OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions on Walk Behind Lawn Mower Frames Reel Lawn Mowers, Atco & Villiers etc. Star Cylinder Mower

I haved owned a Star Cylinder 17" Mower for several years. Every year I have to take it to the shop because it loses it's ability for self propulsion and pushing this heavy thing is not an option I'm afraid. It has also started mowing the grass unevenly. I'm definitely not a mechanic, but can tinker with the tools a little bit. Does anyone have any advice or tips to help on this subject?

We'd need some pictures unless someone here is familiar with the mower. I agree pushing a cylinder mower is impractical. It sounds as if a clutch or belt is slipping, but an annually-recurring fault means it is not being fixed properly (unless the mower was being used far beyond its design capability). Again, the uneven mowing has to be described more specifically, or we need a picture of some shaggy new-mown grass.

looks like a model 45 to me from that tiny pic.

take of the chain guard and see if the chain is still attached, then start the thing up, and engage the clutch to see if its spinning.

its most likely a worn clutch plate, which you can replace easily for about $5.

you can also adjust the clutch by tightening the bolt where the clutch cable goes, you'll need to take the chain guard off for that sine the bolt requires you to hold one end while turning the other.

Irish Rose,

I am waiting for a reply from the importer regarding you problem and all going well should have an answer by the end of next week.

The machine looks to be a copy of the Rover 45 model from the broacher which I have attached below.

Thank you Grumpy, Bruce and Tezza!
I'll give Tezza'a advice a try tomorrow as I have the day off for Anzac Day and Bruce, I'll look forward to what the importer has to say sometime this week.

Once again, thanks guys!

Irish Rose

i agree with bruce, as soon as i saw the pictures i thought it looked strikingly similar to the rover / Scott bonnar 45. can you give some info on how it performs, as in is it easy to turn and manipulate around corners ect.
regards jay

If you go to the photo gallery, there is a larger photo of the mower; I wasn't sure how small a thumbnail photo would be.

I followed Tezza's advice and 'she' isn't perfect but 'she' has more self propulsion than 'she' had. I actually mowed the back yard after adjustments. I found the operating manual in my fire evacuation suitcase; which doesn't help much but it did have a few pictures. I adjusted the clutch by tightening the bolt where the clutch cable goes, but I may have tightened it too tight or something because the clutch lever is very tight and 'she' wants to keep going after I release the lever. As suggested in the manual, I adjusted the blade drive chain and attempted the clutch and drive wheel chains, but the directions in the manual said the C & DW chain should have a 5-6mm (up&down) movement. Is this up & down off the sprocket teeth?
I will research where the clutch plate is and investigate it as well.
In answer to 'Mowernut', the mower when operating correctly, handles very well; turning easily and manuvering corners very well.

Thanks again to everyone with their advice and feedback!
Irish Rose

Normally, directions for adjusting belts and chains specify the slack or movement as the amount you can move the belt or chain in the middle of the longest span between pulleys or sprockets, using just finger pressure.
The mower will have a clutch in the drive shaft between the engine and the uppermost sprocket. tessa was suggesting you see whether that clutch is slipping. He didn't really tell you how to test for that. I would try running the mower with the clutch
engaged and the mower moving forward, then attempt to hold it back. If by holding the mower back you can make the top sprocket (the one on the engine drive shaft) slow down or stop, the clutch is slipping. If it slips it will wear out.

Ok I spoke to the importer and now can say that the Star mower is a copy of the Rover/Scott Bonnar model 45 including the nuts and bolts. It is made in China.

Seen one in the flesh the other day at Ingleburn Mowers it looks like it is a clone of the 17" 45.

Gi Greg, you are spot on there mate, it is a knock-off of the Scott Bonnar/Rover Model 45 17"....but perhaps not to the same build quality as the early Scotty 45's. But they fit a market on price, after all, when Rover ceased production of the 45, they were $1800+ which is expensive.

I have been told by a star mower seller that the first revision clutches were no good at all and they have now redesigned them and they are now good. You can tell the new one as it is half dark and half light silver. Yours being light silver on both is the first revision as is mine. Mine has not played up yet (I am touching lots of wood as I type) I found Macarther mowers in Sydney seem to know there stuff on these and where I got the clutch info. They might be worth a try for help or supply of a new version clutch. http://www.macarthurmowersandmarine.com.au/
On another note does you clippings director shute fit in the adjusters properly as the tabs on mine are larger than the holes they go into.

Hi Rohan, and a warm welcome to the forum. It's great to have another member from Wagga on board. You can always upgrade your clutch parts with genuine Scott Bonnar replacements at any time you wish, as Bruce has explained in a previous post that they are effectively a "knock-off" of the SB Model 45.
The issue of the grass deflector tabs should be an easy fix....Could you please post a pic showing the problem area?
Thanks mate,