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Collection, Preservation and Display of Old Lawn Mowers

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Hi all

Firstly can i say what a fantastic website this is and that i am looking forward to learning new things as i go. I have a few technical questions to ask and was hoping if you guys can help in some way. I have two engines and one full lawnmower and was wondering if there is a way of knowing the model and the date of production.

  1. First one is an Atco (apparently) and the engine number is A881103. I have stripped this one down fully and rebuilt it up and it started after a bit of fine tuning. What a great feeling to get one running when it would not start after buying.
  2. &  3 Suffolk engines with numbers A769925 & B159829

Also on the one suffolk I am stripping currently, the carb has 3x split pins. Two seem the same size and one slightly different. Looking at some of the opertating manuals your site has too offer the codes seem to be 05370 & 05890. Does anyone know the size of these so I can look for new ones and can any split pin be used as long a it fits the diameter of the hole.

One final question for now can anyone reccommend any good books on the history of old mowers as since stripping one and now on my second i am hooked. I will also be joining the club fully soon and cant wait to get out when the shows are back to meet people.

Regards

Martin

Forums

Ronnie Sat, 04/07/2020

Hi mate,

im new as well but sadly no feedback at all from my questions 

 

Mowing Wurzel Sat, 04/07/2020

 

Naturally the Old Lawnmower Club is the definitive resource for technical advise on restorations (when details and photographs provided) , original publications material,   spare part guidance and sourcing,  the classified platform, historical content and any other Mower matter.

RECOMMENDED BOOKS:

Many people were first introduced to the history of Old Lawn Mower's  by the Shire Publication first issued in 1982; a brief critique written by the late David Halford.    

The Shire publication was the first publication in its own right on Lawn Mowers and gave the aspiring collector something to wish for!

 

More recently in 2018, The Unicorn Publication; " Two Men Went To Mow" by Renown Club member Clive Gravett;  founder of the Museum of Gardening, and the wonderful Budding Charity among other great achievements has written this book, a much more factual and accessible  account of the history of the Lawn Mower.

Like glue, its hard to take your hands off it!

Geoff Beechey Sun, 05/07/2020

Ronnie I have given you a reply just now re the paint question, not sure how helpful that will be, Re your other mower question I note that one member gave you advice and suggestions, but to be able to help further you need to give feedback even with photos which do help. When we on this forum see a question and then an answer with no other feedback we assume that the advice rectified the problem, hope you have fixed the mower, if not ask more questions.

Regards Geoff.

Geoff Beechey Sun, 05/07/2020

Hello mbspain, a split pin usually does nothing more than retain some part in place, sometimes they are also used to hook a spring into the eye, there is not many specifications for a split pin. Material, diameter and length, most common is steel, diameter is important it has to fit the hole where it is to be installed (not adjustable), the next is length and this is easily adjustable if you purchase one that is longer you can always cut it to size.

I am not sure how this sort of part is supplied where you reside, but here in Australia we can purchase split pins from our local mechanics shop, automotive supply shops, and any hardware and DIY supply shop, I would think some hobby shops would also sell split pins. They are also available in a compartmentalised plastic containers witth various sizes and lengths in them some have up to 500 pins in them.

Regards Geoff