[vhgmcbuddy]

Removed the cylinder head thismorning and put it back on the right way round . It all looked very clean which i trust is a good thing , i also removed the exhast which i hope can be re welded to join it back together as one air tight unit. That ill have to look into though as i know nothing about welding. I WILL NOW POST SOME PICTURES FOR YOU ALL TO GAZE YOURE EXPERT EYES OVER IF THATS OK.

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[vhgmcbuddy]

Thanks for that Andy, the guy it belongs to is in his 80’s and I go and help him moving them. He’s on with it, if he needs anything I’ll let you know,

Thanks Ian.

[vhgmcbuddy]

Looked at the Coleby today and it doesn’t appear to have been modified as you say. The engine is seized, carb has a bit missing and the handlebars are broken.

[vhgmcbuddy]

Howards are one of my favourite machines.I have a Howard 400 rotavator and also an old Gem.My father still has the Howard 350 rotavator which he bought brand new in 1967.They don’t make em’ like they used too !!

[vhgmcbuddy]

Thankyou stuart for that awsome info , i can research a bit further now. This website is becoming a lifesaver so far , such friendly helpfull people.

[vhgmcbuddy]

The company was founded by an Australian guy called Arthur Clifford Howard and was called “Rotary Hoes Ltd”.The company was then brought out many years later in approx 1985 by Dowdeswell Engineering of Warwickshire (Roger Dowdeswell designed and made ploughs and other farm implements).They are no longer in business.We used to buy Howard spare parts from a company called Standens Engineering.I think the guy to speak to regarding spare parts is Keith if he still works there.

[vhgmcbuddy]

Hi all,
I’ve been back this morning and had a closer look at it,its definitely a home made machine, on the L/H side of the chain case you can see the hacksaw marks where the stub axle has been cut off. Also the base of the handlebars has been cut to take the gearbox. It looks as though someone has spent some time making it. Thanks for all your comments and suggestions and have passed them on to its owner. Ian.

[vhgmcbuddy]

Another silly question but who founded the howard company and what happened to them,is there archives and blueprints of all the machines that were ever made ?. I would have thought that someone who was able to make parts if they had drawings and dimmentions would be able to do this.

[vhgmcbuddy]

Thankyou for the help everyone i realy appreciate it, im determined to restore this machine to a standard it deserves to be in and i need as much help as i can with anything you guys can give me. Its going to be a challenge but im up for it.

[vhgmcbuddy]

Thankyou for the reply , im not mechanicly minded but im not scared to have a go at it myself either. Is the cylinder head being put on the wrong way going have caused any damage at all ? i think what im going to do is strip it down and clean it all as much as i can and take plenty of pictures as i do.Ill also have to try and get some manuals so i can see what im looking at and what parts are called etc.Many thanks for youre help again.

[vhgmcbuddy]

Here are a few pics

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[vhgmcbuddy]

Prompted by Andyfrost’s comment I take back my “bitsa” comment – how about a Mayfield Hoe and Mow?

[vhgmcbuddy]

Just realised that it had Allen Mayfield on the belt guard so guess that it’s a real ” bitza”

[vhgmcbuddy]

The orange one looks very similar to this Mayfield one currently being offered on a certain selling site.

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[vhgmcbuddy]

Thanks for this Trusty220, I will take the wheel off and have a look.
If the threads on the wheel are stripped (which I suspect is the case) – What is the fix for that?

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