OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Collectors Corner Cylinder Scott Bonnar Model 45 - 14 Inch Twin Rail

Hi BB, Ooops mate, I think you may have replied to the wrong thread.

Hi DeeJay,

I've realised why you've thought that this post is on the incorrect thread and that is because it actually refers back to the page 1 posting of this thread where there is a SB brochure posted up.
My mistake was that I didn't realise that I posted it on page 2.

DOH !!!!

Cheers,
BB

Sorry to resurrect an old thread but I've been searching for info on the later SB Rover Brisbane made models and manufacture periods and we don't seem to have that much info...or I can't find it

It seems the Rover Brisbane factory took over from late 1983, and at least for a period kept the same colour scheme as evidenced by the 1984 brochure in this thread. As BB mentions they then went to the Kermit Green still with SB name for some time. Then eventually ditched it all and went Rover Model 45 with the red. Any ideas when all this occurred? When was the last 45 manufactured in australia?

Not sure if it helps but I just purchased a Kermit SB with original receipts dated 1992. so start and end dates of the kermit are some time either side of that I guess...

Hello Paradox

That's a decent question there.
Yes, it would appear that the SA Thebarton factory was closed by the
end of the 1982-83 Financial Year, moving all production to Fison Avenue,
Brisbane, the home of Rover Mowers. This article is from SMH 30/11/1983.



That is fantastic information - that you have a 'Kermit 45' with receipt
dated to 1992!

It appears to be an unanswered question when the Kermits were introduced.
We have a 1984 brochure still advertising the older SB hammertome scheme.

My take on this is that the Kermit colour was introduced in about the
mid-1980s. I speculate that the Rover takeover of SB in 1980 enabled
Rover to stockpile sufficient quantities of Adelaide machines for a period
after the SA closure of mid-1983.

The Green colour was introduced and done, I believe, by the powder-coat process.
Rover had introduced this new plant at their Brisbane factory in about 1980.
I speculate that that process cannot produce the hammertone finish...?
... Meaning that Rover stuck with a green colour to differentiate SB from
Rover's own colour scheme (and still use the SB name).

At some point (we now know this was after 1992) Rover changed the scheme
in favour of full-integration with the Rover branding. The machine became a
Rover 45.

I guess the last 45 was manufactured close to the closure of the Brisbane
factory on the 1st of April, 2007. The Rover Parts List I have shows revisions
right up to the end of 2005, suggesting that the last 45s were made close
to the Brisbane closure. The end of two AUS icons was now assured.

The rest is history.
------------------------------
Jack

Wow, thanks Jack. There is a lot of interesting info there. That article pretty much highlights that the drought was a significant contributor to the closure of the Adelaide SB plant. Rover must have been very happy with the purchase when the drought broke that year.

I have not paid close attention to the coating on the Kermit. It did strike me as painted rather than powdercoated, but I will have a closer look and advise.

I was a young teenager in Brisbane back then and my main source of income was mowing lawns, including my Grandmothers and my Parents Blue Couch lawns with SB45's. Both had extensive automatic watering systems and water was plentiful thanks to a much smaller population (the great victorian migration had only just started ) and a newly completed Wyvenhoe D@m...oh the memories

I am out of the country at the moment but will post the receipt for the record when I get back on the weekend.

So it was John Killer that must be responsible for the killing off of the name Scott Bonnar ??? LOL

Cheers,
BB

Receipt as below.

I've had another look at the Kermit coating and it may well be powder coated...unfortunately I am no expert, but it does look thicker than I would expect a paint to be.

Hello Paradox

Thank you for that important document.
Big Ask: would it be possible to get a close-up of the
manufacturer's plate? I ask that to confirm the model number.

You have added valuable information here.
Now, we need to establish when the change in colour occurred.

Facts:
- 45s still branded as SB in 1984 (brochure).
- 45s as Kermits introduced after that (still branded as SBs)
- 45s as Kermits still available in late 1992 (invoice)
- 45s as Orange Rover45s (SB name dropped) introduced at some time after 1992
- 45s as Rover 45s still available this century, probably ceasing with factory
closure in early 2007.

All very interesting.
--------------------------
Jack

Hello Mod BB.
Killer was a hired gun.

My general view is that many directors are hired to destroy things.
This is often turned into propaganda ... "executive makes hard decisions".

John Killer, later on, played his role in the Victa saga.


All very Machiavellian.
--------------------------------
Jack

I can't upload the photo of the plate for some reason, so will just post the link:



I also took a shot of the back page of the Operating Instructions:

Thank you Paradox

We now have a confirmed match that is irrefutable.
Good stuff!

I fixed the photo problem.
I'm not sure what gremlin did that.

Thanks
---------------------
Jack

Hello Paradox and Mod CJ,

I've been watching this thread with much interest.

This model 45 is definitely Powder Coated. Just look at those welds and how bulbous they look, that's the effect powder coating gives as it's a good filler material opposed to paint, also the powder coating line was in full swing by the 1990's.

I have started my timeline spread sheet on documenting all the changes made on the model 45 since it's inception way back in 1968.

