OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Restoring, Customising and Modifying Reel-Type Mowers Attempting my first SB Model 45 restoration

Hi guys, I'm new to this forum. I'm another member from Adelaide. I must say well done to everyone on here especially the regular posters. The information and advice I've been able o get in just a couple of days of lurking is incredible!

So on Monday I purchased this Scott Bonnar Model 45. I've been wanting one of these for years and made the impulse decision after having a browse on Gumtree at lunchtime. I managed to get a little history on the machine. Apparently it was purchased new by the Claire (SA) bowling club and used daily until they switched to synthetic greens a few years back. The guy I bought it from is the son of the President of the Clare Bowling club and had a VIP mowing round and used it for 2 tennis courts up until 12 months ago. He also said that it had a "heavy roller" at the back, is this just the standard roller or was this something different?

It runs perfectly and still cuts quite well but could do with a decent sharpen of the blades, but I want to restore it properly. I'm a little confused though. The guy I bought it from said It's from the 60's but it has a Briggs & Stratton motor, which I thought didn't come out until the early 70's on the 45. Also the decals seem to be from a later model also. I understand the both can be changed.








Can anyone help me with this number? Model No 45 07392. Does anyone know if this would help to work out the year?


I think it's a 2hp but can't tell really from the sticker


Does anyone know what sticker this might be?

Hello Cirillo,

Welcome aboard the ODK Forum.
Most of our members come to us the same way you have by lurking in the background for days and then wanting to be part of the action.

They are all a great bunch on here and you'll find loads of info.

Well you've delved into the world of the Scott Bonnar Model 45 which is my specialty but I will say that the machine you've purchased has been well tinkered with by a previous tenant. Sadly I can't date the machine by that ID plate as there is no correlation to the build date. The only thing that gives us a date is a complete untouched Briggs & Stratton motor which yous seems to be the original block and head but the air cowl has been changed and thus the original set of numbers has been lost forever.

I can say that yours is a series one machine with the solid engine table (solid deck) that could've been made any where between 1968 and mid 1973 as this is when the twin rail engine mount chassis was put into production.

My next question to you is what do you want to do with this mower, restore it back to original or just use it as a reliable daily driver as mine is.?

Cheers,
BB

Cheers for the welcome!

I'm going to be laying some Windsor Green or Santa Anna Couch lawn (I haven't decided which one yet) so I want it to be the mower I use to mow that lawn. I really like some of the restoration jobs I've seen on here but also being practical I need it to perform a job too. As the engine runs quite well at this stage I was thinking of cleaning it up a little, getting a decent sharpen of the cutting blades and the bottom blade, re-alignment and tighten and using it for a little while. Then I might look at a new motor and complete re-spray. I have all the facilities to do it myself (new motor and re-spray) so I thought I'd take advantage of that

So an update.

Today I took the mower to Australian Saws and Blades in Pooraka (for the Adelaide members) and the guy there looks after quite a few Scott Bonnar mowers for cricket clubs and Bowling clubs. After some discussion I think I'm going to pull it down, put a new (more powerful) motor and give the whole thing a spray paint.

Does anyone know where I can source a new catcher from? The guy said coming across a decent catcher for the 14" is pretty rare

Hi Cirillo,

Firstly we have a bit of an issue to deal with regarding your avatar that you've just instigated. I must ask you if you can change it as another member here in Adelaide already has that one in use. I know you probably like it as that's why you've chosen it but it's a case of first in first serve. I'm sure you'll understand.

Now on to your post, there are a few places where catchers can be sourced from but they are all non genuine and they are all around the $180 mark regardless of what size they are. There are no genuine ones available anymore. Also it depends on how closer match to the original you want eg. edge rolling, profile and general closeness to the genuine item.

Steve is the chap you are referring to down on Research Road. He's superb and does all my work for me and I always recommend him to any new customers here in Adelaide.

Now as far as Santa Ana and Windsor Green are concerned they are pretty much a much of a muchness. Windsor Green is just a marketing variant of Santa Ana and I really can't see anything in it. One of my neighbours has it and he claims my SA couch is far greener than his WG variant.

I'm not sure who you intend to purchase your lawn from but I've found Garden Grove to be the cheapest at around $8.80 per square metre in a roll of around 2.1 long when unrolled. Their grass is Santa Ana and it's from one of the Langhorne Creek lawn farms. I've cut mine into sods and planted it but it's too late this season to be doing that now. The only option is to buy it in full roll out form which makes it far more expensive.

If you want to speak to me direct I'm OK with that, but PM me with your number and I'll give you a call and we can discuss much further in depth.

Cheers,
BB

Thanks for the help!

Sorry about the Avatar, I tried to change it but it wouldn't change so I've just removed it completely. I'll try and fix the issue tomorrow.

I'll be sure to keep you in mind if/when I need some assistance. I really appreciate your offer!

My only reason for thinking windsor green over SA is because it's a little slower growing. But i'm not too opposed to either. As long as I have a fine leaf couch I'm going to be a happy man

Hi guys, I've just gotten my machine back from getting the blades sharpened. I've taken a photo of the engine numbers on the side of the B&S. Hopefully this might help someone give me a better indication of age.



I've done the photo in \negative colours as it's almost impossible to see with a normal photo. Here are the numbers anyway:
Model: 60102
Type: 0302 01
Code: 6906091

Any help is greatly appreciated!

I was looking at this thread: 1968 Scott Bonnar range and it seems to show the 14" model had a grey B & S motor (similar to mine) and the 17" and the 20" had the Kirby motor...

Hi Cirillo,

Well you seemed to have answered your own question, yes your engine is a June the 9th 1969 built unit.

That engine was originally painted silver and was a 2HP unit. I've now realised that your engine cowling is probably the original one belonging to that engine but a previous tenant has decided to paint it redish / orange, why ? that's anyones guess.

These 14 inch machines also sometimes came with a 2.25HP engine in the same silver colour scheme.

Cheers,
BB.