OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums General Discussion Forum OutdoorKing Showcase VC Self propelled PT2

part 2

Also, You were asking about the grip handle on this starter, while I am still triong to work out if for some reason victa did put it on this mower, I'll fill you in on what it is.

It is a grip designed for the VC-Mustang, the cowl has a square slot that this has to pass through to get out the top, there should then be a little black plug to block the hole.

I'll pop a photo up tonight!

Yes I thought it may have been wrong.

I'm not entierly sure it is, let me look into it, as yours is not the only auto drive i have seen with it.

Well let me know as I was going to change it very soon.Hopefully I will get to fire it up tomorrow.I need to mow my lawns and I was going to use this one.

Yes, That is what has happened with mine, to do the full restore on it, I will need to get an undamaged green cowl, so It has become the main mower.

They are a very comfortable mower to mow with in my opinion, not a bad speed (could be a dash faster) and it holds well, the only way i could fault it is for detailed work, I find it a little heavy to pull back, so it's hard for lots of back and forth work, I manage it fine, But i imagine it could be a bit much for some.

Still, I find it a pleasure to mow with, I have adapted a VC-160 rear chute to fit (just cut in clearence for the gearbox, and I use that.

Well going to try and start mine very shortly.Will let you know what happens.

Sounds good, I'm curoios as to how the MKII gearbox performs in comparison to the MKI, if yours works well, maybe we need to get them alongside one another.

IT'S ALIVE!!!!

Did you take it for a run around the yard? Hows the drive system going?

Yes I mowed the back yard with it.Well seeing as I have never used a auto drive before,it did seem fairly good to me.I took a video of it.I'll stick it on you-tube shortly.

Sounds good, Can't wait to see it!

I'll bring my Auto around one day, and we can have a race!

A race I think I need more yard for that.

Well, more of a comparison of speed, handling and ease of mowing!

I must admit they are a bit heavier than say a VC-Mustang.

Yes, the added weight for the drive system, combined with the way the clutch works, make them noticeably heavier to pull backwards, or to moove when they are not running.

Yes I noticed that about it.

Its the way the gear box works, the clutch is contained inside, so when pulling backwards, you must be disengaged, and you are still pulling not just the wheels, but the dogs, shafts, and 1/2 the stuff inside the gear box!

the overrun clutches in the wheel allow it to turn easily, but you still have the reversing issue, when you push it while it's not running, you are mainly getting away on the overrun clutches, but it still makes a noticeable difference.

This is one advantage to the external system, such as the rover swing-frame types, when they are dis-engaged, the wheels are fully disconnected, and are as light as regular wheels, so the only extra weight is the added weight of the drive system itself, The earlier victa self propelled mowers were also external drive.

Of course a number of newer machines overcome various issues seen with older self propelled units, but this was a very comfortable one during it's time, and was built well enough that many of them are still running the same gears today!