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Collection, Preservation and Display of Old Lawn Mowers

Atco Villiers Kick start no longer works.

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My Atco Villiers 30" was working fine until the kick start stopped engaging. The free wheel cog does not seem to engage anywhere and nothing seems to be snapped or broken on it. Does anyone know how the kick start for this model works and how to reset the spring? The spring is loose and there appears to be no logical way to reset it. Do I need to strip away the chains and clutch to get at it or is there  a simpler solution?  Any help would be appreciated.  

 

Forums

hortimech Sat, 02/05/2020

Ahh, might have helped if you had a decent measuring device, it is either a 28" or 34" Atco laugh

You will need to remove the engine and the boss on the flywheel to gain access to the sprocket on the crank, this will undoubtedly need replacing.

 

wristpin Sat, 02/05/2020

Certainly follow Hortimech’s instructions but when you get  the sprocket off have a good look at it as,like a push bike’ s free wheel , it may take apart to reveal some pawls and springs. There’s an out side chance that they may just be gunged up. 

If it doesn’t take apart or is wrecked inside have a word with Jon Cruse at the Hailsham Mower Centre. Also if the return spring is broken he may be able to help but if the spring is unobtainable a bit of catapult elastic or a short bungy strap can be used to return the pedal pro tem.

Could also be worth talking to Paul at Meetens but I suspect that the free wheel was never a Villiers part.

 

 

Peter Rosa Sun, 03/05/2020

Thanks so much for,such helpful replies. I will follow them up and feedback  in due course.,

In terms of measuring the mower as either 28 or 34" how is that defined? Is it the width of the blades or the whole width of the mower at the level of the blades? 

villiers98 Sat, 16/05/2020

Difficult to see but is this a Vlliers mk 12 engine? . It may be easier to get a pulley for the flywheel end and use, with great care, a rope to start it . I belive the freewheel was an Atco part but made exclusively for them by Villiers so  finding a replacement could be v hard . If you can get to the freewheel and dismantle it a photo may help.

mikehpw1 Sun, 26/07/2020

Hi

can I ask what type of carb you have on your 28/34 if it’s a V type could you dou me a big favour and send me a pic of the linkage particularly the throttle cable connection to the engine and carb. I’m restoring one and the lever and cable are missing I’ve sourced the lever and cable but can’t see how or where the cable attaches to the engine thanks