OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Restoring, Customising and Modifying Reel-Type Mowers Scott Bonnar Supercut 18"

Hi All,

I have recently picked up a Scott Bonnar 18" Supercut to add to my collection of reel mowers. Whilst it is in reasonable condition it is in need of a full restoration to bring it back to its former glory. It is #SC537 and has a Villiers Mk 12/2 engine with the carburettor and exhaust facing forward and has an inboard chain drive. I understand that this is a reasonably early version. Later versions had the engine facing the opposite way with a belt drive on the right hand side. Does anyone know roughly what period this design dates to?

I also note that there are several different colours these machines came in - did these colours change during specific eras? Whilst my machine has been repainted (fairly poorly) the original colour appears to have been a metallic blue/green colour from the little chips that I can see it looks almost aqua. Can any one advise as to what the true colour was and what original colours were used on these machines when they were being produced.

Many thanks,
Sir_Chook

Hi Sir_Chook, the Model 17 Supercut was first released by Scott Bonnar in 1950....these were the Rolls-Royce of cylinder mowers in their day; with gears supplying the drive in the 'chain-case'.
The chassis for the machine was basically the same for the petrol and electric versions, the main difference being the front counter-shaft for the petrol machine carried the cutter clutch assembly and actuating arm/handle.

Different engines were used for the petrol machines during the production run and consisted of Villiers 2 and 4 stroke engines.....the front counter-shaft could be configured by the addition of different sprockets for the chain driven versions or pulleys, (usually dual) for the belt driven versions and could slide along the shaft and be secured in any position to suit the situation.

I was lucky enough as a young kid to see these machines being used at our family home in Brisbane, our local gardener used to arrive on a 1942 WLA Harley-Davidson with a side-car containing the Supercut and all his gardening tools...This Harley even had a reverse gear!
His Supercut was almost new when I first saw it, and was painted in the same colour scheme as the one that I purchased second-hand in 1977.

AS far as I know, the original SB colour scheme never changed over the production run....but as a popular machine, were refurbished by different mower repairers over the years, and repainted in various colours.
From my Scott Bonnar archives, here is an advert from the early period; before the move to Thebarton, South Australia...

One small detail change I do notice from this illustration is, that the names on the 'chain-case'; Supercut and Scott Bonnar Ltd. Australia, the background in-fill colour was red on all the machines I have seen, but that the attachment knobs are green as illustrated.
The chain-case cover was highly polished alloy.

The original colour is very close to Deep Brunswick green, and the red very close to Killrust epoxy 'Delicious Red', available in spray cans.
The catcher logo decal was the early 'flag' type that is available as a reproduction.
Hoping that this info helps,

Hi DeeJay,

Just a small point on something you've written in the above post. I'm not sure whether you are aware but the Ad shows the address as Holland Street Southwark (pronounced Suth-uck) This suburb name no longer exists and Southwark became part of Thebarton and as such SB never moved, but just had a suburb name change. The main Adelaide Brewery is still sometimes referred to as the Southwark Brewery as Southwark Bitter is a brand of beer here in Adelaide (known as Green Death)

Cheers,
BB

Hi BB, yes mate I was aware of the name change of the suburb and should have realised that the factory never moved...and I have tried the Green Death....not good!

To be brutally honest I don't know why it's still made as when I was a kid all there was Southwark Bitter, West End Bitter and West End Draught. West End which was located in the Adelaide's CBD Hindley Street was the competition of the Southwark Brewery back then.
West End ended up being bought out, and the only full size brewery left in Adelaide is the Southwark Brewery which is now owned by Lion Nathan and is now known as the West End Brewery.

I can't recall seeing an empty bottle of Green Death laying around nowadays. It's all the boutique beer that's reaping in the sales now.

Cheers

Hi BB, When I was recruit training at RAAF Edinburgh, the only beer sold in the Recruits "wet" canteen was Southwark,so we were forced to drink it! I'll give it this...Once tried never forgotten.....Yuk!
Ahhhh memories! Lol.

That's right you were a RAAFy. I forgot that as you're a bit of a Spitfire fan if I recall correctly.

Man I can't understand who still drinks that garbage. Had that been the first beer I drunk then it would've put me off beer for life.

Hi BB, I admire a man who tells it like it is!!
RIP...Southwark, a worse beer is yet to be invented...I rest my case!
to more good beers! Lol!

Hey DeeJay,

It's certainly gotten me into strife before, sadly now a days you've got to sugar coat everything you say or you'd end up in court. LOL !

Cheers,
BB

I just bought one of these on ebay for a buck!

I'll post some pics when I pick up the machine.

Well done SimRice and a great score for a dollar! ....Looking forward to seeing the pics....

If it turns out to be a bust I will let you know BB. I had a Model 17 SCE that I sold but I have been looking for a petrol SC for a while as a project

Sounds like a good plan, thanks.

BTW As we are both in Adelaide maybe we should touch base and help each other out ?


Cheers,
BB

Catch up for a West End Drought!

a Drought or a Draught ???? as if it's a Drought that means the taps run dry and there's no point in turning up for that LOL !!!!

Did you go down to Yanky to pick up that Supercut ?

Cheers,
BB

Picked it up BB. went for a nice country drive and a picnic and swim at the beach with the kids.

I forgot how damn heavy these things are!

I will get some pics up in the next day or two, but first impressions are, this is a lot of work!

Hi SimRice,

If I recall correctly from the original photos that this Supercut is caked with a lot of rust in various places and quite a bit of the panel work from the engine is missing. Heavy you say ? around the 100 Kg's to be precise and that's heavy for a mower that's for sure. I guess that's why the 45 is so much more popular.

You're right it was a top day for a swim at Normanville yesterday, I think I need a day like that opposed to digging and shifting soil in our new home's front garden.

If you do feel it's too much and don't want to continue I could always use it for spares to finish my SC and rest assured you wouldn't be out of pocket, anyway I'll look forward to the Photos.

Cheers,
BB

Hi Guy's

Well SimRice has given away the idea of restoring a Supercut and has kindly allowed me to have it and thus it now has a new home alongside my other identical Model 17.

I must say that the rust on it is certainly going to make it a challenge to take it apart as some parts are basically useless as they are rusted so badly that they are just falling apart, nevertheless it will make a great donor machine for spares if I have to go down that path, try buying a new reel for one, you just can't get them nor any of the drive line items. So to me this one is a great investment for the future.

BTW I had to wait until sunset to smuggle it in off the ute so that the wife didn't see it as all she'd say is haven't you got enough of those heavy bastards yet LOL !!!

Once again thanks SimRice as you've helped out in preserving Australia's mowing heritage.

Cheers,
BB

A History Record is now available for the Model 17 HERE.