OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Restoring, Customising and Modifying Reel-Type Mowers Scott Bonnar-Morrison 14" Reel Mower

I've just had a closer look at the diagram on the Masport website. The 'bolt' that I thought was a retainer is actually a redundant grease nipple, so it seems that the assembly is press fitted. I'll try to 'unfit' it tonight without launching the two little tensioning springs through me and into orbit.

Chris

Hi Chris, the redundant grease nipple that you are referring to was obviously from a time when the reel bearings were the open type....I notice that sealed bearings are noted in the spare parts list now.

Just give all the parts a good soaking with WD40 or Penetrene and take care, hoping is comes apart easily for you....
Also Chris, just a tip; if you intend to blast, prime and repaint the reel, and the rest of the assembly, the time to do it is before it goes to the engineer for sharpening... Don't forget to mask off the press fit areas, prior to painting.

Darryl,

Thanks for the advice. If I get it all apart (it's soaking in WD40 now) I'll certainly do all of the priming & painting first.

I've developed quite an interest in these mowers in the last couple of weeks and as it happens, they seem to attract others. A neighbour was walking his dog past my house the other evening and he saw me in the garage and asked what I was doing. I explained the story and he then told me that his Dad has an old SB 45 in his garden shed not five minutes from where I live. The mower hasn't been used for years and would be for sale. I'm going to look at it on the weekend

Chris

Hi Chris, a great score if you can get your hands on the Model 45 mate....all parts are readily available, separate cutter clutch, and a very popular cylinder model, that, well maintained will give you hours of mowing pleasure.
Here is the specs;

Good luck with it...If you get to bring it home....we're all looking forward to the pics.

If I do buy it, I'll certainly post some photos though probably in a new thread.

Just for my information, some of these old mowers are fitted with original non B&S engines, eg: Kirby/Tecumseh. Was this something that SB in Adelaide did as a routine? Are these still considered SB mowers? What is the parts availability for these engines?

I'll stop asking questions soon

Chris

Hi Chris, the first model Scotty Model 45 was introduced in 1968. It sported a Kirby-Tecumseh HK30, 3HP 4-stroke engine. They were manufactured at Thebarton in Adelaide SA. They are all original.

Exactly when they changed to the Briggs and Stratton is not known, but as a guess I would say the mid 70's. Parts for the Kirby-Tecumseh are not easy to come by...whereas the Briggs and Stratton is, Tecumseh has folded operations in USA and no longer manufactured.
Reproduction stickers and decals are now being produced for all models of Scott Bonnars.

Depending on the price they want for this Scotty, even with the Kirby engine (if indeed it has one) we can help with advice to get it running sweetly if it hasn't got too much wrong with it....They were quite a strong engine in their day. Or, if you decide, you could perhaps re-engine it down the track with a Briggs or, as I have done with my 45...wack a Honda on it.
Here's mine....

I've sent the complete cutting assembly away to be professionally disassembled, cleaned and sharpened. I'll let you know how I get on.

Meanwhile I went to see the other mower this morning. It's a 14" SB45 fitted with a Kirby 2HP engine and for not much money brought it home. With the old cars and now old mowers, my good wife is starting to shake her head

I've started a new thread (with pictures) for the other mower.

Chris

Hi Chris, good stuff mate....It will be interesting to see how the cutting unit comes apart....are they going to send it back to you for painting prior to sharpening?

They will prime and paint it prior to sharpening - or so they say. I guess I have to trust them.

Chris

Hi Chris, have you seen any of the work that they have recently completed? If they are doing a lot of work, chances are your unit will be perfect on completion.
Pics please when you get it back, mate.

They were recommended by a well respected Mower business where I live. I'll let you know how it all transpires.

Chris

Thanks Chris, I'm looking forward to how it comes up as well mate!

I got the cutting assembly back yesterday.
Stripped, cleaned, painted, sharpened, reassembled and adjusted - they did a good job. I also got them to fit two new bearings while they were at it.
I'll put it all together this weekend.
Chris

Might sound like a silly question, but when you removed the cutter pulley was it right or lft hand threaded? My victa imperial is somewhat different (has chains) but I do need to unscrew that gear without damage

Joe,

Not a silly question at all - it is left hand thread so that the pulley tightens on the shaft when under load.

Chris

Cool bananas, thansk mate, I want the lawn of all lawns this summer and the imperial might just be the one for the job

Fitted the reel/blade assembly into the mower this morning.
There was a slight hitch as the guys who sharpened it reassembled the reel the wrong way around so the drive shaft was on the incorrect side of the mower
I pulled it all apart and assembled it correctly then fitted it to the mower and did the final adjustments.
The handles will go to the local electroplater soon and when I've finished the engine it'll go on as well - I've decided to fit it with a Kirby engine from another mower. I've managed to find a US distributor who stocks Lauson/Tecumseh/Kirby parts so a new gasket set and a few other bits are winging their way to me.
This afternoon I'll strip and clean the front rollers and treat/seal the timber parts.
Chris

Hi Joe, don't forget we want to video your Imperial coming apart. It will be great for the archives.

Dont know if youve attempted it or not yet joe but i made up a spanner to remove the sprocket from my imperial.

All finished though the engine is only held on with 2 bolts at present as I may yet swap it on to my other mower.
It runs, it cuts but it is really a cheap imitation - apologies to my Uncle.
I'm not sure what to do with it as I also have a 'proper' Scott Bonnar and not a whole lot of grass to cut.

Chris