Hi MF, good find, muffler looks to be on a bit of an angle?
Hi NormK, Don't think so after taking a look. I've been told by a guy who looks for mowers that he's coming across far less of these Briggs than before, mainly finding Chondas now, so I was extra thrilled to get this. I used the hot staple set you put me onto to fix the corner of this VC Mustang catcher I found up the road. Thanks again for sending me the link to this item on EBay.
Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
Hi Danny, Nothing special about the Briggs mower, not too bad, all depends if it runs or not. Usually the reason the throttle breaks is because the cable has rusted up and people force the throttle control and it breaks inside. MF, I also have to repair our rubbish bit, it has a split in the side, obviously caused by me putting too much weight in it, but it is a rubbish bin and I put rubbish in it. I consider broken bricks and concrete to be rubbish
They're easy to work on and are an old well proven design perfectly suited to domestic duties.
Originally Posted by NormK
MF, I also have to repair our rubbish bit, it has a split in the side, obviously caused by me putting too much weight in it, but it is a rubbish bin and I put rubbish in it. I consider broken bricks and concrete to be rubbish
I personally wouldn't be filling them with heavy items like bricks, rocks and concrete. Maybe a small amount.
I've had a green waste wheelie bin rejected because it was weighed down with a high amount of soil.
I don't think they were designed to be filled to the gun whales with such densely heavy rubbish like concrete metal etc.
Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
Main thing with these ones is check the rear splitter bar is in place near the front axle (its riveted on) they are often snapped off and without it the frame flexes - first it cracks near the top of the catcher chute, then down near the rear left wheel.
In extreme cases the whole lhs rear axle pulls clean through the body through metal fatigue
If it has a 4 blade disc, remove and check for cracks around the centre bolt - they were recalled for this about 10yrs ago but plenty still out there.
Thanks for your valuable info as always Tyler. I'll take a look when I get the chance. It is a two blade model and they're in good shape.
NormK, could you give your opinion on what I should do (or not) with this repair on the rear of the 1970s VC/Mustang/Sport catcher? Remove the rivets and staple or just leave alone? I'm favouring the latter.
Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
Hi MF, I would see if I could get the faces flat and then put a few staples in it just to tidy it up a bit
Hi NormK, Thanks for that. Problem is the patch itself looks to be holding it apart as it wasn't put on with care. I can staple parts of it. Maybe I'll see after that.
Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
Hi MF, bit of filler or JB Weld in the holes and give the area a bit of a sand back and it will look pretty good. The rivets always look like that is the best I could do, and probably was in years gone bye
Nice find! I like this Briggs Classic engine, easy to work. I have also pickup a Briggs 450 on kerb side and was badly neglected with no oil in it, no fuel cap, worst out blades, rusted muffler. I gave it another life for personal use. Don't have working mower for myself. Check the photos.
