OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Restoring, Customising and Modifying Reel-Type Mowers scott bonnar 590 - worth restoring?

hi all,
just joined up with the site. I have recently found myself spending hours looking on ebay at these scott bonnar mowers and decided to buy one. I ended up finding a great deal in the tradingpost as my first purchase, already kinda obsessed.. It is a S.B 590 diplomat. Looking through heaps of the earlier threads it apears much more difficult to find info and parts on them. Is the 45 model much superior to the 590 ?
Im pretty keen on restoring one but if the 590 is no good would I be better off buying a model 45

Hi scoffey, and welcome to Outdoorking. The belt-drive Scott Bonnars (principally the 430 and 590) are less traditional than the more conventional reel mowers such as the 33 and 45. It does seem that both collectors and serious mower operators prefer the 45, in particular, but the belt drives have a couple of specific advantages, such as a rear catcher that makes it easier to cut around bushes etc. Generally it depends whether you are collecting or mowing, and whether what you are mowing is long clean runs or working around obstacles.

Because there is more demand, more literature, and more collector enthusiasm, for the 45 in my opinion it is probably more suitable for restoration than a 590. On the other hand if you just want a mower to use, in a small and complex garden, the 590 does seem to have advantages in smoothness, flexibility, and simplicity. Perhaps you should give some thought to what motivates you in this purchase: collecting, or just having a fairly simple lawnmower.

Anyway, you're just about sure to get a variety of opinions on the subject here on Outdoorking.

hi grumpy,
Cheers on your opinion. the 590 that i have unfortunately didnt come with the rear catcher, from a quick glance around there arent to many up for sale either. I have a few annoying corners in my backyard so could do the job well hopefully. Sounds like using the 590 just as a workhorse could be a goer.
Where would you reccomend for buying a model 45 in victoria? There are heaps and heaps for sale on ebay in NSW and QLD but very little in VIC.

I have the impression that people are posting about their model 45s in Victoria, but I haven't counted the owners and threads. As you go further north the grass grows faster, and people take their mowers more seriously. Nevertheless Victorians still have mowers, and some of them must be model 45s. Are you sure you want to start restoring a model 45 right this minute? If you work with your 590 for a while first, you'll learn more about reel mowers, and you'll also have more time to find the right 45.

Hi scoffey86, and a warm welcome to the forum. It's great to have another Scott Bonnar owner on board.
We all like to learn new things and tinker here....
grumpy has given you some good advice but as a Model 45 owner, I would like to add my two bobs worth!!

The Model 590 Diplomat was first introduced in 1976 and was Scott Bonnar's last gasp before the take over by Rover, and was discontinued at that time. This has, unfortunately, made some spare parts impossible to come by whereas the Model 45 soldiered on as the Rover 45and all parts are still available.

The rear catcher is almost impossible to source for the 590 which means all grass and debris is going to be thrown back at your feet and legs with your machine. Part of the fun when mowing with a reel mower is the smooth finish it leaves and the fine clippings make a good compost for the garden. Without a catcher this cannot be achieved.
There is also a nylon ring-gear in the rear roller that is prone to fail resulting in no propulsion; however a steel ring gear (after-market) is available, but is expensive at $132.00.
Having the reel and bottom knife-blade enclosed from the front make clearance adjustments more difficult and removal of the reel and soleplate likewise harder to do.
In fact some lawnmower repair places will not carry out repairs on them as they are labour intensive.

In my opinion, the Model 45 would be the way to go in the long term, as we have people here that have the knowledge and expertise to help step you through any repairs necessary, and owners manuals and parts lists are contained in the Manuals topic on the forum, whereas most of us have never seen a 430 or 590 in the flesh, so to speak.
Hoping this gives you food for thought and once again,
to the forum.

thanks grumpy and deejay,
I have just given the 590 a go on the front and the back lawn (my first time with a reel type mower) Gives a great cut for an old girl but i see your point deejay aboout all the clippings coming back at me. My thoughts are keep looking around for a model 45 for the right price and keep using the 590 in the meantime and hope that it doesnt fail. Sounds like parts are way to expensive and hard to find for the 590.
If i did come across a 45 that needed some work, would many of the parts be compatable?

Hi again scoffey, mate without wading through the spare parts manual for the SB 590...I would say very few...the whole design is different for one thing, the Scotty 45 being chain driven whereas the 590 is belt driven...the rear drive rollers have a completely different set up....even the cylinder reel is different....so no, they are not very compatible unfortunately.

Bit of a shame that they are so different... Oh well hopefully its keeps working for me! Keep my eyes out for a decent SB 45 down in vic.
cheers

Hi guys,

I am looking at buying a reel mower for a very small patch of couch in my backyard. I want that golf course putting green look!!
I have found a model 590 but am worried about spare parts and the fact it seems to propel itself so fast and i can't have just the blades going.

should i keep looking for a model 45. i assume i can disengage the proposion and simply push it around the tight obsticles with the blades going?

cheers

Fitzy

Hi Fitzy,
In my opinion, keep looking for a Model 45....they are a much more versatile machine, and all parts are still available for the chassis; which is not the case for the 590.

A mention has been made previously about the metal drive gear being available, can anyone tell me from where?? I have a SB590 and require this part to get here up and running again.

Hi Kynan, I have answered this question for you under your other thread....Click HERE