[vhgmcbuddy]

Thank you for your suggestions Charlie, I will give that a try!

[vhgmcbuddy]

Thanks for your reply. Just a couple of follow on questions:
1) Would you say an Allen Scythe is my best option? Or are there better vintage machines that have parts readily available?

2) Would the Allen Scythe be up to the job of cutting 10 acres of land for making Hay? Or is it best to go for something newer?

3) If I do go for the Allen Scythe, is it best to go for the 4 stroke engine in terms of reliability and getting parts?

Many thanks

[vhgmcbuddy]

Thank you for your suggestions, I’m hoping once I’ve got the spark plug out I should be able to test the ignition parts. If it’s any of the above I’m guessing that means i won’t get a spark?

[vhgmcbuddy]

villiers 2 strokes are notorious for problem starting namely coil, condensor, points, all are available at villiersparts or villiers services

[vhgmcbuddy]

Charlie

I’ll see can I get the plus gas

[vhgmcbuddy]

I tried most of that. The starting ring started to break so I stopped before it disintegrated. Thinking now if I drilled two holes in the flywheel big enough for the pullers to go through to the back of the flywheel might do the job. I’m using wd40.

John

[vhgmcbuddy]

Hello again

Does anyone have any suggestions for removal of the flywheel from the 56. I have the nut removed.

John

[vhgmcbuddy]

Hi wristpin, yes cross purposes, The oil in the tank supplied the engine, Cup boxes were on the inside sides of the mower feeding the rear rollers

The width of the cutting cylinders, the largest width was 48 inches which went out of production before the 1880s,42 inches is the largest width used today, but more common to find 36 inches

[vhgmcbuddy]

Quote. “The machine above had a total loss system, the oil went via a pipe to a cup box feeding the bearings on the rear roller”.

I think that we are at crossed purposes ; I was referring to the engine. Your initial post refers to a JAP engine with an oil pump and it was my assumption that this looked after the internal engine lubrication. So was the oil in the handle bar mounted tank supplying engine lubrication, roller bearing lubrication, or both? I would venture to suggest that the oil pump on the JAP engine with its motorcycle ancestry was likely to be primarily, if not solely, to look after the engine’s internal lubrication.

Cutting cylinder width. I had heard it said that for practicable purposes 36” is the maximum length, and that any thing wider might require to be of an impracticable diameter to maintain rigidity. You will remind me that Ransomes did make a ride on machine with a 40 or 48” cylinder, but not for long; and that Allett did, or still do offer a 42” machine; so presumably they got around the “over 36” flexing issue.

[vhgmcbuddy]

Good afternoon Angus, yes mowers before your time! The machine above had a total loss system, the oil went via a pipe to a cup box feeding the bearings on the rear roller.
The reasons for changing the width of the cutting cylinders, was because of flex from the cylinders to the bottom blade. Atco’s construction was always lighter, then their counterparts eg Ransomes.
Infact I’ve often heard in the trade that Atco after the war could never produce a professional machine, but I will leave that one for others to argue the toss!
Regards
Andrew

[vhgmcbuddy]

Thanks Charlie

[vhgmcbuddy]

The original part number was 204050320 but I don’t have a cross reference to a belt size. However there is an eBay seller listing it.

[vhgmcbuddy]

Probably due to age and possibly a lack of maintenance at some time in its life. Worm gear drives have a fairly hard life and are often neglected and subject to the wrong specification of lubricant.

[vhgmcbuddy]

Well after a good run for a few weeks the worm gearbox appears to have failed.
The tillers turn away happily until there is any resistance and then all you can hear is grinding 😞.
All oil levels were checked before use and ok. I had a quick look but without a full strip down I am guessing the worm gear is worn beyond meshing point.
Doe anyone know if this is a common issue ? If so what is the usual cause.
I am Now going to try and source a replacement unit.

[vhgmcbuddy]

Qualcast Electric Panther, often referred to as a Qualcast EP.

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