OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Restoring, Customising and Modifying Reel-Type Mowers Bringing another SB back to life

This beauty has been in my Dads shed for the last 16 years since I pulled the motor off it as I was inquisitive. Looks as though most parts are there, just missing the air cleaner screw & the ones for the deflector plate (there was just nails sitting in these). The screws that hold the pull starter on are rusted but should be easy to replace.
The plan of attack is to ensure the engine still runs before getting too carried away but will then look to get it sharpened (any tips for Adelaide would be good)

Plan for the engine is to replace the air filter, spark plug & oil. Will then give the fuel tank a rinse and put fresh fuel in. Will give the Carby a clean with degreaser. Anything else I should be doing before starting? When it last ran, I had to tip a bit of fuel into the Carby and then it would run fine, not sure what needs to be done to fix this.

Once I can confirm the engine runs, I will then look at what else needs to be done. Does it look like the chains are all ok or am I best to degrease/pressure wash them and re-lubricate? If so what should be used.
Will look to get it sharpened then. Any suggestions for Adelaide? Will chase up the local golf course to see who they use.

My only other hurdle is that I dont have a catcher, any clues on where to source one?

Thanks for all the info on here, has been a great help so far. Will try and keep the thread updated throughout.

Cheers

Robbo

Hi Robbo,


Wow here we go again, another Scotty in South Australia ! didn't they sell any of these outside their home state ??



Well anyway that's actually a pretty good one with not a lot of issues from what I can see.


I really like the can of "Start ya Bast%#d" there in the background !! but we here at the ODK can't endorse this method of discipline to mowers.





Sadly its suffered a dose of the rusty's, but that's not that much of an issue at this point in time.

You are absolutely spot on in attaining the engines current state before continuing on any further.

Your engine was manufactured on the 11th of May 1977 so your mower would probably have been assembled around August / September of that year.

I'd say that as your engine starts when petrol is tipped directly down the throat of the carburettor tells me it doesn't have the ability to pick fuel up from the tank, thus the carby and tank will have to be separated and all the old fuel gum cleaned out through the pick up tubes.

Your drive train all looks good from what I can see.

As far as reel grinding and bed knife replacement / grinding, there's only one place I would use here in Adelaide and that is Steve Rose at "Australian Saws and Blades" which is located on Research Road Pooraka. Steve does all the major bowling clubs around South Australia and also plenty of interstate reel work. There's nothing he doesn't know.

BTW many of the Lawnmower shops around Adelaide send their Reel Mower work to him but have the customer believe that they are actually doing the work themselves.

You will have to purchase new reel bearings as that's the secret to having an accurate grinding job done (Steve would tell you this anyway before he does the work) as the bearings that are used on the mower are the ones that are used for spinning during the grinding process, thus replicating what's going to happen in the mower itself and perfect mating to the bed knife.

BTW plenty of meat left on your reel as it looks as if it's probably only ever been done once before.

Any other questions don't hesitate to write or as you are in SA I could help you directly and post up the process onto this thread so that other members can see what's happening with your machine.

Cheers for now,
BB.

Thanks BB for the reply. All going well, I will take the Carby & fuel tank off this weekend and give them a good clean up before reassembling and crossing my fingers.
Will definitely contact Steve regarding the reel once I have it running.

Any tips on where to find a catcher for one of these as I can see that being a tough hurdle to get over.

Cheers

Robbo

Hi Robbo,

Sadly that's the biggest and most costly hurdle to get over when rebuilding these babies. There are new ones that are being made by a good sheety in Queensland which a few members on here have bought from. Basically better than the originals.
I can put you on to him if you like.

Cheers,
BB.

Drum roll.....
It starts and runs (not all by the book)
Went out and bought new fuel, oil, spark plug and air filter. Drained the old oil and refilled, pulled the carby off and gave it a clean with degreaser, rinsed the fuel tank a few times with clean fuel and then put it all back together for the big moment.
Tried starting it for 5 minutes with no luck. Tried the old trick of taking the air filter off and tipping a bit of petrol in and it fires first go. Once it started it ran no worries. Ran over the lawn but unfortunately I had already cut it this morning pretty low so couldn't take much more off.
Next step is to make a call on Monday for the blade sharpening and start hunting down a catcher. Will then have some top dressing to do on my lawn to level out a few spots ( open to tips on this).
I still need a air filter screw and the deflector screws but other than that I should be good to go.
Any tips for not having to tip fuel down the air filter hole?
Anything else I need to do?

Thanks to all those that have posted on the forum. Lots of great info!

Cheers
Robbo

Hello Robbo

Assuming the engine is in good condition, the first point of
call would be the diaphragm that pumps fuel from the tank.
This is a pulsa-jet carby.

Hope this helps.
--------------------------
Jack

Hey BB,
No luck with the catcher so far, if you could pass on the details that would be great. Am a little worried at what its going to cost but will see how we go.
Haven't got around to ordering the Carby Diaphragm yet as still working out what else I want to order. The bolts are missing that hold the grass deflector in place and it currently has 2 nails in there. Is this what I need to order to replace them? Is there another alternative.
Scott Bonnar Deflector Clamp & Screw A451143
Also, I am in need of the screw that holds the air filter on, haven't been able to locate what size it is, does anyone know?
Cheers
Robbo

Hi Robbo,

The member to contact regarding the catchers is "SB Obsession". Just send a PM to that member and you should be OK as I know his father in law is still making them and has just made one for another member on here.

The Deflector clamp and Screw in that link is about the cheapest you'll get on the open market.

As far as that A/C screw is concerned you'll probably get one from a Lawn mower shop that has been established for many years and has some old machines on hand that they strip parts from to supply the demand that is created by their service clients.

Cheers,
BB.

Quick Question
Can I fit a 33 Catcher to my SB45?
Cheers
Robbo

If my memory serves me correctly, not really as the hook arrangement is totally different between the two models.

Cheers,
BB.

Hello Robbo and BB

The big stumbling block is the design and width.
The 45 was not made in 16"!

Cheers
---------------
Jack

Thanks guys for your reply. It was just one I found on Gumtree. Have since found the right catcher, a bit old and with a few holes but will do the job. Have also managed to get the air filter screw & the grass deflector bolts so I should be good to go once I have collected. Will run over the lawn before sending it off for a blade sharpen.
Now just tossing up whether or not I should cut the lawn low & top dress this weekend with the wet weather we are expecting. What are peoples thoughts.
Cheers
Robbo

Hi Jack,

Thanks for the brain starter, of course the 33 is only 16 inches wide and thus it would be a hard fit, but regardless the hook up arrangement is totally different as well which wouldn't help the cause.

Cheers,
BB.