OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions On Ride On Mowers Questions on Rover Ride On Mower Rover Colt 8 Recondition

Hi - I've just joined the web site as I have just picked up an old Rover Colt 8 and it needs a little work. I have subscribed to the manuals section and downloaded the Colt 5/8 manual and got onto the Briggs & Stratton website and downloaded the manual for the motor as well.
I have also taken it to the local mower shop and they are looking at the engine and the mower overall to see what needs doing to it. It runs OK but with a few problems:-
The original three speed gearbox has been replaced with a six speed box - apparently it goes like a rocket!
Brakes don't work
Motor only starts manually - not from key start
Stop doesn't work - only way to stop it is by turning fuel off or removing spark plug connection
Cutter drive does not disengage - probably because the gearbox has been modified and belts are not the right size (maybe??)
I called in today to see how they were going with the repairs - and it looks like the throttle/choke system is missing a few parts and the choke link doesn't link to anything - can anyone give me some idea of how the throttle/choke system is connected so I can determine how if there are any parts missing and if they can be replaced - seeing as the mower is so old!
I haven't had a good chance to take a good look at the mower myself - I picked it up last Saturday am and dropped it straight off to the mower shop - I intend to get it running and then gradually get the individual items fixed as we go.
Any comments/suggestions.....
pcottam

It isn't very practical for us to make any suggestions at the moment. First, you have a repair shop working on it, and we don't know what will be wrong with it when they finish. Most of your issues sound very easily fixed, either by you or by the shop. The second reason is that you haven't posted pictures of the bits you are having issues with, so we can't guess what is going on.

When you get it home, make a new assessment of its (hopefully improved) condition, and post some pictures, we can take a look.

Thanks for your reply Grumpy

Yes I know it is a bit premature - I wish now I had brought the mower home first and looked at it to see what needed doing.

I should have it back next week and I'll do as you suggested.

The gearbox adaption should not create any issue. They all work the same, vertical belt driven input to a horizontal chain ouput.

Earlier colts only had a fwd and reverse. Your must be a later if it was a 3 speed.

Belt engagement is seperate to the drive arrangement.

Perhaps the engine pulley has been reversed or changed.

I would not imagine that the 6 speed and the three speed would differ that much in ratio from 1st to top gear. Its the in between that the 6 speed wins out.


Bob.

Hi Guys
I have got the Colt back and have put it to work - well a tenant at a small rural property is currently using it to mow the house yard.

It has been running very well apart from two issues.

Firstly it has an oil leak underneath that is losing quite a bit of oil. I will have to take a closer look and see exactly where it is leaking.

Secondly the gear box - a replacement 6 speed box - now cannot find reverse or neutral. Is it possible to get a good 2nd hand gearbox anywhere or are replacement parts available so it can be pulled down and repaired?

Any help or ideas would be appreciated.

Peter

First i would check the travel of the gear lever to make sure its not hitting something.

Depends what particular model the gearbox its as to weather it is servicable or not. Parts are expensive anyway.

Might be best to keep an eye out for another gearbox.