OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions on Walk Behind Lawn Mower Frames Question On Scott Bonnar Cylinder Mowers Scott Bonnar/Rover 45 "Restoration"

Hi all,

Purchased a Scott Bonnar/Rover 45 Cylinder mower (5058) just the other day and she needs some work.

Before I go all in spending up $$$ keen to get your opinions. I am in for $50 thus far.

My first stop after purchasing it was the local mower dealer/service centre. I was advised the crack in the chassis along with a "bodged clutch housing" made it un-economical to repair.

So after doing a bit of research and stumbling on your website I discovered the crack in the engine mount/chassis is common to this model and not a death stroke as advised. (nothing a bit of welding cannot fix)

The clutch housing and captive cotter pin he referred to appears to have been replaced in later models with 2x grub screws as evident in mine;not a bodged job at all.

So after a bit of research I was feeling slightly less despondent about my new purchase. Time try her out........she cuts but not particularly well; those pesky weeds bounce right back up, and the mower it self shakes like a leaf leaving a slight Ali feeling in the arms.

Alas here I am, not a mechanical bone in my body but keen to try my luck on my first repair/restoration job.

Starting with the chassis as you can see from the paint work or lack there of it's definitely had a neglected life. A mate who owns a fabrication business will assist with sandblasting, welding a painting it.

I have seen Deejay's video on removing the engine, cylinder and sole plate but unsure on the rest of it. Need it stripped completely for sand blast and paint. I plan to have the cylinder sand blasted and painted as well. Should I include the sole plate and bed knife ? Should the cylinder and sole plate be powder coated or is sprayed ok ?

Will send these off for professional sharpen after.


The sprockets and chains are heavily gunked up and I plan to clean once I now how to remove them. (need to buy a 3 prong sprocket remover as shown in Deejays video; are these expensive and where can I source) (Is soaking in degreaser and cleaning with an old toothbrush ok?)

The rollers seem fine and the mower seems to "drive" without issue. Is it worth getting them blasted and painted or should this be avoided ?

It would be nice to clean up the rust of the drive shaft and repaint the clutch housing, can these be safely sand blasted/primed and painted ?

The engine is a Briggs and Stratton 80202 2324 01 88102603

Turns over after 5-6 cranks without any major splutter or smoke. Once warm idles constantly and doesn't lurch or bog down when in use. Plan to change plug, oil and air filter myself.

That's about it for now, I am most likely in over my head but keen to learn something new and you have to start somewhere !

Cheers

Chris