OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions on Walk Behind Lawn Mower Frames Question On Scott Bonnar Cylinder Mowers Scott Bonnar Model 45 resto tips

Does anyone know where to get -
(a) the Z shaped rod (with fine slide-on spring) that actions the choke piston on the B&S Model 80202 carby. BOTH my 45 and Diplomat 430 ones snapped (they are horrible things that need just the right shape to work smoothly), and I made up one for each from hard wire, suitably burred for a spring stop, but they didn't last more than a season before snapping.
(b) original style cutting level winders (each is different) as the ones I have made up are a bit crude;
(c) a grooming option to retro fit behind the front rollers - maybe on the axle bar- so as to rake up the grass blades prior to the cylinder cutting them (as happens with the more sophisticated models);
AND
(d)has anyone ever fitted different 17" cylinders with more blades than the standard 6 (are they available?) and thinner bottom knide blades for closer cut? On checking I see that me Diplomat 430 has a thinnner knife blade(approx 1.5mm)than the Model 45 (approx 2.5-3mm). Was the original?

if the square key fit nicely on both sides of that break i wouldnt worry about that damage, if it was my engine, but only if the key fit across the damage, but thats me.

Hi PG, Could you please post some photos of your Model 45, and in particular the front roller height adjuster, which I think you refered to as the 'cutting level winders?

With regards to the fracture of the crankshaft, I would definately agree with grumpy....that crankshaft has had it's day.

Re: a teasing rake...yes mate, you can get a genuine teasing rake for the Model 45 Scotty, though not cheap, nor sure about one for the Model 430 Diplomat, but I don't think so.

Re: Again for the Model 45 an 10 blade cylinder reel is available, but at a cost of $$$ plus freight could be worth more than the complete mower and is designed primarily for use on couch lawn.

Re: the bedknife blade, the "thinner" bottom blade does not guarantee a closer cut and in fact can be detrimental as the thinner bedknife can warp more easily. It's the very front edge where the cutting occurs and the minute clearance between the bedknife and cylinder reel.
There is a thread on this topic on the forum, that you may care to read.
Hoping this helps, PG,

You are so attentive and helpful Deejay. What would this forum do without you.

(a)Don't have a decent camera here at the moment but the height adjuster for the 45 is the same as the photo posted by adb on 10/2/10 at https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=16262&page=1. As for the Diplomat 430 it is a black plastic knob with a smaller threaded bore and a separate centre depth indicator cap that goes onto the end of the actual adjusting rod. Any good?

(b)Teasing rake ... yes. I have now seen one on TMS (Turf Machinery Supplies in Victoria) for $199. Ugh! Could almost make one up. Anyone done that?

(c) yes I see at TMS site a 10 blade cylinder is $518 and kit with bearing, screws and bottom knife blade is a about 410 more. Sooooooo expensive! Some other brands for even 30" are around $300! TMS say they are the manufacturer. Right? Or do they get these from China or elsewhere in the world? You would think these are an ongoing item for multiple brands and that there would be a 3rd party product made. Anyone?

(d) Thanks DJ for the advice on knife blades. I saw somewhere (TMS?) about a range of blade thickness options and some bumpf about "closer cut". I will try to find the thread you suggest.

Bruce/Moderator or someone? How can I get the suitable SB45/BS-80202engine repair service manual and pay the sub - but not by online payment?

Hi again Deejay
I cannot locate the Topic on blade adjusting that you suggested. More info/link please?

GRASS DEFLECTOR: Also I would like to know more about the mechanism of, and the positioning of, the grass deflector on the SB 45. What are best down and up positions. Also there is a "rope hole" in the deflector but no rope?. How was that the work? I get a lot of grass thrown out of the gap in the chasis above the rear rollers i.e beside the engine block. I dont think I have the 2 small knobs and the side spring plate set correctly.

GEAR ENGAGE LEVER/KNOB: Has anyone modified this lever on the 45 by making up a long rod so that the knob is positioned on the handle near the clutch lever (like some other brands)so it can be activated from behind the mower while operating/pushing? Or even better has anyone adapted a cable lever for the this clutch (similar to the existing drive clutch) like some other brands have? This way you would have the drive clutch activated by left hand and cut clutch by right hand (albeit you would have to keep it under pressure when cutting) unless you had a lever with a gate lock design.

Any thoughts experts?

QUOTED: Phantomguy -
"(a) the Z shaped rod (with fine slide-on spring) that actions the choke piston on the B&S Model 80202 carby. BOTH my 45 and Diplomat 430 ones snapped (they are horrible things that need just the right shape to work smoothly), and I made up one for each from hard wire, suitably burred for a spring stop, but they didn't last more than a season before snapping."

FOLLOWUP:
Deejay or anyone, any info an getting these rods and springs for the B&S engine Model 802xx with piston type choke/carby unit.

Hi P.G. Thankyou for your kind words. All the moderators and members here try and help someone with a genuine problem.

I will try and answer your questions in order:

(1) Re: subscription; send Bruce a PM (just click on his name and scroll down) and ask him of alternate methods of payment.

(2) Re: the height adjuster handle for the Model 45 was available as a spare part, if one is still available (as the Model 45 is no longer manufactured by Rover)it may prove hard to get; for the Diplomat....almost impossible, as they were discontinued years ago.

(3) Re: the teasing rake; not easy to make one unless you had an engineering drawing or physically had one to hand to copy; the spring steel tynes would be hard to make at home.
No one I know has made one, they have bought one.

