OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Restoring, Customising and Modifying Reel-Type Mowers Model 45 - Which Replacement Engine ?

Good evening all

Hope everyone had a a great Christmas day !

I chanced upon an SB 45 twin rail 17 that I think the bones are great and is a late model with the sticker id later than the metal plate. The clutch half is no good and also damaged the crank end. I intend to re power this mower with a new engine, the rails look fine. The original briggs weighs about 12 kg, a new replacement briggs is about 2 kg heavier and a honda 3 kg heavier. My question is if rail damage is caused by engine weight or smoothness of running ?

Cheers
wce

Hi wce
Christmas Day was okay, but Santa needs
to lift his game post Covid - whenever that is ...

I do not believe anyone can answer your question, but I am
impressed that you have factored in engine weight.

I was not aware that modern replacements are kilos heavier!

The general consensus is that the gauge steel on the 45 was
marginal, with fatigue cracks appearing after the expected life
of the chassis. Hardly a design fault (in my view).

I do not know whether weight or vibration caused some failures.

Maybe a member has another view.
Nonetheless, I'm glad you have asked the question.

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

Got a friend who dropped one of these on his 45 recently, seems very happy with it.
https://predatorpower.com.au/product/5hp-petrol-engine-pull-start-nh150/

Thanks Andy E

Ill have a look into them, super light for the size.

Cheers
wce

Yeah they are, he reckons his mower feels better balanced now, but that may just be how he justified it to his wife...

Hi wce,

I recently put an NH130 on my 17” - 4hp version of the above mentioned motor. Runs nicely and fits the frame pretty well. It also came mostly in black already, so was a similar look to the Briggs 80202 on the mower when I got it. The $189 price tag made it an attractive option too (especially when nothing else was available except for a Honda). I’ve found it to have adequate power to get around my 90m2 of flat wintergreen couch no problems.

Cheers,

John