ATCO Groundsman 28 inch mower.

[vhgmcbuddy]

This is the object under investigation Angus. the small protruding cyclinder,at rear right lower corner. looks important but whats its job ?

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[wristpin]

Ah, just the support bearing for the sprocket on the other side.
Page 11 in the parts list.

[vhgmcbuddy]

Ahh Har ! that looks like it does more than that ,but little mystery solved,thanks Angus. have not yet looked in the cover or it would have solved its self in time. going back to the shed demolition to get her under cover,i may be able to get it in if I remove grass box and the brackets which hold it in position on the main chassis.

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[vhgmcbuddy]

Strip down in rapid progress,and have now come to a halt on the clutch assembly. have looked at the parts list which I was sent yesterday,and as yet have not got it off. could be seized in the engauged position but just wanted to ask if I heat up the outer casing to expand it from the inner unit would any harm be done from inside the clutch unit ?

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[vhgmcbuddy]

Got the little blighter at last ! a few delicate squirts of WD and a small loving tap or two from the Mash Hammer and I now have it parted. Thought it was not going to play ball,but persistence won the day. this now gives me the chance to start rubbing down with the fine flap wheel which I can recommend to beginers.

[vhgmcbuddy]

Rubbing down has started, and who ever touched it up last wants a touch of birch ! They have used a paint which has caused a reaction with the original cellulose and the whole machine will need paint stripper to remove it. More Expense thumbs permanently down well have started so off we go. this is going to keep me going quite a while now.

[darmic1]

Oh dear, well at least it will keep you out of mischief! Out of interest, which paint stripper do you use? I used that useless new formula Nitromors on the Bantam. was as much use as a chocolate fireguard! Ended up using flap wheel for paint removal…….

[vhgmcbuddy]

When we moved into the house we still live in there was 8 radiators to strip,this was 11 years back and I bought 2 gallons of the old nitromors in the green metal tins. I still have under half a gallon so I use this only on parts which the flap wheel wont reach. There has been some debate this year on this subject and Series 1 gem was looking into other options,not sure what happened,he may be worth a PM.

[vhgmcbuddy]

During strip down of the drive actuator,have discovered from an old photo that this tubeular piece which you pull and twist has gone missing. most Atco’s have it but I don’t. Has anyone got a spare or is it a case of fabricate another bit. the inside diameter is 46 mm,and I am not sure how thick the sidewall is but I know if its to thick it will foul on the chaincase.

Also a couple of snaps of the chaincase and tank.

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[darmic1]

Morning John, is that paint applied with a brush? If so, then you have a damn good hand with a brush. Tried before with a brush but it always looks a brushed finish, even rubbing back between coats and thinning final top coat…….

[vhgmcbuddy]

yes Darren its brushed on ,and most of my restorations are the same barring the barford atom. expensive brush though but the combination of paint and brush make the job quite easy,the secret is don’t stop once you start an object until completed.

[vhgmcbuddy]

Handle bars and stays as well as the tank bracket have been stripped and painted and I must say they do look well. have had a look at the original tank bolts and not sure if they can take another 60 years. I have some bolts here see bottom right of photo,do you think they are up to it ???

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[darmic1]

Re the bolts, I think a certain Mr Frank ‘n’ Stein will losing his head, wondering where they went! Or he could be getting it in the neck from someone…… Taxi!

PS, looking good!

[vhgmcbuddy]

More progress on the machine today,its been a bit slow lately due to the Christmas break but now I am getting back into it. Don’t like to make out that I don’t like xmas but its nice when visitors have gone home and you can get back to normality i.e. you can get your favourite seat back and you don’t need to watch your p’s and q’s when aunt fannys about. So also went to santa’s warehouse this afternoon and collected the present which Bristol Boy bought. Very nice and now I can make a better job when restoring. But as the wife commented,as they do………why have you got that you said that your not restoring any more machines,but after a micro second I replied it will come in handy when the ones I have go wrong. quick thinking Simar Kid YES !

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[vhgmcbuddy]

if thats a parts washer you have bought there john, you will get more ear ache ive got one and it stinks you get a little bit on you clothes and she wont let you in the house till you have stripped down to your sciddies 😀

[Author]

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