OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Restoring, Customising and Modifying Reel-Type Mowers Scott Bonnar Model 33 Lawn King - Restoration

Thanks for posting that Youtube video, Cyberjack. Many years ago I had a vertical crankshaft Kirby Lauson and hated the disgusting way it ran. That video brought it all back to me.

Hi CyberJack, kymbom2g and Sir Chook,

The engine stuff will always remain a bit of a mystery as the erratic placement of different size engines has always confused the life out of me. I have played with plenty of 45's and some have HK-25's on the 17 inch units (I have just received one with the 25 on it and it does have the larger tank like the 30's generally have) and I know it's a dinky die original machine. The same thing has been the case with the Briggs fitted unit. Some 17 inch machines have anything from a 2 HP, 2.5 HP to a 3 HP installed from new. I just think that it was a bit like Holden's marketing back in the 1970's. You can have it your way as long as we get the sale, while Ford had a moto of if you wanted a GT then it had a V8 in it and not like Holden's 186 3 on the Column Kingswood in a Monaro Shell, then a 186S with a Opel 4 speed as the base level GTS right up to the 350 Chev powered units. Sure Holden sold 9 Monaro's to Fords 1 GT but it was all about a standard with Ford and I feel very much that Scott Bonnar adopted Holden's method of selling and would do anything to stop Victa getting another sale.

I guess what I'm saying here is that from a historical point of view it's very hard to work out a pattern when there was never a blueprint to follow in the first instance and that's a real bugger for a historian, believe me I know especially when you're trying to piece the history of a Footy Club together and there's been many changes of management and protocol over it's lifespan and the baby keeps getting tossed out with the bath water every 4 years or so.

Cheers,
BB

Hi All,

I was doing a bit more searching and turned up another Model 33 Lawn King

Mower number 33 31275
Model 330026
Lawn King by Scottt Bonnar





I note that the colour of this one appears to be the same as the second mower in the photo in my earlier post. It therefore looks like there may actually be two different variants of this model.

Cheers,

Sir Chook

Hi Sir Chook, Contributors and ODK members,

That is so interesting.
Bonmow Blue, chrome handles and Kirby Red engine.
It has a 45 clutch with that spacer?

Bonnar Bloke is so right in saying that there may not be one single blueprint.
Great research S.C.!

All very interesting.
-----------------------------------
JACK.

Hi guys

Hi grumpy I do agree they aren't the smoothest running things but I like a challenge! Honda is good (best for reliability) but I hope I don't offend you here when I say good/reliable could also be boring lol!

Bonnar Bloke I hear you! The sporadic way that these things were built doesn't help when they get to the age they are and we are trying to piece together their history! nevertheless I must say I think I like Fords way of doing things! at least then we would know what we had and whether or not it is original! but then I guess it would take half the fun out of it!

Great find Sir Chook! It is of some comfort that there is another Scott Bonnar out there with the same setup as mine (makes me think it may be a factory fit after all!)

It will be very interesting indeed what Deejay has to say when he returns......... The more information we can share on this one it sounds like the better off we will all be!

I'll post those sticker photos soon too I just finished my last exam for the year so it will probably be tomorrow!


Cheers guys!

I think I have solved the mystery of the chain drive assembly.
I was looking around the place and came across the Manuals and parts list which has a downloadable pdf of the 33 with an exploded view of all the parts. see attachment at the end of the post
First cab off of the rank up the top of the page it says written in handwriting "Chain Drive"
Then the next two say written in handwriting "Belt Drive"

I would like to also bring to your attention number 71 on the same diagram curiously (now I stand to be corrected here) that looks like a certain unpainted spacer on my unit and the other one that Sir Chook posted too.

I wonder if the clutch cone from this page too is the same or a superseded number for the 45 clutch?

This all looks pretty factory after all!

https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=6371#Post6371
Then click on the model 33 link.

