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Collection, Preservation and Display of Old Lawn Mowers

Dennis

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Morning, I have just joined the forum.

I am looking for any manuals or information for a Dennis Premier mk1 which I acquired  last year.

I am hoping to restore it but would like some info before I get started. Kind regards

Shaun

Forums

Shaun Young Sun, 21/02/2021

Hello

Yes that looks like it.

It's the 36'' model.

Not sure of the year but I have the engine and mower numbers if that helps

wristpin Sun, 21/02/2021

 

 

Not sure of the year but I have the engine and mower numbers if that helps

I don’t have any number info but post them on this thread and there will probably be a reply from someone who has.

Meanwhile I will scan my parts manual dated September 1971.

 

Meanderingmac Sun, 29/10/2023

Afternoon from New Zealand (don't mention the Rugby World Cup), I've just joined the club and the forum.

I've recently bought a Dennis Premier Mk1, machine number PB969, Engine number 102729 E38. I think it used to be the Rotorua Golf Clubs greens mower.

Its in pretty good condition and runs well. So I am also looking for any manuals or information for its ongoing use and maintenance. 

A very basic question to start with. What level do I fill the engine oil to? The only hint I can find on the club site is that it requires a mirror. I can see the oil using my camera on my phone to look into the filler, but what level should it be filled to? I assume SAE 30 oil?

Any help would be much appreciated.

Cheers

Paul

wristpin Sun, 29/10/2023

A bit of guess work here but looking at the parts list for what I believe to be your engine ( Dennis’s own manufacture ) , it would be dry sump ; that is having an oil tank with the oil being delivered to the bearings etc by a pump and the “ used” oil being scavenged from the bottom of the crankcase and returned to the tank. One of the basic operator checks on the older engine  was that with the filler cap removed, and the engine running, one could see scavenged oil being discharged back into the tank. The filler cap had a dip stick attached to it , but my  parts list for the Premier, does not show, or make any reference to, a dip stick . However it does show an Oil Return Pipe. 
As far as the oil goes, the oil tank on  earlier version of your engine had a capacity of 5 pints of Shell X100 SAE 50 oil. As I only have a parts book for the Premier, and not a user manual , I cannot find a specific recommendation for yours, but as it’s basically the same engine I see no reason to think that it would be much different .

I hope that this may be of some assistance. 

Meanderingmac Mon, 30/10/2023

Thanks for that information, very helpful, and explains the lack of dipstick, sight glass, or indicator marks.

I'll have a look down the oil filler while its running and check to see if I can see the oil being returned to the tank - a small mirror will be the way as was mentioned in another post.

I did read somewhere that the oil should be Shell X100 SAE 50 unless in a warm country, then use SAE 30. In this case I've just spotted the recommended oil on the manufacturers plate is 30 grade, so will run with that. I assume the manufacturer would have customised the information plate for the intended market so would have taken that into account.

Thanks again, much appreciated. 

Paul

wristpin Mon, 30/10/2023

That’s good , but I’m surprised that it may be necessary to use a mirror to observe the oil being returned to the tank, on my earlier Z type which has a very similar engine , the top of the return pipe is clearly visible with the filler cap removed. With your quantity of present quantity , what depth of oil is there in the tank? I’m assuming that this design of engine relies on the oil capacity and radiated heat from the alloy tank to assist with cooling.  May be worth trying to get hold of an operator’s manual, perhaps  the golf club may still have it somewhere, or the NZ Dennis importer may be able to help.

Mowing Wurzel Tue, 31/10/2023

Unlike the more celebrated and aesthetically pleasing  White & Poppe / Dennis engines fitted on the earlier  Z type, et al. machines

the fuel tank on the Premier Mk 1 engine obscures the view of the oil pipe, and clear line of vision so a mirror is needed to look down.

Although on reassembly, you can bend the pipe a bit to observe its pumping. (check out my photos in the 2020 Virtual Rally)

As stated in the UK Premier Mk1 manuals;  SAE30 engine oil is recommended and that is what we use, I wouldn't know for the Australian market. 

As Wristpin advises, it is a Dry Sump and  takes 5 pints max.  There is a horizontal  Bar in the oil reservoir showing the oil level when running.  

Putting higher viscosity  oil in Premiers Engines is not wise and it causes stress on the oil pump and the keyways start to shear.      And naturally with any engine be Pressure fed lubricated or Splash lubricated, changing the oil regularly and ensuring pouring containers are spotlessly clean ensures a long life on an engine.

All the engines I have seen ruined where people never change the oil or introduce grit into the engine, ruining them!