Omega Owners Forum
Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Jimbob on 12 May 2024, 10:36:13
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I have been given (local village group) and old Qualcast Suffolk Punch 30s (80219) with a few issues...Not starting being the main one...
I was having a little tinker, and making some progress, alongside using my Bosch Rotak....which let the magic smoke out last week..
So I need to sort this properly, or buy something different.
I beleive it dates from late 80's - 90's and wasnt exactly well thought of when new...
So, Its had a new plug, new oil, new fuel pipe, cleaned the carb.
It is now difficult to start, the pull handle feels like its going to fall of at the next pull every time.
The carb leaks fuel badly, choke spring? bit looks bent, doesnt seem to do anything - suspect it had E10 in it, which disolved bits, and clogged the engine.
However once running, its ok, and I can squash the grass just fine with it.
So, I need to find the bits to make it seal...or replace the carb. Ive seen a load at £10-15, not sure if they will fit or not.
Ive cleaned and adjusted the blades, so it has a (slim) chance of cutting / tearing the grass next time.....both the blades and the bottom blade are very very pitted.
I can buy one of those sandpaper clip on jobbies to try and bring the blades up to a degree.
Bottom blade I don't think theres much I can do for it if needed, but there are some pattern ones out there.....removing this seems tricky due to spinning captive nuts once youve loosened it most the way.
Possible pull starters available.
So...20-30 quid may may get this usable...maybe up to £100 if it needs more parts and I can actually identify and swap the right bits...
OR
its buy another....but which, I'd certainly rather have rotary than a cylinder like this....love the but when they are right, but weve a fair bit of gravel thats often hidden in the lawn....so suspect keeping it right will also be awkward.
I remember a recommendation of Atko Admiral, which theres a couple, but nothing local.
Or a few hundred on a more modern contraption.
Weve enough lawn, with bushes dotted in it that electric is / was a pain. Battery's not enough power / longevity. So will need to be petrol, some slopey bits, no needs to be manoeverable easily enough too...this bugger's heavy and doesnt like it.
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Lord Opti bought a cheap Chinese self propelled thing at the end of last summer, and he's probably used it a few times by now so will be able to give a review.
It had a beer can holder! 8) :y Which is all you need to know! ;D
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Beer holder, love it!
Theres a few places near me I can go and look at newer stuff if thats the way I go..
https://www.charlies.co.uk/gardening/garden-power-tools/lawnmowers/petrol-lawnmowers
https://www.chestersmallplant.co.uk/https://www.chestersmallplant.co.uk/store/Mowers-c31291533?sort=priceAsc
Can get 20% off at B&Q too...
Some expensive bits there, Wondering on Stihl.....beleive well thought of, and not horrific on cost....
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It is now difficult to start, the pull handle feels like its going to fall of at the next pull every time.
Ok....it did fall off at the next pull ;D ;D
2 metal 'weights' plastic riveted on....or were....no chance of a start now
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Can get 20% off at B&Q too...
I bought a second hand McAllister mower (https://www.diy.com/departments/mac-allister-mlmp300h40-125cc-petrol-rotary-lawnmower/5059340124537_BQ.prd) that was only a year old last summer for £100.
It has a Briggs & Stratton motor, starts easily and cuts the grass. :y So worth keeping an eye on Facebook Marketplace to see what's about. :)
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It is now difficult to start, the pull handle feels like its going to fall of at the next pull every time.
Ok....it did fall off at the next pull ;D ;D
2 metal 'weights' plastic riveted on....or were....no chance of a start now
From memory the Suffolk Punch shares the same engine as the Suffolk Colt so opens up another spares avenue. The recoil starter is held on by three nuts and once removed exposes the metal parts that fling out to engage the starter and then spring back. The spring, cord etc is straightforward so I assume the fling out bits have come adrift. If you can't find a replacement and you're feeling brave, you can knock up a bracket to fit the flywheel slots and start it with a drill. You just need to be very quick at removing the socket once it starts. ;D
The carb is straightforward as you've probably already found out but both of these models were prone to fuel tank tap leaking. If you know someone in a machine shop, both the footplate (cutting edge) and blade can be sorted. We used to remove the blade (chain driven) and stick it in a lathe with a running centre. You could always tell when one of us was doing it by the ping ping ping as the cutter touched the cylinder blade. ;D
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Lord Opti bought a cheap Chinese self propelled thing at the end of last summer, and he's probably used it a few times by now so will be able to give a review.
