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Collection, Preservation and Display of Old Lawn Mowers

Puzzled new member

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Hi all. I recently purchased a Suffolk Punch 17S on eBay, for use in my daughters garden, which is much larger than mine. We had been using a Bosch electric mower, which kept the grass short very well. But stupidly she lent it out to someone, and it came back with the belt broken. So I thought it may be a good time to get a petrol mower. It’s not really what you would term as vintage. I’m pretty sure that the ID plate is telling me it’s from 1999. It does start, but has some issues with set up. The safety switch and cable grabber on the right hand lever are both broken, and I am currently waiting for new ones to be delivered. I’m sure that in the future I will have more questions, but at the moment there is just one thing puzzling me. On the ID plate, it has the type with the first digits as FO16304, which I believe denotes it as a 17S, and it has the weight as 48kg. On the manual that I downloaded, it has that ID number as being 56kg. Not really a problem I know, but I’m just puzzled as to the reason.

Chris G Mon, 16/09/2019

Hello, mine are older and don't have a weight indicated on any of the labelling.

I have never thought about the weight either so good to know I can deadlift one into the back of a motor no worries :-)

Are you sure that the actual "cutting cylinder" actually measures 17" inches?

Could also be wrong label in assembly...

the2ems Tue, 17/09/2019

Hi Chris, thanks for the reply. To be honest, I’ve not measured the cutting cylinder. I will measure it later today, if I remember. Though it does also say 17S on the front of the casing. 

the2ems Tue, 17/09/2019

I have now measured the cutting cylinder. It is confirmed at 17”. So the ID label is correct for the model. Just the weight is different.