OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions on Walk Behind Lawn Mower Frames Reel Lawn Mowers, Atco & Villiers etc. Morrison (Scott Bonnar) 24" - Drive Question

Hi Forum, I have acquired a 24" Reel Mower. It has a plate "manufactured by Morrison Industries New Zealand serial No. 102813 but the catcher is branded Scott Bonnar. It is 24" cut and has a 3hpm B & S engine mod. 80202.
Can you tell me anything of the history of this mower, is it a Scott Bonnar or Morrison. I am also worried about the drive mechanism. The blades get going with increased acceleration i.e a centrifugal clutch I assume. The roller is disengaged by pulling the handle back against spring pressure and securing it back with a small catch. This is unlike most Scott Bonnars I have seen where you need to pull the handle back to engage the drive. As it is now set up I believe it is dangerous, as if the small catch slipped the mower would take off. It is also very fast when the handle is released. Can you tell me if this is the correct way it should operate or had it been modified. Can I alter it to work similar to most Scott and Bonnar drives. Thanks fosdick.

Hello fosdick

The answer is - this is a Morrison, but based on a Ransomes' design.

New Zealand's Challenge Corp. acquired Scott Bonnar (from Electrolux)
in 1973. Between that time and 1979 (prior to the Rover takeover)
Challenge Corp. (who owned Morrison) re-branded 16" and 24" Morrisons
as Scott Bonnars.



Yes, the clutch works the opposite way.
Converting the clutch to a SB 'Hair Trigger' would require serious modification.
No one, to my knowledge, has attempted this.

The clutch is covered in my Victa Imperial article.
I agree, the landroll speed is too fast, particularly if
the primary (centrifugal) clutch shoes are worn.
https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=72729

You should be able to find other info. about your machine by typing in
'Scott Bonnar Morrison' in the blue search bar (above, top).

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