OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Restoring, Customising and Modifying Reel-Type Mowers Supercut Electric - Manual Required

I've decided to make a start on my Supercut electric restoration and have commenced the pull down, ensuring that I have taken plenty of photos along the way. Does anyone have a manual for one of these that they would be interested in sharing, selling or copying certain aspects that would be useful? I want to pull the main drive gears off but would prefer to know what I am likely to come cross prior to jumping in. Thanks

Hi John,

There no actual service manual for the Model 17, there is though a reasonably comprehensive Owners Manual which is rather indepth and is available as a reproduction from one of our members "willingworker" or via his eBay store under the name "silensmessor".

Cheers,
BB.

Thank you. I'll contact him.
J

Hello John A

This will be a great project.
For whatever reasons, collectors have shunned the electrics.

These are beautiful and highly competent machines.
BB's advise to contact Silensmessor is a good one.

This would make an excellent project for the record,
and I thank you in preserving a Supercut Electric.

Please keep us informed of progress.

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

Thank you for your support. I have made contact with Grant at silensmessor and he has kindly supplied me with drawings. Crickey! That drum looks complicated. I have made a start and cosmetics are underway. A new catcher will have to be fabricated as rust has taken its toll on the original. I'm pretty certain that I can panel beat the engine cover. The blades look to be in okay condition and the sole plate etc should be salvageable I believe (I'm happy to take advice on these matters but it would appear that spares are pretty thin on the ground so I shall have to go with what I have unless I can stumble across an Aladin's cave.



Cheers

What's the size ,or more to the point, the horsepower of the motor . I have two 14 inch electric mowers, one with cord and the other 12volt battery, complete with charger. I have a super cut with a grooming head but no motor. I'm tossing up whether to put a petrol or electric motor on it. It originally had an electric motor but I purchased it without a motor.

Hope this helps.

J

Hello John and bellarinelawns
I appreciate the photos, particularly the bottom block assembly
(sole plate and bedknife) and the motor maker's plate. Brilliant!

I'm sure Mod BB will comment here.
The reel is perfect, and a great example of reel-making craft.
Plenty of life there.

For domestic use. the replacement bedknife should not be a shaver type,
but the thicker type, and it should be ground before use to match the
reground reel (fitted with new sealed bearings).

Grant is the authority on Scott Bonnar, and he is very generous
in preserving and promoting Scott Bonnar.

The drum assembly is less complicated than you think. SB used (mostly)
the pawl differential system. Disassembly for cleaning and lube should be
all that is needed (hopefully).

All the best with this project.
----------------------------------------
Jack

Thanks for your comments, Jack. I spent some time up in the shed today, pondering my next move and spreading even more RP7 around. The last few bolts & nuts are quite stubborn. Is there any particular engineering place (in South Aus) to entrust the bedknife and reel to? Or should I send it interstate? Any ideas? The drum, by the way, appears to be quite free & undamaged so hopefully will present few problems this coming weekend.
J

Hi John,

Nice to see someone having a serious go at a Supercut as they are getting less and less as time goes on. There are probably more Electric units surviving now than Petrol as many bowling greens preferred the electric versions over the petrol powered units due to anti-vibration features of the electric mowers opposed to the thumping effect of the single piston petrol powered machines. I actually have a Villiers Powered 18 inch machine awaiting full restoration that's in rather good condition and a second unit in a much poorer state as a donor machine should the need arise.

As far as sharpening services are concerned there is no one better than Steve Rose at Australian Saws & Blades who is located on Research Road Pooraka. I know it's a fair drive from Willunga but Steve does work from all over Australia so he must know his stuff. I personally use his services and am currently waiting for him to re-open from the Christmas break as I've got a 20 inch reel and bed knife awaiting his magic touch.

If at any time you feel you need to speak directly to someone I'm always available to chat via the phone.

Cheers,
BB.

Thanks BB,

I shall take your offer seriously as I am always ready to receive advice from those who have "been there" before me. When I can, I shall take the relevant bits and pieces for this old girl over to Pooraka.

Do you know the correct way to remove the bearings on the blade shaft? I would prefer to keep the original brass intact if possible & am looking forward to leaving all those brass pieces in their original shining glory instead of being painted.

I'd love to see your Supercut machine. I also have a second machine which is an electric. Hopefully I'll know what I'm doing when it comes to her rebuild.

J

Hi John,

Here's a photo of my Model 17 SC




It has an "A" Grade catcher with it which is the original and I also have the optional Tool Box that attaches halfway down the Left hand side handlebar as can be seen by the witness marks.

This photo shows it with a Kirby HK25 Petrol tank fitted but it's since been retro fitted back to the original Villiers Barrel tank.

