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[Jimbob]

I have been given (local village group) and old Qualcast Suffolk Punch 30s (80219) with a few issues...Not starting being the main one...
I was having a little tinker, and making some progress, alongside using my Bosch Rotak....which let the magic smoke out last week..

So I need to sort this properly, or buy something different.

I beleive it dates from late 80's - 90's and wasnt exactly well thought of when new...

So, Its had a new plug, new oil, new fuel pipe, cleaned the carb.

It is now difficult to start, the pull handle feels like its going to fall of at the next pull every time.
The carb leaks fuel badly, choke spring? bit looks bent, doesnt seem to do anything - suspect it had E10 in it, which disolved bits, and clogged the engine.
However once running, its ok, and I can squash the grass just fine with it.

So, I need to find the bits to make it seal...or replace the carb.  Ive seen a load at £10-15, not sure if they will fit or not.
Ive cleaned and adjusted the blades, so it has a (slim) chance of cutting / tearing the grass next time.....both the blades and the bottom blade are very very pitted.

I can buy one of those sandpaper clip on jobbies to try and bring the blades up to a degree.
Bottom blade I don't think theres much I can do for it if needed, but there are some pattern ones out there.....removing this seems tricky due to spinning captive nuts once youve loosened it most the way.

Possible pull starters available.

So...20-30 quid may may get this usable...maybe up to £100 if it needs more parts and I can actually identify and swap the right bits...

OR

its buy another....but which, I'd certainly rather have rotary than a cylinder like this....love the but when they are right, but weve a fair bit of gravel thats often hidden in the lawn....so suspect keeping it right will also be awkward.

I remember a recommendation of Atko Admiral, which theres a couple, but nothing local.
Or a few hundred on a more modern contraption.

Weve enough lawn, with bushes dotted in it that electric is / was a pain.  Battery's not enough power / longevity. So will need to be petrol, some slopey bits, no needs to be manoeverable easily enough too...this bugger's heavy and doesnt like it.

[Sir Tigger KC]

Lord Opti bought a cheap Chinese self propelled thing at the end of last summer, and he's probably used it a few times by now so will be able to give a review.

It had a beer can holder!                                   Which is all you need to know! 

[Jimbob]

Beer holder, love it!

Theres a few places near me I can go and look at newer stuff if thats the way I go..

https://www.charlies.co.uk/gardening/garden-power-tools/lawnmowers/petrol-lawnmowers
https://www.chestersmallplant.co.uk/https://www.chestersmallplant.co.uk/store/Mowers-c31291533?sort=priceAsc
Can get 20% off at B&Q too...

Some expensive bits there, Wondering on Stihl.....beleive well thought of, and not horrific on cost....

[Jimbob]

It is now difficult to start, the pull handle feels like its going to fall of at the next pull every time.

Ok....it did fall off at the next pull 

2 metal 'weights' plastic riveted on....or were....no chance of a start now

[Sir Tigger KC]

Can get 20% off at B&Q too...

I bought a second hand McAllister mower that was only a year old last summer for £100.

It has a Briggs & Stratton motor, starts easily and cuts the grass.    So worth keeping an eye on Facebook Marketplace to see what's about. 

[YZ250]

It is now difficult to start, the pull handle feels like its going to fall of at the next pull every time.

Ok....it did fall off at the next pull 

2 metal 'weights' plastic riveted on....or were....no chance of a start now

From memory the Suffolk Punch shares the same engine as the Suffolk Colt so opens up another spares avenue. The recoil starter is held on by three nuts and once removed exposes the metal parts that fling out to engage the starter and then spring back. The spring, cord etc is straightforward so I assume the fling out bits have come adrift. If you can't find a replacement and you're feeling brave, you can knock up a bracket to fit the flywheel slots and start it with a drill. You just need to be very quick at removing the socket once it starts.   
The carb is straightforward as you've probably already found out but both of these models were prone to fuel tank tap leaking. If you know someone in a machine shop, both the footplate (cutting edge) and blade can be sorted. We used to remove the blade (chain driven) and stick it in a lathe with a running centre. You could always tell when one of us was doing it by the ping ping ping as the cutter touched the cylinder blade. 

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

Lord Opti bought a cheap Chinese self propelled thing at the end of last summer, and he's probably used it a few times by now so will be able to give a review.

It had a beer can holder!                                   Which is all you need to know! 

Parker Brand petrol mower with drive and a large 53 CM cut.

About £300 on Ebay but shop around and I reckon you can find one for £100 less. I believe I paid £190 ish.

Can't fault it for the money other than being glacially slow.

Chinky 173cc 4 stroke lump seems OK.

[countrywoman]

D at my unit has a Ryobi petrol mower with a Subaru badged engine, he said its been great.

[Jimbob]

Had a look around a few places, and quite liking this
https://www.charlies.co.uk/stihl-rm253-t-self-propelled-petrol-lawnmower.html

I dont want too big.
I dont want a fabric collection 'box'

Felt comfy to use and decently made.

It is now difficult to start, the pull handle feels like its going to fall of at the next pull every time.

