OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Restoring, Customising and Modifying Reel-Type Mowers SB Model 45 School Project

Hi all,
For my school project I am reconditioning a Scott Bonnar Model 45. I have found one for sale and just awaiting approval. It isn't running and doesn't look in too good condition but I would much appreciate your advise. As I am only 12 I do not have any experience in the Briggs and Stratton engines. I will upload the images from the seller but I will take some pics when I get it.
Cheers Tom.

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

Reconditioning a Model 45 is a great idea for a school project, and the early solid engine deck 14" Scotty will be ideal for this purpose.

First, it would be good to know the approximate age of the machine, and we can do that establishing the date of manufacture of the Briggs engine.

When you get your hands on the machine, if you look on the engine metal air-cowling in front of the air cleaner, you should see the Model, Type and Code stamped into the metal....We need you to post all the numbers here, and we can give you the date and other information.

We are here to help you....and Tom, once again to OutdoorKing.

Hi Deejay,
Thanks for your help. I am picking up the Scotty tomorrow evening so I will probably be able to take those photos and have them up by tomorrow night so you establish the approximate age of the mower.
Cheers,
Tom.

Hi again Tom,

And thanks for your reply.
I have had a good look over the pics that you have posted and found that (presuming it has its catcher) that it is in good complete original condition, silver Briggs and plenty of life left in the cylinder reel.

Once you decide to which level of reconditioning you wish to achieve for this project, we can supply you with a step-by-step plan of attack that will bring you to a successful conclusion.

Looking forward to seeing your pics,

Hi Deejay,

Thanks for your reply and yes the first pic I posted was it's own catcher. When you say that the cylinder reel has plenty of life in it are you saying I will not need to get it sharpened? So you think all of the parts are original and there are no aftermarket parts?

That would be great if you could guide me with a step by step plan for reconditioning because I don't really know too much about all the parts in an engine and what they do.

I am so glad that I watched your videos and found your forum because I think I would've been pretty lost in finding repair info on the Internet.


Tom

Hi Tom,

What a great project and well done on finding an excellent machine to start off with From what's left of the decal on your engine, it looks like a 2.25hp (61202) Briggs & Stratton engine. When you post the 'model type code' we'll be able to confirm this. At a guess it's around 45 years old.

When Deejay says the reel has 'plenty of life' left, he means that it has plenty of metal left for sharpening. Ideally the reel should be sharpened when the cutting edge wears and no longer gives a clean cut. During sharpening, a small amount of metal is ground away each time and eventually after many years and sharpens, the reel has no width left on the blade to sharpen - and requires replacement.

So in a nutshell, your reel has plenty of metal left, that can be sharpened many times before it would need replacing. From your photos we can tell that it definitely will need sharpening.

There's many threads on here covering SB45 restoration, have a look through and ask lots of questions. I'm really looking forward to seeing your progress. Thanks for posting your info and pics and I wish you the very best of luck with it.

Cheers, Michael

Tom, I notice that you have been focused on the Briggs and Stratton engine in your plans. Unless they have been abused or neglected, those engines are usually quite easy (and inexpensive) to get running well. The remainder of the mower is likely to take considerably more time and money to get into good working condition. You may find it easiest to plan for this project to proceed in stages, probably with assessing and diagnosing the engine's needs as the first stage. With that behind you, you will be better prepared to work on the mower itself.

Because you have an early (one-piece deck) SB45, the machine is potentially a collector's piece, which is worth dealing with carefully one step at a time.

Hi Tom, welcome to the forum. Yes it is a great site to learn and bounce questions off other members. I'm currently restoring a SB45 17" and you will be surprised at the amount (if not all) parts are still available.

If I can offer some advise, the original parts made by SB are of excellent quality and I recommend to have a go at restoring these before you go and buy new ones. You will save a lot of money.

Hi Michael, Grumpy and Corduroy,

Thanks for all your advise and info about this mower. I can't wait to start restoring this, especially with all your help. We are picking it up in about an hour so I should have the photos up around then. I will aiming to save as much money as I can because I don't have too much money.


Tom

I was also wondering if I could obtain the original colors for this SB. I want to restore it to as close the original condition as possible.
Cheers,
Tom.

Hi Tom, you'll need to take a sample of the original paint in to a paint store to have it matched, as there's no record of the original Scott Bonnar formula. The best place to get this is from either the inside of the chain cover or the back of the plate on the handle bars - just take the whole piece with you and ask them to match the paint that's on it. There's a few different greens used over the years, yours is more of an avocado hammertone.

How did you go picking up the machine?

Here is a picture..

I forgot to mention, if you don't have access to a spray gun and compressor, it's probably best to find a paint supplier that can put your colour in to aerosol cans (not everyone does).

Thanks Michael,

I got the machine all good and have tried starting it but cannot. If possible I will upload a video so you can possibly identify the problem. Can't wait for the finished product. I have tried taking the chain case of but one of the screws is bending when I'm trying to unscrew it. Is there anyway I can fix this or force this off without doing any damage to any other parts of the mower. Is this the info you needed Deejay?

Hi Tom, on becoming a Scott Bonnar owner, your machine is a little beauty!

No Tom, the Model, type and Code are stamped into the metal cover that surrounds the Briggs engine, and the recoil starter, now look at the back of cowling near the intake manifold, it may be hard to see, but it will be there somewhere in 3 groups....please post all 3 for us, the numbers may start with 61202...

Just try and remove that recalcitrant chain case screw the best way you can...you can't damage much there that can't be easily fixed.

Grumpy will assist you with your Briggs problems, he will step you through the diagnosis...just do what he asks and post the results. Don't worry mate, it will be fun.
Have you got a suitable tool kit to do the job?

Please take plenty of pics Tom, so we can see what you are doing as you go along.

The numbers Deejay is talking about are located here

They can be a little hard to spot sometimes like the ones in the pic below. Give the area a thorough clean and let us know what you come up with.

Thanks Deejay,

I will have a look tomorrow since it is too dark to look right now. I have some tools but there will be many that I don't have. It will be good if grumpy could identify the reason for the mower not starting. I will definitely be taking many pics as it will increase my marks having progress pics. I only have two terms to complete this and a written report. Will this take too long?


Tom.

Tom, look at the long line of stamped numbers on Michael's pictures of the cooling air cowl. The numbers are in the yellow oval in this copy of the picture:


As you can see, they are just stamped into the rusty steel, so you need to look hard to read them. We need the whole of that long string. The first group is Model, the second group is Type, and the third group is Code. All of it is needed for our current purposes.

Thanks Rolla,

I will have a look tomorrow after school and post a couple of pics. As you said I will need to give it a good clean because of all the dirt that has built up over the years.


Tom.

Thanks Grumpy and I hope you can help me with all my engine problems I may come across. I also noticed that the reel blade is scraping against the sole plate (if that is the bottom blade thing).
Cheers,
Tom.