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Collection, Preservation and Display of Old Lawn Mowers

Dating a Suffolk Colt

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Hello all

Thought I would post this query rather than email the experts direct, so others may gain the answer, I have been looking to add a Colt to my collection for some time but wanted a good original one unrestored etc, Have now acquired a nice one box & side panel transfers have only slight marks and rest of machine in excellent condition. Anyway assume its early 1960's but can they be dated more precisely from the Machine No. 100910  clearly stamped on top edge of side frame & the Engine No. 294135.

Good to be re-united with this model as its the first motor mower I used over 50 years ago, my Dads pride & joy.

Cheers

Clive 

Forums

hillsider Tue, 20/10/2015

Good to hear that you are revisiting your early experiences of the joys mowing I suspect that a good many of us started out on Qualcast machines.

I don't know of any one who can date Qualcast mowers by serial numbers but if you post a few photos of your mower it could be that someone will be able to narrow it down to a bit by the model that you have.

wristpin Tue, 20/10/2015

A few clues, early exhaust muffler, the banjo fuel inlet identifies it as an early carburettor  but surprised to see the kidney fuel tank rather than a square one which I think would be in period with the carb.Is the throttle lever just resting where it is or has someone bolted it onto the cowling? It should be on the handle bar.

Hopefully there will be Zenith model numbers on the carb.13TA 1954 to 56 will have a spherical brass float in the bowl . 13TCA from 1957 will have  a plastic cylindrical float with the needle running through it.

It may be that the machine has the "wrong" engine or that the engine itself has been built up from a selection of bits.

Clive1997 Tue, 20/10/2015

Hi Angus

No its not the handles free model !!!!, had taken them off when I collected the mower & it takes up less valuable shed space with them off, the rubber hand grips are white/cream if that has any meaning,

I'm sure someone must have a list of machine numbers & dates? or some benchmarks from original receipts to give us some sort of dating system? 

Thanks for the input so far.