OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Restoring, Customising and Modifying Reel-Type Mowers Scott Bonnar 45 - 14" 3rd Generation

Hi everyone

This is my first post and a new thread on our family Scott Bonnar. My grandfather purchased it in 68-69 and then passed on it to my father. Ive been thinking about this mower for quite sometime. I came across ODK a few months ago and after reading everyones resto stories my desire to do ours could not wait any longer.

Back when I was a child we would only get out the SB to cut the cricket pitch or cut out a putting green. The rest of the time it just sat unused in the shed.

On Sunday I picked up the mower. I am now the 3rd generation holder of this mower.

My plans are to get it sharpened and running again. Then I want to scalp my lawn and sand it to get it level. While the lawn is regrowing I will get the body and reel painted.

I'm open to your suggestions on whether to repaint the motor or keeping the patina.





I will post more photos after I resize them.

Don

Here are some more photos

Hi Donny,

That's one of the first model 45's to be made as the engine is an early 1968 issue. Can't quite read the code that you've put up as it goes out of focus.

It's in fabulous condition and really hasn't done that much work. Give it a good clean and relube and you'll find after a reel and bed knife grind it will be as good as a new one. It's in much the same condition as my original 45 that I started with and I used it like that for over 30 years until someone stuffed the barrel of the block when re-ringing it which was it's only downfall as it was puffing smoke like "Puffing Billy".

Cheers,
BB.

First job was to remove the reel and bedknife and get it off for sharpening.

Here are some close up photos





Not long after dropping them off I got a call to say the bedknife would have to be replaced. Its hard to see from the photos above but the left and right tips were bent up. I can only assume this was the reason my father could not adjust it to get a nice cut.

Next step was to see if I could get the engine started. Any old fuel had already evaporated so I filled the tank with fresh petrol. I then took out the spark plug put about a teaspoon amount of fuel in the cylinder. With the choke out and full throttle I gave the starter a pull. The engine sluptered a little and stopped. I then pushed the choke in and gave it another try and it fired up.

It was pumpung out a little bit of smoke but not to bad.

I will post a video soon when I work out how to do it.


Cheers

Donny

Hi DonnyW,

I thought that this might be the case as the outer corners looked a tad suspicious.

Regardless a new bed knife will see it right for many more years to come.

One thing your bed knife photos clearly show and that is that Scott Bonnar painted their sole plates in the same colour as the overall chassis.

This has been a topic of debate many times over here in the forum but yours being an original paint job is proof of settling this argument for once and for all.

I hope that you are having new bearings installed onto the reel as if you are using the old ones there will be an amount of wear on them and you'll never be able to adjust the reel accurately and it won't be machined accurately either.

The only bearings you can obtain for these reels are sealed "RLS5" bearings which are far better than the original open sided units that allow grit to get into them and shorten their lives rather rapidly.

Cheers,
BB.

Hi BB

I will take your advice and purchase some new bearings for the reel before reinstalling.

Here are some pictures of the sharpened reel and bedknife.





When I was adjusting the height of the reel to be well above the bedknife I was having trouble with the left screw and lock nut which ended up snapping.



I have now ordered a new pair off ODK which I hope will arrive next week.

Here are some pictures of how the clean up is coming along





Out with the old air filter in with the new (still to oiled before final install)



My father was rummaging through his shed this weekend and found this gem.





Its been eaten by silver fish a little but considering its age its in great shape

Cheers

Don

Question

What would be the best way to remove corrosion from throttle controller?

Some scrunched up alfoil and some water works pretty well for the throttle controller, clutch lever and chrome on the handlebars. You can use some vinegar or Coke if the corrosion is really bad, just wash it it off afterwards. It is hard work, but will give a decent finish providing the chrome isn't too far pitted.

Hi Guys,

Honestly I've always used fine steel wool. It will remove all the unsightly stuff and take off the high spots that you can feel, but regardless of that it's the plating that is breaking down and allowing moisture to get to the base metal which is what is corroding.

Well that 17 inch model 45 is looking brilliant Simon, but then we've become used to your level of workmanship, it's simply first class and better than any factory finish that we've seen.

Cheers,
BB.

Hey Donny !!

Those new bearings "must be fitted prior" to the reel grind being done. There's no point in using flogged out bearings for the grinding work to be done with and then you change the bearings, that will give you a different base line level to work from and you'll struggle to have a straight freshly ground surface on the reel and then alignment will be impossible to obtain.

If your engineer is going to do the job with the old bearings still in place then I'd find a better engineer as that one has no idea as to what he's doing and is probably using very substandard machinery as well.

If you're going to spend the money and do the job correctly, you might as well do it once and right rather than do it wrong and twice.

