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Collection, Preservation and Display of Old Lawn Mowers

OH NO that question again!

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Hi All

         I am writing this from under my desk with one hand from under my desk to take cover! So i am sorry to ask this question again as i know a few people have asked this and i just would like to clarify a few pointers please.

I have a Ransome Ajax Mk5 which i restored last year, i had the blades all painted and sharpened , and cutting the lawn it still cuts very well. However, cleaning the blades afterwards i ran my finger over the blades and thought the do not seem sharp, but they still cut paper all along the blade edge.  So if it is cutting do i leave alone when it comes to Back lapping, or would some people say yes back lap every year at either the beginning or end of the season? 

I understand when it comes to back lapping with this particular model it came with a tool to help this? However, this are like the Ransome Certes MK 10 and hens teeth! So i could use a 5/8 bolt to help. I have a medium grinding paste would that suffice or am i better with a fine? 

I am also currently restoring a Atco petrol 12 blade and again i will have a new bottom blade and the blades will be sharpened and painted. I understand the process of back lapping and again i assume it would apply to this model as well.

Thank you again for the answers 

Kind regards Dave

 

 

Forums

hortimech Mon, 03/06/2019

Backlapping is a maintenance task not a repair task, it is something that golf clubs do every week. If you wait until the cut goes off, you have waited too long, you will not need to backlap every week (well not unless you cut 18 greens seven days a week), I would backlap your machines once a month throughout the mowing season with fine, water based, backlapping paste, which you will need to wash off after every backlapping session before you turn the cylinder forward. Do not use oil or grease based paste, you will not be able to remove it and the first time you turn the cylinder forward, you will ruin the cutting edges.

wristpin Mon, 03/06/2019

Perhaps the whole subject should be made a “sticky” on the OLC technical section. However as every edition of Grassbox contains a ( paid for?) advertisement for a so called sharpening kit, there could be  a perceived conflict of interest .

Davel831 Mon, 03/06/2019

Thank you everyone, wow once a month brilliant . I will crack on and do this as you say for maintenance. 

 

Regards Dave

gtc Mon, 03/06/2019

Perhaps the whole subject should be made a “sticky” on the OLC technical section.

I second this suggestion. Admin?

 

Davel831 Mon, 03/06/2019

It would be really helpful if we did have this topic as a sticky please.

It helps us newcomers 

 

Dave

olcadmin Fri, 07/06/2019

Also posted elsewhere. (apologies for duplication)...

Yes, we can make it sticky but I wonder if the better option would be to create a new page under the Technical Help or Restoration sections of the main site. 

Pros...

  • Might look like better advice
  • Content is controlled
  • Can contain more resources such as images, video etc
  • Not cluttered by comments and discussions
  • Can still be linked/pointed to

Cons...

  • Not open to discussion or comment
  • Needs someone to create and maintain
  • Not part of forum

There are probably some other common discussion topics that could probably do with a permanent section, eg electric on Suffolk mowers

Any thoughts?

gtc Fri, 07/06/2019

Any thoughts?

I think a dedicated page, penned by one or two of our expert members (i.e. those people who have long and actual experience in the business) is the way to go and, as you say, it can be linked to whenever this old chestnut arises.

Davel831 Fri, 07/06/2019

Hi

    As a newcomer yes i agree with GTC please.

 

Dave

Chris G Sat, 08/06/2019

Just my humble, I think it would be best as a standalone technical help page per Admin's post also.