OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Collectors Corner Cylinder Webb AB 1478 21" Cylinder Mower

Hi Guys

I know I don't post here much and when I do I seem to be asking for some help or information but it's more because I don't have a great deal of knowledge or much to offer.

Either way, I am wondering if anyone here can help me? I've recently purchased a Webb AB 1478 21" Cylinder Mower (impulse absentee bid at an auction that got lucky). I am wondering if anyone knows much about them? There's not a whole lot of information on the internet about them (even a digital copy of an operating manual is almost impossible to get) and I want to get as much information about it as possible before I decide what I'll do with it. I have my trusty 14" 45 which I use regularly at home but this is a 21" machine so if it's any good I may use this one and restore my 45 properly.

Here are some photos of it anyway.






It seems in decent enough condition. It doesn't start yet and the throttle control is fairly but the chain and sprockets don't show an great deal of wear. Obviously the blades need sharpening but the bottom blade seems in good condition too.

Any help would be fantastic!

Hello Cirillo

This machine presents in great condition.
I have always respected Webb as a quality brand.

As you know, the 1478 was made c1980s when Webb was under the
Qualcast Group. As such, much will be in common with Atco's.

I have an earlier brochure, from the 1970s here:

https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/60888/WEBB_-_RANGE_-_1970s.html#Post60888

I note that the British Lawnmower Museum has an operator copy here:

http://www.lawnmowerworld.co.uk/item.php?id=217

Unfortunately, I have nothing on this particular model.
I do note, however, the handlebars have a striking resemblance
to our earlier Model 45.

Thanks for the great photos - for our record.

A Webb of intrigue.
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Jack

Greetings all,
That Webb does look like a well-built machine, but not common in Oz.

The Old Lawnmower Company also lists the Operators Manual for these; http://www.oldlawnmowers.co.uk/ol-literature.php
Not for free, of course!

We can say that the engine is pre-1982 [easy-spin start]. We can give the engine's exact production date, and pointers to a parts list, if you could post the Model, Type and Code numbers from the cowling.

Thanks for that jack!

I have contacted the Lawn Mower museum to see if I can get a digital copy of that manual. For some reason it says it's a digital version but they try and charge me postage???

build quality looks good but interestingly even though it's a 21" machine it is probably a little lighter than my 14" 45.

I've emailed Webb in the UK for any information they can give me and as mentioned contacted the old lawn mower museum in the UK for information. I'll be more than happy to post any information if and when I get any. Lurking around a couple of UK based mower forums they all seem to have a common issue with the chord on the pull starter to get jammed (as mine was) but that was fairly easy to fix. I still cant get it to crank over but I only had about 15 minutes this morning to have a little play around with it. I'm sure with an oil change, new air filter and spark plug it'll fire no worries.

fun and games to come!

Gadge

I've left the machine up at the farm so I can't post a picture tonight. Tomorrow morning I'll make sure I do.

I'd say that the fuel tank will need to be thoroughly cleaned out, and maybe the carby fuel pickup strainers as well.

But Briggs engines are generally fairly easy to fix, if they're not worn out - and that machine doesn't look like it's done a lot of work.

Hi guys

Just a little note, I cannot find any markings on the cowling or anywhere on the engine to tell you the truth.

This morning I removed the head and the gasket and gave the block, valve heads, cylinder and top of the piston a good clean and lube. I also cleaned the spark plug up and it started straight away. There's a little bit of play in the piston which i think is causing a little loss in compression so I don't know how it'll go with actually mowing lawn. I'm still undecided on whether or not to just do a whole engine replacement or run this one with some thick oil for the time being.

here she is running this morning.

[video][/video]

G'day Cirillo,
A little piston movement isn't that unusual in a Briggs. As far as compression goes, the 'Easy-Spin' engines have an exhaust cam that holds the valve slightly open just before TDC on the compression stroke, so there isn't much 'felt compression' when pulling the engine over with the starter. Briggs say that loss of compression at operating revs is negligible.

This is the compression check procedure from the Briggs Service Manual:
Running heavier oil is not recommended; just use an SAE30 monograde, and see if it uses any.

Unless the cowling has been replaced, those numbers should be there, but can be obscured by paint if it's had a repaint.
On that particular engine, they would be on the main cowling. Either on top near the spark plug, or on the side adjacent to the carby. The stampings may be just the number string; some models had the 'Model Type Code' part on a decal.

Here are the numbers from the cowling. I found them eventually

obviously this engine was built 20 March 1981 (my birthday is 20 March 1984).


After some thought and an offer of a recently rebuilt 3hp briggs motor for free (more the later ) I've decided to put a whole new engine on there. Here it is now. Sorry about the quality of the photo, the sun was too bright so I had to shut the shged door and my phone doesn't take brillian low light photos.

And there was almost no rebound at all on the fly wheel. I actually did that this morning before i finally got it to run

So the guy who offered me the motor also had a rebuilt 3.5hp briggs and stratton motor that didn't have a carby and fuel tank. He offered that one to me too. So I thought the extra .5hp would be better than a kick in the guts so I took that one. The machine runs great! I gave it a little test on a patch of old and over grown Kikuyu lawn in my parents back yard and it pulled through like a tractor. Just need to get the blades sharpened and it'll be perfect!

Hello Cirillo

That is a great outcome, and I will be keen to follow this
story after the sharpen and set.

So the original machine dates from the early 1980s (from engine numbers).
I guess the replacement engine is late 1980s or later(?).

The photos and video have been helpful in recording this
late model Webb.

------------------------
Jack

The replacement is a 93 model.

The one thing I have noticed, there is a fair bit more height adjustment than on my 45.

I have ordered the operators manual and the parts list from the UK. As soon as they send it I will put it up here (or pass it on to the moderator who can) for the records

Hi guys

I finally received the operators manual and parts list for this machine. If a mod would like it I'm more than happy to pass it on. I'd upload it here but firstly, the PDF is just above the max file limit (3.1mb) and also I'm not sure it's the right place.

Cheers

Hello Cirillo

I am very happy - and grateful - if we can profile this machine.
I will send you an email to your registered email address.

I should be able to adjust the doc to fit our uploader.
I would like to profile this machine with these docs.

All the best.
-------------------
Jack

Hi Jack

More than happy to help!

I've replied to your email with the PDF.

Adam

Hello Cirillo and ODK members

First, a BIG thank you to Adam.

I have much more an appreciation of these 1980 Webb models too.
I guess these were the last of the 'quality' machines from the
Qualcast group - with mainly metal (rather than plastic) parts.

These Webbs were made in three sizes, 14", 18" and 21".
There were also a 14" and 18" Mains Electric.
The petrol engines were Briggs 6 Series and 8 Series.

So I finally got my Webb back this week.

It needed a new bottom blade, one of the blades on the reel was pretty bent so that got a decent straighten out and it was all set for me. The old bottom blade was so worn you couldn't even notice where it should have bent upwards at the tip.

It runs great, and now it mows great too!

Here is a photo of my front lawn that i quickly mowed today when I got home from work.




Very happy with the results!

I think with this machine up and running I'll have the time to do a full and proper resto of the 14" 45.

Hello Cirillo

This is a great tribute to the Webb.
I wish I had a lawn mown to effect like that!

------------------
Jack

Thanks Jack!