Ok....it did fall off at the next pull 

2 metal 'weights' plastic riveted on....or were....no chance of a start now

From memory the Suffolk Punch shares the same engine as the Suffolk Colt so opens up another spares avenue. The recoil starter is held on by three nuts and once removed exposes the metal parts that fling out to engage the starter and then spring back. The spring, cord etc is straightforward so I assume the fling out bits have come adrift. If you can't find a replacement and you're feeling brave, you can knock up a bracket to fit the flywheel slots and start it with a drill. You just need to be very quick at removing the socket once it starts.   
The carb is straightforward as you've probably already found out but both of these models were prone to fuel tank tap leaking. If you know someone in a machine shop, both the footplate (cutting edge) and blade can be sorted. We used to remove the blade (chain driven) and stick it in a lathe with a running centre. You could always tell when one of us was doing it by the ping ping ping as the cutter touched the cylinder blade. 

Yes the pawls have come off, one 'could' go back on, other has sheared, Ive not found a similar enough one yet.  I'll not be going down the drill route.
If I could get gaskets, carb be ok.  Or a replacement may work if they fit.  dunno.
Either way, time, and need to cut the grass are against me.

No final decision yet.

May continue to play with the old one in the background, but need something that works and is appropriate for what I have.

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

Had a look around a few places, and quite liking this
https://www.charlies.co.uk/stihl-rm253-t-self-propelled-petrol-lawnmower.html

I dont want too big.
I dont want a fabric collection 'box'

Felt comfy to use and decently made.

It is now difficult to start, the pull handle feels like its going to fall of at the next pull every time.

Ok....it did fall off at the next pull 

2 metal 'weights' plastic riveted on....or were....no chance of a start now

From memory the Suffolk Punch shares the same engine as the Suffolk Colt so opens up another spares avenue. The recoil starter is held on by three nuts and once removed exposes the metal parts that fling out to engage the starter and then spring back. The spring, cord etc is straightforward so I assume the fling out bits have come adrift. If you can't find a replacement and you're feeling brave, you can knock up a bracket to fit the flywheel slots and start it with a drill. You just need to be very quick at removing the socket once it starts.   
The carb is straightforward as you've probably already found out but both of these models were prone to fuel tank tap leaking. If you know someone in a machine shop, both the footplate (cutting edge) and blade can be sorted. We used to remove the blade (chain driven) and stick it in a lathe with a running centre. You could always tell when one of us was doing it by the ping ping ping as the cutter touched the cylinder blade. 

Yes the pawls have come off, one 'could' go back on, other has sheared, Ive not found a similar enough one yet.  I'll not be going down the drill route.
If I could get gaskets, carb be ok.  Or a replacement may work if they fit.  dunno.
Either way, time, and need to cut the grass are against me.

No final decision yet.

May continue to play with the old one in the background, but need something that works and is appropriate for what I have.

Rats amd mice made a meal out of mine.

[Sir Tigger KC]

Lord Opti bought a cheap Chinese self propelled thing at the end of last summer, and he's probably used it a few times by now so will be able to give a review.

It had a beer can holder!                                   Which is all you need to know! 

Parker Brand petrol mower with drive and a large 53 CM cut.

About £300 on Ebay but shop around and I reckon you can find one for £100 less. I believe I paid £190 ish.

Can't fault it for the money other than being glacially slow.

Chinky 173cc 4 stroke lump seems OK.

This one M'lud? 

https://www.parkerbrand.co.uk/17-self-drive-petrol-lawnmower

Maybe you could get it remapped to give it a bit more Oomph! 

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

Lord Opti bought a cheap Chinese self propelled thing at the end of last summer, and he's probably used it a few times by now so will be able to give a review.

It had a beer can holder!                                   Which is all you need to know! 

Parker Brand petrol mower with drive and a large 53 CM cut.

About £300 on Ebay but shop around and I reckon you can find one for £100 less. I believe I paid £190 ish.

Can't fault it for the money other than being glacially slow.

Chinky 173cc 4 stroke lump seems OK.

This one M'lud? 

https://www.parkerbrand.co.uk/17-self-drive-petrol-lawnmower

Maybe you could get it remapped to give it a bit more Oomph! 

Except mine has a 21 inch cut not 17inch, and 173cc engine not 150cc.

Also, my grass box is 75L not 45L.

I have it's bigger brother so to speak.

[Sir Tigger KC]

Lord Opti bought a cheap Chinese self propelled thing at the end of last summer, and he's probably used it a few times by now so will be able to give a review.

It had a beer can holder!                                   Which is all you need to know! 

Parker Brand petrol mower with drive and a large 53 CM cut.

About £300 on Ebay but shop around and I reckon you can find one for £100 less. I believe I paid £190 ish.

Can't fault it for the money other than being glacially slow.

Chinky 173cc 4 stroke lump seems OK.

This one M'lud? 

https://www.parkerbrand.co.uk/17-self-drive-petrol-lawnmower

Maybe you could get it remapped to give it a bit more Oomph! 

Except mine has a 21 inch cut not 17inch, and 173cc engine not 150cc.

Also, my grass box is 75L not 45L.

I have it's bigger brother so to speak.

Of course.... It also has the beer can holders! 

https://www.parkerbrand.co.uk/petrol-lawnmower-21-inch

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

Yep....that's the johnny, Tig.

Unless prices have gone up significantly since I bought mine I think it can be had for a lot less than £265.

[Viral_Jim]

I bought an Atco Admiral for £20 off eBay at the end of last year when my titan electric decided to set itself on fire.

The one I bought was hunting and the owner just wanted rid - Idiagnosed correctly as a gunged up carb. I spent £30 on genuine Briggs and Stratton carb kit and service items. It's been right as rain ever since. 

Now's a good time to look as the lawn neglectors will be just contemplating the first cut of the year  .