jim-beacon

I was thinking of doing the same with the big Auto Culto this week……

The Autogardener has a throttle control, the Junior does not.
Engine oil is SAE30, gear box and chaincase are SAE140 (I use the Goldenfilm classic oils from Morris lubricants, as they are compatible with the bearing materials in these machines).
Lead replacement additive is probably not needed, as these engines are designed to run on low octane…[Read more]

Image 14.jpg is an Allen and Simmonds (Auto Culto) Midgiculto, from the 1960’s – it should have a Villiers lightweight engine.
10.jpg and 11.jpg look to be an Auto Culto Model A – introduced in 1926, and made until the mid 30’s

At the two small ralliesI’m involved with, we encourage horticultural machines to go into the parade ring. Due to the small number of machines, this is usually with the tractors, but it seems to be appreciated by both exhibitors and the public.
Unless you have a really good commentator, you need provide commentary detail, or interview the owner…[Read more]

I had a good week, despite the weather. Thanks to Chris for providing tea and shelter!
I took my 1936 Auto Culto EX, which only went back together the weekend before the show, so had more than its fair share of teething troubles, but was running reasonably well by Sunday.
Thanks to everyone else who took part, or who stopped to chat.

I’m also…[Read more]

the main differences between the Junior and the gardener are:
1. the Junior engined is fully goverened – there is no throttle control
2. The Junior has a slightly narrower cut.

The Junior doesn’t have reverse, but then, neither do some models of the gardener.

Just had another look, and the first picture shows Graham driving his petrol loco, double headed with his diesel Lister, being driven by his son Matthew, and it looks to be at Amberley

The Lister in the first picture belongs to Graham Feldwick, and is based at Twyford waterworks, it is quite an early one, with a 600cc JAP petrol engine, There are also two later Listers at Twyford, with Lister diesel engines.
I have driven all three, and the petrol one is by far the most difficult, it is prone to running away on gentle downward…[Read more]

Suppose I’d better fit the snow ploughs to the Merry Tiller and the Allen Scythe then!

There are a couple of Autogardener manuals on my webpage:

http://www.g1jbg.co.uk/autoculto/autodat.htm

You’ll also find a brochure (attachments don’t come up too often, but at leats you’ll know what to look for), and the manual for the Villiers Mk15 engine.

There are hints on gears and ratchet hub use in the handbook.

Jim.

I have a Jalo one here, which I suspect doesn’t work very well either!

I’ve used Basecamp several times in the past, for flameguns, garden syringes, spraeyrs and various other letaher washer needs. I’ve always found them to be very helpful.

Jim.

Thanks for your birthday wishes!

Jim.

Hi Rob,

third gear (top) is for moving the machine only. Rotovating can be done in first or second, with the drive wheels engaged, the gear you choose will be goverend byt the soil conditions – light sandy soil, you’ll get away with second, heavy clay, or lots of vegetation to get through, use first.
The lever on the back of main body, by the…[Read more]

This one is definatly a bodge job, and it came with its original seized Mk25c. There is an adaptor plate to amtch the mounting holes between the scythe and the engine, and a horrible arrangement for the throttle.
The owner is familiar with old 2 strokes, so returning it to its original spec is probably for the best!

Couldn’t make the link work, and now I can’t edit the original post!

Try this:

http://www.g1jbg.co.uk/autoculto/

I have one here that has a Kohler engine on it – funnily enough, it is about to go back to a Villiers 25C as I can get the parts easily, and it is suitable for field maintainance (it is a working machine). The engine was changed due to the original seizing, but I have managed to obtain a short engine to rebuild it.

Jim.

There’s often some blue smoke with those engines – run it under load for a while, and then look at the spark plug. It may well run a little rich (may be adjustable, depending on which carb it has), or it may be a little worn and sucking up a bit of oil.
In fact, check that it isn’t overfilled with oil first!

Jim.