OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Welcome to Outdoorking Forum HELP Area Introductions This place is like Information Heaven!

Hi all,

I'm Chris, just a typical electrician from W.A. Originally from N.T, I've always had a love for my gardens, and even more so my lawn. I used to have an SB reel mower, but due to my lawn type I decided to change it out for a push along Honda. Mowing 400sqm of lawn twice a week was doing my head in....I love my lawn as much as the next person, but there is a line that has to be drawn.

Anyhow, I've just picked up an Ings Commercial edger with an old kirby sitting on it and a Rover 85 model for a carton of beer. Absolute bargain in my books. The Edger needs some serious work to the Kirby as it looks to have been poorly maintained, but the frame itself is in fantastic condition. The Rover 85 reel mower I've not long learnt is a rare piece of kit that is difficult to come by in regards to parts. Lucky for me it's in great condition, however the B&S motor has seen better days and I'll likely look at a complete replacement. The aim with the mower is to strip it down, sandblast and powder coat it and restore it as good as I can pending funds. My only dilemma is the fact that it's impossible to find a parts list for it, let alone any manuals that used to come with it due to being so old. I noticed there is a manual section on this forum where for $15 I can get my hands on a parts manual, but as I'm unable to see whats in the manual, I'm not certain whether this is what I'm actually looking for or not. Maybe someone with access can confirm or deny such. Worst case scenario, I'll find a local mower shop that may have some history.

This forum is a wealth of information and knowledge from some well informed folk, and I look forward to the banter and chatter that come along with the learning process.

Cheers all

Nice finds, that snorkel air filter looks to me to be a later modification but since I have no experience with that machine I could be totally wrong.

Hi Trev and Chris86,

Welcome to the ODK Forums Chris. Yes this place is wealth of information, if there's something you can't find all you need to do is ask.

As far as the air cleaner snorkel is concerned these were original fitment on many Rover "Thoroughbreds".

Cheers,
BB.

Hello Chris86

A warm welcome from me too.
Yes, this site is decades' old and has amassed an incredible
amount of information.

It's great that you are preserving a piece of WA history in the Ings edger.
To my knowledge, Ings Engineering is still going today!


I think the consensus today is that powder coating has been a disaster on
power garden products - good for outdoor furniture though. When Rover
bought an expensive powder coat plant in about 1980, they thought that
process had advantages. History has proven that very wrong.

We can help you there.

Parts List here: https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/u...r_Mower_Parts_List_&_M.html#Post5401

In Brochure here: https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=67345


The parts list would be as follows:-



Chris, I hold the Model 85 in high regard - mainly because of the Rover quality.
It was a hybrid design; in that it combined features from the English
Ransomes and the Australian Scott Bonnar Model 45.

Hope this helps.
--------------------
Jack

Thank you all for the warm welcome.

Jack, that is fantastic. Thank you ever so much mate.
If powdercoating isnt a viable option, then what is the preferred methods to painting?
If i keep the original motor, would the same type of paint be used, or would it be best to use a temperature type paint.

Once again, thank you so much for the info. It appears Perth is the place to be for the parts on this mower. I still cant believe i picked these up for a carton of beer.

Looking forward to a long membership with great folk

G'day Chris

I'm not a restorer or collector.
I'd be likely to recommend a 3" horsehair brush!

A good place to start would be the Paint & Decals forum:-
https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/ubbthreads.php/forums/136/1/Paint_and_Decals.html

Hope this helps.
------------------------
Jack

Cheers once again Jack

Hi Chris and Mod CJ,

My only objection to the Rover Thoroughbred is that the rear roller has a sharp edge to it which is an issue with it turning up the lawn nap when turning sharper corners as one has to do in the normal garden, thus the rear roller on the SB Model 45 is far forgiving with a radius-ed edge IMHO.

I have wrecked out about 3 of these and the only thing I've hung on to is the 3 Hp power plant which uses a 3/4 inch size PTO shaft opposed to the much more common 5/8 unit. Also finding a catcher is also rather trying I must ad with them being plastic units.

Cheers,
BB.

