Practically Classics Forum

rich. wrote:is this for your minor project john?

Funny you should say that, Rich. No!

zipgun wrote: We'll expect a new project thread to follow shortly after delivery ...Gis a hint why a vertical crank engine is so desirable The foam element is shagged

Foam element not an issue. I have foam & scissors..

The machine that will form the basis of "Project Frankenmower" is from 2007 so I shouldn't think it'll be considered a classic yet, especially as the MacAllisters are Mountfield AKAs along with dozens of other brands that the Italian manufacturer made for other DIY shop chains so they're the mower equivalent of Ford Mondeos; prolific, adequate, nothing exceptional to them but fit for purpose.
The engine, when cobbled into that deck, will allow the Mac (with suitable studs added to its tyres) to pull a seat, based around the chassis of my older Suffolk, so that I can then cut my own grass and sack the gardener.

I could also consider modifying the vertical crank engine and fit that, crank in horizontal orientation, to the old Suffolk but it's a barrel machine and when I've used it here it only succeeded in flattening the grass regardless of the gap I set between the fixed and revolving blades. So it would make sense to put it in a machine whose deck can accommodate it, whose belts will fit it and in which it will look almost standard. I might fit a modified exhaust system though, just for sh*ts and giggles.

I saw an Allett cylinder mower (££££ ) on ebay with a reliant gearbox ?? He couldn't spell "spares " properly either so maybe not

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121629104420#ht_180wt_988

Yep, this:

does indeed use a Reliant gearbox, a late, 4-synchro one judging by the bosses for the pivot shaft that carries the carbon release pad in the last of the type.
I owned an Allett very similar to that one but it came with its original engine, a 600cc, 18bhp Reliant OHV watercooled one. I got rid before I moved house as it wouldn't have fitted between the garage and the house so I couldn't have got it into my back green without taking a long detour via a dirt track that's usually in a semi-liquid state. Quite a few Reliant folk have these, some with 60bhp, 850cc Robin/kitten/fox engines to Formula 750 spec. They pull their seats along quite nicely and can spin their roller in every gear!

What you need is a nice Fordson Dexta engine

Actually, I posted something here before realising it wasn't the topic I intended to post in

tractorman wrote:What you need is a nice Fordson Dexta engine

Actually, I posted something here before realising it wasn't the topic I intended to post in

Yes, and I replied to that post in a way that made no sense as that reply related to the relationship between Hornby and Wrenn.
Is this how it has to be when we get past fifty?

i fancy the scaffold you have there...

Sadly, Rich, that's an eBay listing piccie so the scaffolding isn't anything to do with me. Shame, as I could make something with a tubular chassis and a 7hp Briggs & Stratton engine if I had some of thæ poles!

It must be the time of year or something, to date this year I've amassed a modern qualcast "classic" cylinder mower, 2 self propelled rotaries, an engineless countax ride on mower with an excellent three blade deck that by sheer luck I have a good Tecumseh engine that will fit right on, thats the modernish stuff.

I've then added two Villers engined Ransomes Vibro Hoes from the 1950's and a Howard Rotovator of early '60's vintage that needs a cowl and starter pulley, just for balance to the collection.

Wouldn't mind but I'm not even a keen gardener I only set out to buy the cylinder mower for the back grass but mentioned to the fella I bought it off that if he had any little projects going I might be interested... paid for the cylinder mower then the rest just started appearing in the garden, turns out he decided to have a clear out.

I'll probably fettle it all then bung it in the agri machinery sale when it comes around, the garage is starting to get cluttered

Ransomes Vibro Hoes

There must be a question to go with that answer..

So the judge says to the polis: "Constable, would you tell the court what the nature of the defendant's work is, please?"

And the polis replies: "Certainly Your Honour, Mr Bear, or Huggy as his friends know him, kidnaps women who work in a certain specialised area of the leisure industry and ask their families to give him money in exchange for their safe release.."

It is , just possibly the Best name ever for a piece of agricultural equipment ain't it

I thought you might pick up on that one Mr JPB