OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions on Engines Questions On Tecumseh / Kirby Engines Kirby Lauson Workshop Manual

Hi Jack,

Thank you so much for making "your personal copy" of the Kirby Lauson Mechanics Handbook now available to be seen in the public domain.

I personally recognise and applaud you for the long hours this would've certainly taken to do.

Without a doubt this would be the only one that's ever surfaced on the net to fully peruse.

Plenty of Scott Bonnar enthusiasts will rejoice and salivate when they see this. Believe me that this file will be duplicated many times and eventually turn up on other sites which is not what we really want is it ?

Is there a way to encrypt and stop duplication of this rarity from the ODK site ?

Cheers,
BB.

Hello Mod BB
Many thanks for the kind words. It was a big project.
[I have transferred the money]

I would like to say something about this manual.
It was part of a Sunbeam Service Guide from 1967.

I knew that the Kirby-Lauson Handbook could not date from that year.
I have no doubt, though, that it formed part of the Sunbeam publication.
The information was still current.

Kirby never had any association with the Lauson company!
So, how is this explained ... ?

North American Tecumseh acquired Lauson in 1956.
Tecumseh, in recognising the long-established Lauson brand,
continued marketing their 4-stroke designs for a strategic period as
Lausons. Here, this meant Kirby-Lausons.

By late 1965 this could not continue; because Kirby started
manufacture of 2-strokes! These designs were not of Lauson origin,
but the result of another strategic takeover - Tecumseh acquiring
Power Products in 1957.

So in Australia, Kirby changed its branding to reflect corporate reality.
Kirby engines were now more accurately branded as Kirby-Tecumsehs.

The publications reflect this, and this is how I dated the Handbook
to no later than 1965. After 1965, we have Kirby-Tecumseh engines
[and Kirby-Tecumseh publications].

And good engines they were!

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

But boy did the backyard mechanic when I was going up (early teens) hated Lausons. I could heard him all the way across to 2 acres in our house when everytime he got one in. But of course he would drank that liquid electric shaving lotion too.

Now take that with a grain of salt as I never any problems with working on any engine as long I get the info I needed along with the parts so I never saw the reason for his hatred of these engines.

G'day AVB ... another great AVB story!
[And your backyard mechanic was always seen ... unshaven ... :o]

I think hatred comes through ignorance. I agree with your comments.
No OEM can manufacture and survive with poor design, poor quality control,
or poor service. Everything seems to hinge upon how issues are corrected.

Nonetheless, I wish Australia had more of the USA's 'Lemon Laws'.

Cheers and thanks again for your fantastic work!
-------------------
Jack

G'day Mod BB and members

It's best that I respond to this as I see it.
Copyright, like trademarking, is a complex area.
I see this issue in common-sense terms.

These things only become relevant if someone makes a claim,
or asserts copyright.

Generally, no claims will be asserted unless their is some commercial
gain made from copyright infringement.

I do have a valid copyright claim to the particular publication of the Kirby handbook.
This is independent of any claim to the actual information presented!

In other words, should my particular pdf file be reproduced on another
website, then I have a legal claim to ask them to remove it. Should they possess
a separate original copy, and spend labour in scanning and presenting it, then
good luck to them. I have no legal claim to this same work. But someone else
might!

Thank the gods for the public domain - so that information may be
honestly presented. Bad karma for those who exploit information
owned by others for profit.

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

Hi Jack,

I recently bought a copy of the 4 stroke manual which is very good, my question is did they do a 2 stroke manual? I have the Rover manual from Gregories I think? which covers a good range of engines including Briggs, Villiers and Kirby 2 and 4 strokes but have not seen a dedicated Kirby 2 stroke one.


anybody seen or have one?

all the best

Paul

G'day folks,

Not a 'dedicated' manual, but the earlier editions of the Gregory's 'Small Engines' manual series do cover the Kirby 2-strokes. The current #426 does not.

Like this one - it's the 1982 version of Gregory's #199.



There's a rundown [from the Victa coverage standpoint] of the various editions in this thread: https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/81688/

Hi Gadge,

Good manuals that cover a lot, I am also trying to find STD rings for a Kirby KAV74 If anyone has a set in their parts draw.





All the best
Paul

Hi Paul

Saw this advertised a while back, tried to get the motor as a spare fore the working one I have but too much hassle to get it to Perth, might still be there ?

https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/yar...-wind-up-converted-to-mulcher/1231539971

Cheers
wce

Hi WCE,

Nice home made shredder, just the rings and maybe a gasket set is all I am after.

All the best
Paul

G'day paul_c,

JP Pistons in Adelaide can see you right for the ring set; https://www.norndaautomotive.com.au/jp-pistons.html?id=5

Gaskets - well, all except the head gasket can be cut from standard gasket paper.

Give me a little time here, and I'll see if there is a Tecumseh 2-stroke head gasket available, that will fit. I'll have to consult the Tecumseh Repair Manuals, to get the equivalent Model No.

The Kirby 2-strokes were all Tecumseh-designed, and made here by Kirby's under licence, as you're likely aware.

Hi and thanks for posting the manual, it is a little embarrassing to ask but how do I access it. I have recently aquired a Victa Imperial reel mower. Pretty sure it has a Kirby HK 25. It has a few minor problems but started it and mowed the lawn, so it should be worth putting a little effort into it

Hello Byomarimba

Kirby Manual here: -
https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/u...-mechanics-handbook-c1963.html#Post96100

Tecumseh Manuals here: -
https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/u...mseh-engine-workshop-owners-manuals.html

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

Thanks for that, turns out the missing part from the carburetor to the governor arm that I thought was a spring is a rod. Really surprised at how well the motor runs for its age, smooth idle and acceleration. The only first hand experience I have had with a reel mower was the Atco. This thing has enough power to cut the grass of at the roots.
Could not have done it without you Jack, and Bonner Bloke. Thanks again