I recently picked up this mower which I believe is a 1968 New-Utility 160cc.
I have always used a 20" Alroh reel mower to mow my lawn, but have been on the lookout for a rotary to use to scalp my lawn for its annual renovation. I was advised to look for a Victa "Toe-cutter" and last week purchased the mower in the photos.
Until this week I knew nothing of these mowers, but have been enjoying doing some research on this wonderful forum.
My questions for all you Victa experts out there are:
1. Can anyone confirm if this mower is indeed a 1968 model? 2. Does the engine appear to match the frame vintage (ie original?) 3. From my reading the ute's came out in 125cc and 160cc. Is this engine actually a 160cc? (despite the what the sticker says!). 4. Can anyone confirm the correct blades I should be buying for this model?[/b]
The wrong fuel cap on this Victa Utility stands out as does the starter ,the original starter would have been the impulse starter and the white air filter is a replacement the original one being green.
I was hoping you'd come and answer maxwestern. I wrote part of a reply with some of those answers such as the starter and believing it to be a 68 160 engine going by 68 being among the numbers and a through bolt being visible, indicating it's not a 125, before accidentally erasing my post.
I thought, nah, I'll leave it to another who knows every question!
It's good to see a Scotty fan taking an interest in a Victa. There's no reason you can't be into both.
Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
Being a newbie to the world of 2 stroke victas, can I ask a couple more questions re: the throttle and starting procedure.
As you point out Max, the air filter isn't original and I can tell that due to the fact that it appears to be upside down!
Per the photo attached I can see the words, STOP, SLOW, and what appears to read "CATCH or FAST"
However the throttle itself operates in reverse when the engine is running. Noa big issue but it does appear strange.
So my questions are:
- Do these engines have a choke for starting? - What's the advised throttle setting when starting? - How many presses on the carby tickler is recommended. - Should the ticker dribble fuel when being pressed (it does) or does that indicate a faulty gasket?
Thanks all.
PS : Mowerfreak - Scotty fan???? Alroh fan all the way
Mine with that throttle also work in the wrong direction (ie pull up to rev up, push toward engine to stop).
My starting method is:
Fuel on, press and hold the tickler until fuel squirts out slightly
Tilt the mower onto its left wheels for about 5 seconds (about 45 degrees) - this dribbles a bit of fuel out the top of the main jet into the intake. I have found they start a lot easier this way.
Then set throttle about half and pull the cord.
Put back to idle for a few minutes to warmup and then go
Not a bad idea Tyler to tilt for a quick start ,I usually put a rag under the carby to soak up the fuel from priming but I hold the tickler down for a few seconds after a steady flow of fuel from the overflow port, so that it pushes fuel into carby throat.