It had a beer can holder! 8) :y Which is all you need to know! ;D
Parker Brand petrol mower with drive and a large 53 CM cut.
About £300 on Ebay but shop around and I reckon you can find one for £100 less. I believe I paid £190 ish.
Can't fault it for the money other than being glacially slow.
Chinky 173cc 4 stroke lump seems OK.
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D at my unit has a Ryobi petrol mower with a Subaru badged engine, he said its been great.
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Had a look around a few places, and quite liking this
https://www.charlies.co.uk/stihl-rm253-t-self-propelled-petrol-lawnmower.html
I dont want too big.
I dont want a fabric collection 'box'
Felt comfy to use and decently made.
It is now difficult to start, the pull handle feels like its going to fall of at the next pull every time.
Ok....it did fall off at the next pull ;D ;D
2 metal 'weights' plastic riveted on....or were....no chance of a start now
From memory the Suffolk Punch shares the same engine as the Suffolk Colt so opens up another spares avenue. The recoil starter is held on by three nuts and once removed exposes the metal parts that fling out to engage the starter and then spring back. The spring, cord etc is straightforward so I assume the fling out bits have come adrift. If you can't find a replacement and you're feeling brave, you can knock up a bracket to fit the flywheel slots and start it with a drill. You just need to be very quick at removing the socket once it starts. ;D
The carb is straightforward as you've probably already found out but both of these models were prone to fuel tank tap leaking. If you know someone in a machine shop, both the footplate (cutting edge) and blade can be sorted. We used to remove the blade (chain driven) and stick it in a lathe with a running centre. You could always tell when one of us was doing it by the ping ping ping as the cutter touched the cylinder blade. ;D
Yes the pawls have come off, one 'could' go back on, other has sheared, Ive not found a similar enough one yet. I'll not be going down the drill route.
If I could get gaskets, carb be ok. Or a replacement may work if they fit. dunno.
Either way, time, and need to cut the grass are against me.
No final decision yet.
May continue to play with the old one in the background, but need something that works and is appropriate for what I have.
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Had a look around a few places, and quite liking this
https://www.charlies.co.uk/stihl-rm253-t-self-propelled-petrol-lawnmower.html
I dont want too big.
I dont want a fabric collection 'box'
Felt comfy to use and decently made.
It is now difficult to start, the pull handle feels like its going to fall of at the next pull every time.
Ok....it did fall off at the next pull ;D ;D
2 metal 'weights' plastic riveted on....or were....no chance of a start now
From memory the Suffolk Punch shares the same engine as the Suffolk Colt so opens up another spares avenue. The recoil starter is held on by three nuts and once removed exposes the metal parts that fling out to engage the starter and then spring back. The spring, cord etc is straightforward so I assume the fling out bits have come adrift. If you can't find a replacement and you're feeling brave, you can knock up a bracket to fit the flywheel slots and start it with a drill. You just need to be very quick at removing the socket once it starts. ;D
The carb is straightforward as you've probably already found out but both of these models were prone to fuel tank tap leaking. If you know someone in a machine shop, both the footplate (cutting edge) and blade can be sorted. We used to remove the blade (chain driven) and stick it in a lathe with a running centre. You could always tell when one of us was doing it by the ping ping ping as the cutter touched the cylinder blade. ;D
Yes the pawls have come off, one 'could' go back on, other has sheared, Ive not found a similar enough one yet. I'll not be going down the drill route.
If I could get gaskets, carb be ok. Or a replacement may work if they fit. dunno.
Either way, time, and need to cut the grass are against me.
No final decision yet.
May continue to play with the old one in the background, but need something that works and is appropriate for what I have.
Rats amd mice made a meal out of mine. :-X
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Lord Opti bought a cheap Chinese self propelled thing at the end of last summer, and he's probably used it a few times by now so will be able to give a review.
It had a beer can holder! 8) :y Which is all you need to know! ;D
Parker Brand petrol mower with drive and a large 53 CM cut.
