Skip to main content
Collection, Preservation and Display of Old Lawn Mowers

Mk1 Ajax

Enter a word or two to search the forum section and click the Search Forum button.

Hello all,

my next project is out of storage, an early Ajax. It's in very good condition but I've decided to give it an overhaul. So on inspection it works, rolls and cuts grass, but it does have a few issues.

Firstly, front wooden roller has two pins either end that locate in the carriers. These must be original as the wear is quiet exceptional, this wear is also on the locating holes on the carriers themselves, the wood itself is nice so I will sand and treat accordingly, I will replace the pins from local engineer but the holes in the carrier are such an egg shape that there will still be a little movement. I will be looking to hopefully replace them if some can be found. Any help from you guys will be welcome.

The other issue, which has been brought up previously in an older forum post, is there is an enormous amount of lateral play along the shaft and the rear roller. I presume the ratchet type cogs that engages drive can be squeezed a little narrower as they have bolts that locate through them onto the shaft to stop this but advice is welcome if anyone has had this problem before or if I'm barking up the wrong tree.

And finally regarding the oil bath for the gears, is there a washer or gasket that seals the cover plate to stop leaks, would hate to dismantle and find a replacement isn't available if needed. 

My best to you all and look forward to your advice.

Forums

hillsider Fri, 29/03/2019

https://www.oldlawnmowerclub.co.uk/sites/default/files/opmanual/Ajax%20…

You may find this link helpful ( unless you have found it already ) re the front roller spindles if the new spindles do not eliminate all of the wear you could possibly go oversize on the pins a little to take up the slack.

Rectifying the oval holes in the support brackets could be rather more of a challenge but one way to do it would be to machine the holes round again by over sizing them then bushing them back to size again.

Re the drive casing I have only seen the later models that have grease lubrication and no gasket.

 

Lee Smallwood Sat, 30/03/2019

Took the cover plate off today, and there is remnants of some sort of sealant or washer. I think oversizing the pins will work as once the mower is in motion the play wouldn't make a lot of difference to overall performance, may be just a little rattly. 

Thanks for the link. Lee

Lee Smallwood Thu, 04/04/2019

So all good with the ajax. Engineer mate made the pins and carriers better, and the side plate is keeping the oil in with a very thin rubber washer I made from an old fashioned table mat. It works beautifully and smooth but not cut grass with it yet as it hasn't stopped raining since done. Not a nut and bolt job which it probably deserves but a tidy up for now and apologies for the colour, used what I had left over from my Suffolk paint. Close but not bang on. I'll change my name to One Shade Of Green Smallwood.

Chris G Tue, 09/04/2019

Nice work and great pictures!

Tempted to get something to push - but the wife will kill me if I got another mower :-)

Lee Smallwood Tue, 09/04/2019

Know what you mean. I get very nervous when Faye goes online. Not because of anything naughty, just in case she sees my bidding history on eBay lol