Vintage Horticultural and Garden Machinery Club

Thank you for the suggestions, I have ordered some. The mower was running very rough and having taken the carb to bits and cleaned up the ignition, re-setting the gaps, it still ran rough. Changed the plug for one from another mower and it runs better than ever. Just want to make sure I’m using the right plug.

Hi Charlie.

It is a 5hp Briggs and Stratton Engine – Does that help or do you need more info?

Yes, I am of the conclusion a thread gauge is a must. I did sent the bolt off to the above mentioned company who very quickly identified it as BSF and sent me 6 new shiny ones which fit perfectly. I now have the bolts, new felt washers and new oil seals which once put back together should solve my tiller oil leak on my mk1 Clifford Rotavator!

Thanks everyone – this is all most helpful and something I must begin to get my head around.
Certainly need to get a set of thread gauges and the Zeus tables
I have contacted NAMRICK (thanks hortiman) who were very helpful too.

I could have re-used the original ones, but they were such a pain to get out, that they are quite beaten up (I am…[Read more]

Thanks Charlie. I knew it might be complicated, but not that complicated.
The replacements were UNC and to be honest I was just taking a stab in the dark.

What would be the easiest way to identify the one I have? Is there anywhere I could send one to to be matched? Sorry for all the questions.

Thanks for that Sean – very helpful.
If you wanted to sell a couple, do let me know.
Also, what oil would you use for the Trusty, as mine looks like it needs changing?

Many thanks

Ben.

No problem Sean. Happy to help – I certainly learnt a lot from your Norton Trusty restoration which was extremely interesting to follow.
I believe mine is 1947, perhaps yours is older?

Out of interest do you remember where you got your trusty wheel felt washers made? Was it RH Nuttall? I need to get a pair and if I use a company who has done them…[Read more]

Ok, unless I am missing something here, it looks like the filler cap and dipstick are two different things in my Douglas engine.

Posted mine on Wednesday.
Looking forward to another year of the cultivator. My thanks also to everyone involved.

Hi Sean. I will measure mine tomorrow and let you know. My trusty has the same engine.
Not sure on the crankcase question though.
Ben.

Just to say the second picture shows it best. If they were flattened out, it looks like they would be the same length.

OK, after further investigation I can see that the two items in the picture above are the felt washer and outer space.
In order to access the actual oil seal I have to take off the end cap which is held on by 3 screw in bolts (In the picture they look like rivets as the screw heads are full of dirt and somewhat burred over.
Before I go to the…[Read more]

Yes, running in oil does seem strange. If bits have broken off and got lodged between the discs it might explain the symptoms you described. It might be worth taking them out (never done this myself, but have read of someone who did) and cleaning them up, plus a light rub over with emery paper or similar and replacing them, being careful to…[Read more]

I had a similar problem with my Mk1 clifford. To solve it I gently eased the discs apart with a screwdriver (they seemed to have seized together) So I freed them up and it has worked perfectly since. Do be careful doing this as from my knowledge these discs are not available for sale.

Yes, the clutch does run in oil and there is an oil fill on…[Read more]

Try ‘The Mower Centre’ in Hailsham. If he doesn’t have one, he should be able to make one up for you.

I tried using the carb from my mk1 clifford rotavator, but it still doesn’t rev properly. I also tried putting the machine under load; it’s like it gets quite close to going into that purring mode, but not quite. It does cut the brambles ok, but just doesn’t quite sound right.
I also looked at the govenor, but that seems to be fine. Would the…[Read more]