OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Restoring, Customising and Modifying Other Walk-Behind Rotary Mowers Turner 4BM - c1960-61

Morning all

Was happy to get hold a 4bim although I will need to correct a few things on it, air filter, muffler, wheels and hopefully find a starter. Started first pull after years in retirement and runs beaut, love the sediment/water trap, great idea and is working already as the tank was dry and had a little grit in the bottom. Interesting blade carrier with the cut outs up turned. I don't know but the fuel tank cap with Mobil horse logo embossed could be original as they did have an affiliation at the time.

wce

G'day wce
That's a great find there.

Can you explain the difference between the 4BM and the 4B1M
I do not claim to understand that one.

The original 4M clearly used the 'Carter chassis', but I am
not clear as to what changed with the 4BMs.



Cheers
-----------------------
Jack

Hello WCE and Jack,

I would say the two differences that I can see are the change to the Surestart impulse starter and the fitting of the Zenith carburettor. To fit the impulse starter an alloy adapter ring was used.

Morning Jack and Paul

Like Paul I think the main difference is impulse starter and the recoil starter fitted to the 4bm. Mine is missing the starter but has the starter drum fitted so I presume it would have an impulse starter but of course I could be wrong. Would like to see some more images of the different starters and drums used if anyone has some and also the top of the fuel tanks.

Cheers
wce

Hi WCE ,Paul and Jack

It also looks to me that with the 1960 Turner models ,instead of having an option of recoil or impulse starter on the same
model ,Turner had 4 BIM for the impulse starter model and 4BM for the recoil starter model.

Yes WCE your Turner has the starter drum for the Surestart impulse starter, the 4BIM Turner has a starter drum similar
to a Victa full crank 2 stroke.

Hmm does the I in BIM stand for Impulse ( B series Impuse Motor) (4BM 4 stroke B series Motor) ??(M could stand for Mower)
Cheers
Max.

G'day Max, Paul, WCE
Max, many thanks for the clarification.

4BM recoil, 4bIM for impulse.
That is how Turner advertised them on release.
Yes, Max, I feel the 'I' did designate Impulse.
I think the 'B' reflects the new non-Carter chassis?
[In many ways, Turners first chassis design]

I think changes to the engine - like the move from Bing to Zenith
carbies would be reflected in Kirby model designation, not Turner's.

-----------------------------------
Jack

Hello Members

I picked up another Turner, it's a 4bm or a 4bim. What really got my interest was the edger attachment fitted to it, at first glance I thought what sort of home made contraption is that and they ruined the deck fitting it. After closer inspection at home I think if this was a home made item it was done by someone with considerable mechanical expertise with access to machinery and excellent materials as the attachment functions as it should and has no signs of corrosion. It must have taken a considerable amount of time to plan, design and manufacture and it is extremely well made and solid, even the mounting bracket on the underside of the deck curves perfectly to align with the deck hole cut out and the two engine mount bolts it is attached to . Im now thinking that this may have actually been made as an accessory that could be installed on rotary mowers of that era ?
A rubber wheel sits just above the blade disk and when engaged with the lever on the bar the wheel is in contact with the blade disk and spins via a shaft or cable, there is a grease nipple fitted to the lower body for lubrication. This requires a flatter blade disk to be installed as the 4bm series had a new design disk which the attachment could not be used with. I believe this mower has a 4m disk fitted.
The other interesting thing about the mower is the deck colour, I think they were bronze and pictures of 4bm and 4bim I have seen are a bronze /gold sort of colour. I don't think this unit has had anything done with the finish and it is a very dark bronze colour. I would gave thought that colours fade as they get old.

Cheers
wce