About £300 on Ebay but shop around and I reckon you can find one for £100 less. I believe I paid £190 ish.
Can't fault it for the money other than being glacially slow.
Chinky 173cc 4 stroke lump seems OK.
This one M'lud? ???
https://www.parkerbrand.co.uk/17-self-drive-petrol-lawnmower
Maybe you could get it remapped to give it a bit more Oomph! ;D
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Lord Opti bought a cheap Chinese self propelled thing at the end of last summer, and he's probably used it a few times by now so will be able to give a review.
It had a beer can holder! 8) :y Which is all you need to know! ;D
Parker Brand petrol mower with drive and a large 53 CM cut.
About £300 on Ebay but shop around and I reckon you can find one for £100 less. I believe I paid £190 ish.
Can't fault it for the money other than being glacially slow.
Chinky 173cc 4 stroke lump seems OK.
This one M'lud? ???
https://www.parkerbrand.co.uk/17-self-drive-petrol-lawnmower
Maybe you could get it remapped to give it a bit more Oomph! ;D
Except mine has a 21 inch cut not 17inch, and 173cc engine not 150cc.
Also, my grass box is 75L not 45L.
I have it's bigger brother so to speak.
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Lord Opti bought a cheap Chinese self propelled thing at the end of last summer, and he's probably used it a few times by now so will be able to give a review.
It had a beer can holder! 8) :y Which is all you need to know! ;D
Parker Brand petrol mower with drive and a large 53 CM cut.
About £300 on Ebay but shop around and I reckon you can find one for £100 less. I believe I paid £190 ish.
Can't fault it for the money other than being glacially slow.
Chinky 173cc 4 stroke lump seems OK.
This one M'lud? ???
https://www.parkerbrand.co.uk/17-self-drive-petrol-lawnmower
Maybe you could get it remapped to give it a bit more Oomph! ;D
Except mine has a 21 inch cut not 17inch, and 173cc engine not 150cc.
Also, my grass box is 75L not 45L.
I have it's bigger brother so to speak.
Of course.... It also has the beer can holders! :y
https://www.parkerbrand.co.uk/petrol-lawnmower-21-inch
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Yep....that's the johnny, Tig.
Unless prices have gone up significantly since I bought mine I think it can be had for a lot less than £265.
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I bought an Atco Admiral for £20 off eBay at the end of last year when my titan electric decided to set itself on fire.
The one I bought was hunting and the owner just wanted rid - Idiagnosed correctly as a gunged up carb. I spent £30 on genuine Briggs and Stratton carb kit and service items. It's been right as rain ever since. :y
Now's a good time to look as the lawn neglectors will be just contemplating the first cut of the year ;D.
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First cut! the idiot next door has been cutting his for over a month, he cut it on Friday and again today. I think he uses a laser line for the stipes and measures the grass with a Vernier--------
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diagnosed correctly as a gunged up carb. I spent £30 on genuine Briggs and Stratton carb kit and service items. It's been right as rain ever since.
I think knackered diaphrams are common on B&S, as I'm sure YZ250 will testify. Genuine diaphrams are around a five, for under £20 for the B&S service kit including primer bulb, plug, air filter etc....
...and when you get stuck, phone YZ250 and he'll tell you what you've done wrong ;D
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First cut! the idiot next door has been cutting his for over a month, he cut it on Friday and again today. I think he uses a laser line for the stipes and measures the grass with a Vernier--------
I think I'm on my 6 or 7th cut. The constant sun-rain-sun-rain has made mine go mental.
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LOL, how spooky is that, I just had to find this thread again, as less than 30s after adding the last post, I've just heard the doris over the road start up her electric mower, and listening to it struggling to cut the grass.
Petrol all the way!
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diagnosed correctly as a gunged up carb. I spent £30 on genuine Briggs and Stratton carb kit and service items. It's been right as rain ever since.
I think knackered diaphrams are common on B&S, as I'm sure YZ250 will testify. Genuine diaphrams are around a five, for under £20 for the B&S service kit including primer bulb, plug, air filter etc....
Yep, the diaphragm can go stiff or split (less common), which prevents it resonating to act as a type of mini fuel pump to keep It running after the primer bulb fuel has emptied. Some mowers do have a float chamber carb so all you can do with this type is wash it through with clean petrol and a thin wire strand for the jets.
