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Collection, Preservation and Display of Old Lawn Mowers

Hayter Kestrel

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Hi. I have just joined the forum and recently acquired a Hayter Kestrel. Not very vintage but seems quite quaint. I cannot seem to find out much info and as the engine is a non runner with no spark and little compression, I will need some help if I am to resurrect this machine. 

Period features are a Briggs 3.5hp engine with vertical pull start. A height adjust lever with a horizontal plastic knob on it resembling the throttle control in an aircraft and very small plastic hand knobs to secure the push handle.

The only number on the aluminium deck is on a stout aluminium tag held by strong plain rivets. Number 8200.

The engine numbers are:

Model 95508

Type 0160 02

Code 81032008

If anyone can date this machine and or tell me if there is any place in the UK that would recondition the original engine ( I don't want to fit a modern engine), or offer any other advice, I would be very grateful, even if you advise I bin it.

 

Forums

hortimech Mon, 07/11/2016

You have dated it laugh

Code 81032008 = 20th March 1981 was when the engine was made, give it about 6 months to get to Bishops Stortford from America and your machine was made in the last half of 1981.

Just about any good mower repair workshop should be able to fix it for you, or if you are any good with spanners, you could fix it yourself. If it has been stood for some time, the low compression could be a stuck valve and the contact breakers probably need cleaning, both easy to do.

 

 

Mulchman Mon, 07/11/2016

Thanks Hortimech. You inspire me with confidence, so I will now seek out a workshop manual for this Briggs engine, so that I dismantle things sympathetically. The last owner seems to have removed the plug with a hammer and chisel! I can't seem to get a reply from Hayters, maybe it is too old. Any recommendations for an engine manual and spares in the UK ?

wristpin Mon, 07/11/2016

Here's a Kestral operator's manual and parts list which should be right for your machine . For engine information you would do a lot worse than a copy of the official Briggs and Stratton manual for single cylinder L head (side valve) engines . The one from which I have scanned the covers should be right for your engine, the next edition is for post 1981 engines and some of the older engines have been dropped from it . Just make sure that you don't get one that says for OHV engines - not right for your lump.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/fzbgmsnupmar4hd/Hayter%20Kestrel0001.pdf?dl=0

PS - the air cleaner is on the wrong way round!

Mulchman Tue, 08/11/2016

many thanks wristpin. I thought someone would notice the air filter back to front but that photo was "as found".