OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Restoring, Customising and Modifying Reel-Type Mowers Double SB45 restoration

have had a muck around again with the design of the blade and went with a simpler 8 tip arrangement. instead of fins for air flow i was thinking of getting a "rake" type plate that is basically a full width plate with fingers cut out that would go between the blades and span from the front roller to the shaft of the cutter. this would be to direct any debris into the catcher.

going a more basic assembly method as well with these blades by simply sliding each blade onto the shaft, spacing and welding each one. so removal of blades would mean grinding them all off. painful but just would like to get something working as summer thatching is almost happening here(i know its still winter!)

here is some pics(virtual anyway)

Pretty nice design work there Mikeo. I had enough trouble doing my 2D blades in illustrator!

So I would assume that you are going to cut off the final reel disc on one end, load and weld each blade onto the shaft, space them correctly and true and then weld the reel disc back on the end?

not sure about the reel discs remaining. that was just a carry over from previous design ideas. don't think there is any need for them if blades are welded on?

so an update after quite some time.

The 20" mower got sold!! Took a while to find the right buyer but really happy with the sale and the new owner is wrapped. It got shipped all the way to Adelaide from Brisbane so a bespoke box was required for the precious cargo.



The sale also means I'm allowed to spend some of the money on doing up my 17" machine. Its been running really well in its current condition so can't complain too much but a full tear down, clean, repair, re-paint, new bits and put together all shiny is underway. The scheme will be mostly the same as the 20" machine but as this is a working mower(read 2-3 times per week) I may not finesse it as much as I did on the 20. Still considering the new engine option. I was at the driving range and the had an commercial Honda type motor on one of their greens mowers and it was awfully quiet. Will see how I go.

I have finished the restoration of the 17" machine now. Managed to revive the chrome bars although not as good as original. Will replace the engine with a new B&S 3.5HP. Have only done a quick respray of the reel on this machine and also left the front roller unpainted. Put the machine straight back into use this afternoon, you can really feel the vibrations on a crack repaired machine compared to pre-repaired condition. Really looking forward to that shiny new motor.

and here it is with the new 3.5hp b&s motor. runs so well with the new motor. dream machine. different light angles and dirty after use

Hi mikeo,

and the beauty of the new Briggs & Stratton sloper motors is that they will slot straight on with the early handle bar fitted which doesn't have the kink in it like the later units that had the large tank on the 3 HP B&S engines.

I must admit that I found it rather strange that you sold your 20 inch machine to someone in Adelaide especially when there's a guy here that does full rebuilds on these model 45's and has them on ePrey all the time.


Cheers,
BB

hi bb,

for a moment there I thought the sb45 audience had all but disappeared. I'm happy in knowing the 20 went to a very good home. when it was for sale I had multiple bad offers from people that weren't really after a a machine in the absolute pristine condition mine was in. of course just as I sold it I had 2 offers to buy at full price to locals(Brisbane) but I wasn't going to back out on the Adelaide buyer.

I have been enjoying the new motor very much. I made an attempt to hook up the original sb throttle controller to the motor but couldn't get enough "leverage" from it to adjust throttle position. I will have to take another look at it before giving up on the idea, maybe cable and housing need lube?

I have been applying growth inhibitor to the lawns which has been very effective in slowing leaf growth. the wife loves it as I am only able to mow every 5 days now, but that kind of makes me sad

I still have the spare reel so the vericutter plans are still in motion but obviously not as a second machine.

Primo Maxx growth regulator?

thats the stuff. i'm using it on the wintergreen couch at 17ml/100m

Just thought I'd post a pic of a mod/addition to my 17" machine. To aid in mowing without catcher and sending cuttings all over the gardens and pathways, I cut up a piece of plastic and fixed to the front roller bar with zip ties. Then I can just fold/curve under deflector plate, or if using catcher it folds under the catcher. I find it lets the clippings circulate through the reel a few times giving it a better chance at making its way into the foliage for mulching. Works well at cutting up to 4mm.

not sure this goes into restoring anymore(maybe a new thread start) but I'm doing some models up of model 45 for a few uses i guess, documentation for reproduction, scale model production.

does anyone have any manufacturing drawings that might make the process a bit quicker?

just a teaser for now

coming together piece by piece. lots of tricky "organic" shapes to measure.