OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions on Walk Behind Lawn Mower Frames Reel Lawn Mowers, Atco & Villiers etc. Mower Identification

Hi All,

I've not participated much in any of the discussions in the past but I've certainly enjoyed reading the posts on this forum over the years.

On this occasion I'm hoping to draw on the knowledge of this community to help me with identifying the make and model of a specific mower that I recently acquired.

This mower was amongst a pile of items I purchased as a bulk lot. It's missing a few parts but complete enough for me to attempt a restoration. As you can see in the pictures below, it's really only the chain cover (aside from a catcher) that I would need to track down.


If someone can tell me what it is, it would help me in my efforts to try and source the chain cover and catcher for it. As for the engine, I have a Honda GX120 waiting for a new home.

IMO it looks to be quite a well-made mower so it would be a shame to not return it to its useful days. Because of its size, I then plan on gifting it to my mum for her smallish yard (as she loves taking care of it as much as she loves the sight of it).

Thanks in advance.

Mo,

Hi Mo and welcome,

The mower that you have is a Qualcast and would have had a Suffolk engine on it. They are a nice small mower and are generally quite easy to use. They have a two clutch system: the clutch leaver in the middle of the handlebars operates the main clutch (putting this into gear will start the cylinder) and the hand clutch is the land roll.

In terms of re powering, you will need to see if the crankshaft height and diameter will match the clutch centre. I am not sure if the boltholes in the mower will match the mounting pattern for the Honda - one of the others on the forum may be able to advise. Normally the Qualcast had captive nuts under the mounting holes however you can always drill new holes to suit.

Kind regards,

Sir Chook

Sir Chook,

Thank you for the welcome and the notes that followed.

I've installed the Honda engine and can confirm that crankshaft centre height doesn't appear to be a problem. I don't know the specific height for the Suffolk engine but the Honda GX120 that I installed measured at approximately 106mm from the centre of the shaft to the base.

After sharpening the reel/cylinder and the bottom blade I put the mower to the test (minus the chain cover). Although it was a little too small for my yard, it operated beautifully. It should be easy enough for the old lady to use it.

I'll hold off on the on the sandblast and paint job until I manage to find a cover for it. Now that I have better idea of what it is, I stand a better chance of finding the right the one.

One last question; would you have any idea on the age of it?

Thanks.

Mo,

Hi Mo,

Happy to be of assistance. Glad to hear that the Honda sounds like it will fit. I understand that the production of the Qulcast Commodore (which is what the mower in question is) started in about 1957. Without the original engine it is pretty hard to give a specific date but I would put it at about early - mid 1960's.

Kind regards,

Sir Chook

Hello M-o-K and Sir Chook

I can only agree with Sir Chook's assessment.

I can't say whether the design originates with the Suffolk Foundry
or with Qualcast (who acquired them).

I think the design that I recognise first appeared as the
Royal Blade, the replacement for the Qualcast 16 Power Mower.



I'm thinking this became the Commodore when 4-strokes were adopted in the 1960s.

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