OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Collectors Corner Cylinder Scott Bonnar Model 45 - 14 Inch Twin Rail

Hi to all ODK members,

In conversation with one of our moderators Joe Carroll yesterday, he posed an interesting question on the 14" Scott Bonnar Model 45, that I did not know the answer to.
The question was, "Was a twin-rail, Series 2, 14" Scotty 45 ever produced or were they all solid engine deck?"

After some research today, I have found that they were listed in the 1974-75 Product Range, (solid deck) but by the 1978 Product Range they had been discontinued.

Here's the 1978 Brochure...have a look at the 450 page...you will see the 17" and the 20" only.

Vale the baby Scotty!

I can answer this question for you easily gentlemen. I have two 14" twin rail 45's. They're nothing special but I can grab some pics if you'd like proof

I knew you would know the answer Michael, and yes, pics would be great if you please could post some....

The next thing we need to know is the date of manufacture of your Briggs engines to see if they are later than 1978, as the brochure do not show them even on the front cover pics...See HERE
Thanks mate,

Who would know when my newly purchased 14" was manufactured, with the replacement engine there is really no hope.

Thats not to worry though, soon it will be a bare frame and a good stack of spares in a tub, as I intend on fitting the engine to my later model twin rail 17"

Nice score Joe

My favourite of all the 45's is the solid deck 14".


30th August 1975 on the Briggs, the other is Kirby powered I'm afraid. I'll grab some pics tomorrow. Coincidentally I just did a similar thing to Joe and stripped the Kirby powered mower on Monday (It's pretty trashed and has badly cracked rails).

Model for the Briggs twin rail 14" - 450511
Model for the Kirby twin rail 14" - 450407

Hi Michael, I would ask you please to post some photos of the twin rail 14" machine, that would be good for the archives.
I think that my further research is correct, and that is, late 1975, early 1976 heralded the demise of the this favourite little machine.
This also was the time that the Scott Bonnar company introduced the controversial SB 430 and 590 Diplomat rear catcher models to much pomp and ceremony, but did not live up to their earlier designs. Sid Bowditch must have turned in his grave.....

Hi Darryl, here is a pic of the Kirby 14" taken a while back before it was stripped.


I'll drag the Briggs powered machine out tomorrow and grab a pic. I agree that the 14" must have disappeared during the mid 70's. It's easy to pick a later Briggs as they changed logo and decals on the engines by 79. I've never seen a 14" with the later looking engine.

Many, many thanks Michael, this is great for the archives... that is the first twin rail 14" machine I have seen.

Hi Joe,
And on finally getting the old girl home.
I know you have got a good home for the G100 Honda, and I can't wait to see that!

Best wishes for the restore on the Honda, a good polish of the cowling and a re-paint of the tank..a little bit of elbow grease on the cast alloy...she'll look like a bought one Joe...
Well done, mate!

Hi again Michael,

Your inclusion of the pic of your 14" twin rail Model 45, with a Kirby engine, has started me on some more research this morning.
What I have found is interesting.

Your 14" model number 450407 is mentioned in the 1974-1975 Model Range, with the 17" model number 450423 and the 20" model number 450431 all sporting Kirby-Tecumseh (Lauson) engines. See here...the illustration seems to indicate a solid deck 20" machine with the ying/yang catcher decal.


From this information, I think with some confidence, considering the manufacturing date of your Briggs engine on your twin rail 14" machine being 30th August 1975, that the change-over from solid engine deck to twin rail was very late 1975. That is allowing 3 months for delivery of the Briggs, from the USA.

We have been trying to nail down this time frame for many years and your machine may have solved the puzzle.

Here's the other pictures as promised

The Briggs powered 14"




What's left of the Kirby


My operational 14" fleet - Twin rail flanked by solid decks

For how long did the 20" twin rail were made for, past 1978?
Ian

Hi Ian,

An interesting question mate, so I have done some research.
Scott Bonnar as we now know were producing just the 17" and 20" in 1978 and continued to manufacture both models at the Thebarton factory in South Australia until 1983 when the whole operation transferred to Brisbane and was named Rover-Scott Bonnar.

Both models were manufactured there until some point in time when the Scott Bonnar name was dropped, the paint scheme changed to red, cutter clutch guards were fitted and was named the "Rover Model 45 Reel Mower".

The 17" machine (model number 45048) and the 20" machine (model number 45148) soldiered on until the closure of Rover Mowers (Australia) and the eventual take-over by MTD, some years ago, as far as I know.
Perhaps another member can throw some more light on the subject.

I can tell you that the only Scott Bonnar mower being manufactured in Australia right now is the 30" Queen electric bowling greens machine.

Hi Deejay
This post started on the 14"I not trying hijack the post it is just I have a some thing that shows the 17"(my error saying 20") twin rail was being made in 1984 and the Scott Bonnar name was still being used. The South Australia address is still listed and the colour as yet had not changed
Ian



Twin rail

A lot of the material was dated

Hi again Ian,

And thanks for posting that information as it proves my point...
All 17" and 20" Model 45's post 1978 were twin rail machines.

It is fact that the Scott Bonnar Thebarton manufacturing plant in Sth Australia closed its doors for the last time in 1983.
The manufacturing operation was then transferred to the Rover Mowers Australia factory in Brisbane. They continued to make the 17" and the 20" machines in the same colour hammertone scheme and pentagon decals.
I am not exactly sure of the date the name changed to Rover-Scott Bonnar, but it was in the early 80's and as your brochure shows definitely by 1984.

The Rover-Scott Bonnar address in your brochure shows Beverley, this was the authorised SB dealers address, not a manufacturing plant.

You'll also notice that the machine featured in your brochure is a 20" machine not a 17"..... as evidenced by the 6 segments in the cylinder reel (the 17" has 5) and the length of the cutter clutch engine shaft.

You will also notice in the last pic of the rear of the machine, that an ID anodised plate stating Rover-Scott Bonnar, usually found on the rear rail adjacent to the clutch-fork is missing, indicating that this may have been a transitional machine.
All good stuff!

HI GUYS

just picked up this bargin & trying to figure yr & model , cant locate engine number , she is briggs & stratton 127 cc 3hp
only plate i see is model numnber 45 06209,
14 inch , solid deck
, cheers darryl

Hi Darryl, welcome to Outdoorking.

The engine's cooling air cowl, which has the Model, Type and Code stamped on it, is missing in that picture. The Code tells us the date of manufacture of the engine.

Do not operate the engine without the cowl - it will overheat, and the air-vane governor will not work properly. There may be other essential items missing too - in particular, the plastic thrust bearing between the clutch arm and the clutch. The machine needs to be completed before it will be usable.

Hi Darryl, and a warm welcome to the forum. It's always nice to welcome another Scott Bonnar model 45 owner, as we all like to learn new things and tinker here.

Your machine is a 14", manufactured at the Thebarton factory in Sth Aust, sometime between 1968 and early 1976, as it has a solid deck. It is a shame that the air cooling cowl is missing; as grumpy has said, that would have given us the date of manufacture of the Briggs, which would give us the approximate date of manufacture of your machine.
Once again Darryl, to OutdoorKing.

hi thanks for reply , air cowl is not missing it off so i can replace cord, machine had been su=itting for 10 + years, changed oil, plug, fresh fuel & away it went ,
will check it when home & get some numbers
thanks again darryl

No probs Darryl, can you please post the complete string of numbers (ie, Model, Type and Code) here...
Thanks mate,