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Collection, Preservation and Display of Old Lawn Mowers

ATCO B30

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I have recently restored an Atco B30 all running okay plus l have another that is available for someone which can be easily restored.

My question is , l am not happy with the original "break lever" drive engaging system, do you know if anyone has designed an alternative system using a bar right across the main handle which would operate the same as a modern mower where you pull in in the drive an immediately you let go stops?

Forums

wristpin Fri, 02/06/2017

Presume that you have a chrome plated lever (usually on the left) that you pull up to stop the drive to the cutters and landroll and release to move off ?   The next model of your machine had what is commonly referred to as an Operator Presence Control bar that was pulled up to move and released to stop.  Not impossible to engineer a conversion but probably not worth the effort when there are ready factory converted machines about . However the 30" machines, or Garden 30s as they were originally known , were never so plentiful as the 24s.

EDIT There's three OPC equipped 30" machines on that auction site at present. 

lanegreen Sat, 03/06/2017

Hi thank you for that information, is it the case therefore that on the later model that there was an additional mechanism to control the presence arm?

I assume from what you sqaid that this was on the 24" machine, can you advise exactly what machine it is so maybe l could pick the parts , thank you

wristpin Sat, 03/06/2017

Not so much an additional mechanism as a revised one to work in the opposite manner - pull to go rather than pull to stop. 

wristpin Sun, 04/06/2017

The first machine with a simple pull up to move 0PC was the Royale B30 .  It was subsequently modified with an OPC complying with updated requirements needing two separate actions to engage the drive.  

Bayleaf Tue, 06/06/2017

Did a search for these machines online - great looking lawnmower! Lucky you :)