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Collection, Preservation and Display of Old Lawn Mowers

Auto Certes issues

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Afternoon all,first post so apologies if this topic has been covered previously...

I have as part of my cricket club equipment a 20" Auto Certes fitted with a Briggs and Stratton engine.However,it has a couple of issues.Firstly there is no adjustment left on the clutch so once the engine is started it wants to make off regardless of the position of the clutch lever.Secondly the engine has begun to emit a bit of white smoke and appears underpowered.Could anyone give a rough idea of cost for new clutch parts please as i need to put a case for repair before the committee.

Thanks in advance

Forums

hortimech Tue, 24/11/2015

I take it we are talking about the clutch that controls the rear roller, if so, then it will probably easy to fix. What as probably happened is that the 'mushroom' inside the clutch has worn and/or the inside of the clutch pressure plate.

Remove the chainguard, you will see the clutch, slacken the three spring loaded nuts, then remove them along with the springs. Remove the outer clutch plate, turn it over and examine the centre, it will be marked but this shouldn't be too deep, you can reclaim this if required by welding. If you look into the centre of the clutch, you will find the 'mushroom' , remove this, slacken off the adjuster on the operating cable. Now find a  ball bearing the same size as the shaft of the mushroom, put this into the hole from where you removed the mushroom, then refit the mushroom, refit the outer clutch plate, refit the springs and nuts, tighten securely, adjust the cable and test, it should now work as expected. Refit chainguard.

 

 

 

wristpin Tue, 24/11/2015

All good info from Hortimech but you may be able to solve your problem without the need for welding repairs.

If you look at the base of the arm to which the clutch cable is fixed and follow it down to where it pivots there is an adjuster bolt with a locking nut. Its a bit of a pig to get at and possibly reluctant to move* but if it will screw in a bit more you may get enough extra push on the clutch push rod to free the drive.  Also as H says the disengagement mechanism consists of the mushroom headed rod but also of a ball bearing (standard fitment) and then another plain push rod . Sometimes the ball wears the end of the plain rod concave and just reversing it to present a flat face gains a bit of extra push. Unless the mechanism is very worn, adding a second ball may reverse the situation and prevent the clutch engaging. 

* If you have the time, remove the lever and its pivot bracket  and free off its pivot and the adjusting screw  - a lot easier than fighting with it in-situ!

Woz Wed, 25/11/2015

Thanks for the replies chaps.The pivot arm is at the fullest possible adjustment,indeed the clutch lever is exceedingly stiff to disengage.Will have a look for the above,however i fear a trip to the local mower doctor may be the best port of call.