OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions on Walk Behind Lawn Mower Frames Question On Scott Bonnar Cylinder Mowers Diplomat 430 bedknife issue

So what made the diplomat a failure
- nylon gear drive
- can be difficult to setup reel& bedknife (once you loosen the reel is hard to centre it yourself) a mower bloke said I won't be able to do it myself! Just got to fiddle around with it for a while.

I don't see the rear catcher as much of a real problem yes they maybe difficult to find replacement but its not like it drives in reverse to bump into anything.

How wide is the 590's reel?? Mower man said the diplomats popular in WA.. he also said he sells at least three roller caps a week

There are mower places out there that refuse to work on a Diplomat 430/590 because of the time taken to perform routine maintenance...they are labour intensive and most owners baulk at the quote.

It is not only the nylon ring gear that is the problem...the build quality is not as good as the SB45....very few parts are available and the parts available for the SB45 (which is all parts) are not compatible with the Diplomats.

The SB590 is 17" cutting width.

Re: the plastic caps, with mine, I just drilled a 1/8" hole on an angle through the roller cap, so as can squirt some oil in...that keeps the cap and shaft lubricated.
It works a treat!

BTW, more SB 45's were sold in WA than in any other state..and second hand machines over there sell for high prices and are highly sought after.

I'm surprised to hear that the mower machanics turn them down. I won't disagree on how the 45 easyier to work on but it seems the diplomat has less working parts to go wrong. Its so basic in design. I was qouted $140 for a reel& bedknife sharpen plus fitment which I thought was reasonable where just to get the same on the 45 and i put it back together cost $90..
mmm the 430 width is the same as my model 45's I thought.. must investigate later..

Hi Jason, this discussion has gone way off topic, if you wish to continue, could you please start another thread in the 'Questions on Scott Bonnar Cylinder Mowers forum.
Thanks mate.
I will now close this thread.