OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Restoring, Customising and Modifying Other Walk-Behind Rotary Mowers SupaSwift Catcher Falls Off.

I was using a 767 from the 1980s yesterday and was going crazy wIth the catcher constantly falling off.
The rear flap spring has very weak tension and the flap lifts half way up when the motor is running. Is that the likely cause and I have a spare spring I took off another SupaSwift. Is it worth the trouble of removing the four rusty bolts (2 a side) to remove the handles before sliding out the rod that holds the flap on to replace the spring?
An alternative is to place weight on top of the flap. Saves dismantling an old mower I just want to use.

MF, could you post a few photos of where the catcher mounts to the chassis?

I have had some occurrences of the bar the bottom of the catcher sits on being bent a bit and causing it to drop.


Catcher flap probably exacerbates another prob

G'day Mf and Tyler

Sometimes just bending in the flap at the back edge is enough to hold the catcher on tight .(vice grips in image)

Stronger spring usually helps.

People that can't be bothered fixing the problem just clip an elastic cord around the flap and the catcher.

Maybe get a battery clamp bolt or similar and bend to a right angle then drill a hole in the catcher and
with a couple of washers and 2 lock nuts, bolt the small latch in place to stop the flap coming off then you
just twist the latch for on or off. I've had this type of latch on a mower before and worked well.

Cheers
Max.

Hi maxwestern and Tyler,

Thanks for your suggestions maxwestern. Some handy ideas there.
Tyler, here's some shots. The bar is indeed bent. So straightening it could sort the problem?

Think Max is on the money MF, not much would be gained as the catcher sits on the axle.

Maybe I should pop rivet it on and drill it out when it's full!
Or better still, use a self tapping screw!

PS a bolt and wingnut.

I would get a skinny file and file a groove in the catcher where the edge of the flap rests (to make a little ledge for the catcher lip to hook into) then bend the top in a bit as Max says

Hi Mf and Tyler


I've had a mower with a wingnut holding the catcher on but found it more annoying than an elastic clip,it
was just the time it takes every time the catcher has to come off and be put on.

The easiest fix is just a right angle screw and turn for removing and fitting ,one mower I was using had this.

Anything that is a quick release fastener would work if all else fails. A bolt drilled for a R clip etc.

Cheers
Max.

Bending the end of the catcher flap.inward has done the trick. Never fell off even at high revs. It's still easy enough to fit on. Many thanks Tyler and maxwestern.