The Old Lawnmower Club
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Greens New Century - bow iron issue

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stonethemows Sun, 07/05/2023

I am in the process of rejuvenating a recently acquired, long neglected, New Century. Usually with most traditional side-wheel mowers the bow irons can readily be removed once the central handle is unbolted. Not the case with this. The stub locating the bow iron is flanged over, seemingly as original, so keeping it in place.

On the inside there is nothing immediately obvious to undo in this respect. However you will notice the mark of what may be a pin which possibly could knock out though there is no sign of it on the other side.

If this is the key to it then presumably the central stub axle will knock out but everything is a very tight, close fit which doesn't look as though it's intended to be undone post manufacture.

Any experience, specific knowledge or illustrated parts list anyone ?

 

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Clive1997 Sun, 07/05/2023

Just dug out a parts list, might be for a later mower, images of parts especially the very small ones not that clear, will scan later, have you found the machine number?

stonethemows Mon, 08/05/2023

Thank you Clive. Think you may have missed a previous p.m. but the number is177389. I was not aware that these were numbered so I will have to have a look at the other one to see how that compares

Clive1997 Mon, 08/05/2023

Hello Colin

Following our chat I will add various info which may be of interest & a bit on the mowers history.

As to the problem with removing the bow irons, as shown on the parts diagram 'NC 4' is described as 'Pin for Internal Gear Wheel', (see below) so assume this could be gently tapped out, perhaps with a bit of heat, as to the small hole, I believe you have established this does not go all the way through & needs investigating further. Would assume the pin is fixed tight & not required to revolve so probably not an oil hole?

Date of mower/serial number, yours being 177389, whilst we do not have many accurate benchmarks for the numbering I do know that in 1913 NC's were being sold with numbers in a range 86983 to 98674, other points to note Greens stated that in 1923 they had sold 200,000 to date, 1925 over 300.000 to date & 1929  500,000 to date, final sales appear to be 1931/2 when I assume the Utility model took over.

Shame no badge, as many members know the badge on the NC changed at some stage losing the early coat of arms at the top, difficult to say exactly when, brochures tend to show old images not updating to the new until late 1920's. Could it have changed with the new king in 1910? 

Perhaps all members with NC's could let us have their serial numbers & confirmation of the type of badge (appreciating that many badges get changed) this may give some useful information for future reference.

If you badge is missing another clue to which one it had may be seen by the screw holes which on the early badge are offset & the later badge in-line. That is of course if you have the original handle. See examples below.

To sum up, introduced 1900, sold until 1930's, yours Colin is perhaps around 1920 from the above info, any comments or further information appreciated. 

 

 

stonethemows Tue, 09/05/2023

Very useful information Clive, thank you.

Part NC4 is definitely the answer but neither will easily remove. What looked like a hole is nothing of the sort it turns out, merely a mark on the casting. Currently soaking in oil I have managed to get a very small amount of movement using a big Stillson but enough to establish that it is a separate part.

I am sure the missing badge would have been the earlier version as the screw holes on the handle are off-set. So change of badge design appears to be at least post 1920

Here is the machine as picked up :

 

stonethemows Fri, 12/05/2023

After quite a lot of time soaking in oil, careful tapping and turning a fraction at a time here is part NC4 very nearly out. Tight all the way to the last.

Out of context if you looked at the size of the pin and the size of the hole you would probably say it wouldn't fit. The small hole at the bottom end of the pin takes the split pin that holds the wheel on.

This design is flawed and makes re-assembly more awkward in the latter stages as the bow irons swing about and get in the way. As noted earlier the handle cannot be removed without  first at least taking the wheels off.

'After ' photo's of the machine to follow when the weather bucks up here.