OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Restoring, Customising and Modifying Reel-Type Mowers 14" Kirby engined SB45

Thanks Chris, I hope the parts arrive safely and are all correct...can you please send me a PM re the Scotty parts?
Thanks Chris,

PM sent.

Chris

Many Thanks Chris, this will come in handy for the archives.

I haven't posted for a while because I've been very busy at work.

I received the parts that I'd ordered sometime ago and completed the rebuilt a few nights ago. The base, chain cover and grass deflector were powder coated a slightly darker green and the handles rechromed.

I also rebuilt the Kirby engine and reinstalled it for the moment.

Might mow the grass tomorrow

Chris

It's been raining heavily most of the day so the mowing will have to wait until next weekend. I spent a bit of time today tuning and tweaking the Kirby engine - less putt-putt and more purr. Now it starts first pull and idles nicely.

I know that these engines have something of an agricultural reputation, but it'll have to do for the moment as the other horizontal shaft engine I have (a 2HP B&S) will not fit. The B&S aligns with the mounting holes on the deck but the output shaft steps from 5/8" to 3/4" so the reel clutch assembly will not fit completely. Not to worry - the Kirby is virtually new now, so should go for quite a while.

Next job is restoring the rusty catcher. It's been patched in multiple times and has lots of rust pinholes in many other places.

I'm looking forward to many years of service from this quality piece of machinery.

Chris

hi all! I was just reading over this 2 page post and thought i would throw my 2 bobs worth in. regarding the silver s/b 450 14in 3 piece chassis that color is correct for the 2hp b/s s/b 68/69. the cylinder cutter AND engine color is international orange the scott bonner 45 chasiss color has to be color matched as i have posted in the past the PROTEC HAMMERTONE colors give a close match and just for the record i dont sand blast my cyl cutters or chasiss i use the rust electrolysis remomal method all this above info is in my past posts i will upload some pics SOON of my s/b 49 with VILLIERS TOUQUE_MAJOR 140 DELUXE ... cheers all steve....

I take it your Briggs is a 60102? If so, I don't understand how you'd have an output shaft size problem - the ones I've seen step up in size from 5/8" only in the last 2 mm before the oil seal on the crankcase cover. Can you post a picture of the output shaft for us?

However if you are happy with the Kirby, there does not seem to be any problem in using it. The major mechanical aspects of them seem very durable.

Photo attached.
I've had this engine apart and rebuilt it and I don't remember a gap in the output shaft to suggest that this is a collar. I'll have a closer look today.

As to the colours, I know that they are not correct, but I've never liked painted engines and the mower looks good as it is. Each to his own, I guess. Lucky there are no concours events for mowers

Chris

Thanks Chris. That Briggs 60102 was made on 5 June 1975. I think it has a fairly crudely made loose collar on the output shaft, slid up to touch against the step-up in crankshaft diameter that occurs just outside the crankcase oil seal. It should slide off easily when you remove the key. The engine seems to be the same one that was fitted to SB45 mowers, so you have a genuine choice. You might enjoy setting the mower up with each engine in turn, getting them both in tune, and making a comparison. It's nice to have a choice in these things.

Yep - it was a collar and it took some gentle persuading to get it off. The motor is now back on my old Morrison for a short time at least until I decide what to do with both of them.

Thanks,
Chris

PS: I've ordered the correct decal for the chain case cover.

Now with hopefully the correct chain case decal.

Chris

G'day,

Two weeks ago a mate who was at the market gave me a call saying that there was a SB for sale there, and I asked him to snap it up for me with the idea that I could cannibalise it for parts for my 17"

Once he brought it around I discovered it was a 14" and essentially pretty much the same as the one discussed here. After reading the disputed history of the configuration I thought you might be interested

Cheers,

Salty

I'll have to say that the chain cover and handle bar shield are of a strange dark colour which I have on my electric 14 inch machine while all other parts are of a lighter green. Very strange indeed.

Hi BB, yes mate, this is all very strange....this config of having a Kirby Lauson/Tecumseh on a 14" machine is strange....and the differences in the colour scheme is also confusing...maybe it is as simple as this machine was made up from a different batch of components and was assembled prior to the introduction of the Briggs engines.
Unfortunately we may never know the exact answer.

Awesome job on the resto, mr bonnar

How much did it cost to get the handles replated

Cheers

Mick

Sorry it's taken me so long to answer - the electroplating cost $75.00.

Chris

Hi Chris, how did you get on with your catcher...Is it finished yet?