The owners have just returned home after a few years overseas and were going to dump this mower as it wouldn't start. Now, a mower this 'modern' is is not something I normally play around with but as it has some interesting features, I offered to have a look. Firstly, the spark plug was cleaned and thankfully it produced a spark. The air cleaner was fine and the engine had plenty of oil (though somewhat black). The carb float bowl was removed and found to have a fair amount of varnish present. After a quick clean with carb cleaner and fresh petrol, it fired right up.
Finally the blade was given a quick touch up, the oil changed, the front wheels tightened and then given a test drive. Another one saved !
Mower Details: 22 inch, 3.5HP Briggs & Stratton Engine Manufactured in 1999 by the Murray Ohio MFG Co. Assembled in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, USA
(The handle has been replaced in the past with something far more substantial than the original.)
Tyler, Just had another look. I assumed the mower date of manufacture was 3rd January 1999 (1399). Perhaps they use a different system. As you said, the engine is earlier - 1988. All very intriguing, an engine swap sometime ?
Wish Australia imported smart self propelled mowers like this, but we insist on troublesome finicky gearbox models. Probably set up to drum business for the mower repairers. Wouldn't surprise me.
There was a particular shade of more golden sunset yellow the Rustoleum offer in the U.S but in Australia? No! Of course available in NZ at Bunnings(!). Retail is pathetic and weak in Australia. Your supermarkets walk all over ours too.
Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
Yes it is a 1989 model and Briggs engine verifies this as it is a late 1988 build. It typically takes a month and longer before the engine get install by the mower's OEM.
