Hi "dingaling" ??
Well that's an unusual user ID. Oh well horses for courses I always say.
Welcome to the forum and it seems you've already been well versed in the Scotty lingo. Yes it's correct that you have obtained a Model 45 17 inch Series II mower. It's a tad unusual that it's fitted with a HK30 as most of the Kirby powered 17 inch machines had HK25's which is what the sticker on the tank actually states it has but the ID label says it's a HK30. The HK30 was a 3 HP engine and not a 2.5, so either someone has changed the tank or the air cowl has been substituted at some point. It should have a Kirby engine mounted from original as the Briggs power plants didn't come online until a bit later. I would check very closely around the engine mounting area for fine line fractures in the paint which would indicate stress fractures underneath the finished surface in the rails. If there are any fractures I would get those repaired before you go too much further as the problem is terminal if not corrected and the sooner the better.
Once again congrats on a superb new lawn ride.
Cheers,
BB.
