OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Question on Digging Equipment Rotary Hoes & Tillers Shay RotoGardiner

Just purchased a Shay RotoGardiner rotary hoe its a bit sad at the moment will try and post photo tomorrow but is there any body out there that knows any thing about them or what motor is fitted the guy I got it from thought the motor was a Villiers but I have serious doubt that its not a Villiers or a JAP. The good thing is it turns over and has good compression and is complete.Thanks in advance for any help or advice.

Hello exfarmer,

J.E. Shay made a couple of variants I think.
If it's a vertical crankshaft model it will be an English BUX motor.





Hope this helps.
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JACK.

Thanks Bruce for the info. This is a photo of it as purchased. I hope to get it going but as was a common problem the cotter pin on the fly wheel has been over tightened and it is broken out currently talking to engineering shop for permanent fix.

Sorry Jack I called you Bruce got all mixed up must be something to do with age!!!!😢

Hello exfarmer

that's okay - a Monty Python skit was based on that famous name.
[video][/video]
See:

You've got a very nice, original machine there.

I've just added a few details on the BUX engine in the History Forum.
To view that record, click HERE.

Hope this helps.
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JACK.

Hello CyberJack

Many thanks for the info it is great to have some info to work from. I note in the diagram for the magnito it shows "to condenser"-- mine has no condenser in it and I was wondering if one should be there the points look like a set of Lucas as were in the old holdens. Can any one tell me if these were fitted with a condenser???

Thanks

Yep, for sure it should have a condenser wired across the points. Around the 0.2 microfarad value will be OK.

A good explanation of what the condenser does is HERE

Hello Gadge & exfarmer

Thanks for that Gadge.
All the parts lists I have do show a condenser (R24 below).



Hope this helps.
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JACK.

Hello Gadget & Jack

Thanks for that info it is much appreciated and confirms my thoughts.

Regards
Exfarmer

Hi guys looking for help again. Can't find a engineering shop to fix my flywheel. Have found one in England but what is the chance of finding one in Australia? Were the Shay rotary hoe's sold in Australia at any time?

Thanks
Exfarmer

Hello exfarmer,

That's an interesting question.
I have found no evidence that Shay rotary hoes were sold here.
However, the Bux engine was sold on British Rotoscythes.

Good luck with the repair.
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JACK

Thanks Jack think I will go with the English option and take the risk of it being the right one as it looks like its my only chance of restoring the machine to original. Will let you know when(if) it's going.

Regards
Exfarmer

Hello Exfarmer!

It must be frustrating I know.
I hope the flywheel is the right one.
I admire your desire to keep the machine original.

After testing the coil and finding it was suspect I decided to modify the ignition by fitting a Victa ignition as cost of getting unknown condition ones from England was rather steep. Milled a sleeve to fit Victa flywheel and made a base plate to carry coil and points, needed to mill a key into Bux crank but found the metal was so hard the milling machine would not touch it (broke two bits) and the intention of taping the crank to hold the flywheel also was not an option so welded a bolt on for this purpose then cut the key into the crank with a dremil and cutting disk. Position of key was determined by removing head and setting 3ml before t.d.c as points opened just as the originals did. A wider key was then made and the sleeve cut for the key. The Victa flywheel was then modified to fit the original pull start.
With heart in mouth the big test, yes it had spark fuel was added and with two pulls there was life. A bit of tinkering with the carb and the motor is running very nicely.

Photos of conversion attached.

I forgot to add the Vista condenser would not fit and the one in the photo only produced a weak spark so the Victa one was added under the base plate and the kill wire is the loose wire just behind the muffler. We will find a spot for a kill switch after a full paint job.

Hello exfarmer

That's great news and noted here.
What you have done is solved an issue with these Bux engines - ignition failures.
The most obvious relevance will be to Rotoscythe owners.

All very helpful.
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JACK

Thanks Jack
If anyone wants any further details they are most welcome to p.m. me and I will do my best to answer their questions. Its all in bits again now for painting but will post a video of it in action when completed.

Hello exfarmer

Thank you for that kind offer.
I guess the issue with these old Buxes is deterioration of the copper wire.
At least you offer restorers hope in economically getting these engines running.

In the photo below is a Bux magneto off a Rotoscythe in poor condition.
(Shay were the second owners of the Rotoscythe).



Cheers & Thanks.
-------------------------------
JACK

Realised today that I hadn't posted any photos of the finished product. The only giveway as to the magneto conversion is that the cover is lifted to clear the conversion flywheel.

It is a horrible machine to use - too heavy with all that cast iron in the base and small narrow wheels. I can see why they weren't sold in Australia as no self respecting Aussie would have used one. My old Landmaster Rotary Hoe is ten times better to use.
Any way hers the pics