OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Restoring, Customising and Modifying Reel-Type Mowers New Cylinder for Scott Bonnar 45

I have a Scott Bonnar 45, that has been fully overhauled, but used on a weekly basis.

The problem is that the reel itself is too small to be sharpened again.

I have has quotes of $500 upwards for a new reel that has been ground and ready for re-install.

However can I replace the blades on the reel? I have the tools and equipment to cut tham off and weld new ones in place. And then send down to the mower shop fro a grind.

If this can be done, I assume that these are hardened steel? If so what size and grade of steel should I be using?

Cheers

Hi Jarrad, welcome to Outdoorking. Having the reel run out of meat for resharpening is something that happens to all cylinder mower users eventually. As you will have noticed, a new reel is typically more expensive than a second hand SB that has a decent reel. There are two alternatives to a new reel. One is to have the blades replaced on your old reel, and the other is to buy a beaten-up, non-running SB that has never been resharpened, and take its reel plus many other parts for spares. At least in the Eastern states, the latter is usually a much better deal: the majority of SBs are never resharpened, and many of them have been parked in garden sheds for decades without being used. Several Outdoorking members buy these rusty wrecks and restore them for resale.

Replacement of the blades is possible, and is done fairly regularly by specialised engineering companies. I've never heard of it being done satisfactorily by an amateur. The blades are made from a fairly high carbon steel, but it is not in a fully hard state: reels can be resharpened by lathe-turning, which is not something I'd attempt if they were spring-hard.

Without knowing your skills or physical equipment, I doubt the practicality of replacing your blades yourself. A toolmaker with a lot of time to waste could no doubt do it (or just about anything else: toolmakers' skills are awesome), but I do not think it would be worth his or her time.

Hi Jarrad and grumpy,
I spoke to the engineer that sharpens my reel this morning about this issue, and grumpy, he agreed with your sentiments, that he replaces one or two broken blades in a reel, but even he won't undertake a complete reel rebuild...Not worth the time and effort, he says.

However, I have found a source of a new reel; but Jarrad has not given us the cutting width of his machine which determines the price especially if it is a 20" machine.
But for a 17" X 10 blade cylinder reel about $410 fully sharpened and sold with new bearings and bearing shield washers.
Hoping this helps,

Thanks Darryl and Grumpy

Yes it is a 17 inch unit. Problem in WA is you can pay $400 easily for an old SB with the Kirby engine.

Picked the unit I have up for $320 and went for it as it has the Briggs Engine. Plus new Rover catcher and handle bars. However the Briggs unit although running has required a bit of TLC te get it up to scratch. That said I would not have brought this unit if I knew the blades on the reel were at the end of their life. But you learn as you go. It was not until I stripped the mower down that it had the tell tale signs of a high millage unit.

But its fully over hauled now and I will need a new reel when it's ready for a sharpen. So looking into options. Might grab another SB with a better reel and put my reel into that, clean it up and sell that unit off to cover some of the costs.

Thanks

Just a picture, for those interested. Few dents and scratches in catcher from previous owner, but not worth worrying about.

Got what I thought was a good price today for a 8 blade 17 inch reel, new bearings, shields, nut, and key for $349.00

Sharpened and Ready to drop straight in

What sort of difference would I notice if any between a 8 blade and the standard 6 blade SB cylinder. (I mow Sir Walter Grass)

Thanks

Any noticable difference between 6 and 8 Blade cylinders

Thanks

Hi Jarrad, you certainly had a good score with your new reel at that price mate, well done!!

The 20" Scotty has an 8 blade reel as standard and is well suited to blue couch and Sir Walter grass...the main difference is a finer cut as the extra 2 blades do their work....Properly adjusted with a well maintained ground (bottom) knife blade will reward you with a well manicured lawn.

Having studied your pic Jarrad, I can tell you all is not what it seems....I presume this is the machine without its Model ID plate and I think I now know why...You can't really lose one, as they are pop-riveted to the rear chassis rail.

I believe this machine is an imposter....I'll give you my reasons and with your help Jarrad, we will get to the bottom of it. It has been made to look like a late model Rover 45, but it is a Scott Bonnar Model 45.

Here are my reasons:
(1) It is fitted with a late model Rover catcher in the correct Rover colour, with a correct Rover decal.

(2) It does not have the Rover handle bar round decal

(3) The ID plate that should state Rover-Scott Bonnar is missing.

(4) The engine is the wrong colour for the Rover 45. It should be black (same as the cutter clutch and shaft and bearing carrier.

(5) The reel has reached the end of its life, possibly the bottom blade as well..

(6) ***If you can post the whole string of numbers on the cowling of the Briggs we can deduce the engines actual age....this will give us an indication of the age of the chassis.*** We do know when Rover took over SB Ltd.

(7) the chassis and the handlebar plate have been resprayed in Rover red to look like a late model Rover, thereby hoping to increase its value when sold.
If it had had its ID plate intact this would have blown its cover immediately.

The good news is that I'll bet dollars to peanuts it is a genuine Scott Bonnar!!
Please let us know what you think Jarrad.

Hi Deejay

The machine is definately a SB model 45. I wish I had some pix of when I purchased it.

*It had the Rover Catcher and Red Rover handle bar trim on it when I brought it.

*I made the decision to paint the chassis red to match, the good condition Rover catcher.

*The handle bars themselves and the chassis are Scott Bonnar. The engine was originally orange and re-sprayed in orange engine enamel, although the colour didnt come out as close to the original as I would have liked. Id did not paint the engine black as I am certainly not trying to pass this machine off as a Rover 45.

*I will post the numbers of the engine, I assume its 1970's vintage. But would like an indication of age.

*The bottom bar looks OK and I had it sharpened when had the reel done. But will get a new one when replace the cylinder early next year. It is still cutting fairly well at the moment.

The guy I brought if from purchased it from a mower shop and it appears to have had a rough patch up job. I dont know why I did not have the original SB ID plate. It is certainly a well used machine, the carby was cracked through where it mounts to the head, reel at end of life etc. But the chains and sprockets were in very good nick.

At the end of the day it's going to owe me close to $1000, but given that is what good condition SB sell for here in WA, I would not loose money if I sold it.

80202 0607-02 76051003
Model Type Code

Hope this helps

Engine was built on the 10th of may 1976, about what you would have guessed, generally I expect that the mower itself would be about 6 months newer by the time the engine was imported, mower built, etc.

Hi Jarrad, how more off track could I have been!!
I would still like to know where the ID plate has gone, as they a fixed to the machine after painting at the factory.
I don't know where you would source another for it Jarrad, as they were not sold as a spare part.

Will keep looking for an ID plate. Hopefully someone is wrecking a SB 45 one day.

It looks suspect without one and at least if I ever went to sell it people would know it is a Scott Bonnar and not a Rover. Plus if it ever got stolen at least it has a serial number.

Hi Jarrad, mate, give Keith Lewis a ring on Ph/Fax:
(03) 5339 9385 or Mob: 0438 357 100, he is the one person who may be able to help you.