OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Restoring, Customising and Modifying Reel-Type Mowers Yet another SB45 resto in Brisbane

Hello all,

I have finally started on the resto of my 450589 (serial #01774), its not in a very good way, as about 10yrs back I swapped out good parts for my other SB45 that I sold about 8yrs ago. After stripping it down today I have determined it needs a FULL resto including paint and re-engine as it will become the main mower and due to now having a Kirby H4-4B as the B&S was one of the items I stripped out many years back (surprisingly the Kirby fired up yesterday after 5 mins of playing with it).

I have a few questions.

1. Where is the best place to have the frame and other painted items sand blasted (I'm located on Brisbane's northside).
2. How to best determine if the cylinder blades have enough metal remaining to be ground and serviceable (does anyone know the typical/serviceable depth of the cylinder blades)?
3. Any suggestion where best to have the cylinder repaired (a few minor bends) and ground, including the base plate. Would also like to have them both sand blasted and painted (happy to ship anywhere). Has anyone had experience with this gent prior? http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/131566703219?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
4. Where best to source a replacement catcher, secondhand or remanu. is fine.
5. Any good sources to pickup a B&S 3.5hp engine, found some on ebay, around $265.
6. The gear side cover has a few little dents and a very small spilt (guessing due to a loose chain at some time), how best to repair?
6. Happy to sell to Kirby if someone is wanting it, it is only missing the air filter and air filter wire retainer, seems to have ok compression.

Thanks in advance.
Cheers Matt

Hello again mattbutton,

Moderator BB or Admin Deejay usually answer these Model 45 questions.
I'll answer these as they are unavailable at the moment.

[1] Unless a member replies, that will be your general research.
The main thing is that you do not use powder coating as a finish: that has proved
disastrous on lawnmowers and other outdoor power garden equipment.

[2] I have yet to see a 45 reel that is not serviceable due to being worn out.
Mostly it is due to severe reel damage (bent blades). The answer is, reels can
be ground down to almost the collars (or spiders) that mount the spiral blades.
If you would like comment, post a picture. Instruction on uploading HERE.

[3] Unless a member replies I have your Q3 answered here:
https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=66740#Post66740

[4] You've asked for a quote on a new catcher in the Wanted Forum.
A reply should not take too long. You might consider second-hand catchers,
but these do not come up for sale often. You could place a post in the
Wanted Forum on that.

[5] If you are going to re-power your 45 with a new engine, we strongly
recommend an OHV engine - not a side-valve (like the good old Kirby).
This is because of vibration issues resulting in failure of some frames on
45s that the engine is mounted on. Again, some photos would help us here.

[6a] I will need to defer to an expert on that.

[6b] Kirby: Better placed in the For Sale Forum than here.

Hope this helps.
-------------------------------
JACK

Hi mattbutton and CyberJack,

Well CJ has pretty much answered most of your questions, but I'll try and fill in a few of the gaps for you.

As far as a replacement catcher is concerned CJ is spot on there as second hand catchers in good nick just don't show up, basically the story would be, where's the machine it belongs to ?

You could get a new catcher made up in Brisbane by "SB Obsession" on this forum as his father in law Denis makes them and does a pretty damn good job if I don't say so myself. Being in Brissy the freight wouldn't be an issue for you as it is for all us Southerners.

Replacement power plant, depending on your budget, I would go for an OHV as CJ suggested and if the budget is thin then a Chonda (Chinese copy Honda) will do the job rather nicely.

As far as repairing the split in the chaincase is concerned, and this depends very much on your skills and equipment accessibility, but it can be easily zapped up with a MIG welder or if you have OXY available you could carefully braze it up using the brass to add to the overall thickness in the area of the lost metal due to the chain wearing it away.

Again as CJ has suggested could you please take some good close up photos of the drive train side (LH) of the mower, the tops of the rails where the engine is secured to and also the reel and bed knife assemblies. From there on we can give you a much better idea as to which way to go.

Cheers,
BB

Hi Matt,

Did you get all the info from the gumtree chat ok? Feel free to ask anymore questions.

mike.