The Old Lawnmower Club
Collection, Preservation and Display of Old Lawn Mowers
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Ransomes Ajax Mk3 locks up

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Triumph66 Sun, 14/04/2019

I got a Ransomes Ajax which I use to mow my lawn. I noticed today that  when I reversed the mower out of the garage it rolled cleanly but locked up when I wanted to go forward. I fiddled with the rear rollers and eventually managed to roll forward and back with no issues. Any idea what causes that issue? Also why do the  rear rollers have two holes in them? Is this to add more weight in them? Thanks

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wristpin Sun, 14/04/2019

Not an Ajax man but I think the holes are to access lubrication points . Guessing that the lock up may actually have been something jamming the cutting cylinder.

NM Mon, 15/04/2019

There are operating instructions and parts lists manuals on this site for Ajax, most or all models.

Tim S Tue, 23/04/2019

I’d agree that locking up is most likely to be due to the cylinder sticking. I had an Ajax in the 80s and after a regrind of the cylinder and new bottom blade a bit of moisture would produce thin films of rust where the cylinder touched the blade. As it was adjusted for a nice cut that would be enough to stick it. 3 solutions - back off the cylinder a tiny bit to leave a slightly wider gap so it doesn’t hold a film of moisture, clean and oil before storing after a cut or finally back off the cylinder and readjust before cutting the next time. 

Triumph66 Thu, 25/04/2019

Thanks Tim. I do give the cutting blades a quick sweep of a hand brush to get the debris out and then spray WD40 on it. In the winter when it will be in storage the air line will be used to blow out any offending debris and then an oily rag over the blades. Also a service would be carried out including Lin seeding the wooden rollers.