OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Welcome to Outdoorking Forum HELP Area Introductions Hi all

Hi everyone,

Just grabbed this beaut this afternoon.
I use 45s regularly but I've never seen one without choke and revs on the engine itself.
It runs but is anyone able to help tell me how I'm meant to be starting this thing?

Also wasn't sure which topic/sub forum to post this in.
Collectors corner or restoration?

Thanks

Hi grnkpn89,

Firstly welcome to "The ODK Forum".

Being a Model 45 owner you're certainly in good hands here that's for sure.

You have the throttle mounted up on the handle bar and thus if I recall correctly this engine would be an auto choke version thus no controls on the power plant itself but at your finger tips.

All you should be doing is placing the throttle control to full and pull the starter. As soon as it starts ease back the lever and all should be fine.

Cheers,
BB.

and

another Brisbane member awesome.
Feel free to ask questions.As I say the only dumb question is the unasked question.

Hello grnkpn89, Mod BB and Blumbly

A warm welcome from me too!

I guess that depends what your plan is. There is some fluidity in the forum categories.

I note the failing of the powder coating on the frame.
Mod BB may have some comment to make about treatment (?)

I note your model is a 45058.
I have recorded the 45158, so it may be this is an original engine.

I think Mod BB would like to see those engine spec numbers.

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

Bonnar_Bloke, thought that was the case was just making sure. Thanks!

Would anybody be able to sudgest an affordable 45 parts website or is eBay my best bet?
I'm after a new reel and seem to be missing a bolt

Hi grnkpn89,

I guess it depends on what you are chasing. I feel 45 parts are pretty much out of control as most have gone up around 40 to 50% over the past two years. I notice that the clutch assembly has been changed with a 1977 era unit from an Apple Green Scotty.

Jack has brought up my pet hate topic which applies to the Rover made machines and that is Powder Coating which is Hygroscopic and allows water in under the surface and rusts out the chassis just like it does on all the later model Victas with the steel bases.

One should carefully inspect the surface and look for the telltale signs underneath the coating and if it looks suspect it's better to strip the machine and get the chassis blasted and then refinish with enamel paint which is not in the same criteria as Powder Coating.

If you supply us with a photo of the reel we can give you some advise regarding its replacement.

Cheers,
BB.

Hi BB
At this stage I'm just after that missing bolt, do you know what it's for?
I don't really want to use the 45 untill it's covered.

And I'm after a 12 blade reel for a nice fine slow cut.
Hard to get a picture of the old reel but it's warped / rounded off and worn down far more on the right hand side.
The bedknife is practically untouched as the previous owner had the reel set around 4mm above it.

Hi grnkpn89,

Firstly thanks for the 2 extra photos.

I think your problems are much worse than just the reel. Sadly your machine is suffering the dreaded rail fatigue cracking issue.

If you have a look at the rail around the front engine mounting bolt nearest to the Primary clutch you'll see cracks radiating outwards. I did suspect this due to the unusual clutch that's been fitted. I'm sure that the original clutch was not correctly maintained and thus ran unbalanced for quite some time which induced extra vibration into the rails, thus in turn it will cause metal fatigue around the mounting points of the power plant.

This must be remedied as its not going to get any better, rather it will eventually cause total machine failure.

So I guess here's the chance to solve the Powder Coating issue with a total strip down, blasting, repairing and restoring to look like a brand new machine.

Incidentally the engine is the original unit being built in the USA on the 15th February 1994, thus the mower would've been assembled around 3 to 4 months later here in Brisbane's Eagle Farm Rover Plant as by then reel mower production had come to nearly a stand still compared to rotaries that were being pumped out by their hundreds per day.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but it's better to know earlier than later I guess.

Cheers,
BB.

PS. I'm still trying to work out what bolt you are referring to ?