OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums General Discussion Forum Off Topics Another Victa Made Craftsman

Neighbor bought this from a Rummage sale (Church Basement.. You Know) And Got it running..

It's a Victa Made "Craftsman Eager 1" Power Propelled..

These are the only Pictures I have of it.. But It has the exact same handle as a VC Auto Drive..




Kori

Oh yeah, Here's A pic of the Catcher.




Edit: No idea why this one's so darn Big.. The others seem fine...

Kori

Very interesting, I wonder if Tomo4192 & Blumbly have seen this as they are both after VC Auto Drive handles. Also its a bit hard to tell in the photos but the drive looks to be the same set up also.

Is that defently the catcher? That looks like ur every day rover catcher

hey ! kori does it say its made by victa ? it has some similar features indeed , that catcher is victa but i wouldn't of said they were a pair as they were released here with steel bases in the mid 80's.
interesting that it has a Tecumseh motor because victa were using Briggs and Stratten engines in their 4 stroke range around the 70's 80's well in Australia anyway .
cheers ,mitch

I have no Idea If the catcher Is the right one.. I can Dig up an Old Sears Catalog if you give me some time..

Now Come to think of it.. That may not be the right catcher at all.. I'm Not all to sure where I got that picture from..

I would think it would have the chunk cut out for the Gearbox.. This one doesn't.. It looks more like the ones for the push models..

The Tecumseh was Sears' Specialty.. The "Eager 1" Engines were supposed to be the easiest starting engine around..

This is a "Non Cover" Model.. I posted awhile back about an Electric Version nearly identical except it had a VC Style Cover on it..

They Made some Gas Powered ones with covers as well.. I'll Attempt to find some pictures.

Kori

Here are some Photos, Sorry about the Abysmal Quality though.. These are stills from a Microfiche Real of Old Sears Catalogs..

This is the first appearance Spring of 1980


Also Spring '80 This is the Style of Cover I'm Talking about.


Here is a Petrol One with Covers.. This used a Mach 3 Engine which was a 2 Stroke Rebadged "Eager 2" The 2 Obviously being for 2 Stroke. This was Summer '82


Then In 1983 This is the last time we see them.. They are then replaced by the Boxy AYP Mowers that sears still sells today..


Kori

Hi Guys, the catcher definately wont fit that machine. That is your everyday Victa catcher.
Kori, what makes you think that is a Victa made Craftsman? There are quite a few non Victa things i notice here and actually no Victa similarities with the exception of the back wheels. Any victas as early as the VC range that had a bolt pattern to accomodate a 4 stroke had the motor mounted sideways, the lower handle bar anchors in a different position to any alloy body Victa and the rear door flap has a centre mounted lever much like an early scott bonnar viking, so the catcher will more than likely not have a cutaway at the top.
Sorry guys, just my 2 cents.

That is the wrong catcher.. Even I can see that.. I Don't Know why I Posted that Picture..

The One that I saw On Craigslist (Like Gumtree) Had The VC Style catcher and some sort of lever to hold the door shut on the right side..

Kori

The catchers look Like the black one in this Photo (Kudos Bumbly)



Not sure if you can see or not.. But the Craftsman's Have The same thing that sicks up to hold the catcher on..