OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Restoring, Customising and Modifying Reel-Type Mowers First Scott Bonnar 45 Resto

hi there

handle frame is different compared to all the other 45's i have seen
is it a Scotty 45?
bit hard to see on this shot but doesn't look like it has much meat on the reel does it?

cheers

Looks like the real deal to me, mid-late 70's SB45. I have a couple of 45's with these handles and I've seen many others. They're not as common as the traditional style handles however.

As for the reel, I can't see it well enough to comment sorry.

thanks rolla

are these able to be converted to the traditional handles?
taking a guess i would say yes??

I can't see any difference in the frames, so you shouldn't have any problems. I must admit I prefer the more common handles - I feel like I'm pushing a shopping trolley otherwise

If you have a Briggs with the large fuel tank, just make sure that the new handles clear the tank. We've noticed that some have bent lower sections to give additional clearance but others are straight.

Ended up buying this old girl for $150.

Model number is 450570

2.5 BS 80102 0233 01 7603208

Couldn't find the model number anywhere?

Hi again perthmower, and on becoming a Scott Bonnar Model 45 owner!

The handle assembly and parts list can be found... HERE

Your machine is a twin rail (Series 2) 17" cut, manufactured at the Thebarton factory in South Australia.
The Briggs and Stratton engine is an 8 cubic inch, which makes it a 3HP, with a Vacu-Jet carburettor manufactured on the 20th March 1976.
Allowing time for that engine to be freighted from the USA and fitted to your machine, we can hazard a guess at the manufacturing date as mid to late 1976, early 1977.

To allow us to assess the condition of the chains and sprockets, we need a close-up pic of the inside of the chain-case, particularly the sprockets where they are not covered by the chain.
Could you please also post a pic of the cylinder reel (close-up) so we can see how much life it has in it.

This machine will restore nicely, and if carefully maintained, will give you years of mowing pleasure.

perthmower, to clarify the information you have supplied, your Briggs engine is:
Model 80102
Type 0233 Trim 01
Code 7603208.

The first digit of the model number is the displacement in cubic inches, the second is the design generation of the engine, the third tells you it has a horizontal crankshaft and a Vacu-Jet carburetor, the fourth tells you it has plain main bearings, and the fifth tells you it has a recoil starter.

The type and trim are indecipherable to civilians, but it indicates what combination of options the engine buyer (Scott Bonnar) has specified, right down to the kind of decals on the engine.

The code specifies, in reverse order, the day, month and year it was built (20 March 1976) and that it was made in Briggs' Plant 8. Plant 8 was closed some years ago, along with quite a few other Briggs plants, and I can't even tell you where it was located now. (Briggs has moved all side valve engine production to its plant in China, and now only makes OHV and DOV engines in the US.)

With the Model and Type, we can look up the original Briggs information for the engine. Here is the Illustrated Parts List:
http://bsintek.basco.com/BriggsDocumentDisplay/Z6jmvGVJ1DajI.pdf

Here is the Operator's Manual:
http://bsintek.basco.com/BriggsDocumentDisplay/lrvvA-wU7eL7hAxB91ObQ.pdf

Well done on picking up a 45, perthmower

I have to agree with perthmower that the 80102 is 2.5hp rather than 3hp - all of mine are 2.5hp also. The 80202's that I have are 3hp however.

Hi Micheal,
I stand corrected mate, yes it is a 2.5HP, I used the information listed HERE as my reference, as you can see, the 2.5HP is not listed, and shows the 62000, 80000, 82000and 83000 series as 8cu.in and 3HP.
My mistake.

Hi Darryl,

Sorry mate, it's not that I meant to correct you. I have some Briggs info in the form of dealer sales brochures and price lists from the 60's and 70's coming from the U.S. soon. They appear to have detailed specs, pictures and info on the engine range of the time. I will make the info available once I have it.

Cheers, Michael

Hi Michael,
No probs mate, as I have said here many times...we all like to learn new things and tinker here...
It would be great if you can post your new info when you get it. I, for one, will enjoy reading it and learning at the same time.

Thanks all!!

Got it off an old boy which he had it passed down from his old boy haha.
So I guess I'm it's third owner , I have kept his number so I can send him some pics of her restored.

It had been in the shed for the last 3yrs and he couldn't get it going.
There was crap in the tank so I cleaned it out, cleaned the plug and put fresh fuel in her, fired 5th pull ANC ran nicely!!

The bed knife looks different to my mates 45 , mine is more of a knife edge?
The reel had been touching .

Pics time

Not sure why some are up side down

Hi again Perthmower,

(1) If your images appear upside down, just right click on the image and save it to the folder where your pics are stored on your computer.

(2) Then, click edit post, and delete the offending image.

(3) Open the image in your computer (usually My Pictures) folder and scroll until you find the image that needs to be rotated and right click on the image, a drop-down menu will appear....like this....


(4) Scroll down the list to "Rotate Clockwise" or "Rotate Counter Clockwise" whichever applies and rotate the image.

(5) Go back to 'Edit Post" and using the Inline uploader re-load your image....Easy Peasy!

Hi Perthmower,

Regarding your machine, here are my observations:

The cylinder reel has plenty of meat on it and looks like it has never been re-ground.

All sprockets and chains look in reasonable condition, but desperately in need of re-greasing with a good quality grease.

The bottom (bedknife) blade needs regrinding or replacing...the engineer/machinist who does the reel and bedknife for you will advise you and can supply and fit the new blade for you...Do not attempt to remove the bedknife from the soleplate yourself...you can damage the soleplate very easily, and, being cast iron can fracture....Very expensive to replace (ie.) $$$

Take both the reel and the soleplate with the bedknife attached to your engineer for sharpening.

Your machine looks to be a great restoration project.
If you have any questions, don't be afraid to ask...we will help you through the process.

Thanks deejay

She is completely stripped ready to be sandblasted .

Not sure about stripping the motor as she runs just fine?
If I just mask it up to paint it what would I clean it properly with?

Oh yeah forgot to take a pic but it still had the genuine air filter with the BS logo
Lol