Cheers Norm and Nath, there is something welded on somewhere that is meant to act as a steering stop, but i cant remember why it dosent work LOL, welding a stop on will be an easy fix, as for the lever I sorta like it Reminds me of an old Hot Rod or something, where the guy driving is so hunched up cos the roof has been chopped yet the gear lever is so long it almost sticks out the sunroof I may keep it yet and just modify it so that it clears the bonnet,
Cheers Norm and Nath, there is something welded on somewhere that is meant to act as a steering stop, but i cant remember why it dosent work LOL, welding a stop on will be an easy fix, as for the lever I sorta like it Reminds me of an old Hot Rod or something, where the guy driving is so hunched up cos the roof has been chopped yet the gear lever is so long it almost sticks out the sunroof I may keep it yet and just modify it so that it clears the bonnet,
only time will tell LOL
You can see in these 2 pics the steering stops welded to the front axle
The lever looks something very agricultural looks like it is off an old farm implement maybe a buckrake or plow
HaHa yes it does, and god knows where it was aquired from LOL
It just reminds me so much of my old man i dont think i could get rid of it,call me a setimental old fool LOL but i dont have a lot left to remind me of him
and somehow i posted that twice once with pics and once without
I dont think it would take much to get the bonnet to clear, slight bend in the lever, looks like the front would be more the problem. I would suggest a new clutch lining (i used cork on mine, same as the rear drive and is holding up really well so far) then just go back to a flat bar and maybe a spring instead of the solid link that is on there. so standard except for the lever.
I dont think it would take much to get the bonnet to clear, slight bend in the lever, looks like the front would be more the problem. I would suggest a new clutch lining (i used cork on mine, same as the rear drive and is holding up really well so far) then just go back to a flat bar and maybe a spring instead of the solid link that is on there. so standard except for the lever.
yea i had a think about that,as i wasnt sure what was standard, if need be though i could weld a piece of RHS were original hinge attached to space the bonnet forward, the rear of the bonnet is rusty so needs repair anyway, so wouldnt be hard to extend that the same amount as the front moves forward. give it a longer snout, im sorta getting a steam punk Rat rod feel about it, keep that big lever, but put a dagger handle on it, weld up a steering wheel out of chain. put a set of vintage round headlights off the side of the bonnet, twisted wrought iron sissy bar up behind the seat, hmmm i need to think more about that, LOL I can already hear you guys yelling NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO LOL finish off what Dad started ohhh a big set off Zoomie pipes out each side as the Exhaust LOL,
Please don't do mods that can't be reversed, collectors/restorers, will probably want to restore it back to original as there was so few of these originally built and still surviving to this day. Who knows what people will be wanting to repair in the next 100 years and even if you only part restore it that will help prevent somebody thinking it is just a rusty old pile of junk and send it to the scrap
I appeciate what your saying, None of what i am thinking would be irreversible, the mower is a bit of an Heirloom now as its on its 3rd generation in the same family and will become a 4th, I will come back and haunt my kids if they ever sell it LOL I might start a new trend LOL rat rod mowers
At the end of the day it is you're machine to do what you want, ive seen a few hot rod kinda mowers and to me it always looks tacky, but each to their own.
The original bracket looks to still be there on the frame, i dont think you would need to space the bonnet out, just make the clutch arm on the front more compact, with a new lining the clutch doesn't need much force.
At the end of the day it is you're machine to do what you want, ive seen a few hot rod kinda mowers and to me it always looks tacky, but each to their own.
The original bracket looks to still be there on the frame, i dont think you would need to space the bonnet out, just make the clutch arm on the front more compact, with a new lining the clutch doesn't need much force.
I have included a pic of the standard setup.
WOW ok the original is a lot different to what i have LOL cheers for that info, will have a look into it
Fxxxrr, I’m fully on board with your desire to preserve this machine as it is with all (or most) of it’s modifications and I f’ully get why you would want to. I would love to see it just got running and the transmission repaired ( the blocks on the drive pedal are the give away ).
Preserving the machine is important and you will be doing that. Preserving this particular machines own history seems far more important. Im all for keeping it the way it is.
Perhaps leaving it the way it is with the bonnet off is an option? That said personally I’d like to see it on if it can be done with the very minimum of intervention. Perhaps the bonnet can be mounted through the existing holes with long bolts and spacer bushes? You’d then need to come up with something at the back as it won’t close onto the ‘firewall’. Looks like clearance on dad’s lever is going to be a problem? Like Nath said dropping the tank a bit should be easy.
Cheers,
P.S. I noticed it has been repaired at the front behind the axle pivot. Mine needed to be completely rebuilt in that area.
Thanks PRD Yes they have both had repairs in the front in one shape or another, I appreciate the support RE keeping mods, the spacer Idea would work and i guess in essence is what i was looking to achieve with my RHS Mod, extending the back is easy the back edge is already rusty, so one of 2 things could be done, when the rusty edge is cut off and new one welded on, it could just simply be longer, then a simple trim would always bring it back to original, the other option would be to remove the hooks of the catch and use those holes to rivet an extension piece on, again a simple return to original, leaving the rusty edge and riveting some extensions would fit well with my steam punk theme. I was mid 20's when i lot both my Mum and Dad in tragic circumstances, given my battles i need to last at least another 10yrs before my youngest is the same age I think eventhe toughest among you can forgive me a desire to leave something behind that has my personal touch, same as i got from my old man, plus you know kids of today, if its sorta cool and gets there attention its more likely to be used and maintained than talked about as that rusty pile of junk mower that dad always waffled on about.
