OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Collectors Corner Cylinder Scott Bonnar 33 Reel Mower

Came home with this beauty on Saturday












It's in great condition and had one careful owner who kept it well maintained










It doesn't have any handgrips on it and I am after the original style if anyone has a pair, the engine runs like a watch.


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Hello Paul

It's awesome when these totally original machines are found.
This is a 'garage find' of the lawnmower world.
Members might note the early mower number of 00223.

The Midget document I have lists the 381X.
Note the spec says it was fitted with a recoil.
[I do not see how that's right]



I am also curious to know whether the chaincase will reveal
an all-chain transmission, or have a belt to the reel?

Thanks for saving this 33
-------------------------------
Jack

p.s. thanks also for the high res images and video.

Hey Paul,

How many strays you gonna keep bringing home? Lols

Im not a fan of reels, but I dont mind this one.

I dont pay much attention to them normally, but the Mk3 caught my eye. Im sure there are plenty but Ive never really noticed a reel mower with one before.

I can tell you its the original engine which is a bonus.

The engine was sold to SB as a complete powerplant, right down to the throttle control and drive sprocket. A curious detail is it states a recoil starter as part of the unit, does it appear to ever have had one fitted?

Shes a REEL tidy original mate, well done on another great score....

Snap!....

Hi HT6 & CyberJack,
I never intended collecting reel mowers but a friend offered me his old Cordless Scott Bonnar and I had my eye on this 33 because of the engine fitted. I like the originality of this one and will be using also. No sign of a recoil, doubt the cowl would have been swapped but you never know. Maybe it was never supplied or the order was changed at the last minute. Would like to see one fitted up though.

All the best

Popped off the side case this morning and it's all chain driven



Needs some greasing and adjustment, the sprockets look good. I am hoping the bearings may have been changed for some sealed units, if not I will swap them out.

Hello Paul

It's so odd.
It would appear that the first 33s had all chain transmission, but by
the time the 33 was offered with the Kirby 4-stroke, the reel chain
was replaced with a belt. When the Model 33 Lawn Kings were introduced
the machines went back to an all chain transmission.

Thanks for the photo.
----------------------------
Jack

Maybe Scott Bonnar tried the belts found that they were problematic in an area where grease
and oil is flying around and decided to go back to chain ?
Sounds good to me.

Hi all,

The Model 33 had a number of running changes along its production life, but yes the belt was rather problematic.

Cheers
BB

Big Scott Bonnar day at my place, first I used my Model 40 Cordless to mow the back yard then I unleashed the Model 33 on the front grass. I mowed the footpath first to get the hang of things. A few pics first





Clutch assembly, oil port for the bearing is under the spring clip



Carb with choke lever and primer



Throttle cable retainer clip, just sits under the fuel tank strap. Amazing it's still there after 50 years



The heart of the mower, Villiers power



Original Villiers paint is underneath the Scott Bonnar green



Low number on the id plate



Some video to enjoy, a big thanks to my son Aedan. He has Autism and hates loud noise, the camera goes on a few different angles because he is trying to cover his ears and film at the same time

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Hi Paul,

Well she cuts like a Parliamentary paper shredder, quick and superb.

Well done.

Cheers,
BB

Thanks BB, I learnt a few things today on how to use a reel mower. I need to adjust the grass deflector up a bit to throw the grass further into the catcher apart from that I am very happy with my machine.

Just looking at some other models and should mine have a thrust washer/bearing where the fork engages the clutch ??



If so, what parts do I require and are replacements available. I don't want to do any damage to the clutch. Thanks

Hi paul_c,

Absolutely correct. In actual fact it would've originally had a brass thrust pad. Strange as to why that would've been removed ????
You can use a current plastic unit that's to suit a model 45, but the engine will have to be removed and it's certainly showing a lack of lubrication at the clutch cone / transfer shaft area.

Cheers,
BB

Thanks for the reply BB, I oiled the fork and lever plus the bearing before use. Would grease be a better lubricant in these areas ? I have found a bush not a problem to fit. What holds the clutch onto the engine output shaft in the absence of a cotter pin, is it just a key way and the clutch is sandwiched in there ?

Removed the engine today



While it's off I will give it a check over



Greased up the clutch lever




Should have my parts before the weekend, I notice that there is a hole in the clutch drum closest to the engine where it slides onto the crankshaft. It looks like an oiling point ?

Hi Paul_c,

You beat me to it, yes take the engine off and leave the clutch assembly attached as it will all simply slide straight off the transfer shaft. I would clean the wearing areas of the shaft with a long strip of emery so as to polish the shaft and reduce any excessive wear of the associated parts, eg. the internals of the new thrust pad you will be installing as all these parts are no longer cheap and preservation is the name of the game.

Cheers,
BB

Will do BB, I took the chain case off to adjust the grass deflector height and there were grass clippings in there. I have no idea how they would have made there way inside the casing as I figure it a fairly tight fit.

maybe the way it was throwing the cuttings ? looked like a nice pile on one side , might be falling out , running over and forcing into the case ? but all i had have done same thing and seemed a really close or tight fit but the little gems still get in there

I would say your right, that's my thoughts as well. I have adjusted the grass shield up a bit and will see how that goes. I have also cleaned up the shaft ready for the replacement thrust bushing.