OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions On Ride On Mowers Questions on Rover Ride On Mower Rover Rancher - help with ID please

Hi all, great info on this site, thank you. I picked up a Rover Rancher on the side of the road and I'm hoping to bring back to life. Can anyone help me identify the model. I thought I'd start by check whether I can get it to start but there's no key or battery. It does have a pull cord but it is pretty tight when pulled. I removed the spark plug, there's no spark when I pull the cord - I can't tell whether this is because no key in ignition or whether the plug is dead. I'd be grateful for any tips or suggestions for replacement engines or parts. Thanks all, happy Friday.
JKMike

Hi JKMike, welcome here.
For starters if you remove the wires off the ignition switch black one is the kill switch wire, with those wires removed and you can pull the motor over and see if you have spark. That is step one in a long list of things you will have to do

Hi JKMike,

This Rancher looks to be from around the mid eighties .

1755/170 had the 30" deck; the 1755/178 (38") had the dual-rotor deck.

The engine cowl should have some numbers on the front or side .

https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.a...537/re-rover-rancher-brochure-c1985.html

https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.a...re-rover-rancher-transmission-surge.html

The key can be made or bought or use a small screw driver and turn the ignition on. From memory I think that model is
just a universal key.(without looking at the lock)

If there is no spark with the plug body earthed to the motor try another spark plug.

Cheers
Max.

Thanks guys thanks for the responses and information, I was able to turn the ignition, still no spark even with a new plug. Is the next step the coil? If so, can I test it or do i need to buy a new one?
Thanks for the info, I’m hoping to get this going for my father in law who is starting to struggle with his lawn.
Cheers

So Mike, did you turn it over with the black wire disconnected, that is the kill switch wire. If you tested with that wire disconnected then yes it is most likely the coil. Millions of those coils kicking around, you just have to find them. I would have a number here but the postage is the killer. You don't want to throw money at it till you have an idea what condition the motor is in.