Last Sunday week I wen't to the local tip to drop off a pile of empty degreaser cans etc and promised my self I would not even glance at the tip shop front on the way through but in the corner of my eye i spot a rather imposing red object, ignored it but no had to stop on the way out to have a look. Yep Super 24, first one iv'e seen in the flesh and am certain it would have come from a local market garden, which most of have now disappeared. Had a look over it and apart from the engine being seized, was all in tact to my untrained eye. I went back the following Friday as the tip shop only opens from Friday to Sunday, expecting it to be gone but was still there, I could envisage this machine having many years of serviceable life ahead of it and it came home with a plan which may or may not work. Fit a donor engine off the other mower pictured, new axle bushes, new blades are already fitted, bolt holes in reasonable condition. I have a new criteria and check list to comply with before i bring any new mowers home, as follows and might help others with full sheds !
Q1, do i really need this mower, Answer No, Tick
Q2 do I have a purpose for this mower, Answer No, Tick
Q3 do I have room in the shed for this mower, Answer No, Tick
So with all the boxes Ticked you grab the mower and take it home !
WCE they are a great mower, thats a good pick up. I have one that I purchased new in about 1973, has not been used for probably 10 years but I can almost guarantee that clean out the carby new fuel and she will fire up. It is amazing the grass this thing has cut and I mean grass not lawn, I believe I have replaced the belt once, have fitted an electronic ignition module to it (no idea why) and replaced the air snorkel with some Victa part with the air filter at the top, whereas the original used to be down near the carby with a solid snorkel that ran up the handle, again no idea why I did that, too many years ago, She is inline for a bit of refurbishment.
I had a good laugh at the checklist - I just had the same argument this afternoon
Last super 24 I had brought over was an old market gardener italian guy - 85yo I think. He kept saying he bought it from 'de council in 1977' and 'it could cutta da tree down if I could get dit under there.'
I pulled the muffler off (was all home rebuilt by his friend 20+ years ago) - had a mayfair pull start, torpedo muffler
Asked who the last person was to use it
He said my daughter angelia's husband (can't remember exact name, but something equally italian).
Told him his son in law had run it without oil and blown the piston and it needs a new barrel and piston.
First thing he said was 'I always'a knew that boy was dumb'a like s***'.
Last edited by Tyler; 22/07/2001:30 AM. Reason: spelling
It is amazing the grass this thing has cut and I mean grass not lawn, I believe I have replaced the belt once, have fitted an electronic ignition module to it (no idea why) and replaced the air snorkel with some Victa part with the air filter at the top, whereas the original used to be down near the carby with a solid snorkel that ran up the handle, again no idea why I did that, too many years ago, She is inline for a bit of refurbishment.
One of Victa's greatest models, for sure. The reason for the air filter upgrade was probably somewhere between element cost and availability, for the twin element low mount filter.
These elements were always exy by Victa standards, they weren't used on any other model IIRC, and they went NLA from Victa a long time ago now.
Cheers, Gadge
"ODK Mods can explain it to you, but they can't understand it for you..."
"Crazy can be medicated, ignorance can be educated - but there is no cure for stupid..."
My favorite mower, I think I have 5 of them here at the moment waiting a refurb. They take a bit to refurb, often the front axle area is badly worn away and I make up big bushes out of 40mm delrin rod but it all takes time. I just love the way they smash through the rubbish
No problems there wce, straight swap, that is how I get all my 24 motors. Problem is now I am ending up with quite a number of good F/C bases and I can't bring myself to throw them out. I may have to eventually convert them to PT bases
Wce, you may not have a particular need for it around the home but you will get through your lawn in two minutes flat with this!
Perfect machine for some recreational mowing of any reserves you spot with overgrown sections! Just put on a hi vis vest and you'll look legit as you give the council some free labour without anyone being the wiser you're having a blast.
Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
thanks for your comments, my 24 also has the wear in the front now I know what to do, you wouldnt have a spare air snorkel/filter box for one would you? As I said I took mine off and would now like to restore her to the original I still have th operating manual and also I think the original invoice etc for it when I purchased it inI think 1973
Hi Beech, which snorkel are you talking about the one for the G3 with the 2 filters down the bottom, if so I don't think I have any here, I bin them straight away because I fit a LM carb to all of the ones I build. I will have a look but I would have binned at least 4/5 of them
yes that is the one, I do not use the mower anymore so it will only get to rallies etc (if we ever get out) so am trying to get it to look original, thanks in advance.
Mowerfreak, My 24 was used quite a bit for cutting down Gorse (Furze) doing exactly as NormK has described they really are an incredible machine for what they are. Mine as I say was really used and probably abused when I think about it, and it hardly has a mark on it. When I restore her I will repaint the engine cowl as that seems to be a weakness of the Victa paint system they all seem to rust under the paint, and will repaint the winrow attachment on the outlet maybe a coat of polish on the base oh, and will repaint the handle as it has rusted through lack of use, where my hands have worn the paint off.
Engine transplant went well, great runner, rear wheels off the donor mower onto the front of the 24, refit one front axle bush and she is ready for a test drive.
The cowling was ok but 3 of the 4 retaining screw heads were rusted to the point of not being able to get a phillips of any size to grip so off with the overhanging section, bit slack I know but I do like the agricultural look it gives it and I wasn't preparing it for a beauty pageant. Some nice overgrown plots about at the moment MF so Ill get into one as time permits.
