OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Collectors Corner Cylinder Scott Bonnar Model 40

Evening all,

I have spent some time reading a number of Model 40 threads on here and bookmarked the History Thread with manuals (thanks to those who have put that time in effort in!). I picked up in good running order, a Model 40 today (plus another one in parts) for not much at all. I am missing the catcher. Whilst parts are scarce online, I am wondering if people have made them before and if this is a straightforward task? Is there any reference material that shows detailed measurements to make one?

As one is working (the person I bought it from demonstrated it before I took it), i hope to start using it with spring around the corner and then summer. I have Santa Ana couch grass (with some invasive kykuyu... damn weed) and have always wanted a finer cut, just could never find a decently priced cylinder mower.

I can post some pictures tomorrow, but I am wondering if there is anything I need to do in terms of pre-mowing season maintenance and as I have never owned a cylinder mower before, things I need to be mindful of/watch out for?

Any info would be greatly appreciated for this newbie! 😋

Damien

Hi Damien,

" I am wondering if there is anything I need to do in terms of pre-mowing season maintenance and as I have never owned a cylinder mower before, things I need to be mindful of/watch out for?"


The owners manual has maintenance instructions ,sounds like you have seen that.
https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.a...mber/3081/filename/manual_sb_model40.pdf

Also you could check youtube Video for maintenance tips even if it's a different model they are generally the same
parts to lubricate and check.





With the catcher ,I've seen someone on the Facebook Scott Bonnar group making and selling new catchers but not cheap
from memory .

If you had of asked a few weeks back I saw a good model 40 advertised with catcher sell for $50.

To make a catcher at home it doesn't need to be the exact measurements ,it just needs to work ,if you already know
the width of the catcher by looking at the mower you can work out the other diementions by looking at images and
using maths to calculate the measurements.It will be close enough.

Cheers
Max.

Okay some photos. 😁

Hopefully this isn't a train wreck!











Spare parts/dismantled unit:







Like your thoughts!

Damien

G'day Damien

Looks like a good working mower and a lot of spare parts ,the reel may need sharpening and check / adjust the bedknife.

Think of the reel mower cutting action like scissors; two blades coming together, with light contact, to cut the grass. Without sharp reel and bedknife edges and properly maintained, light contact, the reel mower will not cut the grass and give a good quality of cut.

There are a lot of youtube clips showing how to sharpen the reel ,I've even seen a reel sharpened in a lathe.

Otherwise you can get the reel professionally sharped at a shop if it needs to be.





Cheers
Max.

Thanks, the person I bought it off gave me a bag with black goo in it to redo the front roller. Not entirely sure of that process either. Lots of work to do!

Damien

Clean the Roller: Remove any grass clippings or debris that may have accumulated on the roller. Use a brush or compressed air to clean it thoroughly.

Inspect for Damage: Check the roller for any signs of wear, cracks, or other damage. If the roller is damaged, it may need to be replaced.

Lubricate Bearings: Most front rollers have bearings that require regular lubrication. Apply a suitable lubricant to the bearings to ensure smooth operation. Check the manufacturer’s recommendations for the type of lubricant to use.

Adjust the Roller: Ensure that the roller is properly aligned and adjusted. The roller should be level and evenly spaced relative to the reel blades. Misalignment can affect the cutting performance.

Check Roller Condition: Ensure the roller turns freely without excessive resistance. If it’s not turning smoothly, there may be a need for further maintenance or replacement of parts.

Reassemble and Test: After servicing, reassemble any parts you may have removed, and test the mower to ensure everything is working correctly.

Sound like the black goo is grease.

Cheers
Max.