OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Finding and Swapping Tip & Curb Side Finds Got these today... Utility, VC Sports, Vortex

Hi guys, got these today, don't know much about them. The orange VICTA one is my 1st older style mower, though the yellow one looked interesting, so I grabbed it.

Orange VICTA - $15
Yellow VICTA - $10
Green VICTA - $10

VICTA Utility - Wheels seem stuck/hard to spin. Bearings probably need replacing or greasing. Physically the wheels seem ok, though haven't done a thorough inspection. Base and handles has a fair bit or surface-type rust....oh I wish, I wish, I had a sandblaster lol.










Didn't notice the riveted plate on the side of the base when I picked it up. Looks like an alloy base, though probably some sort of damage.

green VICTA I couldn't find a model number...




None start (yet), though pulling the starter cord, engines seem to spin on all.

The first one Utility is a series 70 most likely early 70's.The one you call the yellow Victa is actually a Vortex they are becoming quite collectible,you'd just need to fix the body and find a better cowl and you've got a very good score there.The other (sorry to say) isn't real exciting just a side start full crank engine.Certainly not worth much as a re-seller and not a collectible.I usually don't touch them as nobody wants them.The other two though I feel you've done real well.If you post the engine number (Of the Utility) up I'll be able to tell you what model and year model it is.
All in all good work and certainly at very good prices.

One thing in the favour of that rather unattractively styled green steel decked one is the higher positioning of the fuel tank. One thing that bugs me about my Victas is always some fuel left at the bottom of the tank when it "runs out". That design would most likely not have that problem.'
The Vortex reminds me of the Terminator with part of his face missing!!

I bought a sand blaster from Supercheapauto for $20. I think you can also get them at Bunnings, The brand is "Airpower" and are a range of cheap air tools that seem to be excellent value for money for the hobby user. I also, for the same price per unit, bought a brad nailer, a gravity feed spray gun, a half inch inpact wrench and a high speed die grinder. It is styled like a spray gun with a range of different nozzles for different jobs and only holds about half a kilo of sand at at time but for small jobs it works perfectly well. I run it from a 1.5HP direct drive el-cheapo compressor. Just be sure to wear adequate facial protection, a surgical mask to stop breathing in fine silica and a full face shield works for me.

Thanks guys too bad about the green viocta though the base still looks ok, no major rust, just surfaced. Might salvage the base for another mower, possibly sell of the engine or use for parts.

Regarding the VICTA Ute, the only markings I found were stamped into the engine itself.. 2 740 368



Also picked this one up today.. can't find any markings (yet), the sticker is damaged, hard to read. Got it for $10 ebay (+time and cost of fuel to pickup)





The guy I bought it off was into repairing mowers, his backyard was pretty close to FULL.. I swear he had about 50x catches, may VICTA, asking $10ea for them.. wanted to grab a couple but only bought enough for the mower.. might make a trip later on when I figure out which catches I need...


I had a look on the websites but couldn't see any for $20.. was it a special ?

bunnings (and SCA) have the portable sandblasters, but need Air Compressor to use.. I don't have an AC .. would like one so I can do a little hobby painting.. especially on the mower bases.

Widget, all is not lost with the green one, if you get it running and make sure it works well, should always be able to get $40 for a running 2 stroke with a catcher

I got a cheap Taurus air compressor from Aldi years ago. Believe me, you won't know what you did without one. Just the air cleaning gun alone makes an AC worthwhile.
Nice VC Sports with the bitsa wheels lol!

Oh. Another shot of the Vortex showing what it looks like from the left would be appreciated.

As you requested

I did abit of a photoshop to show how it would look with the jagged bits cut off (until you source a replacement cowl)and the white bits removed from the rear tyre.

For the Victa full crankshaft engines, Series 70 Mk 3 = 1974. The Ute engine number confirms that.

The green machine would be early 1980's; one of the last full crank models before the PowerTorque half crank engine took over, from 1984.

I had a look on the websites but couldn't see any for $20.. was it a special ?

bunnings (and SCA) have the portable sandblasters, but need Air Compressor to use.. I don't have an AC .. would like one so I can do a little hobby painting.. especially on the mower bases.

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They were on sale at SCA, they have them periodically so probably not in their regular web listing, but last time I was at Bunnings they had a whole display of the Airpower brand although to tell the truth I didn't check which ones they actually had as I have pretty well every tool I need already. Keep an eye out for their specials when they have the Blackridge compressor and tool set on special at SCA. My neighbour got one a few years back and they are good value, when on sale they are around half normal price.

Any ideas on the model of the VICTA Ute.. has 2 740 368 stamped into the engine.

That one's either a V145 ['73-74] or V167 ['74-75] model. The engine was made in 1974.

IIRC those had bushed wheels, not bearings. So it will be rust on the axles that is making the wheels bind.

Thanks Gadge, much appreciated

Have you got a new cowling for the vortex? If so, can u pls post some photos.

No new cowling.. think it'll be some time before I come across one in good condition to use.

You can fit any other powertorque engine cowling to this mower after removing the heat guard tat is over the exhaust.
Personally, I would just leave that one on until you find a replacement (if at all).