Darren Portsmouth (Darmic1)

The Deck and Grass box were collected from the blasters having been cleaned up and etch primed. My next job was to apply some colour. The paint was matched to the original paint uncovered on the deck and on the grass box, so a good match was assured. It transpires the colour is a Ford colour used on agricultural machines of that era. I do have the…[Read more]

The next task was to repair the Blade guard beneath the deck. This had some fairly serious corrosion and an attempt to repair it had been made with fibreglass. I cut away the bad steel, formed a new piece and welded it into place. I then made use of the old mounting bracket, by carefully cutting it out and welding it to the new section.

Once the paint had cured and hardened, The engine was reassembled, waiting to be reunited with the mower deck.
The engine sat on the bench for a week prior to painting and had previously shown no leaks, but once painted it decided to weep a puddle of oil overnight from the crank seal. This was replaced and no more problems.

The engine is a Briggs & Stratton 148cc 4 stroke. Its numbers are:
Model Type Code
92502 0253 01 6801222
I would say this is original and would make the machine circa 1968.
I removed all the old paint on the engine using a heavy duty paint stripper, etch primed and applied several coats of matched colour. The tank, carb,…[Read more]

Once home I decided to get it running before stripping for restoration. Am pleased to say once the carb was cleaned, fresh fuel added, points and magneto cleaned, it burst into life easily. It ran well, but had no stop switch, the only missing part. Once it had ran for about half an hour, it was dismantled and sent out for a small aluminium weld…[Read more]

Thanks Keith, I must admit to getting carried away with my resto’s. I must have an OCD or something because once I start a project, it turns into a full blown restoration and costs a small fortune. This particular Atco has cost somewhere around the £250 mark….. the most expensive things being paints and bearings. Still its my hobby, my…[Read more]

Morning Charlie, yes, think it probably was black at some point, but years of use and stuff brushing against it had removed all the black. Leaving it dull and with a greenish tinge. It had been hand painted too at some point as there was some remenants of green paint there.

Polished up the ID plate with a bit of ‘Brasso’ and refitted it. The Atco now knows what it is and how old it is!

Was having a problem with the kick start pedal when trying to start the mower. The instructions clearly state not to let the pedal return un-checked as this could cause damage…… However with the aluminium having been worn completely smooth, my foot kept slipping off the pedal. I did consider using the Dremel to cut new grooves into the ally,…[Read more]

Cheers John! I think there will be more, it is only February……….

Hi there, I lived at Wharf Farm, along Wharf Road, just outside the village towards Wooton Bassett. My step father was a dairy farmer there. I used to work at the garden centre on Hay lane, used to be known as Finebush Garden Centre formerly of Chiseldon. Those greenhouses there now were all but destroyed in the gales of 1989, I and many others…[Read more]

Thanks Andy, both for the comments and for the help with the carb!
Here’s the pictures of the Atco with grass box as promised.

As all the parts were back, I have finished putting the Atco back together. Here it is all finished, apart from decals, which is in hand. When we get a dry day I will get it outside and fit the grass box for a few more pictures.

Picked up the cylinder and bottom blade today, all nice and sharp. Refitted and set up, turns paper into confetti quite nicely!!!

Thanks guys, decided to try the engine today, pleased to say it started on the 3rd attempt and ran well. A bit smoky but then it is 2 stroke and I’ve got the fuel mixture somewhere near 20:1. Also the paint on the exhaust is curing and that smokes a fair bit!
Here’s the link http://youtu.be/5lSD2YKu6U8

The Villiers coils can be a bit fragile. The insulation breaks down and they short to ground causing weak and intermittent spark. Could also be worth checking the condensor?

Fuel tank also back on the mower. Wont be able to do much more until I have the cylinder ground….

Got the clutch, carb and fuel pipes refitted too.

Fitted the rear roller, tubes and engine to the side plates. Its surprising how many parts there are to these mowers.