Hi all Just a quick question of a mythical nature I understand a 20β solid is the fella! but why is this, is it the fact very few were made or maybe they all went out to large sports grounds so didnβt make to public? I may have sourced myself 1 as the ultimate project once I have completed a couple of smaller reels! Cheers Ollie
BTW these certainly aren't Unicorns as there still are plenty out there to be had as you've just found out.
I've always felt that it's all about the width of it and with it being a 20 inch machine they were always in the minority due to the price of them when they were new. Honestly it's become a bit overrated from where I see it, but this is something that's been driven by the Facebook crowd.
The Series 1 machine was always the better unit opposed to the Series II twin railer which just about every single one of them by now has failed in it's chassis and been repaired in some way, shape or form. The S1 was simply stronger due to it's one piece engine deck.
So you've finally got one ! and that's just a 45, but you've managed to secure a 20 to boot. Well done I can tell you are doing cart wheels internally, now the question beckons.......................................how much did it set you back and how did you manage to find it ?
The next question you are going to ask is about it's originality, right ? well it was originally powered by a Kirby HK30 which probably by now had started giving all sorts of issues and the way it is with parts for them makes it just easier to hoik it off and simply replace it with a Briggs unit of some sort as they are plentiful on the ground. At this stage I'm not sure if that Briggs is all original as it seems as though the air cowl has been changed with one from an I/C unit while the engine itself may be an earlier issued block and head assembly.
Cheers, BB.
PS. What's that extra machine in the photos, should it be here in this lot as it's a different mower altogether ?
I live a 24 Hour lifestyle, but every now and again I seem to fall asleep, well at least that's what my wife tells me.
Ahah I donβt see how that got in there! Fat fingers!! That is my 14β 45 that I bought to be a doner machine to The 14β solid I was asking questions about bolts!! Or possibly resto that 1!
I had a chap contact me last night who has had this for years was his late father in-laws who passed away 27yrs ago, he said it gets used prob once a year to keep it running! His lawn requires a ride on!! So yes I am flipping inside tho it is kinda overkill for my lawn! I am re-turfing next year so may try and make for a bigger lawn!!!
Is it worth looking for an original engine? or is it quite normal to run a Briggs, I see people have assorts on their mowers but this one seams kinda special.
I'm just glad you ended up with it opposed to that dealer we all know too well here in Adelaide down on the plains.
Honestly most folk find that the 17 inch is the ideal machine for most gardens of today and that the 20 inch is overkill. I personally use a 20 inch, but I have a decent amount of straight flat surface to cover with umpteen metres of edging to do afterwards. Wish I could find a Whipper Snipper with a 20 inch cut then my work would be done in minutes and not hours. LOL !
So I notice you are holding out on the main point of interest to most of us enthusiasts.........how much did it set you back ? or was the seller naive to the prices these achieve ?
Cheers, BB
I live a 24 Hour lifestyle, but every now and again I seem to fall asleep, well at least that's what my wife tells me.
I forgot to answer your question regarding the engine........... Myself ? .... I'd take that Briggs off and replace it with one of the current Briggs 3.5 HP power plants as they are just so smooth and this will most certainly avert the engine deck from fracturing..........yes contrary to popular belief the solid decks also do crack this symptom is not just exclusive to the twin railers. I've seen quite a few that are showing signs of fatigue.
Cheers, BB.
I live a 24 Hour lifestyle, but every now and again I seem to fall asleep, well at least that's what my wife tells me.
Ahh ok I will hunt for a new engine, or I suppose they are not to expensive as anew unit, any idea of price?
Yes 20β is very much overkill for what I need hence why I had settled on a 14β for my resto mower for next seasons new lawn! Which is not a large area!!
But for the price I thought I was seeming things when he said it! I didnβt state the price cause I wasnβt wanting to upset everyone cause I believe it is a steal but they are only worth what someoneβs willing to pay as I have found out and some are horrendously over priced! I paid less than what they wanted for the 17β twin at st Agnes!!!
Even tho it is overkill I would like to restore it and hopefully move at some point in future to a house with a football field!! Or I may just start mowing the reserve next to my house!!!
$50 ?? as that's how much I paid for each of my 3, that's right I'm not afraid to put it out there, honestly who cares. Eventually when this craze falls over and believe me it will then these mowers will be back at that and less. Everything has it's day in the sun and it's the 45's time to shine atm.
I live a 24 Hour lifestyle, but every now and again I seem to fall asleep, well at least that's what my wife tells me.
Nah $300! $50 wow thatβs amazing! A 20β was not even on my radar but I got an email from this chap who had it for sale and I kinda couldnβt turn it down!! I think I have been sucked in!
Honestly at the current pricing that's out there you've done well and it's still worth every penny if you are going to use it as a mower and not just flip it.
Honestly as I've suggested I'd not go through the trauma of so-called restoration and just use it as a survivor like I've done with my main daily driver. It has character that way and it makes people look twice when they see you use it and the results it gets.
In saying what I have, all it will need is a thorough going over to ensure it is mechanically sound and also reliable. That new Briggs at $250 will be a good insurance to ensure that the engine deck stays sound, but then again it's got it's original cast iron clutch half and that's half the secret in keeping it safe and sound.
Cheers, BB.
I live a 24 Hour lifestyle, but every now and again I seem to fall asleep, well at least that's what my wife tells me.
Yeah I am very happy with price I got it for, when I say sucked in I mean to these beautiful old mowers!! As long as I have space to store this I wonβt be flipping it at all, I am the type who wants that little bit different item!!! $250 isn't that bad was thinking would be a bit more than that! To start I am not going to do anything to it, I will resto/make usable my 14β when I feel a bit more confident I will play with this 1.
Thanks No doubt I will require further assistance down the track!!
