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Collection, Preservation and Display of Old Lawn Mowers

Atco Admiral 16E Self Propelled - identifying model number, and parts for blade mounting

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Hi all,

I'm a newbie and not sure whether and Atco Admiral 16E is "old" enough for this site, but am hoping someone can help. We acquired the beast for free "not working" as my 11 year old son has wanted to fix up a petrol engine for a while. With my guidance he's stripped the engine, cleaned the carb, cleared years of dirt, replaced the spark plug and air filter, rebuilt it all, and he now has a nice smoothly running engine! As you can imagine he's very happy!

Problem 1 - model number:

So the mower casing is printed in big letters with "Admiral 16E Self Propelled". I don't have the manual. When googling for parts and manuals, I can find these versions in many places. None of them seem to match:

ADMIRAL 16 (F016509042)
ADMIRAL 16 (F016L80333)
ADMIRAL 16 (F016L80471)
ADMIRAL 16S (F016509142)
ADMIRAL 16S (F016L80472)
ADMIRAL 16SE (F016509242)
ADMIRAL 16SE (F016L80473)

How do I find out which one mine is? I can't find any model information either etched or stuck to the frame of the machine, other than the large print branding.

 

Problem 2 - blade fitting parts: I will try to upload photos when I'm at home later.

We are now left with one key problem. When we got it, the blade was loose, rotating freely around the spindle. You could spin it with a finger, so I removed it for safety's sake. In the past someone has clearly removed the blade and replaced it with just 2 washers. Because they have tried running the engine with the blade loose, it has rotated around the shaft rather than being gripped tight to it, and caused significant wear and damage to the fitting parts. There is also no fan mounted above the blade - the parts diagrams I've seen imply there should be one!?!

All the parts diagrams have different combinations of bits (up to 5 it seems) which are used to hold the blade in place. These are different part numbers for the different versions above, but look very similar in photos on parts sites. But buying all the parts could be >£50 from these sites. 

I'm gutted that yesterday I missed a spares and repairs sale of the identical mower for £10 off Facebook selling, but will keep looking  :(

Can someone with the same model please attach photos of the underneath showing a properly fitted blade, any fan, and if you can get the right angle, the washers etc surrounding the blade fitting?

Much obliged for any advice and time you can spare!

Thanks,

Jon 

 

 

 

Forums

wristpin Thu, 14/06/2018

If the engine is a Briggs and Stratton it will have Model, Type and Code numbers stamped into the blower housing / cowling and the code number will date it. This will give an approximate date of manufacture for the mower and will help narrow the field. 

Basically you have a 16" self propelled electic start machine, made in the early 1990s.

The blade retaining components were fairly standard across the range so working away from the fan.

Old T numbers subsequently had an F016 prefix added.eg F016T49293

Fan

Blade  T49293

Friction disc T48441

Thrust washer T48440

Disc Spring aka Belleville washer T48445

Retention cap T48447

Spring washer T48446

Blade bolt T48448

EDIT

The attached may be useful but make sure that you are looking at the parts relevant to the Admiral and not the Turbo.

Bulletin SB120 refers to bulletin SB116  - nothing on that one relevant to your query.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/1zfrhsap9v1quov/Atco%20Admiral0001.pdf?dl=0

CoffinDodger Thu, 14/06/2018

Thank you that's very helpful. I've managed to find some photos on my phone, here goes at attaching them...

I do have one of the Brigs and Stratton model number at home, thanks for the tip to date it that way.

 Does that ridged metal part come off the spindle? The bottom edge has an oval fitting for the next part, but it has been worn down by the blade spinning freely. Does the ridged metal part mount a fan?

EDIT: Images link to larger versions

 

wristpin Thu, 14/06/2018

An image of the top of the engine doesn’t answer the Model. Type and Code question. The complete string are stamped into the blower housing or on the shield above the exhaust.

That serrated bit on the end of the crank is the fan hub. Sorry, Blade adaptor in their speak. It sits inside the fan and engages corresponding serrations.

CoffinDodger Thu, 14/06/2018

Thank you for your help wristpin, I appreciate the time you're taking. Now I'm home, the engine is a 1993 model I've figured from the engine model number. This is the only model number I can find on the mower and I assume it's just for the engine, not the mower as a whole.

There was no fan fitted to the mower, so for whatever reason, the underside was a disgrace. The fan hub / blade adaptor is damaged on the end, and either solidly connected to the crankshaft, or rusted in place. I haven't tried any kind of force to remove it. So I'm guessing that unless I can get hold of a spares machine, it's going to be uneconomical to restore this one any further.

 

 

 

wristpin Thu, 14/06/2018

22nd of Sept 1994. So your machine may be late 94 or Spring 95.  New parts for the Admiral and its bigger brother the Viscount are virtually unobtainable other than from old businesses closing down or having a turnout.  Strangely enough, I was given a Viscount that was "beyond economic repair" a few weeks ago. Actually not a lot wrong with it and now up and running and does a good job  - until the next  " irreplaceable"  part gives up.

The Admiral and Viscount were Atco's answer to the Hayter's  Harrier 16 and 19"  machines  - cheaper but not nearly as robust, consequently, their survival rate is no match for the Harriers. and they are now pretty thin on the ground.

Your blade adaptor is just seized onto the crank but if you can find a fan it just slips onto it, so unless you relish the challenge it doesn't have to come off.

PM sent.

Dee Lubowitz Tue, 24/08/2021

The Engine is a 1993 model I've figured from the engine model number. This is the only model number I can find on the mower and I assume it's just for the engine, not the mower as a whole.

There was no fan fitted to the mower, so for whatever reason, the underside was a disgrace. The fan hub/blade adaptor is damaged on the end, and either solidly connected to the crankshaft or rusted in place. I haven't tried any kind of force to remove it. So I'm guessing that unless I can get hold of a spares machine, it's going to be uneconomical to restore this one any further.