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Collection, Preservation and Display of Old Lawn Mowers

What mower is this

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Hi there.
I am new to the club and just looking for advice to get an old mower I have got up and running. My knowledge of lawn mowers and especially old mowers is nil.
So, I suppose my first question is does anyone know the model of this mower?
Thanks in advance for any information.

hortimech Fri, 17/04/2020

Bit hard to tell with the grassbox fitted, but it is either a 12" Suffolk Colt or, if the grassbox fits correctly and it has a height of cut knob hidden behind it, it is a 14" Suffolk Punch. It is also supposed to be mainly green smiley

Lee Smallwood Fri, 17/04/2020

Definitely the wrong colour, and it's a 14 inch punch, couple of giveaways, 12 inch colt cylinder has one centre disc,  and the male side of the dog clutch pretty much touches the side plate on the colt, WP will probably have more differences, maybe the bigger punch used the bigger SIF engine.  Good starter mower, engines are pretty bulletproof, and spares are readily available. 

 

shed Fri, 17/04/2020

I was given then mower with the pull cord and it’s housing all in bits as the previous owner had tried to change it.
So, my next question is.

What area of the site / forum is best to get advice on bits and assembly details.

Again thanks in advance.

Lee Smallwood Fri, 17/04/2020

On this site, I don't know how to get straight to the pdf, but if you search Suffolk Puch pdf, it should come up with a list of links, should be able to view a parts diagram and assembly pdf.

shed Sat, 18/04/2020

You wouldn't happen to know which model it is would you. The reason for asking is i was given it with the pull start in bits and it looks more like the assembly for the Super Punch (I know it's not a Super Punch).

Thanks for any information.

wristpin Sat, 18/04/2020

There were two recoil starters used over the  years; the early alloy bodied one and the later plastic bodied one, so its not that important to know the exact model of mower.  

You would appear to have the alloy bodied starter which contained the pulley and spring. The ratchet engagement mechanism was fixed to the flywheel.

Post a couple of images of what parts you have.

wristpin Mon, 20/04/2020

OK, you have the early alloy bodied recoil unit.  There should be an alloy top hat bush with a slot in it that passes through the pulley and engages the little protrusion at about one o’clock in your image of the inside.  The spring needs to be gently teased around the opposite side of the centre boss so that when the pulled is turned over the curved lug engages it to tension it when the rope is pulled.

You don’t have to try to tension the spring unit the starter is assembled and the bush and screw are back in place - just make sure that the lug is engaged in the hook in the spring.

The golden rule for recoil starters is that they run out of rope before the spring is coil bound and putting strain on its anchor points on the casing and pulley. A broken rope is far less hassle than a broken spring.

shed Tue, 21/04/2020

Once again thanks very much for your reply/response. I think i understand what you are saying and i think i have all the parts. Unfortunately it does look like most of the parts in the assembly are worn out (inc the rope) and at least one nut missing. 

So. Would you have any advice on best place to get spares from and also can i just use any old rope or is there a type used on these old mowers.

Once again thanks in advance for information. Appreciated.

wristpin Tue, 21/04/2020

Jon Cruse of the Hailsham Mower Centre is your man for any parts that you need, including proper starter rope.

hortimech Tue, 21/04/2020

From the pictures, it doesn't look like there is much wrong with that starter that a good clean wouldn't fix.

There is nothing really special about the starter rope, it is just a nylon cord (4mm ?) approx 4ft 6inch (in old money) long.