Unfortunately we got caught up in the recent NSW bush fires on New year's Eve and lost some sheds and out buildings, we were very fortunate to still have our house as when I decided to evacuate there were solid timber embers bouncing off the roof of the house the front lawns were already on fire and the bush was 30m above the highest tree canopy. My main loss was my belovered Rover Super Four which was a total loss including the 2 side catchers I had for it, so my main question is is it still restorable? I know it will cost alot of dollars but it was covered under insurance and it has been paid out well for a replacement. The only thing that's perished were the wheels, catcher, and the Super Four badge plate with some plastic levers. The engine is toast as all the aluminium parts including the carby liquified to a Multan puddle. I do have a few spare engines that survived in the garage so that would be an easy rebuild and swap unless there is an alternate engine that works with the self propelled pulley and belt. Any thought where to start with it? Guessing I would have to find a doner mower with the same ball bearing wheels, hardest thing to source will be the catcher and the badge plate. The biggest hurdle will be finding the time and enthusiasm to rebuild it as I got alot of other things to sort out and replace.
So whats everyone's thoughts, is it worth it or not? I know BB did a Scott Bonnar 45 last year in just as bad condition, it will still need a good inspection to see if anything has been physically disfigured or warped but from a glance the base should be salvageable. It's so sad seeing it in this condition when it was a well looked after origional complete mower with almost immaculate wheel tread.
Sorry to hear that you got caught up in this awful tragedy that rocked this country to it's core.
I have to ask the question as you're probably expecting it, but where were the two Scotty's at the time ?
As far as this particular mower is concerned all the plastic ware will have to be replaced and probably the engine may no longer be serviceable as it's basically all made from alloy, but as long as the chassis hasn't suffered any warpage you should be right to do much the same as I did with the machine you mentioned. It's just about the effort vs costs factor I always say.
Cheers, BB.
PS. Glad to hear you are all actually all OK.
I live a 24 Hour lifestyle, but every now and again I seem to fall asleep, well at least that's what my wife tells me.
Hi BS, glad you are ok, it is hard to believe the damage that has been done everywhere. You are so lucky your house survived, it is hard to comprehend how you can get up and start again if you have lost everything
The Scotty's are safe as they were in the garage, if the garage went I would of cried as all my stuff would of perished, the shed had all the wife's and kids stuff which is all replaceable and not worth crying over. The other thing I'm crying over is my Lawn is gone a good portion is dead and there is a decent section that is just bare sand and ash with absolutely no sign of anything. Like you said the engine is probably cactus, it's quiet surprising how well the mower came out compared to everything else, considering the fact that the base is also alloy. The main issue is time right now, and trying to source the plastic parts especially the catcher, as much as I don't want to venture into a restoration right now, everytime I look at it I say to myself it's do able. Might be more convenient to strip it and take it down and get it all powder coated, galvanized, re chromed and just bolt it all back together, it's the cleaning and prep work that is the most time consuming, I think if I had a catcher I would be more keen but it's just not the same with out one, anyone got one floating around?
if the garage went I would of cried as all my stuff would of perished, the shed had all the wife's and kids stuff which is all replaceable and not worth crying over.
Oh hell, them's fighting words if they got out to the wrong party.
I live a 24 Hour lifestyle, but every now and again I seem to fall asleep, well at least that's what my wife tells me.
House just survived, shed was only 2.5m from the house and the heat blew all the glass doors and windows in, the amount of burnt leaves we found in the house was unbelievable, but we have had to replace alot of furnishing due to glass schrapnel and smoke damage, one neighbours back verandah deck burnt to the back door and lost his laundary and another neighbour lost 2 rooms at the back of the house. There was only one house completly lost and the residents barely got out with half the side of the car burnt as they tried to leave, we had no warning when 80km winds picked up and changed direction towards us and the fire ripped through about 250 hectares in 30mins all up it took out around 450 hectares. Was quiet scary, seen a few fires come through but never seen wood chunk embers bounce off the roof like hail stones or land in the creek and stay alight. I had a Honda firefighting pump and fire house but that went up in the fire aswell, the roar and speed was insane Main thing we are all safe and everyone got out. You don't realise what it's like and what people are going through untill you experience it, we are just fortunate we came out of it ok compared to others. I think restoring the mower would be a good reminder and memory of this tragic event.
BS, I have a 53 that you can have. All you have to do is pay for the freight. best regards Chris (Adelaide).
PS:(I fell for the 53's when an ODK member did an unbelievable resto on a white one like this is. He attended to every mil of it and it stuck in my mind as what we all aspire to do with at least one unit.)
Last edited by Bruce; 18/01/2011:33 AM. Reason: Added to attachments
Thankyou for the offer, I will keep it in mind. At the moment I got a few important things to sort out and replace and untill I can get the insurance company to rebuild the outbuildings and remove the ruble I'm at a stand still. I know of that restoration your talking about and it's this kind of stuff that motivates you and gets you sentimental about it. I would love to get my Super Four restored, it's just not possible right now.
