Geoff Ravenhall

It will be good to see you there next year, Adrian. No doubt I’ll be going as well as it’s turning out to be quite a good event for the club with plenty of members coming to see us.

There’s always room for more, so put it in your diaries for next year!

Charlie forgot half of his tent poles so he couldn’t use his marquee; Big Ears stepped in and very generously said that he could use one of his tents!

I bet Charlie won’t forget any poles next time! You are right, Jim, having a large tent/marquee on the stand does give some shelter when the weather isn’t the best and we were all grateful for it…[Read more]

At least they are made from straight round bar so you should be able to make your own replacements rather than trying to repair the bent ones.

The problem lies in the geometry of the design and it’s the same with the current range of triples that Ransomes make.

If you look at the two front cutting units they are held by the brackets at the top and are being pushed from behind which makes them try to rotate forwards and downwards. With the skid at the back of the cutting unit being the…[Read more]

Just a little reminder to all of you out there that this is a club members’ only event, it is not open to the public. A great weekend, however, and well worth joining the club so you can be part of a well organised event with a very light hearted (and not too serious) set of competitions to take part in.

As Andy says, do not use the three legged puller on the outside edge of the flywheel- at best you run the risk of distorting it.

Make up a puller which exactly matches the three holes in the flywheel centre. Mild steel plate 1/4″ thick should be enough, then drill three holes to match the flywheel holes. You will then need to find three bolts of…[Read more]

Well done for knowing the only legitimate reason for flying it upside down! At least I know there are some more people out there that think like me.

Your best bet is to have a look on that well known auction site, but take care- just because somebody is asking a certain price doesn’t mean that is what it is worth, some people have inflated ideas.

I’ve got it’s little brother in my toolbox, Angus! I bought mine for doing the brake pipes on the GT6 and it’s 1/2″ AF- yours is considerably bigger so it’s probably intended for use on hydraulic pipes. A good buy for 50p though!

Just putting my writing head on, Alan.

That’s another one saved, Angus. These mowers from the Fifties and Sixties are becoming very collectable these days. Lovely restoration by the way.

It would be useful if you could take a picture of the first part of the model number.

Is there any chance of a photograph of the output crankshaft?

I don’t have access to the main Briggs and Stratton parts listing, but my guess is that it was running something like a water pump which could be started and stopped automatically by a float switch. Having a 110V starter motor would rule it out of any mobile machinery and would steer…[Read more]

I would agree with you, Andy. Ransomes don’t make belts and never have done, so they rely on specialist manufacturers to supply them. In this case, though, the belts are such an odd size that it is difficult to find somebody that still makes them.

It’s good to know that there’s a cheap alternative out there; the originals are well into three figures which puts them out of reach of the amateur restorer.

If it has a JAP 5 engine the usual carburettor was a Zenith 24T-2. This was also fitted to the petrol versions of the grey Ferguson T-20 series of tractors so any of the professional tractor parts suppliers should be able to supply a new carb. Try Agriline, they are usually pretty good.

You will need to change the jets over though- unless…[Read more]

Both belts should be the same cross-section and it sounds like the Variator Pulley>Gearbox Pulley belt is still original, so at least you’ve got some dimensions.

By the way- your part number is incorrect; it should read MBA4471 for the engine drive and MBA4472 for the gearbox drive belt. The parts listing doesn’t give dimensions, just the…[Read more]

I’ll go along with your advice, Angus. When Ransomes had stock of those belts they were never cheap, so if the non-genuine ones are the same dimensions then I’d give them a try.