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Collection, Preservation and Display of Old Lawn Mowers

ATCO Sit on Mower with Tecumseh Engine

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Hello can anyone assist me with the repair of this mower.

I am a member of the Debenham Men's Shed (UK Mens Shed Association) in Suffolk and we are trying to get this mower repaired.

We replaced the carburettor (it's brand new) new spark plug, flushed the fuel and added clean fuel. It started once or twice but simply would not pick up revs, come back to an irregular idle, then just petering out. Now it won't start at all.

We have checked the on/off switch and feel that it just has to be something to do with the carburation / throttling mechanism ... as it must have spark because it will start from time to time!

If anyone has a shared experience and managed to solve this would be most grateful for you thoughts / tips. 

 

 

wristpin Fri, 10/05/2019

We need more information and some decent pictures of the machine, the carburettor and how you’ve connected the governor linkage.

Atco sit on . 20/24/30” with a 5/6 HP Tecumseh or a 28/34 with an 8 or 10 Hp Tecumseh?

New carburettor  - genuine Tecumseh or chinesium ?

 

hortimech Sat, 11/05/2019

Definitely need pictures, Atco did sit-ons with a wheel at each corner ;-)

wristpin Sat, 11/05/2019

Definitely need pictures, Atco did sit-ons with a wheel at each corner ;-)

Woops, So they did!

Never assume....!

Vincealm Tue, 14/05/2019

Thank you for these responses everyone, I will get some pics loaded up soon. We meet in Debenham on Friday's .... so by weeks end. Vince

hortimech Fri, 31/05/2019

20 inch Atco with trailer seat, Tecumseh HH50/60 engine (probably HH60 as it isn't original)

Check flow from fuel tank, does it flow freely or is the outlet blocked ?

Is the carb set up correctly ?

I know you say it has a spark, but is this intermittent ? The engine will have a set of contact breakers (unless someone has retrofitted electronic ignition and I cannot see anything) and these could need cleaning or replacing.

wristpin Fri, 31/05/2019

Everything that H has already said plus....

The carburettors on those engines don't take kindly to extended periods of disuse, particularly if they have been left with fuel in them which has subsequently evaporated and left a residue which is now preventing the carb' from operating as it should. It may well be that your cab' now needs a thorough clean  - probably by someone with both the knowledge and equipment to do it properly without causing further damage.

 

Vincealm Fri, 31/05/2019

Thank you everyone. I will follow your advice and give you some feedback later next week as to progress. We have our next Debenham Men's Shed meet up next Friday. Vince

Vincealm Fri, 31/05/2019

Hortimech,

I have managed to get my hands on a second hand magneto and will probably replace this next week. The original HT lead has definitely been patched up in the past and may be earthing!

The carb is brand new, though it has been standing for a couple of weeks. I'll take a look at this and also the fuel flow ... to make sure there is no snag / blockage. 

Will also check the contact breakers again.

Vince

wristpin Fri, 31/05/2019

Not sure, but I think that the HT lead is screwed into the coil, no bonded , so it may be replaced .

Carburettor. Is your replacement a genuine Tecumseh or a Chinese pattern?