That's timely and interesting Shane. My bog-ordinary Rover mower just got new blades as the old ones were worn out (often used as a mulcher for prunings as well as grass). Heavier blades are available so I fitted them. They don't cut!! They just look a bit thicker and wider and it isn't as if I haven't replaced blades before. Couldn't work it out so moved onto other things - pity I threw the old blades away as they DID cut.
Bet I've fitted the cutting disc upside down or something equally stupid. Will check when it is light!!!
Shane that is a super 600 professional commercial mower. Probably an excouncil mower ! It has the higher power motor. I forget the engine model. That site I gave has a lot of information and a forum. Parts too. But a comment ! You must use the correct high performance V belt on it and you must tension the belt correctly, very tight, as per the instructions. Otherwise you will break either your shoulder or the starter cord ??? Hmmm !
The actual filter is not so important, the filter body is, as it has a calibrated hole in the bottom to set the mixture correctly ! (like all Victa 2 strokes). It is possible the governor diaphram is not held in place, or the small hose and air pickup fitting(in the cowling) are not correctly fitted. Or the two governor springs are incorrectly fitted, or the fuel filter or main jet is partly blocked and reducing the fuel flow which causes reving. All usual problems. Note that fuel jet is a special size and marked on the end ! All Victa jets should have a gauze around it to keep the shit out of it, do not take that off like everybody else does!!
Jaahn
Hi Artificer
I always liked a 4 stroke and usually had a 4HP with the better carby and filter and IC options. Worked them till they were worn out.
How do you use a bar blade .... without bending the bloody thing .... or smashing a deck spindle within about 5minutes Doesn't everyones yard have random bricks, tiles, rocks ... bits of metal .... whatever the kids feel like leaving around burried in itHi. I agree with many of your comments.
I picked up a Aldi Gardenline model 8846 self propelled mower about ten years ago for $50. Had hardly been used. It has a 135cc 4.5HP 4 stroke engine fitted, manual choke, a mesh style grass catcher and flat bar style single cutting blade, larger rear wheel diameter, 18" cut. It was made in 2009. This mower works very well. But I have made some adjustments:
I noticed that the cutting bar was slightly bent up (away from the grass) at the ends. So I bent it back so that the blade tips had some "reverse dihedral" when placed against a straight edge. Also sharpened the cutting edges to make me feel better, but I don't think it makes much difference to the cutting - its all about tip speed.
I also noticed that when the blade was back on mower (with spark plug removed) that measuring from a flat concrete floor surface to the underside of the blade tip at the front was 9mm higher that the same blade tip 180 degrees at the back. So the angle of attack was positive, it needs to be negative. So to correct this, I needed to bend and slightly lengthen height adjustment transfer bar from the rear to the front axle. I achieved a negative angle of attach so that the cutting bar was approximately 4mm lower at the front relative to the back. I also needed to bend one end of the cutting bar to ensure that the each end was the same distance above the floor at the same point.
Why, do you ask, spend so much time and attention to what many will consider trivial details. Well I want all of my engine horsepower directed to the cutting tip of the blades. Not wasted trying to cut the grass twice, once at the front and again at the rear, (why you need negative angle of attack). I also want to maintain the cutting edge velocity, as well so don't want the engine being loaded up with unnecessary friction with reduced RPM.
I had never used a mower with a single cutting bar previously, but its cutting action is excellent. This mower cuts anything, light, heavy, wet, dry, long, short it doesn't matter, the pick up of grass and packing of the mesh catcher very effective.
I eventually removed the self-propelled mechanism, mainly so I could push the mower faster, as its cutting action was so effective and could easily handle the faster speed.
The only thing I would change is I would prefer to have a manual operable throttle, instead of the build in governed engine RPM.
Lots of small Chinese 4 strokes about, most Honda knock offs. When a well known brand goes bankrupt it can leave a hole in the market.
Hi Shane
Here is a parts list for the Victa Power torque engines with diagrams for the several engine models made including the high power engine on your mower.
https://www.outdoorking.com/images/files/Engine_Parts_List_1999-2006.pdf
It is unlikely that the B&S company will disappear as it will be sold for a song to a private equity company to be rebirthed, I would think. But WTF do I know !! The Chinese might buy it That would make the Americans livid !!
As far as I can see, not being in the business for years now, the Chinese engines have leapt forward in quality in the last few years and may be even good now !! If so they will take over as their costs are lower just like a lot of other things.
Jaahn
That's handy to show the differences. Tilta-cut is there too. My father has one of those things in his shed. Those things must be the most overpowered edgers ever made.Hi Shane
Here is a parts list for the Victa Power torque engines with diagrams for the several engine models made including the high power engine on your mower.
https://www.outdoorking.com/images/files/Engine_Parts_List_1999-2006.pdf
It is unlikely that the B&S company will disappear as it will be sold for a song to a private equity company to be rebirthed, I would think. But WTF do I know !! The Chinese might buy it That would make the Americans livid !!
As far as I can see, not being in the business for years now, the Chinese engines have leapt forward in quality in the last few years and may be even good now !! If so they will take over as their costs are lower just like a lot of other things.
Jaahn
Those tilta-cut engines run with quite a bit of timing retard to prevent them pulling your shoulder(or cord) out when starting, due of the lack of the flywheel effect having no blade plate. I think the flywheel is differently moulded to achieve this on those ? I have previously increased the retard to help older people start them easier. Still 'sufficient' power !That's handy to show the differences. Tilta-cut is there too. My father has one of those things in his shed. Those things must be the most overpowered edgers ever made.
Bugger. Blades were the right way around for the disc mounted upside down..... Sway blades around and invert disc. Problem solved.Pull the spark plug lead off and and reach under for the disc/blade and slowly pull the string out ( so you know for sure which way it spins)..... then look at the blades and see how backwards they are fitted (me do that before ...... never! ).