..and when you get stuck, phone YZ250 and he'll tell you what you've done wrong ;D
;D ;D
I blame her allotment buddies for turning my garage into a mower mending workshop. ;D
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May continue to play with the old one in the background, but need something that works and is appropriate for what I have.
Yep, keep it for when you want to tinker with something. :y I’ve recently repaired my neighbours rotary recoil starter as the pawls cover plate had sheared off. The nut for the bolt is moulded in to the underside of the top cover so I drilled a hole in the top cover, drilled and tapped a bush for the underside to replace the sheared moulded in nut, put a washer on the other side and tightened it all up. It’s as good as new now and stronger than the original design. :y
There’s a mower scrapyard seller on eBay, he has a yard full of old mowers and will strip parts off them as required. He’s based in Aylesbury Buckinghamshire and he’s really helpful and easy to speak to. I’ll try to find a link to his site. :y
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May continue to play with the old one in the background, but need something that works and is appropriate for what I have.
Yep, keep it for when you want to tinker with something. :y I’ve recently repaired my neighbours rotary recoil starter as the pawls cover plate had sheared off. The nut for the bolt is moulded in to the underside of the top cover so I drilled a hole in the top cover, drilled and tapped a bush for the underside to replace the sheared moulded in nut, put a washer on the other side and tightened it all up. It’s as good as new now and stronger than the original design. :y
There’s a mower scrapyard seller on eBay, he has a yard full of old mowers and will strip parts off them as required. He’s based in Aylesbury Buckinghamshire and he’s really helpful and easy to speak to. I’ll try to find a link to his site. :y
Quite like the idea of that...may be able to do something like that yet. This cylinder is far from ideal for me.....So ill go to a rotary anyway....but be nice to get it right if time and inclination allows. Its certainly not worth me spending more than a few quid one...its too wrong for me to invest in.
Found a couple of Stihl, and a couple of Al-Ko that fit the bill, very similar machines but Al-Ko's about £100 dearer.
Not paying 100+ plus a load of mileage for an Admiral....but if I see one come up very cheap and local, I may well grab anyway, but havent the time to wait right now.
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Ill doubtless be inherreting another unsuitable one one day too...just like this, my dad's pride and joy
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/256501013268?_ul=UK&mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&campid=5338353466&toolid=20006%26customid%3Ds%253AGS%253Bgc%253ACjwKCAjw9IayBhBJEiwAVuc3fvdRxFdJr2Jdz5mCa504B5sLii-otyB3A47s3JjCcOXZ2r3BOoh3iBoCiMgQAvD_BwE%253Bpt%253A1%253Bchoc%253A2&customid=s%3AGS%3Bgc%3ACjwKCAjw9IayBhBJEiwAVuc3fvdRxFdJr2Jdz5mCa504B5sLii-otyB3A47s3JjCcOXZ2r3BOoh3iBoCiMgQAvD_BwE%3Bpt%3A1%3Bchoc%3A1&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw9IayBhBJEiwAVuc3fvdRxFdJr2Jdz5mCa504B5sLii-otyB3A47s3JjCcOXZ2r3BOoh3iBoCiMgQAvD_BwE
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Ok....so I can deffo do a nut / bolt solution for the pawl's that fly out.....once I can work out how to rewind the spring ;D ;D ;D
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I don't really cut the grass on my crap lawns, i just decapitate the weeds. :D
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Ok....so I can deffo do a nut / bolt solution for the pawl's that fly out.....once I can work out how to rewind the spring ;D ;D ;D
The spring replacement can be a bit of an arse. You have to put the outer part with the hook on up against a peg/casting on the outer side of the inner hole and then gradually rotate the casing while feeding the spring inside its own loop. Do this until the whole spring is inside itself. It can be awkward as you have to fit a spring that is open to around one foot in diameter in to a recess of around two and a half inches. :D
Once the spring is fitted, fit the pull cord through the pawl plate hole, then you have to carefully lower the pawl plate on to the spindle and wiggle it in to place until it’s in position. There will be a peg/pin on the underside of the pawl plate that should grab the inner spring hook when you turn the pawl plate. It usually grabs by turning anti-clockwise. It will resist and try to turn back when it’s caught the hook. Keep turning it against the resistance until it’s fairly tight, jam the reel with a screwdriver and feed the pull cord through the casing hole and fit the pull cord handle. When you release the screwdriver the wheel should pull the cord on to the reel. :y
