Well, I did it. I don't need it, but now I have it.
Say hello to what I believe is a Victa VC Autodrive Mk IV.
It is very, very clean. The bloke I bought it off used one as his first mower when he was younger, mowing the Post Office lawn. He purchased it a little while ago for sentimental reasons and it hasn't done much work since as he has used a ride on. I believe I'm now the third owner.
Very easy to start. I think the pull start assembly might need some lube as it feels a bit dry. The rest of the mower has a bit of surface corrosion but nothing too bad. Looks like it was stored in a nice and dry spot. I've hit some of the moving points and height adjuster spring with INOX as an interim measure.
There are two little issues I need to take care of. The first is that the drive is constantly engaged. I suspect the belt may need some adjustment? The drive cable is not tight, but not sloppy. The second is that it leaks around the spark plug. It wasn't in particularly tight, so that might be it, but is is the correct plug? It is a Champion DJ7Y.
Then there is a screw and clip I'm not sure are factory. It's in the picture behind the left rear wheel. The right front wheel has a bit missing from the inner side wall. You can see it in the picture of the blade carrier. The catcher has a small crack, thinking of stop drilling and filling with plastic weld?
After that, I'll be changing the box oil ASAP. I've found some Penrite Fork Oil which is 10W and fully synth. It claims it is safe for copper and brass alloys.
Then what? I'm not sure. It has to be used, so I'd like to give it as much protection as I can. I'm thinking the blade carrier sanded, zinc'd and powder coated. Can you fit a later four blade disc to these things? I'm also thinking of giving the same treatment to the catcher flap, give the handlebars a tidy, maybe clean the head. Unsure if I want to blast the deck and respray? What are your thoughts? Finally I'll see if I can get some reproduction stickers for it.
Last edited by Mystyler; 19/04/2007:02 PM.
I don't collect mowers. I just require Multiple Mowing Solutions™.