Must admit I haven't even removed my reel to date from the SC as I've been so busy with model 45's at the moment, but I'd say you'll require a bearing puller set. They are quite cheap on eBay and will be with you for life as once you start doing this sort of thing you'll wonder how you would've ever done without a set.

Cheers,
BB.

Hi John,

I've actually found a Model 17 Electric manual on my system here that I could share with you.

All I need is for you to send me a PM and I'll email it to you.

Cheers,
BB.

Hello BB,


Thanks so much for your kind offer. I'm touched by the goodwill among the members on this site.


Cheers

John A

Hi John,

No problems at all. Always happy to help out.

Cheers,
BB.

while the majority of bits are in the pickle, the catcher has been replicated (almost finished)
The brass hook attachments are still to be taken back to metal but the body is now finished (pictures below)
the first image tells the main reason for the requirement of a new body
The original cross brace and side braces have been reused
Spot welds and blind rivets used
I have a few brass rivets which will have to cut down but will be used to secure the brass catches where it attaches to the actual mower

Hello John A

Many thanks for the update.

I am compelled to comment on the careful restoration of the catcher.
For me, it is one of the most handsome catchers ever made.
Have you sorted a decal for it?

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

Hi John,

A couple of questions,

What are using as a Pickle bath ?

and,

Have you been out to see Steve at Pooraka as yet. Boy has he suddenly had some work put on his plate, he's had around 15 mowers dropped off in one day, that being yesterday.

Cheers,
BB.

Thanks Jack,

I have contacted 'williingworker' and the decals are on the way. I have put up photos of the 2 other mowers, 1 being a smaller SB electric, but I probably used the incorrect place to add them - they are in a post somewhere here. I'll sort that out as soon as I get a chance. Anyway, I shall be chasing decals for the other 2 also, in the near future (does it ever end?)

I am very pleased with the catcher & hope that my paint work will do it justice. I intend to take the engine cover with me to Lonsdale tomorrow to see if Lonsdale Paints can match the original colour still inside.

As far as the Pickle bath, BB, I shied away from using molasses as I worried about fine pitting to the finished metal surface, so went with citric acid to clean (while keeping a very close eye on the time in the bath) and then straight into an electrolysis bath using washing soda. The soap neutralises the acid remainder well enough and then its onto the wire brush with thorough rinsing in between. I worried too, about the citric acid which seems to lodge under painted surfaces so the drying and wire brush period is critical, I think, even after electrolysis. The citric cleans the rust & dirt
off pretty damned quick though, doesn't it?

I'm only going on my old car restoration experiences and maybe members have better ideas

I haven't had a chance to go to Pooraka yet. The reel wont be ready till next week as its in the shed at the moment with current running through it (looking good though). I'll post photos ASAP as paying work now calls - here's one of the brass fittings for the catcher & clutch

thanks for your interest

John

brass is now finished (or as good as I can get) and have added photo of the sole plate cleaned up. Pretty pleased with how the electric cabling has responded to treatment too.






John

Hi John,

All is looking fantastic, especially that catcher. You should get an Oscar for that performance.

As far as the sole plate and bed knife are concerned I gather you still intend to drop it off with Steve at some stage ?
I'll have to say the knife is absolutely shickered and will require a new blade fitted. Don't attempt to remove it yourself as Steve will do that for you in the process.

Cheers,
BB.

Thanks, BB.

I have to confess that I'm hopeless at most things, I just have a few talented friends.

I'm concerned that the drive gears are in similar condition to the bed knife and was wondering if anyone has experience in obtaining gears through such people as Renolds here in Adelaide?

I hope to take plate and knife over to Pooraka this week but work is overloaded at the moment. I'll post as soon as I get that job completed.

Meanwhile, in an attempt to be extremely careful with everything, I've misplaced the gear stick holder that bolts to the handle. Placed it somewhere to get brazed as it was broken and now the Bl%/?*y fairies have been in and taken it. Wasted a whole day yesterday looking for one small brass piece. Sheds a lot tidier though.

John

the offending (& missing in action) piece.

Hi John,

If you've got a flogged set of drive gears on a Supercut then you deserve a second Oscar as to date they are considered bullet proof.

When you go to see Steve don't forget to drop my name and thus he'll give you a good price as I've asked him if you've been as yet and he's told me no.

Cheers,
BB.

Hi John,

They are fine. If you had teeth knocked off and so on then I'd say you'd have a problem but there is nothing more than normal wear on that drive system and it will go for many more years.

Cheers,
BB.

Thanks BB I had them safely in the ute, ready to inquire about new ones tomorrow, so I shall take them back to the workshop. The other good news is that I have found the gear stick holder - amazing what a little cursing can achieve.

and kickin' the cat as well

BB,
I have been in touch with Steve and tee'd up a time to take the cylinder & blade over.
Cheers
John

Hi John,

All sounds good.

Cheers,
BB.