Ransomes Certes Mark 2, 16in push mower

Nice mower to start a collection and a bonus to have the box and some transporter wheels.

For newcomers, I think it's always good advice to go slowly, take lots of notes and photos, and never force anything that appears to be stuck.

Most components will come apart easily enough. If anything is stuck, be patient and use lots of penetrating oil or a similar product designed to unseize them. It's rarely a good idea to force anything.

Pay particular attention to washers and nuts and their position or location. Most of us know how it feels to finish a restoration and find we still have a few left over with no idea where they should be.

Bear in mind that some components and assemblies will be "handed", in other words designed to work in a particular direction. For example, the components inside the roller and drive are made such that they will drive the blade when the mower is pushed forward but will stop when the mower stops or is pulled backwards. This may mean that when you think you are undoing a nut or bolt you are in fact tightening it.

Takes lots of photographs at every stage. Your smartphone or digital camera is your friend and these photos will be invaluable when you start to reassemble the mower.

Search the forum for other members' stories and experiences. There is lots of information here and even if your particular mower isn't featured, the problems faced by other members are likely to be similar. Most mowers have a fairly basic design, after all.

Ask more questions on the forum. I am sure other members will be happy to offer advice and encouragement, and many will have preserved or restored a similar if not identical mower at some point.

Finally, there is some general advice on mower restoration on our site at the following link. Hopefully it will provide some useful hints.

https://oldlawnmowerclub.co.uk/mower-restoration

Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.

That's great advice from Keith & taking your time if something is stuck don't force it, many of us have learnt by snapping off nuts/bolts. If stuck, clean around thoroughly & soak, I have often used a diesel bath & left parts in soaking for several days. And of course a bit of heat from a blow torch, away from the diesel!!

The Mk1 Certes was introduced 1925 & your Mk2 around 1930, the blades don't look too rusty & you may be able to find a date on the underside of each blade in this format 29/30 the numbers being around 4mm, often the / stands out more, this does not necessarily date the mower as cylinder in some cases may have been replaced but would be interesting to know. 

A great mower to start off with & the bonus of carrier wheels & grass box which is often missing on the early ones. Keep us posted.

Thanks both, appreciate the comments. I have taken lots of photos and tried to separate the different items into groups, but I think I will now take the time to label everything.  Many thanks

I have come across two issues if anyone can help. The first is quite simple the bottom blade is connected by 4 screws. I have put WD40 on and left for a while, but do not seem like they want to budge. Taking your advice of not forcing I have put some more WD40 on and left it. See photo, any suggestions.

The second is trying to remove the cutting cylinder. I have removed both clamps and springs and both sides can move up and down, I can completely lift up the side opposite the gears, but the problem is the side near the gears has a rod coming through which prevents me lifting it any further. The video I watched showed this being removed and all he did was wiggle it a bit and it came out. It does not want to come out for me. See Photos and any suggestions. Thanks in advance.

You need a good impact driver to mover those screws. Soak in oil WD40 isnt that great .

Thanks Chirpy, I used some better oil and got my friend to help with the impact screwdriver and now have it all in pieces. It is in much better condition than I thought with all the bearings, and gears in good working order and the bottom blade is in great nick. The tips on the forum and the web site  were very useful, especially the don't force it, take your time. I will now learn about stage 2.

Well done, keep us informed on progress a Certes is a fine mower that deserves saving.