Hi kymbom2g

What a great site you found!
I did not know that page existed. WE need to sort the quick links out.
Eventually, they should be assigned to their specific model profiles in the History forum.

In my books, total confirmation that you have a genuine and original Lawn King.
Yes, part list No. 71 spacer. The spacer was needed because the 45 cone
is shorter than the elongated 33 one.

The clutch lining p/n is the same for a 45. Confirmed.
I note the clutch lever faces backward on the 330026 chain drive.

Your Model 33001. Parts List shows a Model 330026 for the chain drive?
I wish the image was better quality. Looks like it was taken off a faxed original.



Very well done.
------------------------------------
JACK.

Hi Guys

I finally got around to getting those pics of the Lawn King decal with the ruler.
If this isn't good enough or you need more info let me know!
Looks like I'm going to be doing some panel beating on the lower part of the catcher too!

Cheers again for all your help.

Well it clearly shows that the decal was the same from start to finish as here is the image from the later "Pacific Blue" machine that I supplied to "willingworker" to make the Lawn King decals that we see on eBay every now and again.




Cheers,
BB

Hello kymbom2g, BB and ODK members,

Thank you for doing that, as it is now part of the record.
WE are now all much the wiser about this first model -
the gold and white one - fit for a King's lawn.

All very interesting.
------------------------------------
JACK

Hi guys

I just picked up another 33 model today and have stripped it down for parts for my gold and white one.
I've decided that I'll restore it, paint and all to its former glory.
This one was a little different as it had 2 piece pram handles, the belt drive and the older 33 style clutch assy.
The guy I bought it from said that the older 33 style clutches are better because they are a cast iron body and don't wear out like the 45's is this true to anyones knowledge?
The bottom blade and looks like its in pretty good nick and the reel hasn't got a dent in it so I think I'll use those and keep the dented reel as a spare.
The reel had a little different cut in it though. It had not just a straight edge like mine in the pics it has a taper machined into the blades as it moves down to the cutting edge.
It has a rubber grip over the handle to engage the drive to the rear roller (haven't seen that on any others but looks pretty factory)
It even had these really cool covers for the oil holes that snap into place and stop dirt etc getting into the bearings etc. Mine didn't have them so ill re use them on my build.
After pulling down this mower today its pretty obvious that these things need regular oiling and maintenance to keep them running at their best but hey I love a good challenge! (I never thought I'd get this into a lawn mower! its actually quite fun!)

What would be the best way to get in touch with willingworker? does he have a business I could contact because ill need some new stickers for sure!

Cheers
Kym

Hello Kym and ODK members,

That's great news!
I don't believe we have seen a restored first model Lawn King, and it will look
awesome in its gold and white livery.

This is an important machine and, in my view, more desirable than a stock 33, because
it was introduced for specific political reasons [I have speculated], and as I have covered in this topic.

That is interesting, the observation about the reel design. I have noticed that too.
Any pics documenting that difference would be much appreciated.

As I understand it, the Model 45 clutch has had criticism in modern times.
I do not believe the problem lies within the materials (cast iron versus alloy),
but in the captive cotter pin used on the SB 45s. If they loosen and go un-checked
they will wear out the housing. [BB corrects what I said here, below]

Rover probably - inadvertently - improved on the 45 clutch housing in cheapening its
manufacture. The capture is achieved by two square-head screws placed at right angles.
That seems to have worked quite well. The SB experts at ODK might wish to clarify and/or
correct me on that.

I am not surprised that the 33 reel does not have a dent, as the reel was protected very
well by the belt drive. The Lawn King does not have that protection.

Yes, the rubber grip is original 33. This is another difference you have helped to
document. the Lawn Ling has the 45 style all-metal trigger but retains the 33 rod to the
landroll clutch.

Contact willingworker through his eBay store. He is the great Silensmessor:
http://stores.ebay.com.au/vintagemowerdecals/.

