with a flat headed screwdriver will have it functioning again!!
Just keep chipping away Speedy. Great progress you have made in making this into a fully functioning push mower. Show us the patch you end up making for the SP opening on the base please!
Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
I couldn't take gearbox out easily, it looked like I had to grind steel rivits off and rerivet them, but as it was stuffed, I made the dicision.......... it took some cutting and cold chisel bashing.... Here's the patch MF..... and the bodgied top white piece...... Finished off today, not as nice as the one already on ODK but I'll be mowing with this one..... That Boston Bright Zinc is nice on the handles... cheers speedy
........................Keep your blades sharp......................
Looks fantasmo Speedy. Mowerfreak approves of those silvered front wheels to match the rears and the improvised top grill. A stylish number we have here. Looks like Vortex's full crank brother! Great refirb using what resources you had, on what was a sorry looking mower not long ago. Now to find a catcher and perhaps a repro decal for the cover which are available on eBay. He's a keeper!
Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
