OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Collectors Corner Cylinder SB 45 17" Identification help

Any help with the year and where to find info and restoration stuff would be great. Thanks Harris.

Hi Harris,

The 45 you've picked up there is a Series II Twin Railer and it would've been manufactured somewhere around later 1972 into 73.

As this was a Kirby powered unit they can not be accurately dated as with the Briggs powered machines they can be dated via the engine. Kirby's didn't have a date encrypted within any numbering on the unit.

Depending on what you intend doing with this mower is very dependant on what advise we'd give you. One things for sure and that is I'm sure this machine will have fractured rails underneath that engine.

Regardless of that if you are in this for the long haul then I'd hoik the old Kirby off and refit with a new generation Briggs power plant. The Series II machines are on borrowed time if they are powered by one of the older engines as they induce way too much thump into the chassis while the new engines are far kinder on these ol' girls.

Cheers,
BB.

Thanks for the great info BB! I intend to fix it up so it can mow. I'd like to make it look as original as possible. Paint it and slowly get it back to going out status. I have an older briggs 3.5hp that I think would be able to replace the kirby. Do you think it would be ok to use?

First things first,

You must remove the old engine that's fitted and check the rails underneath as there's no point in changing anything if they are not in good order.

So please remove the engine and clean up the area with some petrol etc. and then take a good close up photo of the engine site around the mounting holes and post it up on here and then I can best advise you.

Cheers,
BB.

A few more Harris

Doesn't seem like there are any cracks

No cracks that i can see

Can't see any cracks.

This was the engine I was thinking of replacing the kirby engine with or would it just be better in the long run to just get a new engine?

Hi Harris,

Firstly thanks for that image as it certainly casts some more to the story.

So sorry to be the bearer of bad news to you, but your chassis has quite a few fatigue fractures showing, especially to the right hand rear bolt area and these "must be corrected" before you do anything else. After doing that I wouldn't waste any time putting an old thumper back on to it as you'll just end up with more of the same.

Once done with corrective surgery I would only put a new Briggs or similar style engine onto the chassis so as to avoid more of the same happening and merely shortening it's life.

Cheers,
BB.

PS. If you remove the aging paint around the bolt holes it will reveal the fractures. I know that not what you want to do but not doing the job is merely placing a band aid over what will turn into catastrophic rail failure.

Thanks BB,
OK out with the welder it is then!! Is there a post or youtude video with info on doing this already up that i could follow?

Hi Harris,

If you intend to install one of the new generation Briggs engines then all you'll have to do is groove out the fractures and stitch them up.

If using one of the old engines then you'll have to employ the gusset repair method to make the mower last full term.

Cheers,
BB.