Yes, I love those tiny spring-cap oil reservoirs. What you need to do is buy one of those
steam railway engineer's caps and oil-up the ol' King when he is restored.
[No need for the 'choo choo' sounds ]

I hope I have answered your questions.
----------------------------------------------
JACK.

Hi Jack,

I must admit that I beg to differ on the topic of clutches as it's only the alloy bodies that flog out and not the earlier cast iron units. I just picked up a trailer load of 5 SB's yesterday and every single clutch is OK and guess what ?, they are all the early cast iron units. I think you'll find that the cast units have absolutely no give in them thus the cotters don't come lose opposed to the alloy units which did allow the cotters to move ever so slightly and that starts the loosening process. One thing to take into consideration is that the alloy body was just another cost cutting exercise just like the twin rail was and also the plastic end caps on the front roller.

I do agree that pinning the output shaft at right angles has cured the issue to some degree but you just can't beat a cast iron clutch body and I salvage everyone that I can as they are worth an instant $80 on the nose when compared to buying alloy replacements.

Cheers,
BB

PS I've also just fallen across the very last variant of the Lawn King which had a totally different decal. I shall take a photo of it and post it up on this thread.

Good Morning BB,

Thanks for correcting that. I was not aware the CI clutches also used a cotter pin.

Cheers.
--------------------------
JACK.

Just out of interest, below is the very last variation of the Lawn King Decal that was used exclusively on the Pacific Blue and Silver Streak

Model 45's



It's not a great example but it's the only one I've fallen across in a few years.

This sticker was also used on the Silver painted Lawn Kings.

Cheers,
BB

Yeah right! Thats not a bad looking decal at all! I haven't seen that one before.

Ill post the pics of the other reel soon and ill be sure to be in contact with willing worker soon to get some new decals.

But can I just say Rest In Peace Phillip Hughes. I'm not sure how many of you are cricket fans but The whole reason I got into Scott Bonnar's is because I went down and got my pieces of turf when they dug up the old Adelaide Oval and I've grown it out. I've been a cricket fan my whole life and I sincerely hope nothing like this accident happens ever again.

Hi Kymbom2,

So you're in Adelaide as well !

There's quite a contingent of us here in SA along with all the SB's that were made here at Thebby.

The decals you'll buy are in fact taken from my original photo that's back up this thread a bit. Grant Simpson (willingworker) who does them is down Glenelg way.

BTW is your reel something like this one ?



Regarding the Adelaide Oval turf, I wished I had gone down there when they were giving it all away as I'm just about to plant all new lawns around our new house.

Haven't got any to spare by any chance ??

Cheers,
BB

G'day BB

Indeed I am in Adelaide!

Just out of curiosity WillingWorker isn't the same guy that did the stickers at the brickworks back in the day is he?

I am in very good company indeed It does make it a little more personal knowing that they were built in Thebby!
Probably A bit like the feeling you'd get restoring a classic Holden

Yes my reel does look like that indeed but 16" long. Could they be an aftermarket reel?

The Adelaide oval turf was well worth getting up at 6am on a Sunday morning to get my 4 squares 300mm by 300mm. You'll have to wait in line to get a bit of the grass though Ive got 3 mates waiting to get a bit too! I'll offer to you what Ive offered to them a plug or 2 but if you are planning on waiting a few years to grow it out no problem!

I can tell you however that It is Short Leaf Santa Anna and it will grow best in the full pelting sun, any shade and it doesn't like it at all.


Cheers
Kym

Also just out of curiosity were all SB's 33's and 45's painted with hammertone effect? or is that just weathered paint I am looking at?

I only ask because when I go to get the gold paint matched I want it to be right.
I had visualised a gloss colour with many many coats of clear over it like a car paint job.
But the more I look into it the more it seems like it is a hammertone.

Cheers
Kym

Hi kymbom2g, You are correct they were all hammertone colours, gold and white...Pacific blue, silver and we are waiting for confirmation from BB; they were also in a green hammertone...
Here it is in the hammertone gold...