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Collection, Preservation and Display of Old Lawn Mowers

Atco 14" collected

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I collected the Atco 14" this morning. It is I believe the 75G14 suffolk engine. It's iron, with 6 bolts. I counted properly this time, at least I hope I have, as I'm starting to doubt it!

Started by checking for a spark ... once again, nothing. I went through the same process as with the B17 last week, although this time it was much quicker, because I remembered the prior advice, thank you all. Anyhow, points cleaned and I am getting a spark. I'll change the oil and then go and get some petrol. I ordered a new air filter too, which arrived today, and have fitted that. Should I soak it in petrol or oil? 

Anything else I should do before filling with petrol and trying it? 

Best wishes, Darren

Forums

wristpin Mon, 17/06/2019

Re your last question. You could try praying.

Presuming that your air cleaner is a sponge - work some engine oil into it, wrap in rag a squeeze out the surplus, don’t wring!

Henno Mon, 17/06/2019

Also regarding the last question: use alkylate petrol like Aspen 4.

We might start a religious war here, ah well.

From personal experience garden machinery, especially older ones, start better and it burns a lot cleaner, carb and engine will not get dirty at, and, so you are standing a less harmful exhaust fumes.

 

 
alkylate

wristpin Mon, 17/06/2019

Nothing against Aspen other than the price, but if working all day with a chainsaw, hedgecutter or trimmer with the exhaust in close proximity, well worth considering. However for normal domestic mowing and "mucking about", normal fuel hygiene and some stabiliser is more than adequate .

Not sure whether there is a patron saint for mower repairers but St Barbara seems to spread her patronage from tunnellers to artillerymen so may be persuaded to look favourably on recalcitrant mechanical devices.  

StBarbara, (died c. 200 ce; feast day December 4 ), legendary virgin martyr of the early church. Venerated as one of the 14 Auxiliary Saints (Holy Helpers), she is invoked in thunderstorms and is the patron saint of artillerymen and miners.  

Darren - FAC Mon, 17/06/2019

Well, with points cleaned and set, oil changed, and a light oiling of chains, I then installed the air filter. Soaked in engine oil and squeezed in paper towel. No doubt the Aspen petrol is a great option too, so thanks for the suggestion, but in the end I didn't want to wait to get some. There is a time to fix and a time to mow, to every season turn, turn, turn. And this is the season to mow!

Filled with petrol, no prayers, a few pulls, and guess what ... it only went and started. Can't tell you how chuffed I am. Had it running for a few minutes in the front garden and then thought I'd give the back lawn a cut. Wheeled it round, then problem with the recoil, cord fully extended and not retracting. Anyhow, spent more time than I'd have liked trying to work it out, but eventually got there. Started it up again just fine. Cut back lawn in about 10 minutes or less (it's not big), which is significantly faster than the electric rotary thing I have. Cut isn't bad, but blades could obviously do with attention. 

Now I just need to get that 17" sorted. Got a quote on new coil unit ... nearly £50 with postage. Would be a shame not to get it fixed, so I'll get around to it.

It really was fantastic using the 14" today. Took me right back to childhood. I've not even lost the knack of the turn!

Thanks all. 

Darren