OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Collectors Corner Cylinder Scott Bonar 18" Supercut

Hello all,
I have recently inherited a Scott Bonar 18"Supercut Cylinder mower and would appreciate some assistance in identifying it's age. This one is fitted with a 120cc BSA engine.

It is in good working order, as it had been serviced in 2012, and only used for about 30 minutes since then.

I have spoken to the guy who serviced it, and he tells me that it is only one of 2 that he has ever seen with the BSA Motor.

Any information, including it's value would be appreciated.
Thanks

Hi MSR, and a warm welcome to the forum. It's always nice to welcome another Scott Bonnar Model 17 Supercut owner on board as we all like to learn new things and tinker here!

Without some photos of your machine we are all flying blind, and we cannot share much information with you.
Instructions for uploading photos to the forum can be found HERE
I can tell you that the Model 17 Supercut was first introduced in 1950 and was manufactured at the Thebarton factory in South Australia. There were 29 different models of the Supercut produced, all with small variations... and were the Rolls-Royce of cylinder mowers in their day.
Once we see the pics we may be able to give you more information.
Once again MSR, to OutdoorKing.

Hi Daeejay,
Thanks for the welcome, and the information.
I'll get some photos posted in the next day or so.
Regards
MSR

Hi Deejay,
Attached are the photos, as requested.
It appears that the catcher has had an incident with a garden gnome at some time, however the unit is in good mechanical condition.
Regards
MSR

Hi MSR,

And thankyou for posting the pics...The catcher will panel beat easily for you and it is in brilliant condition for its age.
heaps of meat on the cylinder reel, crank handle and toll-box all present and correct.

on a great score there mate!

I am tempted to say that the BSA power Unit is not the original engine and going by the very early (very collectible) catcher decal it is an early machine....ie. close to 1950.
However, SB chose to use different engines on different models, though it is not shown in the following 29 models of the Model 17 Supercut....But, there could have been 30 models and yours is one of them.

Here's some interesting info on the models...


All good stuff...

I especially like the speaking tube for giving instructions to the engine room. I can't understand why there's no flagpole, though.

Hi Grumpy,
Yep, the whistle is also missing

Hi Deejay,
Thanks for the information.
The mower has only had two owners, prior to me.
The original owner,a neighbour of my Father-In-Law, was using it in 1958 to mow his croquet lawn.
He became ill and my Father-In-Law did the mowing for him. When he passed away in about 1967, his family gave it to my Father-In-Law. I know that the BSA motor was on it when Father-In-Law got it.
As I said earlier, the guy who serviced it in 2012 said that he had only seen one other with the BSA motor, and from the sound of him on the phone, he has been around for quite a while.

However, it's now causing me a bit of a problem, as we are in the process of getting the Father-In-Law's place ready to sell, and we are also downsizing, so I really would like to see it go, preferably to a good home.

I'm loath to just put it on gumtree, I'd much rather it went to someone who appreciates the engineering in this unit.
Any suggestions on solving this problem would be appreciated.
Regards
MSR

Great photos and a fantastic machine MSR! If I were closer I'd make an offer on this great piece of Scott Bonnar history myself. Best of luck with it, I hope you find a lucky new owner for it soon

Cheers, Michael

Hi again MSR,
I'm in the same boat as Rolla, I would like to own it myself and would make a bid if I were closer to you.

However, if you could send a PM to Grant (willing worker) a member of ODK; details HERE. He lives in South Australia and is a Scott Bonnar aficionado, he may give you some good advice.

Best of luck with it, it is an awesome machine.

Omg omg, does she still run?

I wish I had some space

Hi Mick,
These machines were the Rolls-Royce of cylinder mowers in their day, very heavy, very sturdy and with a little TLC would last a lifetime....I envy you...you are in the right location....

Hi Deejay,
Thanks for the contact, I spoke to Grant and he confirms that the BSA engines were a genuine option, so maybe be we are now up to the 30.
If either you or Rollo are really interested I may be able to do something about the freight to the sunshine state.

Regards
MSR

Hi Agro Mick,
Yep it sure does,
Regards
MSR

Hi MSR,

Thank you for the offer of freight but I'd prefer to take a look in person before purchasing a collectors item like this. It looks like I'll need to do a trip down to SA later this year and I'll most likely bring the ute. If you still have it, I'll definitely be keen to take a look.

Thanks again, Michael

Hi MSR,

I'm located in South Australia and am in the process of firstly repairing to running condition my Model 17 Supercut and then once I've moved strip it down and do a complete restoration on it and could certainly do with another unit to keep it company, maybe they could fornicate and have babies ! LOL

Please write to me via a PM and I'm sure we could work something out.

Cheers,
BB