OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Collectors Corner Identification of Particular Machines Scott Bonnar 35 identification

Hi there
Picked this up a while ago and plan on working on it eventually. I believe it's a Scott bonnar chassis but from mys each the cowling looks nothing like what I can find. If I could get assistance on this that would be great as i plan doing a resto.
I cna get other photos with cowling off and badge on the rear to. I will post up later

Thanks

Hello Tjames,
I can't say I can confirm this one, but it appears more
likely than not this is an original Model 35.

The issue is: did SB use a Villiers 2-stroke on their model 35 ...?
They certainly used a Kirby 2-stroke.
The badge on the rear may help.

Many thanks for raising this issue.

------------------------
Jack

Thanks for the reply
I will get a photo up tomorrow of the badge on the rear.
I have absolutely no clue about what engine it may be. Should I get photos with yeh cowling off?
Thanks alot for your reply CJ

Hi Tjames1991 and Jack,

I can't say I have seen a 35 with a Villiers Torque Major before ,it may be original if the id plate can be decoded.

https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=59887


Cheers
Max

HI
Sorry about the delay just been so busy with work atm haven't had a chance. Tomorrow night il have the photo il here with more pics and details.

Thanks for the interest

Hi all
I have attached a couple photos. The exhaust is missing. I didn't get a photo of it on the exhaust side but if I cannot find one I will have to try and find something that will fit and also i need a spark plug for it. Got no idea what plug it will need, anyone have an idea?

Hi Tjames1991 and Jack,

The spark plug was listed in the link I added last time.

I have not seen any documents to decode those Scott Bonnar id numbers.

I would think going by the handle bars on this 35 it is from around 1970 - 1973 https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.a.../85034/booklet-domestic-range-c1973.html

The 1973 brochure has no mention of using the Villiers 2 stroke ,possibly Jack has a list of model numbers to
identify this mower from the numbers.

After 1974 the Villiers 2 stroke was not used on any new mowers that I know of.

Cheers
Max

Thanks for the info
So obviously the engine has been removed and replaced with this?
Thanks alot for the all the information
Well it is what it is, I think even with some information I have tried to research definetly no torque majors on these SBs.

Either way I will get her going need to find a echsaut for this though or something that would fit

Hello Tjames1991 and Max

I think I have a possible discovery here... Model 350625

This advert came from Geoff Nowak's photostream
https://www.flickr.com/photos/94854784@N06/22668088068/in/album-72157653492557023/

Max, you were spot-on with dating.
The Mower number is the basic model [35] with serial number.
I do not understand why SB did not stamp model numbers
on their rotaries. They certainly did on many reel mowers.

Not a lot of decoding to do as no factory production records
from the period survive.

Cheers
------------------------
Jack

Hi Tjames1991, Max and CyberJack,

Very interesting to see the Torquemajor used on this model, also the first time ever I have seen this engine fitted with a rope pulley!



Either an effort to keep the retail price as low as possible or a reliability issue for contractors due to constant heavy use.

All the best
Paul

Hi Paul, Tjames1991 and Max
My best guess was this was a model targeted at
contractors, councils and governments.
[the headline and copy says that, as you know].

At this time - late 1960s - there was a conscious effort to
distinguish domestic from commercial mowers.

Whilst domestic mowers were on a safety push, commercial
mower design remained 'steady as she goes'.

For me, the 350625 was the final take on the earlier 35060,
also aimed at the non-domestic market ...

By the 1980s, commercial mowers had to embrace safety too.

Cheers
--------------------
Jack

G'day Tjames1991, Jack and Paul


Yes that would have been the easy way but that Scott Bonnar newspaper ad was a great find Jack.

Yes it's interesting the Torquemajor having a rope starter pulley as I have at least 3 Torquemajor motors with the
pulley wheel but was not sure of them being original or not.

I have wondered for a while who invented the recoil starter used on Villiers and Victa mowers, must have been something
to do with an Armstrong. No connection to stretch Armstrong apart from that's how your arms feels like when the mower won't start.


Cheers
Max.

Hi Max

You ask the same questions I do, and you always follow through.
Many thanks!

It's worth mentioning that Werner came from Milwaukee.
That's the home of Briggs & Stratton, and a beautiful city all-year round it is.

The pawl arrangement is Victaesque, isn't it?

So Werner Armstrong should be recorded as the inventor of the
small engine recoil starter.

Brilliant!

-----------------------------
Jack

G'day Jack


Yes exactly the same operating principle but slightly different dimensions.


I see rewind starters in Patents filed back in the thirties.

Cheers
Max.