OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Finding and Swapping For Free victa 400

hi all odk members
found this the other day on a nature strip and did not want to see it crushed as I have not seen one before.
its a gmf betts 1 pole motor 1400rpm cap start motor,motor is dated 1982, I wired up a lead for it and it wont work, could be the start capacitor, on off switch , or the windings are shagged but could not smell any burnt odour so may be not.

chassis is good, catcher looks to be the same as the victa compact as its a 16 inch cut, catcher has some minor cracks thought I would post it here if some one wants it.
cheers damo

Hi Dodegy

Some good photos there - I've never seen under the hood, so
quite helpful for the record of these motors.

The 400 represents Victa's return to electric mowers
in 1981. So quite collectible, I guess.

Brochure here:
https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=70751

Cheers
----------------------
Jack

So the 460 came out before the 400 this is dated March 1980
Ian

Hello Ian,

Great photos for the record.
I believe that the 400 and the 460 were introduced at the same time.
My best guess is for the 1980-81 lawnmowing season. This was a big
announcement that augmented the Super-Start advertising campaign.
New products for a new decade (just like the 1970s).

I might add that I believe Victa were experimenting with electrics
just prior to 1980 in Europe. I have one ad showing an electric Mustang
selling in the UK in 1979!

Here is a news record from January 1981. Note the cable carrier
swing arm (patented by Ransomes in the 1920s). I don't think we
have other photos of the Victa one - perhaps owners discarded them?



For whatever reason, the 460 does not appear in the 1983 brochure.
It may have been dropped because of the new Qualcast electrics,
or because demand was poor for a electric utility, or ...?

Hope this helps.
---------------------------
Jack

thanks guys for the pics and info on electric victas.
sorry to say as I had no replys for it it has gone to mower heaven, as
I have enough junk here as it is but have saved the catcher .
damo

Hi ODK members,

Saved this one from the curb side waste collection, gave it a full strip clean and check over. Only had to replace the blades but did clean off a lot of dirt and rust, goes well, just need to bend up a cable arm and it will be complete.