If this doesn’t make sense, watch a YouTube video of how to do it. :y ;D
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Ok....so I can deffo do a nut / bolt solution for the pawl's that fly out.....once I can work out how to rewind the spring ;D ;D ;D
Watch a YouTube video of how to do it. :y ;D
Ahhhh......that's better ;D
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Ok....so I can deffo do a nut / bolt solution for the pawl's that fly out.....once I can work out how to rewind the spring ;D ;D ;D
Watch a YouTube video of how to do it. :y ;D
Ahhhh......that's better ;D
;D ;D
When I got halfway through I did think that it warranted a ‘Long boring post’ warning, or at least change it to a PM. ;D
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I don't really cut the grass on my crap lawns, i just decapitate the weeds. :D
My lawn looks like a Ukrainian battlefield after neighbours a couple of doors down had new fences put up, and the local badgers decided it was easier to get into my garden to carry out their excavations. ::)
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My front lawn looks like block paving, and the one at the back looks like decking.
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My front lawn looks like block paving, and the one at the back looks like decking.
Is that because they are? :)
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You need some Welsh mowers, when they break they make a good curry------
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You need some Welsh mowers, when they break they make a good curry------
;D ;D ;D
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Long overdue cut done last wkend, using (my) a feeble flymo, usually use my friends 4 wheeled jobbie when i've
been staring at it for weeks thinking when the hell am I going to cut that it's too long put off cutting it. Needless to say I snagged one of them old weed barrier sheets and the blade wound it up into a rope, then the flymo done a sort of up and over death spiral like a helicopter in trouble. Mind you that's the weed sheet removed and ready to bin along with most of the weeds; good idea for quick weed removal!
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It should be made law that all lawnmowers run on petrol.
The same applies to cars and your chainsaw. :)
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Why are we talking about lawnmowers? ??? It's 'No Mow May!' :D
Let the flowers grow.... Save the bees! :)
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Why are we talking about lawnmowers? ??? It's 'No Mow May!' :D
Let the flowers grow.... Save the bees! :)
Does that include my lawn, sorry, i mean weed patch? :D
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Ok....so I can deffo do a nut / bolt solution for the pawl's that fly out.....once I can work out how to rewind the spring ;D ;D ;D
The spring replacement can be a bit of an arse. You have to put the outer part with the hook on up against a peg/casting on the outer side of the inner hole and then gradually rotate the casing while feeding the spring inside its own loop. Do this until the whole spring is inside itself. It can be awkward as you have to fit a spring that is open to around one foot in diameter in to a recess of around two and a half inches. :D
Once the spring is fitted, fit the pull cord through the pawl plate hole, then you have to carefully lower the pawl plate on to the spindle and wiggle it in to place until it’s in position. There will be a peg/pin on the underside of the pawl plate that should grab the inner spring hook when you turn the pawl plate. It usually grabs by turning anti-clockwise. It will resist and try to turn back when it’s caught the hook. Keep turning it against the resistance until it’s fairly tight, jam the reel with a screwdriver and feed the pull cord through the casing hole and fit the pull cord handle. When you release the screwdriver the wheel should pull the cord on to the reel. :y
If this doesn’t make sense, watch a YouTube video of how to do it. :y ;D
Cheers for that
Well I wish that had been designed that way, but the bit that clicks into the housing needed putting on last and was a tight fit over a big wide pin. somehow managed and its wound up, hopefully enough, shall see if it works....not that its any more than a project to tinker with now. Replacement has been made.
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Why are we talking about lawnmowers? ??? It's 'No Mow May!' :D
Let the flowers grow.... Save the bees! :)
No Mow May killed our residents association mower. Apparently no-one thought to remove the mulcher before the first cut ::)
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My Atco Admiral wouldn't start at the weekend as well, had to resort to the pull cord as the battery was flat, I need to dig out some fresh Li-ion cells and make a new one