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Collection, Preservation and Display of Old Lawn Mowers

British Anzani Lawnrider - need help with pedal

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Hello everyone. I'm restoring a Lawnrider and it's mostly straightforward painting and rust removal, except for one tricky thing. The pedal that raises the cutter has been broken in the past and bodged back together. I can repair that part OK but it is missing the small toe-operated pedal/catch that keeps it in the raised position. Firstly, and it's a long shot I know, does anyone have a spare they would be willing to sell? Or is anyone willing to take theirs to bits and get photos or dimensions so I can make a replacement? Here's a photo I found online that shows the offending pedal. I can see the basic shape needed and how it fits but I can't tell from this photo how it actually locks the main pedal in the raised position. I need to see what's it's like behind/underneath. 

Andy

Forums

Alec Sat, 06/06/2015

Hi Andy, 

I just took a video clip of my pedal mechanism think the file might be too big to upload but happy to email it to you. Won't win an Oscar but might be useful. Will take some pics too.

Cheers

Alec

Kabman Tue, 09/06/2015

Thanks very much Alec. Any help is most appreciated.

I promise to post pictures when it gets to the stage where its more than just a pile of oily bits smiley

Alec Tue, 09/06/2015

No problem, just attempted to email you.

Sorry can't work out how to share the video and pics here on the forum might be my tablet (using a Kindle Fire HDX)

Alec smiley

olcadmin Tue, 09/06/2015

Alec

It easy to upload images to the site following the guidelines I prepared a while back...

http://www.oldlawnmowerclub.co.uk/forum/adding-images

Videos are a bit trickier as we don't have the capability to host directly on the site. You should be able to embed a YouTube video but if you're having problems send me an email and I can help as I have wider access to the site and settings.

Kabman Wed, 10/06/2015

Alec, that's exactly what I needed yes

I'd already started to make a replacement pedal out of steel but now I can see it needs to be cranked out more, and mine looks a bit crude next to the nice alloy casting of the original part. I'll have to get creative with the grinder and MIG this weekend and see if I can make a better one.

Andre Wed, 21/04/2021

Hi Alec, 

Long shot, but do you still have that video? I've just joined specifically to ask about the pedal assembly and found this while searching, but the video link doesn't work for me. 

Many thanks

Andre

Andre Wed, 21/04/2021

It links through to Amazon photo / video vault, but for me, it's just taking me to "my" vault, not the video posted. I'm not sure if that's the link or user error - user error is quite likely on my part haha

olcadmin Wed, 21/04/2021

The link was posted six years ago so it's very likely that a lot of things have changed in the meantime.

Andre Wed, 21/04/2021

indeed, I expect it has. With any luck Alec will have a copy of it somewhere, though I'll post a general topic on this anyway as we need info on nearly all of it!

Alec Wed, 21/04/2021

Hi Andre, 

Not sure if I still have the video, but no problem as I still have the mower. I can make another video of it and take some photos. I'll try and do it this weekend.

Cheers,

Alec

Plug Fri, 23/04/2021

Hello Alec,

Can I jump on the bandwagon as well? I am also in the throws of getting a Mk.1 Lawnrider running, and would gratefully appreciate some clarification on a couple of points.

I have been trying to work out the correct orientation and set up of the throttle linkage at the inlet manifold / carb end. There is a 'triangular' bracket fixed to the top of the inlet manifold, which holds the throttle cable, and a 'L-shaped' lever that must somehow interact with the throttle butterfly link on the actual carb, there is also a return spring - I think - on this link. My problem is, I have no clear images of how this is set up, as all pictures on the Internet, are not clear enough, and 'my' Lawnrider, is missing said spring, not helped by these parts being in a dis-assembled state upon purchase. Some clear images of this particular area would be greatly appreciated.

Secondly, I am going down the same avenue as you regarding using In a 'go-kart' centrifugal clutch, as the original clutch is beyond repair. In one of your original threads you mention getting a lighter (or weaker?) internal clutch spring. Do you have the details, (and where did you find it?) so that I can incorporate this into the clutch on my machine?

Thanks in advance.

wristpin Fri, 23/04/2021

Would I be right in thinking that your machine has a Villiers 150 cc Lightweight engine?  A couple of years ago I started a restoration of  a Hedgerow find Anzani Powermow. Other things got in the way but the engine is done and runs. I spent too long trying to figure out the throttle linkage until I realised that it was naturally flat out and the handle bar control slowed it down. I’ll take a picture or two tomorrow.

Plug Sat, 24/04/2021

Thanks wristpin, you are correct.

Villiers 150cc Lightweight, with mechanical governor and Villiers B10 carb.

wristpin Sat, 24/04/2021

Hope that these may help. My best explanation is that the engine is set up in fixed speed stationary engine mode - ie the governor spring is permanently tensioned by the threaded rod ( as opposed to being tensioned by the throttle cable on a modern rotary mower) and the throttle control, via the cable actuates a lever to close the butterfly against that spring tension.

 

Plug Sun, 25/04/2021

Thanks Wristpin, your explanation and photos have been extremely useful, much appreciated.

It also confirms the orientation and shape of the spring missing on mine (the one that 'closes' the throttle linkage), so I can look at sourcing a suitable equivalent.

I had though that the linkage attached to the cable was supposed to sit on the other side of the governor controlled throttle butterfly, therefore opening the throttle against a governor set for 'low speed', but that puts the linkage at an awkward angle for the cable, whereas how you've set it up (to activate against a governor set of 'high speed') and your earlier comments, make more sense as the cable run is better.

One more mystery solved!

Thanks again.

Andre Mon, 26/04/2021

Hi Wristpin, 

Coincidentally, most of the governor and linkages are completely missing on our engine, in fact I just came on to post a new topic asking for any photos and measurements of the governor itself! Those images will help loads in the carb side parts needed.

wristpin Mon, 26/04/2021

I would have thought that as the 125 and 150cc Lightweights were used on so many machines of that era, it shouldn’t be to difficult to pick up a donor engine . Also, have you spoken to Meetens - they still have a lot of new old stock.  L&S Engineers are another useful source of new old stock parts.

Alec Mon, 26/04/2021

Here are some pics of the pedal. Took a video too but not sure how to upload it. Happy to email photos / video if it is helpful - just message me.

Am in Ickenham, West London if anyone wants to view the mower for reference.

Also took some photos of the throttle linkage. 

Alec Mon, 26/04/2021

Some photos of the throttle linkage. Also made a video of this but not able to upload it. 

wristpin Wed, 28/04/2021

Here is the difference between how I've got mine set up and yours. I'm not saying who is correct! The lever moved by the cable is on the opposite side of the lever on the throttle spindle.

Andre Thu, 29/04/2021

Alec those are incredibly helpful, thank you! I'll send you a message with my email for the video as well, that really is great thank you. 

Plug Mon, 03/05/2021

Thanks for the photos Gents.

Bit of a conundrum. I guess over the years these mowers have been through several hands and set up differently following repairs, in the absence of a definitive reference or handbook.

Looking at the linkage and earlier comments, Wristpin's has been set up to operate against a governor set to maximum revs and a fully open throttle, whereas Alec's has been set up the opposite - to open the throttle where the governor has been set at 'tickover'.

Unfortunately, mine's missing the spring that goes around the linkage pivot, and I doubt they're readily available nowadays, so I'll have to come up with a suitable alternative.

wristpin Tue, 04/05/2021

Unfortunately, mine's missing the spring that goes around the linkage pivot, and I doubt they're readily available nowadays, so I'll have to come up with a suitable alternative.

Worth while asking Paul at Meetens.