Looks excellent NormK. Did you cut a dash for the exhaust outlet? Love how you just moved the spring to the outside as an elegant solution to the clearance issue.
The real test will be how well it cuts through a thick patch of buffalo. What a great way to make use of a perfectly good base.
Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
MF, Yes I cut a slot in the base so it all sits down properly. The PT will only fit on these bases because of the width of them allowing the height adjuster bar to just clear the head. On any other 18 inch base an offset would need to be made in the bar. I may set one up to show how it can be done
It's great that the Talon lets you skip that step though, and you get a wider cut as a bonus!
There must still be a good supply out there of Talon mowers with good bases and wheels where the engine had given up the ghost. Gardeners choice are the same aren't they?
Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
Advantage with the Talon is that it is also drilled to suit the PT motor. Talon bases are usually in much better condition that the Victa ones I pick up and I can also fit other wheels on them
Hi Mystyler, both finished look great and work well, very simple conversion. I will pull them out of the shed later and get some pics. Good mower now with a 500 wide cut.
That's good news as there are tonnes of good Talon bases that will otherwise end up in landfill. The Powertorque is worth fitting as an upgrade to the rather underpowered B&S copy that's on them.
Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
Hi Mystyler, Not something that inspires me, it is a good effort to get it on but 2 big drawbacks. Firstly the obvious tank hanging over the side and the second one is that it is a big waste of a powerful motor on such a small base. This is why the Talon is so much better because it gives a 20 inch cut
Too hard there MF, you have to make an adapter plate but one of the north/south type would look better. You still have the problem of the shaft being 20mm shorter. I wonder if the Makita used one of the long shaft motors or the blades are sitting up inside the skirt by 20mm
Pretty sure those are 18 inch - seen a few of them. If its the long shaft PT, it would be a damn sight better than the bar blade they originally came with (some with swingbacks)
I think the model number has "461" in it - 461mm = about 18in