Alan

I would assume it means to place the pump horizontally onto the engine rather than in at an angle and then trying to straighten it up. I’ve rebuilt many Kohler engines for our tractors and made sure the pump is square-on when replacing.

I’ve taken two photos of a pump that I replaced. The first photo is a side view showing the lever angle, the…[Read more]

The info says to make sure that the fuel pump lever is positioned above the camshaft, and that the correct gasket is used if changing from a metal-bodied to a plastic-bodied pump.

Images and details of the K-series engine fuel pump, also as a PDF:

Usually, to make the images bigger, left-click on the thumbnail as normal then right-click on the opened image and choose ‘Open image in New Tab’ or similar and it’ll open it in a new tab for larger viewing.

Indeed, in the second half of the 1980s the Honda polymer decks hit the market in the UK.

I’ve done more research this evening and found some March 1986 adverts and an editorial report about the new decks – but nothing advertised earlier in 1985. You are correct that it was a smaller model first, it was the 17″ HR173 and available in both…[Read more]

Hello

Thanks for letting us know, it’s much appreciated, and I’ve had a look at this.

I’ve checked the club email and there’s been no emails sent out to members from there.

Indeed, unwanted emails are an unnecessary aggravation, but as said it’s advisable to just delete such emails.

I will add that the club never sends out global emails or…[Read more]

Thanks for posting a picture of your Bernard tractor.

I had a look to see if I had any adverts for Bernard tractors but couldn’t see any. There is a 1983 advert for Bernard pedestrian mowers and a 1985 list of the mower models with an interesting list of engines that were used.

I haven’t seen a Bernard mower in the UK but one would be nice…[Read more]

Hello Oli

It’s good to see a Bernard tractor.

The USA-made Bernard machines were imported into the UK in the 1980s by Hyett Adams Ltd, Stonehouse, Gloucestershire. There were three tractor models and said to all have 6 hp Bernard 4-stroke engines, and three forward plus reverse gearboxes.

According to a 1985 pricelist, the model BM749 had a…[Read more]

I hope everyone has a good Christmas and New Year.

Indeed, let’s hope for good weather at shows and events next year.

Attached are a couple of photos from Malvern Autumn show. An excellent turn-out from members with a varied range of machines, good company, and great weather on the Saturday!

I’ve looked through my photos and cannot see anything similar from the big manufacturers (but might be wrong) such as Ransomes, Mountfield, Victa etc and the ones you have also mentioned.

I can see why you mentioned Norlett as some models had the sticking-out wheel supports at the front as shown on the attached 1976 image.

Do the handlebars…[Read more]

Thank you Trusty220.

As you know, I aim to get a range of questions, so hand tools, mowers, etc. And I like the questions and answers to be informative and sometimes offbeat.

I come across some really weird facts that include garden tools or machines and would make great questions but I cannot include them all. These include a gardener who used…[Read more]

The cutaway engines sound interesting and must have taken a while to complete.

Regarding the Pioneer P12 chainsaw…I have very little knowledge of chainsaws but I have a bit of printed info that briefly mentions Pioneer. Unfortunately, I cannot tell if it’s a rare model or not, but does it run and work or is it past repair?

Advertising…[Read more]

Bartrop was advertising the Australian HD8 and the M8 models in the mid-1970s. They were certainly shown at the Royal Show and also the Institute of Groundsmanship Exhibition, both shows in 1975.

Trade reports state Bartrop saying that they imported the ride-on machines in kit form and then assembled them in the UK.

Bartrop detailed that the…[Read more]