OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions on Walk Behind Lawn Mower Frames Question On Scott Bonnar Cylinder Mowers Honda Engine to Suit Model 45

Ouch...honda motor $660. Plus would have to change clutch housing. Will have to re think this.

Llew, plenty of cheap horizontal shaft motors out there,$120/150, find somebody with a lathe and they could bore and sleve the clutch hub to suit the shaft you end up with. Just need to check the motor height, shaft center to base so the clutch will line up correctly.
Here is one with a 3/4" shaft
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/6-5-HP-OHV-ENGINE-Horizontal-3-4-straight-shaft-GR8-4-GO-KARTS-Logsplitters-/301286684541?hash=item462615f77d:g:ytIAAOSwRLZT9eE5

Not sure it may be a bit wide but there is plenty of these just put into ebay, horizontal shaft motors

G'day Llew,
You can see why we reckoned that FleaBay engine was a good price! BTW, it is a real Honda I'd say, not a chonda - just not sold via the Honda dealer network, so no factory warranty.

A decent alternative these days is the Briggs 550 OHV 3.5hp, for around $270 [from Powermowers Adelaide, for example - FleaBay user 'hemicrank']. Cast iron bore, ball main bearings, and available with 5/8" PTO shaft.

BB has done at least one of these swaps, IIRC.

Hi all,

The following is not meant to be a slur on what Mod Gadge has posted above, but rather the contrary, if you want the Honda name splashed all over it then what he has suggested is a really good deal and I'd definitely run with it.

Now from what I've learnt in the industry about Chonda's is that they are actually built by Honda as they use the same castings but with the Honda name not included within the rectangle on the block. Many parts on them such as air cleaners and other components internally actually have the Honda name on them. This pretty well tells us what Honda really didn't want us to know and that is that they are building them to challenge the budget market and thus they get both ends of it, the expensive and the cheap.

I've had several Chonda's and they will run day and night if you service them correctly and regularly change their oil. The only reason why some people have had a bad run with them is because in the first instance they didn't want to reach into their pockets and pay a fair price for an engine and those sort of people won't spend a dollar in servicing them either, thus the end result.

I have one here on a 20 inch Model 45 and it runs sweet as and it's around 6 ~ 7 years old now. Runs just like a Honda, mainly because it is one.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/4-stroke-Stationary-5-5hp-Motor-HORIZONTAL-SHAFT-ENGINE-/281140447544?hash=item417546c938:g:Q7YAAOSwNyFWeOWs

or

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/6-5-HP-Gasoline-Petrol-Engine-4-Stroke-Stationary-Engine-OHV-Horizontal-Shaft-/160765765462?hash=item256e62e756:g:DwYAAOSw5HJXKueQ

Buy one of these and a new 3/4 clutch half and you'll be miles in front and the height is no problems, exactly the same as the original Kirby or a Briggs.

Cheers,
BB.

No worries BB,
The 'same factory, different door' biz happens a lot in China, so it's no surprise that Jialing Honda is no exception.

What you say about tightarse buyers and servicing makes a lot of sense, too.

I reckon between us we've spelled out all of the re-engine options, so Llew can make an informed decision.

From what other Chonda owners have said though, these do need a full service, including valve clearances, before use.

Thanks guys for all the info/input.As my machine is solely for my use, I will go with the Briggs option. Jason at Trinity Mowers swears by them and he has always looked after my commercial machines. Thanks again everyone. Pictures soon.

Hi Llew and Mod Gadge,

The Current Briggs Sloper is a good option as it's very much a copy of the original Honda concept. You can pick them up at a sensible price.

Trinity Mowers here in Adelaide are a fairly good opperation compared to some which are deplorable which only have their pockets in mind. I used to deal with a particular shop here in the North East and they can't compete with internet prices and have told me many times that the send so many customers away and tell them to buy off the net as they can't afford to sell at the prices on some high volume selling items. All this tells me is that another shop will be closing down in the near future. Honestly though, some deserve no better.

Cheers,
BB.

Tis the way of the world now, labor has become too expensive, things like mowers have become cheap because of China so there is no way many mower shops can survive regardless of the service they could provide, so it is easy to understand their attitude because they know they are going to go broke whatever they try and do.I sympathize with them because there is no future for them, no more than there is no future for dairy farmers in Vic, problem is they are now in a situation where they couldn't even give there cows and farms away, nobody in their right mind would want to enter that industry

For me it's all about how quick they can repair my machines. My honda commercial came off the trailer and smashed the front wheels. Jason had it all fixed same day!!! He has also beaten all internet pricing.Also he carries quite a good range of SB parts. Far superior to my previous lawnmower shop. Service is the key.

Hi Llew and NormK,

I couldn't agree more with Llew, some of the shop owners have moved with the times and are still providing a service and parts at a sensible price, while others are still trying to survive in the old world and rip everyone off that walks in through the door. Trinity's are doing it the right way and I've had first hand experience with them, sadly they are a bit to far away for me, so the internet is my next best option.

and NormK,
Couldn't agree with you more, don't get me started on the Milk industry as years ago everything was regulated by boards of various kinds and thus everyone could survive and make a living, but once all the boards were torn down and deregulation happened then the greed came in to play and it became a dog eat dog world.
If there''s anyone to blame take a good look at Coles and Woolies, they are the ones controlling the industries and we're playing right into their hands. Eventually the Duopoly will own everything along with the Asian Consortiums that are setting up their own food supplies and leaving us with nothing but a fist full of worthless dollars. Who do we blame ?? I know exactly who and I wouldn't vote for any of them.

Anyway it's best getting off of politics as I'll never stop.

Cheers,
BB