Just an interesting point on this thread which shows the brochure with a date of 8/84, the photos still show images of the 20 inch Model 45 due to the wider reel but the blurb on the brochure only mentions the 17 inch machine as it's cylinder mower offering and in it's dot points it refers to 5 cross over points in the reel while the 20 inch reel pictured has 6, but in saying that the 17 inch model 45 offering from SB only ever had the 5.

I feel that the photos were either older stock shots on hand or they still had a 20 inch machine on hand to use as a photographic model.

My opinion is that the 20 inch was well and truly finished by Aug/84 with production of it ceasing here in Adelaide at the time of the Holland Street Plant closing down and that they had simply made a mistake on the brochure with the photos used and felt no one would really know anyway.

Like the disclaimer always says, "Photo's are for illustrative purposes only" and "we reserve the right to change specifications without notice"

BTW Jack when you refer to the "Orange" colour scheme, don't you mean "Rover Red" ?

Cheers,
BB

Hello Mod BB,

Yes, it was my cunning plan: I do mean red.
When I say 'cunning', I mean 'colour blind'.
I guess, more red than orange.

I count 4 spiders / collars/ crosses for the 14 inch reel
I count 5 spiders / collars/ crosses for the 17 inch reel
I count 6 spiders / collars/ crosses for the 20 inch reel

Cheers
Jack

Hi Mod CyberJack,

Just seeing if you were awake !

Cheers,
BB

Many MD's are specialists at preparing a company for sale. They are engaged by boards specifically to do what is necessary to get the best possible price. The changes are rarely good for long term health of the company (or its staff) so such MD's are not usually kept past the sale.

In my experience once a sale is effected the buyer quickly finds out the layers of smoke and mirrors employed....if the MD is smart he has already exited stage left by that time....

Seems Mr Killer was one such MD.

Hi All,

I know this is a rather old thread but just couldn't resist, who would want to go through life with a last name like "Killer" ?

Not a good name for a Managing Director / CEO is it.

Cheers,
BB.

Hi all

Spotted a mower for sale recently that the chap couldn't get going, he was unsure of the make of the mower, so I did a deal over the phone seeing that it had a late model Chonda on it so it would be an easy fix. Got the mower home and could just make out it was an S/B on the plate and after a bit of research I think it is a 14'' Twin rail. Cosmetically a bit average but solid and looks like its all there except original catcher and engine. Was there a couple of different engine installed on this model or is there 1 specific engine, and if so which would it be ?
The little unit Fly's with the 4hp on it, anything above quarter throttle has you in a canter behind it ! I love the split roller on it....... like it is hard to turn being 14''
The plate numbers are 45 41897 45 0407
Cheers
wce

This machine would've originally had a Kirby H4-4A on it which is a 2.5 Hp power plant.

I must admit the Chonda is a bit of overkill on it and probably a tad heavy on one side.

Cheers,
BB.

Thank's Bonnar Bloke !

Might be a bit hard to find that motor now ? but will keep an eye out. Surprisingly the mower sits flat with the 4 hp on it and cut a nice strip in the lawn when I gave it a test run. The body of the mower without the engine on is very heavy. Quality build will do that I guess.

Cheers
wce

Hi WCE,

H4-4A's are plentiful and not hard to find at all. If you were in Adelaide I could probably sling you a couple as they are pretty well junkers now with most people replacing them with newer much smoother running power plants than keeping unbalanced rail destroying monsters as they are seen as these days.

Cheers,
BB.

Hi all,

I have been recently acquired my first SB45 twin rail. I got curious after reading this thread and took some pics of the old girl. I was wondering age of machine and engine age as well. it runs well, cuts ok but could do with a reel grind I'd say.

Hi 007 Jenno,

This Scott Bonnar 45 Looks to have had a replacement motor fitted .The original motor was the similar Kirby / Tecumseh motor.

History link below

https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.a...4933/MODEL_45_-_History_Record_-_c1.html

On the Tecumseh motor it has a label that lists D.O.M = Date of manufacture ,the first number here is the year but doesn't list the decade,
so looks about 1985 or 1995 , then the 226 is the 226th day = around August 14


Scott bonnar 45 machines went into production in 1968 and followed through to 1980 where it was purchased by Rover and was completely lost to rover by 1983

The H30 on the engine ID is Horizontal shaft 3 Hp and also has the 3 Hp sticker on the starter .

Tecumseh introduced its line of black four-stroke engines in the mid-1980s. The black engines were designed to provide a more modern aesthetic and improve performance and durability. This development was part of an overall trend in the industry towards four-stroke engines, which were becoming increasingly popular due to their efficiency and lower emissions compared to two-stroke engines.

Operators motor manual http://www.tecumsehpower.com/CustomerService/OperatorManuals/pdf/181-789-14.pdf

Cheers
Max.

Thanks maxwestern, I figured it was a replacement engine. Isn't it frustrating that the manufacturers don't put all the info on when stamping plates.

Scott Bonnar like most manufacturers only do what's necessary ,the number 36,698 they'd have records that would tell them
the date of production from that number but when Scott Bonnar got taken over by Rover I would assume by now the records are long
gone.

Yes it's a pity they didn't stamp the year on the mower, if you had the original motor you can get the date from that.

Cheers
Max.