Hahaha look at me, anyone would think this is a talk about your feelings forum, LOL I appreciate everyone's input and feedback, the knowledge i have learned just a few short days has blown my mind, whilst the mower always had a special spot in my heart, i knew nothing of its rarity , or its history, it was just that crusty old mower dad mucked around with that one day i will see if i can get running.
for now i will get the Mk 1 up and running , i need to get back on my feet a little better before i could tackle the Mk2 as i have recently had a back op,
I wonder what my chances of getting away with using the MK 1 as a mobility scooter would be? put a big muffler on it so its quiet, use it to get to and from the local shops LOL i also need something to allow me to get around swap meets now as i cant walk very far anymore LOL Hmmm electric conversion maybe? I have an old electric wheelchair here i could rip some motors and gearboxes out of..... LOL or fit tracks to the rear of it , i always wanted a wheelchair with tracks like a tank...
I Would love to see that early one up and running, but before you start using it for something like that, I personally would swap you a later model machine to do it with. Don't get me wrong I would love to see a greenie running up the street, but please not that one.. It is just too rare to see used in that sort of way.
I'm not having a dig or anything, I just want to see a piece of Australian history preserved!
I Would love to see that early one up and running, but before you start using it for something like that, I personally would swap you a later model machine to do it with. Don't get me wrong I would love to see a greenie running up the street, but please not that one.. It is just too rare to see used in that sort of way.
I'm not having a dig or anything, I just want to see a piece of Australian history preserved!
Hahaha All good Nath was all said tounge in cheek, if i decide to get rid of it you will be first on the list dont worry,
I’m v keen to see what you’ve bought ......but I can’t open that file
When it comes to parts for your machines please ask if you need anything. I have a red machine that I use as a parts donor and have aquired a good collection of bits from other greenfield models too. I happily give parts away (if I can spare them) to forum members.
Its a late 60's/ early 70's chassis for my mower with most of the steering still on it including a steering wheel as well as rear drive discs
Cheers for the offer of parts, and once i get what i need from this, im also happy to donate the rest, im happy for you to have it and add to the spares you already have, I think i will need the steering gears and linkages, as well as the steering wheel , couple of the levers and knobs and im wondering depending on condition if its easier for me to swap drive discs, rather than try to fix up my own
I’m guessing the ad is gone already. I thought it might be the one in Guildford but that’s miles away from you and the ad number was different. I did note that that one has a steel deck though.
I’ve not gone down the path of investigating if the drive from a later red machine bolts straight into one of the earlier ones but I’m pretty sure it will. That said, it’s a fair bet that the drive in your donor will need work too. The only difference I can think of is the chain sprocket size. Bigger chain on my early machine.
The drives are really very easy to repair. There is a couple of threads that step through the process or if you like we can step you through it when the time comes.
Re: belt size. Is this for your dads machine? Easiest thing to do is take the existing belts if you have them to a bearing shop and they can measure them. If you don’t have them I can measure mine for you. That said I’d be a bit cautious with your front belt size. Your dad might have changed the size when he re-engined it.
Very many thanks for the offer. All parts gratefully received for the good of the cause! .
Prd, nah he picked up a frame that had been on gumtree for some time, i always had my eye on it but never really had the need for it. It is a red frame, later with the engine drop same as mine.
As prd said, can't be certain on the belt sizes, but mine has a B60 on the front and a A105 on the back, would at least be a starting point for you.
Last edited by nath; 12/01/2004:25 PM. Reason: Had b105, should have been A105
The giveaway on that is the front axle, to my knowledge there was never a red machine with the saddle front axle mount. Also it is running the double engine pulley (so the traction drive is always engaged), another yellow refinement.
The giveaway on that is the front axle, to my knowledge there was never a red machine with the saddle front axle mount. Also it is running the double engine pulley (so the traction drive is always engaged), another yellow refinement.
Ok the axle i get, but how the hell did you pick that as a dual pulley? even knowing it is i can barely tell....
On the back of the engine (front of the machine) is the clutch, if you look closely you will see a second belt comes up to the crankshaft at the back of the clutch
Ok went and picked up my chassis this morning, and this guy had lots of stuff, i reckon i could spend a few hours there no problems in amongst it all he had this
Its for sale if anyone interested let me know and i can put you in touch
Ahhh so that is a greenfield pressed steel deck, I was picturing a fabricated deck like some of the later one had. Its 'upholstered' seat is interesting... but it looks like its in good nick, be a good restorer for someone
Progress, I got the wheels of My dads one today, tyres and tubes are stuffed, I have some other wheels here that i can make work, will do until i get enough spare money to buy some tyres, either that or i will steal them off my other one LOL
Speaking of the other one, i noticed something today, from what i have seen and understand, the front wheels on the red's are held on by a collar and a grub screw, which was the case with my Dads machine, but the other one has a nut on a thread holding the wheels on, maybe this is another clue as to its age? or maybe someone just modified it, just thought that some of you gurus might know, wheels held on by a nut up until ( insert date here)
). 
