OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions on Walk Behind Lawn Mower Frames Four Stroke Lawn Mower Frames TURNER - Model J62 Side Throw

First wind up I've had, most have a lever that you activate after winding the handle, this one doesn't have the lever. Also no sign of a primer and throttle cable is stiff. How do you start these?




Assume it's 4 stroke but I don't know a lot about these.

Hello tiger,

It's rare to see these early 1960s Turners. This is collectable.
I think it is a Model J62 - the silver and grey 18" machine:-



Date will be early 1960s.
It would have a Kirby VK30 engine, probably fitted with a Zenith carby.
So there will not be a primer. There should be a throttle cable and control.

The starter is an Impulse, the one that introduced wind-up starters to AUS.
Because of servicing concerns, the starter was replaced with the newer and safer
Trip Release designs within a few years.

To start, move throttle to fully open (to activate choke) and wind starter.
The starter is activated by pressing down on the closed starter handle.

Information on the carby and starter may be found here:
https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=58949

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

Yep, it looks J62,

Its the Utility version in the 62 series.

Check the Raised plate on the rear of the base for ID,


Victas Sure Start"

As Jack has stated, Wind the handle until it stops and simply close to to start. Its whats refered to as an automatic starter,as you dont need to pull a lever to activate ( The fact you had to wind it in the first place kind of negates the term Auto" lols)

There is a pin under the handle that trips the starter when you close it.

These were a really good starter, the best in my opinion, BUT they had spring failures often.

The main issue was broken springs due to the extreme tension.
If yours is free spinning then perhaps this is the issue.

They are very hard to find SH, so a later starter may be an option.

One very Important thing to note with repairs....NEVER EVER ATTEMPT TO REMOVE THE SPRING FROM ITS MAGAZINE!!!! It has the potential for serious injury.

They are a factory fitted spring magazine and should be replaced as a unit, so if its broken, BIN it!

And yes as Jack states, Id also say a Zenith if it has no Primer. The Primer would be located underneath on a Walbro.

Its a nice machine Tiger and one not yet on the forum that im aware of.

Fix the starter, free your cable and give it a good check over and she might be a goer.

Hi HT6 and tiger

Yeah, I'm pretty sure we have not seen one of these before.
This ad (extract) comes from Sept 1962 - so that fits in nicely
with it being a J62 for the 1962-63 lawnmower season (and beyond).



p.s. HT6 has given important safety advice about these cased springs.
I am told that an unaware repairer removing the spring from its casing
would initiate a moistening process in the repairer's undergarments

sooo well put , not to mention the lumps too
do we have an idea when the model J came into it ? side thrower also
nice looking thing all cleaned up there tiger the label you showed should give you a strong hint as to 2 or 4 stroke
, Dave

Yep thats It alright Jack....

If you look just under the air filter in the Image you will see the definative bowl shape of the Zenith carb.

The black wheels were also exclusive to J62 utility.

And Im pretty sure this model only came in 4S VMan....HK25 from memory....

I almost bought one to go with Frankenturner, as its an F62...but it wasnt to be.

only have the J moulded into mine and its a 2t also a kirby and called a LAWN STAR . base looks the same from what i can see but a light green and white engine(think you seen it before MR6) sort of holden colour hothouse ish .
but enough , i'll stop hijacking this , might be important info on tigers

Dont think its a Hijack VMan, Its all related.

There are only 2 J models the 62 utility 4ST and the J64 which also appears to be a Utility....

And the only green Model is the J64. So maybe this is yours.

If you can point me in the direction of the link, we can work it out as Ive not seen yours

Hi HT6 and vcomm

As Mal siad, it's not a case of Hijack. 'Hi Jack' is when you say hello to me

I would like to address two issues raised here:
DAVE- the issue of the alpha system and the 'J' model.
MAL - Turner's use of the word 'utility'

Before I can do that we really have to hear from tiger, and I have to ask a big favour of him:-

Because this is a rare lawnmower, I would like more photos for the record.
[The usual shots: front, sides, back; but also underneath.]

I think both Mal and Dave understand the significance of recording early Australian
rotary mowers. Many collectors do not

Tiger, this is an important machine for the Turner record.
I've not seen one before, but I need help to record it. I commend your
recognising this lawnmower as collectable. It is saved!

Clearly, this thread will be linked from the Record.

All very Turner.
-----------------------------
JACK

May as well ad the One most of us know, but it may have some use as a comparison.

All very interesting these Turners, would love to see some more pics and if it runs a video would be great.
Jack, I have a question on dates - how many years between my Turner 18 and this model ?
Thanks for sharing your Turner with us tiger.

G'day Paul

Turners are fascinating - but for different reasons at different times.
Tiger's machine is conventional, but super rare.
Later Turners were revolutionary - in safety and design.

I should mention to members that, first; Turner introduced the 4-stroke rotary to AUS in 1959.
The reason, I believe, Turner delayed the release of the 2-stroke version (2A and 2M)
was because of that fact. Second, Turner were the first AUS manufacturer to use the
lightweight plastic catcher. Last, they were a pioneer here in lawnmower safety.

Paul, the difference would be about 1959 and 1962.
I'm just glad that informed collectors are giving Turner long-due recognition!

Is there a Turner in your home?
------------------------------------------
JACK

Thanks guys for all that info, I would never have worked this out without your help. Cyberjack, I'll get some more photos for you but need to clean this up. I wasn't sure whether I'd persevere with this as it's not something I'm familiar with but given its status I'll continue. Will run a compression test etc to see if I can get it going. You're right about the spring tension, it is strong.

thats the fun part of it tiger , working on something we're not familliar with and pleasure of finishing it too . chasing bits and pieces ,, asking silly questions .

all good to learn

Fiddled with it but the spark plug was rusted on and when I tried to remove it, it snapped off leaving part of it still attached to the spark plug hole. Couldn't get it to turn over mind you I didn't put any petrol in, just wanted to see if there was some movement. Petrol tank clean as a whistle. I don't know enough about these mowers but I understand it's collectible, I don't know how much they're worth but I'd like to trade it for a couple of powertorque chassis, is that fair?

a shame your so far away there or for sure yup !!
sounds fair yes got a heap of them here too but alas i wont be there for a couple of months

hi all thought odk members might be interested in my turner






I posted some pics of some old turner stuff.
one day when I get the time i,m going to restore her
when I saw tigers turner I thought I was looking at mine they look identical.
tiger if you would like any of the turner brochures , and others on the Kirby engine I have I can photo copy and send to you just pm me
damo

Another one!

Definately worth restoring Dodgy, especially since its all complete and accurate...

And the Matching ephemera, what a huge bonus!

Thanks Damo, you've got some good info there. Unfortunately my Turner has gone, left it in the front yard and someone has helped themselves to it. I had just given it a wash and it was drying out, didn't realise it was that valuable. You know the one you posted looks just like mine after I washed it, where do you live???
Yours looks very nice and yes you should definitely restore it.

Now that flatout sucks tiger. what an a**hole. if it is that rare i would be going to your local antique shops and showing them a photo tell the story give them your number, keep an eye on gumtr and fleabay and the like. thats a low act. i feel for ya man. hope ya have another type of rare mower to restore mate. I put my good ones in the roof.
Condolences on your loss.
Sean