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Collection, Preservation and Display of Old Lawn Mowers

Seized JP Super

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I have seen a JP Super complete with the wooden grassbox for sale that the seller say the cutter/roller are stuck. I am  guessing the bearings are seized? Any thoughts on this? Thanks 

Forums

wristpin Fri, 08/11/2019

If you can find a suitable tank, remove the handlebars and let it soak in diesel for a couple of weeks or more. 

Triumph66 Sat, 09/11/2019

If I did get this, I would strip the mower with a view to restore or at the very least rejuvenate it but I am still awaiting a few details pertaining to my queries. It's nice to see the wooden grass box in relatively good condition.

Lee Smallwood Sat, 09/11/2019

I recently acquired a mower described as seized, I was expecting to have to dismantlebabd replace bearings etc, but found a poorly adjusted cylinder was all that was at fault and with a light clean and properly adjusted it rolls and cuts grass well. Can't say for sure if that's all the JP will need, but if your taking it apart anyway, you will undoubtedly find the problem, hopefully not a detrimental one. Your in the right place for help if you do get it. I look forward to your posts.

Triumph66 Sat, 09/11/2019

Thanks Lee; always encouraging to read about similar mowers being seized but turns out to be a simple fix. Hopefully if all being well I should be getting it to add to my JP collection. Will keep you posted..

Antbr123 Sat, 09/11/2019

A nice example with a good box.  The box sides should be sanded down and if the colour is even waxed to a mahogany colour.  Any missing pins holding the sheet aluminium to the box sides could be replaced using upholsters tacks/nails. As a JP nutcase, my recommendation is to slowly dismantle everything.  The reason for it being stuck are manyfold...but none of which are insurmountable:-

1.  The rear roller hub is rusted onto the shaft due to lack of maintenance.  Soak in diesel, brake-fluid mixed with acetone, (nail polish remover!) vinegar and be patient.....days/weeks of soaking.  Do not heat to a high temp due to the Tg of the differing metals.  The inner rear roller tube may be brass/copper.

2) The bearings to both the rear roller and cutting blades have dried out and rusted...

3) Poor adjustment to the blades on the eccentric screw.  The eccentric screw may be worn - which is problematic - be warned! This is often caused by people not undoing the nuts and just trying to turn the hand-wheel.

4) Poor alignment of the drive sprockets between the rear roller, and the cutter sprocket. - unlikely but if any sprocket spacers have worn then it is possible the sprockets are not in a alignment.

5) Seized drive chain links.

For the handle bar clips, I would use a nut splitter to split the nut away from the custom machined clip screws.  You are more likely to damage the head of the screw if you try to undo it.  Finally, be very careful taking the aluminium side frames apart as they can crack/break .

Hope this helps.  Have you recorded the serial number and if so can you advise me of it? This is so we can record it and advise the date of the mower.

regards,

Tony

Triumph66 Sat, 09/11/2019

Thanks Tony, great stuff. I have asked the seller for that serial number too and awaiting his response. 

.Andrew

Triumph66 Sun, 10/11/2019

Update from the seller.

The 2 rear side rollers roll back but not forward and the centre roller doesn’t move. The cutter turns forward but not backwards, the cut is 12”. The serial number is TC 12.

Look forward to more information on age and what the possible diagnosis is of the symptoms!

 

 Thanks Andrew

Antbr123 Wed, 13/11/2019

I cannot see an image with a close up of the decals on the side of the grass box.  However, these are replaceable and Henry and I have the digital images to create water slide transfers should you so wish.  I can walk you through how to create these, if you do not wish to purchase. Equally, OLC shop may have them, but not as water slide transfers which is what would have been fitted originally.

The Serial number seems incomplete?  Can you check again and I will discuss with Henry and get back to you.. It suggests it may be  March 1946 but I want to be certain around when JP started to manufacture after the war. Any past evidence of handles on the grass box?

 

Tony

OLC Shop Wed, 13/11/2019

I can confirm we do have this transfer available, along with a good selection of others for JP's. Please refer to the online ' catalogue '.

With the greatest of respect to the purists, some may find the self-adhesive transfers that we offer more manageable and durable than the original waterslides. It is, as ever, a matter of personal choice.  .

 

Triumph66 Wed, 13/11/2019

Thanks Tony for the suggested dating. I have bought the mower and a friend have collected it on behalf and is now at his yard awaiting collection from me. I will ask him to ascertain the serial number and get back to you as soon as I know. I will also ask him to send me photos of the grass box.

 

 Thanks Andrew

Antbr123 Wed, 13/11/2019

TC 12 is a complete number and I checked with Henry Ellis.  I was right, March 1946 is the date of your mower.  So it is early post war.

regards,

Tony

Triumph66 Thu, 14/11/2019

That's good to know the date; thanks. Once I collect it, I will post updates of its rejuvenation.