OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Restoring, Customising and Modifying Reel-Type Mowers Model 45 20 Inch Solid Deck - Restoration by Llew

HI guys, I'm a lawnmowing contractor in Adelaide. I've always wanted to restore a Scott Bonnar mower.Recently I acquired this. A 20inch mower with a Kirby motor, which is cactus. Happy to replace it with a new Briggs. I have attached some pictures and ID plates. Engine plate HK30 L1259 Serial no 1273 5266. Plate on the mower body is 45 90225. I have removed the motor and the clutch assembly, thanks to the fantastic tutorial on the web by you guys. Basically, can you tell me the history of the mower, when it was made etc and if in your opinion{s} if it is worth restoring to its former glory. Many thanks Llew

Hi Llew

A warm welcome to these forums.
I see there is a problem with your images displaying.
I'll see if we can correct that shortly.

FIXED
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Jack

Thanks mate.

Hello Llew

I'm sure resident SB Guru, Mod BB, will have something to say here,
and how you should proceed.

I believe this is a 450431 - an early (first model) single deck, I
guess was made between 1968 and 1972. Well worth restoring!

A History Record is available here:-
https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=64933

Hope this helps.
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Jack

Hi Llew,

Well you've managed to get the best of the best of the Model 45.

Firstly it's a 20 inch machine, which are pretty hard to come by and secondly it's as Mod CJ has suggested an early Series 1 unit which makes it the strongest of all the 20 inch model 45's made, also it has the superb 3 piece rear roller, which was later deleted as a cost cutting exercise.

One really strange thing about this machine is that some previous tenant has changed the front roller from a 20 inch unit down to a 17 inch version, not that smart to be truthful. This may be an easy rectification by removing the roller and disassembling the three pieces and replacing the tubular section for the correct length and then re-riveting the end caps back onto the new tube.

Your machine certainly looks like it's lived in a rather damp location for a while with rust being evident in quite a few concealed locations, but don't let that discourage you as this is all superficial.

Your sprockets are still quite serviceable at this point so there's no need to spend big money in that area at the moment.

I guess I have to ask what your intentions are for the future of this machine, restore it as per original or refurbish it to a reliable and useable machine to use in your contracting business. From there I can advise you much better.

Yes the Kirby is due for hoiking and replacing it with either a new 3.5 HP Briggs & Stratton sloper unit or even better a Honda power plant.

If you are going to dispose of the old dilapidated Kirby engine I'd be happy to accept it for placement into the bone yard that I have which helps out many Adelaide ODK members when they get into strife and require spare bits as Kirby motors have no parts availability apart from new carby's from China. As I can see your engine has already been quite ravished of many components, eg. Fuel tank, recoil starter etc.

Anyway let me know how you want to proceed with this mower and I'll only be too happy to help out. Also being that we are both in Adelaide I'd be able to make a home visit if you get into strife as I've done for many others.

Cheers,
BB.

Thanks for the reply. Well that is a turn up!!! I will restore it all the way then. It will not be used in my round, Ill keep it just for me. Re the Kirby....its yours. Let me know when you want it and we can make arrangements. So I suppose I need to know where to start?? I take it the front roller etc are still available. Ive seen quite a few parts on this site. It has no catcher as well. Do you know what the cost[s] are involved with a new catcher sand blasting and re painting are?

Thanks again, Llew

HI guys, I am nearing the end of my resto of the 20 inch single deck 45. I will be ordering a new motor this week, so just wanted to run some thoughts past you all. Machine came with the "Kirby" intact, but munted!! I have used Hondas and Kohlers in my landscape business last 15 years with no problems.

Will a Honda GX120 "bolt straight on". I will give them the old motor and tell them to match.

Happy to pay $$$ for the Honda, as you get what you pay for. Your thoughts appreciated.
Just waiting on reel, bed knife and chroming to be finished, Thanks Llew

Hi Llew,

(As posted on your other thread.)

The GX120 will fit straight on.

If you have any clearance issues which I'm sure you won't with it being a 20 inch machine. If you do require them some special handle adapter plates are available nowadays so that late model engines can be fitted to Series one machines and series two machines that had Kirby's fitted as original equipment.

Cheers,
BB

Gentlemen, Today I finished restoration of my Scott Bonnar 45. I have replaced, cleaned, re-sprayed every part. I have reused any parts possible. Highlight has been re-chroming of handle bars. Expensive...but so worth it. Fired her up today and cuts like a treat. So from 1969-71 to 2016. Most parts just needed a good clean up. Which proves my point that we as Australians could and still can make quality products from the ground up.
Thankyou to all the Gents on the forum for your kind and patient help, from the cotter pin to the engine. Could not have done it without you!
Thanks Llew

Hi Llew,

What a Fantastic transformation, well done.

John

Hi Llew,

WOW !!!! Another fantastic outcome here by an ODK member, you "BLlew" me away.

Yes re-chroming is certainly a huge bonus to the final result.

If I may ask what sort of money were you charged for the Electroplating and which Adelaide shop did you use ?

Cheers,
BB.

Hello Llew and all contributors

I have moved this one to Restorations as the projects is complete.
Thanks to Llew for giving the record great photos and text of the resto.
And whenever a photo is taken, a dog will want to appear in it.

Model 450431 S/n 90225 has a new life.

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Jack

Thanks guys. I really enjoyed this resto. I may do another one for each of my sons. I used Delway Brass in Edwardstown for the chroming. Cost was $385 inc gst. I,m glad I did not cut any corners with this as it is the highlight of the machine.

Hi Llew,

Wow $385 for re-chroming a set of handle bars, I'm now understanding why so many will not go down that path and utilise paint instead.

I actually am an Electroplater and Metal Finisher by trade but haven't been in the trade for well over 20 years now and am now seeing how prices have gone through the roof, thus many plating shops have folded, also with EPA regulations being so tight now it just makes it an nonviable business to run. There's probably a total of 5 plating shops left in Adelaide when there were around 30 in their heyday and that's not taking Holden's Woodville plant, Mitsubishi's Tonsley Plant, Aerospace Engineering at Pooraka and finally WRE / DRCS / DSTO's magnificently clean workshop at the Salisbury facility into account.

I've been asked many times how much it would cost to set up a good chrome line here and my same answer keeps coming up, "Don't even think about it"

But as you said, it certainly highlights the machine doesn't it.

Cheers,
BB.

looks amazing! well done. the chrome is so good but like many also i couldn't justify the dollars for the job

Good afternoon I am new to this group and very new to cylinder mowers I have a question I have seen a groomer made on this site does any one remember how or the company that made the groomer cylinder so thank you

Hi Golf and Bundy,

That was a topic that had one of our Adelaide members make up a groomer for him by a saw sharpening business in Pooraka.

The member was "Simrice"

Cheers,
BB.

Thank you do you know if simrice is still on the forum as I am interested in getting one for my self or finding out who in Brisbane would make them or would it be better if i got one from them. Thank you

Thanks for all the positive feed back guys. I am really happy with the end result. Chroming was dear I agree. With my business I always try to support the "little guy" as I am one too. I tried to use as much Aussie content as possible, only failed on the motor. As BB said , not many plating shops left in Adelaide. So I suppose we try and support them or we could lose them.

Hi Golf and bundy,You could try Australian turf machinery(ATM)at Tingalpa.They are one company I deal with thru my work.They have an engineering shop.They can be a bit expensive,but you never know if you dont ask