Vintage Horticultural and Garden Machinery Club

It’s quite a common problem with the 21/Osprey models , having the Duralinium disc , they tended to “bend a small set” where the blades bolt on (see pic 2) , take the carrier off and simply hammer back into shape using a suitable anvil/block, in other words until perfectly flat , the blades should rotate freely through 369 degrees.When these…[Read more]

Well done again Robert.

Andy.

That’s a good start , next thing is remove flywheel , THOROUGHLY clean and reset points , and you should have a spark.Clean out Carb and tank , and most importantly fit new diaphragm.

Andy.

Valves usually stick “open” , check again , as you say it appears to turn over OK , in which case the valve should at least be seen moving.

Andy.

George at villiersparts has a reasonable stock of Allen Scythe parts , he’s well worth a try.

Andy.

Dave , personally I would give it one more go at removing the boss give it as much heat as you reasonably can , and immediately pour cold water over it , if it doesn’t “sizzle” then apply more heat and repeat , then try your puller , tighten it up , and give the puller a brisk tap with your hammer.
There’s nothing to say your existing…[Read more]

To paint or not to paint always divides opinions among collectors.For me personally I prefer not to paint, unless I absolutely have to , indeed only one of my machines in my collection have I painted , and that was because it was really rough when I aquired it. I’m far more interested in mechanicals, whether it starts ,runs and performs as it…[Read more]

Dave , any chance you could post some clear and precise photos of exactly what you have left on your crankshaft.

Andy.

Grahame , personally speaking , Ive never problems with tickover or starting(provided ignition components are 100%) , I have quite a few Villiers engined machines , most notably a pair of Howard 700s , which always start with one pull of the rope , and tickover is sweet.Of course other factors come in besides ignition to get our machines running…[Read more]

Grahame , any flywheel from a 24c/25c/26c should be OK , there are minor differences , such as fixed/detachable cooling fan , starter pulley mounting etc., original Allen scythes had the mechanical centifugal governor cam , but they will run perfectly well without it , Howard bantams , the smaller Cliffords to name but two.

Andy.

I’m still a little confused here , going back to your very first photo , it looks to me like you have(or had) the flywheel removed , it appears to be in your hand , and certainly not siezed on the crank ????

Andy.

Dave , I sometimes consider getting one of these modern phone gadgets so that I can photo ongoing projects , and send in an article or two , but my fear is by the time I get the hang of it , my collecting days will be over.
Hope to see you at Stanfield if you’re coming.

Andy.

Arrived safe and well , you’re doing an A1 job Robert , nice wide range of articles.

Andy.

David , you’re spot on , “shock” is almost always the best method of parting a taper , quite why Villiers went for their method often has me wondering. Perhaps the original poster will get back to us and confirm exactly what has happened.

Andy.

Dave , if you’re saying the nut turns freely(by that I mean continuously) , it is more than likely stripped thread in the nut itself , seldom if ever will it strip the crankshaft thread. I’ve had this happen before , and it boils down to how much time and money you are preparde to throw at it. I have managed to cut the flywheel off , but it takes…[Read more]

It’s a shame you didn’t post before trying to remove your flywheel , we could have helped with that. They are “self pulling” ,the nut will loosen , then go tight again , then use a CORRECT size socket and hammer to continue undoing the nut and it will pull the flywheel off , if you have one , an impact gun will do it in seconds but it sounds as…[Read more]

To me they appear to be from two different machines , the plough is most certainly much later than 1920s/30s , which I’m sure the engine on your machine is. The cultivator I can’t say I recognise , the mounting brackets on your machine , look homemade to take these implements.
Out of sheer curiosity , have you checked the thread rate on any of the…[Read more]

What we’re all sure about is the very early engine , however I think a machine of that age would of had steel/cast wheels , the wheels on yours appear to be much later aircraft wheels , also the front weight/tray assy looks decidedly homemade.
Another clue that could help us would be a picture of the plough and cultivator.

Andy.

Yes David , the engine does seem to have the timing cover that resembles some of the early Raleigh motorcycle engines , that as you correctly say dates from mid 1920s to mid 30s , also a non original Villiers carb. I can’t help but think it’s a Bitsa , but appears to be a reasonably well thought out one.The engine to me is early , but the rest…[Read more]

In over 50yrs of collecting , I can’t say I’ve ever seen one of these , all I can add it is a fourstroke engine and not twostroke. Let’s hope someone can identify what it is.

Andy.