OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Collectors Corner Cylinder Help me identify my Scott Bonnar [Supercut]

Hi everyone. I had never had anything to do with these mowers before but found this for sale
and couldn't walk past it. I thought it would be a great restoration project.
The issue I have, is that I have no idea what model it is, to try and source parts.
I know it's a Scott Bonnar, 20inch supercut.
It has a villiers engine on it.
That's the end of my knowledge.
I'll put up some numbers found on it and if anyone can give me some information that would be great.
Thanks in advance

No: 509x 4403
Mark: 12/1 RG/HS
SC 01555

Hi Dave,

Well another Supercut has surfaced.

There are still quite a few of these out there but sadly most of them are headed for the scrap yard as they are simply far to heavy as a domestic mower and thus the Model 45 is the major weapon of choice when it comes to cylinder cut mowers.

I will say that if this is your first ever restoration then you've probably picked the harder of the two styles of machine. The Supercut is far more complex than the 45, but don't let that discourage you as these were the Rolls Royce of mowers. They were used on the cricket wickets of VFL Park (now Hawthorn's home ground) when Kerry Packer first introduced World Series Cricket. These were the bench mark of cylinder mowers back in the 1960's. I personally have two of them, one being a one owner unit that's awaiting restoration with the other identical one being very rusted as a parts machine should the need arise, but I don't think it will as the main machine is in really good order.

BTW your machine is rather original Model 17 in its current format apart from the multi colour scheme that a previous tenant/s has applied to it. The Villiers Reverse Gear power plant is original and it has the transport wheels brackets mounted on the rear minus the wheels. It would have been assembled in the late 1950's or even into the very early 1960's I'd say due to the earlier Australian Flag decal on the catcher. Also as it says SC as the prefix on the ID plate which indicates that it's from earlier production as the later Supercuts had 17 on the ID plate ?

Anyway all in all welcome to the ODK forum, you're in good hands here when it comes to Scott Bonnar's and everything else outdoor power equipment orientated.

Cheers,
BB.

Hello Dave
Yes, arguably Australia's best reel mower.
Yours would be 1962 or earlier, I believe.
Most likely 1950s - given the serial number SC01555.
['SC' stands for Super Cut].

509X is the Villiers (Australia) specification.
This has a Ballarat-made engine.

The flywheel should have a date stamp ...


For topics on your model, type 'Model 17' in the Blue Search Bar (above).

Do you plan to restore this machine?
They can be used quite effectively on residential lawns,
and, of course, can produce excellent results.

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



https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/64309/MODEL_17_-_History_Record_-_Th.html
https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/71423/CATALOGUE_-_Full_Range_-_c1963.html

Hi guys. Thanks for the replies!
It's nice to know some history behind this model of machine.
The use of these at vfl park is pretty cool.

Bonnar Bloke it has SC as the prefix.
May I ask, where you might get parts for these or do I really need a donor for parts?
I'd be interested in getting hold of the transport wheels if you know of any... I had wondered what belonged in those brackets.

CyberJack I'll have to have a look later for the date stamp, thanks for that.
Yes I do plan to restore it, so long as I can get parts I guess.
I'm quite mechanically minded, and when the machine started, after the bloke had left it sat for 2 years, I figured that was a good starting point.
I am quite a lawn fanatic, and have a decent sized lawn, so figured that this could just be an occasional play toy once it's refurbished.

Thank you both for your knowledge I will do some searching in this forum now that I know what it is lol

Hello Dave
Many wearing parts [bearings, chains, etc] will be obtainable.
Other parts 'obstacles' will require some effort...
But, it can be done.

Please keep us informed as to progress.

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

Hi Dave,

As suggested the common parts eg. bearings etc. are available anywhere it's the componentry that's unique to the mower itself that would have to be obtained from a donor machine that is too far gone for restoration.
Supercuts do come up for sale rather often and the prices are quite reasonable once the seller is educated in the correct price point. As far as the transport wheels are concerned, best of luck with those as you are going to have to improvise using something else I'd say.

Cheers,
BB.

Hello Dave and Mod BB
The good news is that this particular machine never had power transport
wheels,nor could it easily be fitted with them.

The CI rear rollers show this spec was not made for golf course or
bowling green work... There is no extended roller axle or special
transmission case.

The rear brackets were for, best guess, an aerator attachment or,
possibly, a manual transport carriage.

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