OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Restoring, Customising and Modifying Reel-Type Mowers SB45 20" Solid Deck

Hi All,

A little while ago I was lucky enough to score this sweet ride from an elderly neighbour.
He gave it to me for FREE just as long as I promised to look after it.
I'll be completely restoring it.

Hello dansblackcat

It is a rare treat to see a first model 45 20" in such original condition.
The previous owner must have looked after this one - and no big dents in the
catcher ... Remarkable!

As you probably found, there was only recently another 20" 45 project:-
https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=74825

I personally would like to see a photo of the mower number plate to
add to our records and the provenance of your machine.

SB expert Mod Bonnar Bloke should like to see this one.

All the best with the resto.
--------------------------------
Jack

Hi Jack,

It's in excellent condition. He really looked after it. I lived next door to him for 30 something years. His lawns and gardens were always immaculate.

I will definitely post photos of the plates for you.
I also have all the original paperwork (user manual) that came with the mower when new.

kind regards

Dan

Hi Dan,
That would have to count as a major barn find. Will look great especially if you decide to keep it as genuine as possible. A sweet ride indeed especially with that eight blade reel.

Hi All,

That one's nearly as identical as mine, if I didn't check out in the the shed I would swear someone snitched mine, but I've just checked and it's still there. The 20 inch catchers are rapidly becoming a rarer bird to find in good nick I must say.

If you could please, can you take lots of photos and keep on posting them as you go along the process of the restoration of the mower.

I'm just hoping that you will do a faithful factory restoration that we can document here on the forum for all future owners to see.

Cheers,
BB.

Just a quick one. Here's the number plate.

Holy duckeggs, not a good way to start a resto with a drill bit damaging the plate like that

Yeah pain in the butt. Drill bit snapped off.

Easily fixed when I repaint it. It'll look brand new.

Hello dansblackcat

These are great photos for the SB45 20", and a project to follow.
Thanks for the ID plate photo '16704'.

The 20" machine was really a step up from the residential 14" & 17".
For one thing, it was designed for semi-professional use, and
certainly for commercial use.

Scott Bonnar could easily have used a two-piece roller, but decided
on the more expensive three-piece - with two sets of pawls.

Second, the design philosophy behind the 8 blade real was quite
distinct from the 14" and 17" machines, whose shallow angle spirals
could be built much more easily (for anyone who has made a reel).

Would it be possible to tell us what paint colours you chose for
the frame and the roller? Both appear as being 'right' colours.

Thanks for sharing your project on ODK.

All the best.
----------------------
Jack

I used the same paint codes as forum user 'Mr Jones'.

A few more-

Top Job!

Looks awesome!

Hi Mod CJ,

I must correct you on the paint colour as it is incorrect for a Series One Scotty. The colour that "Mr Jones" had formulated is to suit a `late 1976 onwards until Kermit Green took over with Rover's acquisition of the company.

Also SB did resort to a two piece roller on the 20 inch model as it progressed, basically to cut costs I'd say.

and to "dansblackcat" be very careful with those bearing carriers as they are unique to you model machine and are irreplaceable as they differ from the units used in the 17 and 14 inch models at the time until they went to the two piece roller, then they carried over from the other sized machines.

Cheers,
BB.

your machine looks like new very good attention to detail
to be proud of