OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions on Walk Behind Lawn Mower Frames Question On Scott Bonnar Cylinder Mowers 17" Scott Bonnar 45 - is it worth saving?

Hi,

I recently picked up this Scott Bonnar 17" 45. It was cheap and I figured with a little work i could get it running and recommissioned (not restored). I have noted a crack in the front rail as I see is a common problem.


The questions I have for the experts are:
- can you ID the mower off the numbers in the pic?
- is it worth repairing? Or should I sell it for parts and try find another? I see there is a gusset method but also note than motor alignment is critical and don't want to spend more time (and $) than Is reasonable.






Appreciate any advice!

Thanks

Hi Wasp,

What you have there is a pretty honest and original machine.

Sadly it is suffering from what just about all Model 45 series 2 Twin Railers suffer from and that is metal fatigue in the front chassis rail. This is caused by under designed strength in the rail and also a lack of maintenance of the clutch assembly. As it's still the original clutch fitted I would say that if you pull the starter rope slowly you will notice that the clutch does not rotate true and thus this sets up the vibration that's caused that rail to fatigue.

I think, and this is from my vast experience that 8 out of 10, 17 inch machines have this same problem and require rectification of either the front rail or both rails. The 20 inch machines all suffer from it and far worse.

As far as your machine is concerned I would repair it and then end up with a better than new mower. Regardless of which mower you decided to purchase second hand you're not going to get out of it cheaply as they all require some form of repairs as that's why people part with them and also they are 30 plus years old. Find me a machine of this age that doesn't require money spent on it and work to be done.

This is a pretty late Scott Bonnar with the engine being built on the 15th Sep 1980, thus the mower itself would've been built just before the Christmas break up in 1980 or at the resumption of work in 1981 at the Thebarton Factory here in South Australia.

It'd be sad to see it wrecked

Cheers,
BB

Thanks BB,

Appreciate the advice. I think that's justification enough to get it repaired. The guy who I bought it off offered to do the repair so I'll disassemble and get it done.

Will post updates as I progress.

Cheers!

Fix it , mate !!!!!!! Hard to believe that 1980 is 36 years ago but do it!!!

the fix is easy. do it

Hey wasp,
Did you end up getting the front rail fixed? Mine has a slight line/ crack starting to appear was just wondering how much it would set me back to get it fixed?