G'day BB
Maybe...
Rounded edge rollers seems to have been an advertising advantage more than anything.
Flat-edge rollers were how rollers originally appeared and were used from the start -
for over 100 years.

Some companies used 'round edged' rollers to their advantage post war.
On flat lawns it really doesn't make any difference.
The issue may have some credit on soft soils or inclined surfaces.

Rounded-edge rollers are a better design, though, in my view.
Noticeable ridges in laws are more likely a function of mis-allignment.

-------------------------
Jack

When it comes to restorations, it should be noted that these minor details are just design flaws, or at the time, design break-through's. Whilst it might be seen as a double negative today, it's not the primary reason, nor should it in not restoring something for historical value.

I understand finding parts is difficult and so fourth (I have a catcher), and I may still grab a 45 when one becomes available at the right price, but given the small cost to restore something like this, I'm doing it for the learning experience and sheer pride in the finished product. I can understand how strongly some feel in relation to these flaws as they work in the industry, or plan on using their machines heavily. However, I'm not that person and am happy to do this for the sake of doing it

G'day Chris86

Well, that is a thoughtful, mature, and considered response there.
I totally agree as to historical 'value'.

I do not believe, though, that the straight edge roller or plastic
catcher are design flaws. In fact, Rover, using a plastic catcher on
a roller mower, was quite revolutionary. Today, even on professional
machines, it is ubiquitous and appropriate. And they don't dent!

I wish more folk thought that way... Having said that ...

I would like to say something about design flaws in lawnmowers:-
Some of the most 'valuable' lawnmowers today are valuable because of their
'design flaws'. It's a lovable point one discusses over swanky, formal
lawnmower parties: the Victa 'Predicta' - for example - who would have
predicted such a folly!

I like your Edmund Hillary (and Sherpa Tensing) line:
"I'm not that person and am happy to do this for the sake of doing it"
Because it is there!

I'm glad another Rover Thoroughbred is being saved.

----------------------
Jack

Cheers Jack,

I appreciate the kinds words and once again your knowledgeable information

Hey guys,

I'm not having a crack here, so if that's what you guys think you're totally off track. I'm merely pointing out some issues that make the Thoroughbred a not so popular machine. Most gardens around Australia are not totally flat and rectangular like a bowling green, many have inclines and curved edges to go around and with that the sharp edged rollers turn up the nap of the grass which is quite visible after looking back at it. For straight line work they are just fine.

The Model 45 also has some design flaws in it and I'm the first to grissle and complain at times of it's limitations, but what makes it such a good mower is that they are easy to work on and parts are readily available to the average Cylinder mower user at the drop of a hat. BTW my issue with the plastic catcher is not about the actual catcher but with the issue that most plastic catchers have and that is becoming brittle and cracking, now if you could get a replacement easily then that's great but no replacements are available whatsoever and this has made most Thoroughbreds redundant. Yes Scotty's have the age old issue of rusting out due to negligence by their owners, but if maintained correctly they will last forever while time is the enemy of plastic no matter how well you look after it, just ask most SB Diplomat owners about their plastic gear drives.

I always ask the question, why would anyone restore an EJ or HD Holden when they don't have good resale value opposed to the more stylish EH and HR models that are reasonably similar ? the age old answer is, beauty is in the eye of the beholder I guess and I can see that point rather well.

Cheers,
BB.

No stress BB, there is certainly no hard feelings mate.
I appreciate your advice and comments all the same and along my restoration process, I'm sure you'll be able to provide much appreciated feedback and guidance along the way.

G'day Chris and Mod BB,

well-said, again.

I feel one of the strengths of ODK is the friendly acknowledgement of
different perspectives on a topic.

For example, I see different things from a seller, buyer, restorer or
collector. The 'Big Picture' is important for a comprehensive view.

Mod BB and myself agree on the Big Issues, and it is important all views
are expressed. This is the strength of these great forums.

I like that you have ended up with machines from both sides of OZ.

Cheers and all the best with your project.
I think this intro is now complete.

Cheers
------------------------
Jack

p.s. I love the style of the dash of an EH Holden.