Cheers,
BB.

G'day Don, BB and Simrice

From a historical perspective, it is a real treat to see an original,unmolested
Model 45 14". You have given us a great story, and great photos of the Maker's serial
number and the original instruction sheet. Amazing!

Would it be possible to confirm the engine model type and code.
I guess the spec was 60102 0144-01 XXXXXXX.

This is certainly a collectible machine and well worth preserving.
Looking at Simrice's magnificent machine reminds us of the unique position
the Model 45 holds in our lawnmower history - it is both vintage and
contemporary. It holds its own with any residential reel mower made today.

This topic goes to the provenance of your machine, now in the custody
of the third generation. It has been very well maintained too - just look at
the condition of the sprockets.

You are in good hands with Mod BB's and Simrice's advice.

Good luck with your restoration.
-------------------------------------
Jack

This is the best I can do with a photo of the model type and serial number.

Am I correct in saying the engine was built 5th August 1968?

hi donny
your machine is real barn find it looks like all origainl to me.
bon bloke right better to fit new bearings first before reel grind but in your case when I looking at your machine under chain case your chains sprockets chain tighting block all look like new. your machine still like new hardly no work so I thinking your reel bearings still like new like your chains.
I think just fit new bearings to reel and all will be ok as I sure your old bearing stll tight no play but you know to fit new bearings first next time reel ground
after you clean crome use oily rag to wipe over handles and throddle control just to leave very light oil film to protect crome stop rust do this every couple months
keep up the good work

Hi Cirillo, DonnyW and Freebird,

You are spot on with that date Cirillo.

Regardless of the current condition of the bearings I'd still put new sealed units on the reel shafts. The original bearings are open sided and allow dirt and grit in and thus the degredation has already begun.

Cheers,
BB.

Hi all

I really appreciate your tips and feedback especially as I'm a newbie to this site.

Simrice, you are a champion for your tip on using alfoil and water. Check out the results





Thats the best I could get on the throttle controller. It really needs to be rechromed as it has all been eaten away by the corrosion.

The rest of the clean up is coming along nicely. Cant wait to receive all the new parts including the new enclosed bearings for the reel and trying it out on my lawn.

Freebird, thanks for the heads up on lightly oiling the chrome work. I have applied a nice film to protect it for now.

I had a good play with the old bearings. There was no play in them at all but they did not spin as freely as I think they should which would be consistent with your feedback BB. I suspect they have accumulated a bit of grime.

Next time I will replace bearings before getting a reel sharpen. The things you learn in this new journey.

Whats everyones thoughts on the reel to reduce further rusting. Would you suggest oiling it or using some sort of rust coverter solution being careful to keep this away from the cutting edge.

Any secrets out there for removing the rust and rejuvenating the engine? For now I want to keep it all original but want to make it as clean and tidy as possible.

Keep the feedback coming.

Cheers

Donny

Hi DonnyW,

As far as the reel is concerned I'd just leave it as it is, especially if you intend to use it on a regular basis. Any clean up of the reel really needs to be done prior to spin grinding it. I always do it the hard way and sit they for hours using emery paper and rubbing it all back to bare steel and then paint it, after that send it off for it's grinding works to be done. Anyway as your mower isn't going to be a museum piece on display and being used for what it was meant to do I'd just use it and remember to clean it the reel off with a jet blasting of water from your hose while the reel is engaged in the spinning mode thus it will self clean all associated parts. Ensure that the mower is left out in the sun to completely dry out before putting it in the garage for storage. Don't put it away wet under any circumstances.


BTW it's looking really good for what we call a "survivor", just my original unit that I bought around 35 years ago as a secondhand mower which got me my passion for Scotty's.

Now the next thing is to set up the reel and bedknife contact arrangement. Do you know how to do this ?

Cheers,
BB.

Hi all

Super excited about going home tonight to a package of new parts.

In answer to your question BB I have watched Deejay's video and received advice from engineer who sharpened the reel and bedknife. I'll give it a go and see what happens.

I'll report back on progress soon.

Cheers

Donnyw

Hi Donny,

Well you're about to enter the danger zone from where we at the ODK sit. That video you've watched refers to the "NON CONTACT" method which on a Scotty is incorrect. If you read the original owners manual you'll see that it refers to a "CONTACT" method where the reel and bed knife come in very slight contact with each other and act exactly like a pair of scissors.

https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/u...r/2675/filename/manual_operator_sb45.pdf

This is the correct method and the old idea of non contact is for different types of "greens mowers".

The Model 45 uses the method that is clearly described in the Owners Manual and if you utilise Deejays video but add the contact method into that you'll be on the right track.

Cheers,
BB.