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Collection, Preservation and Display of Old Lawn Mowers

Clutch disengage piece - bought mower no idea of model - total newbie!!

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Hi,

I've been a member for a year now, but never posted, so firstly hi. I've enjoyed reading the many topics and threads on this site.

As a total newbie (no background in engineering, mechanics etc) just a fondness for discovering how things work by taking apart, I bought a cylinder mower last year. It's well worn in! But it it runs and indeed today, started on the first pull after a winter of no use.

The clutch won't disengage as the mechanism for doing this looks likes its missing. I tried using a piece of an old door hinge, but this hasn't been 100% successful. 

Does anyone know what the make and model it is ( I suspect it's a mishmash of bits? theres no serial numbers or plates?)

The photo on the left (circled in green) shows the bit I'm missing (sorry I don't know what its called) The thread on the bit circled red is worn too, so I'd likely need to replace this, to allow me to adjust properly (again, no idea what it's called)

So if anyone can help and tell me the make or model, I'll be able to use a manual to help identify the bits.

Many Thanks

 

Steven

Forums

wristpin Mon, 18/05/2020

What you appear to have is an Atco De Luxe B17 Club.  “Club “ because it has a 10 or 12 bladed cutting cylinder for “ fine turf” work rather than the 6 bladed one for domestic grass . A quite useable machine but designed to cut little and often on a bowling green, grass tennis court or croquet lawn rather than the usual once a week cut on a domestic lawn.

The part that you have circled in green is the clutch release or withdrawal mechanism and the wearing pads between the yoke/fork ( top and bottom) should be of a hard plastic material.  The fact that the compression spring on the shaft has been wound up suggests that there may be some wear or other issue within the clutch which will only be revealed with a full strip down. Winding up that collar to compress the spring is usual advised against in all manuals.  The multi blade cylinder used in a once a week mowing regimen can put considerable strain on the drive system and may account for it.

You red circle is the cable adjuster which usually comes as part of a complete new cable .

Probably the starting point for parts is Jon Cruse at the Hailsham Mower Centre.

Clutch pad/contact tip. F016L09505

Rivet for pad F016L09506**

Main / engine clutch cable F016L20269

** looks like you may have drilled the yokes oversize to accommodate your mod so you may have to go with the flow and drill the correct pads to suit, rathan than use the correct rivets.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/zzewznx9bv5nh1o/Atco%20De%20luxe%20main%20clu…

The above uses old part numbers. I will try and update it later.

EDIT

This is the parts list specific to the B17 Club . That split pin 5 was a known failure point allowing the clutch plates to move. Operators would then wind the spring (26) pressure up in an attempt to compensate.

 

 

 

Steven Mon, 18/05/2020

Many Thanks wristpin for your prompt response.

I bought the machine just to cut a 3m by 4m area in my garden, where I've tried to make a putting green. So its used lightly but often during the summer.

In response to some of your observations, I tightened the compression spring to fit my mod, I will slacken it off again. Many thanks for the part numbers Jon Cruse had them.

I didn't drill the yokes to fit my mod (although that may have been done by a previous owner, I will wait to see if the new split pin fits)

I will need to track down the user /maintenance manual, I found one online for £8.95, I guess that's my best bet?

Again, many thanks, great community.

Steven

 

 

 

 

 

 

wristpin Mon, 18/05/2020

20”?  I wondered about that but my understanding is that the Club version of the De Luxe with the SIF iron block engine was 17” and the 20” Club used the heavy weight chassis and the Tecumseh H50/60.

wristpin Tue, 19/05/2020

I will need to track down the user /maintenance manual, I found one online for £8.95, I guess that's my best bet?

Not sure how much use that will be as to the best of my knowledge, Atco never produced a workshop manual as such but only some fairly useful owner/ operator guides.

If you are going to investigate the main clutch, it probably best to take the engine off and start from that end.