OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions on Walk Behind Lawn Mower Frames Question On Scott Bonnar Cylinder Mowers Rover Model 45 Cutting Widths

Hi All,

I've been busy buying some bargain Scott Bonnar 45's with plans for restorations in the new year. I've now got four 17" SB45's, three 14" SB45's and my daily 17" Rover 45. There's always plenty of the most common Scott Bonnar 17" models, as well as a few 14" and the odd 20" machine for sale. However, when it comes to the later 45's wearing the Rover decals and red colour, they're always 17".

So I'm wondering, did Rover stop making the 14" and 20" machines once the Scott Bonnar name disappeared?

Hi Michael, although I have not seen one 'in the flesh', the Rover 45 Owners Manual (in the Parts Lists and Manuals area of the forum) states "Rover 45 Owners Manual...Models 45048 and 45148.... and pictures contained therein confirm an 8 bladed machine, which would indicate a 20" machine.
The manual is dated November 2005.
It would appear that the 14" mower was discontinued.

Edit: This information is incorrect. Please see Post # 51101

Thanks Darryl, it must be a rare beast the 20" Rover. I'd love to see even a photo of one . I wonder when the 14" was discontinued? I'm yet to find one manufactured after the late 70's. Perhaps the 14" was a fairly quick casualty of the Rover takeover?

Hi Michael, it appears through further research I may have been wrong re: the 20" machine.....What I took from the not very clear pic was an eight blade mower indicating a 20" cut....was in fact a 10 blade, 17" machine.
To confirm this, I then searched the Rover 45 Parts List, and found the 2 cylinder reels mentioned, the 6 blade and the 10 blade.....
This indicates that the 20" and the 14" mowers were discontinued once the Scott Bonnar logos disappeared.

I thought as much Darryl ...and thanks for your research! It's a pity though, I've really come to like the little 14's, they're so light and maneuverable compared to the 17" (and I'm yet to own a 20"). It does give me an idea on a resto theme for one of my 14" machines however

Hello
So when did rover take over Scott Bonnar then as I have a 20" 45 and am intrigued as to its age. You are correct in stating the 14" is light and maneuvrable though.
cheers
Steve

Hi Stevesandra,

Rover Mowers (Australia) Pty. Ltd. took over Scott Bonnar in 1980. based in Brisbane.
In 1983, the Thebarton factory of SB was closed and production was centred in Brisbane, Qld.

The best way of dating a Scotty with a Briggs engine, is to post the complete string of numbers: (Model, Type and Code) that are stamped into the metal air cowling of the Briggs, from which we can get the date of its manufacture, and model information...this will also help us determine a rough idea of your machines age.