OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions on Walk Behind Lawn Mower Frames Victa Lawn Mower Frames 18 Special Blade disk

Pulled this off my 18 Special today and the new blades I had brought were way to long, they are real toe cutters, and the bolts were also not correct, (GA part number BNC3240). I had a close look at the disk and I can see some brazing on the disk and long bolts etc for the blades. Has it been modified in the past? Should I be looking for a new disk?

Thanks

Ok, here are some pictures of the blades I brought, installed, they protude ouitside the base by about 5mm, so I assume this is very incorrect?

Can someone shed some light? It would be good if someone could post some pictures of there 18 Special with a correct set of blades on it so I can get this sorted?

The blades that were on mine had been cut off.

My cutterplates look different to yours, next time I am out the back during the day (tomorrow lol) I will take a pic. My blades protude out the side a little as well, however it still works fine, I make sure I am wearing decent boots while using it though!

Thanks Joe that would be great if you can take a pic and post it up.

It seems my phone does not want to connect to the computer, both of my specials are using cutter discs that appear to have 4 bolt holes but only two that can be used for blades.

I will try again for a pic later.

Thanks again Joe, a pic would be great, when you get a chance.

attached is a pic of the cutter plate fitted to both of my specials. The blades to protrude from the deck slightly. Cheers.

Thanks Joe, looks like you have the later blade disk, I assume? I have heard it called a 9C?

How far do you think the blades protrude? Mine seem to protrude about 5mm?

Hi MVC, Many years ago I had a Victa 18 Special and the blade protruded a little as yours does.....(probably why they got the nickname toe chopper) but I think it was so you could cut close to paths, garden edging etc; just make sure you wear steel cap safety shoes.
BTW, I see that your avatar is a P47 'Jug', are you interested in warbirds?

MVC,

That is why they call them toe cutters and also because they would cut along the fence when mowing.

No good these days because as soon as you get near a copper pipe you would have to call the plumber in.

Bruce, If I remember correctly, there was a optional accessory which was a circular guard that would attach to the 18 Special just for this sort of prob, have you ever seen one?

Yes it was a clip on ring that attached to the frame of the mower and yes I have seen several of them.

Hi all, You are all on the wrong track here. The blade holder in the first pic is one of the originals. It had the 2 metal tubes bronze welded on O.K. There were 2 long bolts with a spacer tube. Also 2 alloy caps with 2 felt washers and a plain steel washer/ The bolt went thru the blade with a alloy cap next followed with a felt washer and rh plain steel was .
This lot went up thru the spacer and plain washer, felt washer and alloy cap on the top end.followed by a nut
The whole lot was tightened up and with the spacer tube etc sandwhiched in, the whole lot turned . There was a bronze or brass bush pushed into the metal tube and the felt washers and the caps were there to keep the dirt out. Cheers . Will be back again when more time Joe brown

Thanks for the heads-up Joe, I have never seen a blade holder like the first one on any of the toe cutters that I have owned.

Hi Deejay I dont know as yet how to psot Pics here. but I will jsu have to have another go at it I think I may have one of the original disc down the farm and I am going down today so I will have alook and maybe get a pic. The original baldes have a 3/8 hole in and the later blades as used on the 9C plate have a 1/2 hole / and they are a bit longer also so this is why you guts are having the blades sticing out the fron. The early blade holder is called 9B and is illustrated on page Ki in the Victa Green manual.
The 9c model has 4 holes and 2 bldes fir on top as fan blades to throw the gras out for catcher model . Cheers all Jee brown

Thanks for the info Joe B, thats exactly what I was after. Mine had the felts etc missing and could not work out what the extra washers were for. Mine also had the blades cut off so I did not know how long they should be.

The new blades I brought are the longer ones with the 1/2 inch hole, and again, you are right the original bolts are 3/8. I think I will cut my blades down by about 20mm.

It seems you can not buy a set of blades or bolts for the 9B blade disk anymore only a sets for the 9C.

My 18 Special does have a 9B blade disk on it, I assume mine must be an early 18 Special or someone has changed the blade disk at some stage in its life, but the rest of it has been original so I think it must be the disk that came on it.

The 9B disk on mine is 274mm in diameter, can someone measure there 9C disk and post up the measurement? This will tell me how much to long the blades are.

Thanks

Martin

Hi Martin I can measure up a 9C disc tomorrow . It dark outside now and I am affraiid of the boogey man out there. LOl As I siad in one of my posts on this matter I went down the farm and looked thru some discsfor a complet 9 B but got a bit pissed off after pulling out about 50 or so discs as I had to put them all back and it was pretty hot.. I did find 3 very good 9C discs One bare and 2 with new blades on I had used cgood condition bolts and the other had new blades and bolts so they will be going on Ebay asap. If you have a Email address I can send you a Scan of the 9B disc . I should have some 9B blades heresome where and possibly some new long bolts . They do come up on Ebay from time to time though in case you want to restore your old 9B disc Cheers Joe

Just reading back thru an earlier post with regard to the 9C plates with blades on the top for grass blowing . From memory there were 3 different sorts of blades fitted on the top .1 type for side throw mowers with side catchers and 2 different types for rear catchers .
With regard to the Discs with 8 holes they were an aftermarket disc and I found about 3 during my rummage thu the discs at the farm earlier this week Cheers Joe B

Thanks Joe B, thats all good and it sounds like you have a bit of a large collection there!?

Funny you say some of the blades and bolts come up on ebay for the 9B disk, I just got a set so I hope to have them on Monday and I hope they are correct. I am also interested in the correct setup for felts and washers or at least what it should look like. If you find a picture or something you can email to mvcarroll12@hotmail.com that would be great.

I would be good if you could still measure the 9C disk and post it up since it might help in the future.

Thanks for all the info!

Martin

Hi micka I sent a scan of the 9B blade holder but it was returned by Postamaster as Undeliverable
It was addressed as you said . I will send you a P>M Cheers Joe

That is a bg understatement. I have not seen his collection of stuff but I have seen photos.

Thanks Joe B, I got the email all fine. The scan is good but I can not quite see the detail, can you scan it in a higher resolution?

Thanks again for the time.

A bit more info. I received my new old stock blades and bolts to suit the 9B disk today.

I measured the 9B and 9C blades which I have and they are both the same length, 120mm, so this is good and puts my mind at rest, the blades will stick out by about 5mm of the base.

The blade packet is received also had an exploded view of the bolts washes felts etc and instructions, similar to what Joe B sent me. I like point '3' in the Important section! HHAHHAHHAHAAAA

All I need to do now is find some new felt caps and new felts, I am sure that will not be easy!

Hi Micka Sorry I forgot to tell you the diameter of the 9C diwith the blades attached was 18 inches exactly/
See you now have the (b blades and are looking for felts etc If I see any lurking about in the old boxes I will put them one side and let you know.
Went down the farm looking for a 9B disc etc but came up with a box of ealy model side covers which I have put on Ebay Also some 9C discs which will go on tohight Cheers Joe Brown

Thanks again Joe B, when I asked for the 9C disc diameter I actually meant the disk itself, but do not worry about it since I have just put my new 9B blades on my 9B disc I have found some more info.

Above I mentioned the 9B blades and the 9C blades were the same length, this is not correct, I found the 9B blades a 120mm and the 9C are 122mm. After removing the 9C blades from my mower and installing the correct 9B blades with the 3/8 hole and not 1/2inch I now have about only 1mm of blade sticking out from the mower base, so I am now happy and also happy I have it correct. Thanks Martin.