OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Restoring, Customising and Modifying Reel-Type Mowers Scott Bonnar 45 w Kirby H30

Hi All,

I am very new to the mower restoration scene, however have built 3 old holdens up and a couple of drag cars as well.
I don't know much about what I have but am keen to restore it back after looking at a couple of build threads on this site.
My dad picked this up at auction for me for $50. It needs a fair bit of work there are bolts missing in a few places and it has been sitting for quite some time outside. I have turned it over and it fired first shot with a bit of carb I clean down the throat and a new spark plug.
I have a couple of questions.
1. Is there anything significant I should look for that might make this one not worth restoring?\
2. Does anyone know what year it could be? or anymore information about it?
3. Where is the best place to source parts etc.
4. Is there a service manual available for these?

Anyway enough yabber. Here are some pictures
























Cheers,
Ben...

Hi Pummerz,

Well nice to have another Bonnar owner on board.

I note that this one was purchased from the fortnightly Thursday deceased estate auction at Mason Gray and Strange on Torrens Road. At $50 you can't go wrong.

I'll start by saying that this one could've been made anywhere between 1968 and 1970. The Kirby powered units are not as easy to identify the manufacturing date as there are no codes on the engine that indicate a time, the ID plate tells us not much as there is no database left from SB to work from, but I guess that as I have had quite a bit of experience with these over the years there are certain characteristics on the machine which will give me a better idea as to what period its from, thus my time frame that I've given. It's definitely made in the early stages of Model 45 production with it being a solid deck machine.

The clutch still has the original cast iron half that's attached to the PTO shaft and that's a good thing as those clutches if maintained will outlast the machine itself.

Also as the engine is running and hopefully in good shape you're on a winner as it's the higher powered HK30 engine which many of us desire on the early 45.

This one would definitely make a great restorer as it's just past the visually attractive condition point for the use as a daily driver and thus would be great to start over from the beginning and make it look just like it did the day it came out of the Holland Street Factory at Thebarton.

Cheers,
BB.

PS. There was never a service manual made available, only the owners manual which you can look at here. Please note this one is for the slightly later Model 45 which has a few small running changes and the Briggs & Stratton engine in place of the Kirby, but the principles are still the same.

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

Great thanks heaps BB

Well I have now completely stripped down everything except for the rear roller.
I think I will blast it all then respray it with dark green hammertone paint.
Unless anyone knows of a closer match?

Are the bolts painted green from the factory or are they zinc coated?

Cheers,
Ben...

Hi Ben,

All the bolts were simply zinc plated with a bright dip finish. (silver and not that goldy type passivated finish)

As far as paint colours are concerned there are no records of paint formulas left as Rover destroyed all that sort of stuff when they acquired Scott Bonnar back in 1980. You'll have to get it colour matched from the inside of the chain case which is always the least sun affected part of the machine.

Cheers,
BB.