(4) Re: The 10 blade cylinder reel. You would have to discuss that issue with the owner of that particular business. I have not heard of any other manufacturer of cylinder reels in Australia. Rover used to, until they went out of business.

(5) Re: Click HERE for the thread on cylinder reels and knife-blade sharpening and maintenance.

(6) Re: grass deflector; this is a simple piece of curved metal, that clips to the top of the cast iron bottom blade holder on it's bottom edge...and attaches to the front chassis rail with 2 spring steel straps, and secured by a nut and bolt assembly. The bolt has a hand knob moulded to it. It's operation is also simple....just undo the 2 black knobs slightly and slide the deflector forward or back to direct the grass into the grass-box as desired.

(7) Re: The cutter clutch engage lever; this is positioned where it is as a safety precaution. The idea is to disengage the cylinder reel as you empty and replace the grass-box to prevent (a) the grass-box attachment hooks fouling the spinning cylinder reel....dangerous or (b) getting ones fingers caught ......need I say more?

(8) Re: Briggs and Stratton parts for your carby/govenor...Bruce or grumpy may be able to help you, as I have a Honda on my machine, thank God!!

In closing, the Scott Bonnar Model 45 is an Australian made, very sturdy, self-propelled, easily maintained, "no frills" little work horse, that will give a brilliant finish and hours of mowing pleasure as only a cylinder mower can, in absolutely stock-standard condition

If you want a machine with electric key starting, cassette 10 blade reel technology, scarifier attachment, teasing rake, dual drive control and rear roller seat to sit on.....then the ATCO Royale is the machine for you.

I was thinking the same thing short term. The mower was working fine the way it was and considering the designed slippage with the cork lined clutch and drive to the rear roller, I think that the crank key in that damaged slot would be much stronger. Although not ideal, I think that I'll be reassembling with this engine until something at the right price comes along.

stu45, I have not recognized your description of your carburetor. Could you post pictures of it please, including the choke operating linkage?

Hi there Grumpy, are you able to advise on sourcing the choke lever and spring for the B&S Model 802xx engines which I was seeking in my posts 16925 and 16939? And do you have any helpful info on checking/setting the LENGTH of the governor spring so that the engine runs at the right revs under different loads?

To Deejay thanks for all your reply info. Rover also out of business these days, did not know that. FYI a UK site looks like it is selling "new" looking Rover 17" with B&S engines, but maybe these are seriously well restored units with new model B&S engines??? More importantly, if you click on the See link HERE its photo gallery one pic shows the height adjuster which looks the same as my 45 broken one(and there also looks to be an underside spring which I do not have). As for Diplomat, I guess I will just have to hunt for second hand height knob.
DOES ANYONE KNOW ANY GOOD SOURCES IN QLD OR AUSTRALIA FOR 45 AND DIPLOMAT WRECKS/USED SPARES?

Hi all,
On trawling through old topics on this site, I came across some talk about EDGERS which prompted me to think about whether there is somewhere out there an edger attachment (or info on one) for either the Diplomat 430 or the 45. The schematics I have for the 430 show that there was a flat blade and bolt assembly which attaches to one end of the reel shaft. Anyone know about this? And is there such a thing for the 45?

I think maybe I should start a new topic relating to Diplomats as this thread is "45 resto tips".

Hi P.G. These machines could be new old stock supplied to England prior to Rover going down the gurgler...or I have heard a rumour that there is a firm in South Africa that is producing a Model 45 knock-off....

There is a company in Australia that looked really seriously at importing them, but declined to, as the import duty made the project cost prohibitive. They would have retailed here for approx $2800.00.(yikes!!) These machines may be the ones in question here, after import to England....but how they get around the trademark infringement using the Rover name is beyond me.

Regarding used parts/ wreckers of Scott Bonnar, just google Scott Bonnar and see what pops up.

BTW; P.G. please don't post requests using all capitals, as it is against Forum etiquette, as it looks like you're shouting. For emphasis, you can use italics, or underline, from the toolbar above the post

Hi P.G. there was an edger attachment that was produced for the Model 45, there were one or two complete, brand new, unused in the box, on E-Bay a while back....sold for big $$$.
Guess what! They don't work...it is driven by an extension to the upper engine shaft by a 'V' belt external to the chain case to a flimsy blade assy attached to the lower left hand side next to the height adjuster handle.

To operate the edger, the cylinder reel (which can't be disconnected from the drive train, because it is also connected by chain to the engine shaft) is also spinning, not on grass, but often running dry with the machine having to run along on the concrete path! The complaints to Scott Bonnar were such that they withdrew the attachment from sale and discontinued it's production!

I have no info on one for the Diplomat.

Is this what you were after Grumpy. I cropped it for display, but have larger pics if needed.

Full pics of the above.....

For anyone in Sydney needing model 45 parts etc, there are 4 x Model 45's on ebay at the moment in the Penrith area going cheap.

stu45, sorry about that, I was trying to focus on phantomguy's issues with the choke and governor for his Briggs 80202, and somehow addressed the question to you instead of him. The carburetor and governor of your Tecumseh (Kirby-Lauson) HK30 look quite normal to me, and certainly won't help him with his Briggs problem. I didn't recognise his description of his carburetor, or the problem he is having.

what happened to all the other posts that were here?

Hi to All,
This thread went so off topic and became a discussion on Briggs and Stratton 4 stroke engine issues. I have moved the topic starter (Phantomguy) and replies to a thread contained in "Four Stroke Mowers and Engines" called "Briggs & Stratton 802 engine issues."
After discussion with Bruce, we have decide to lock this topic.
Moderators, please see new topic in "Tappet Talk"