The Old Lawnmower Club
Collection, Preservation and Display of Old Lawn Mowers
X

Anyone fancy an old dog of a Mountfield M3?

Enter a word or two to search the forum section and click the Search Forum button.
Adrian Sun, 02/10/2022

It looks as though my inherited M3 Power Drive is on the way out - aside from having been a knackered old dog when I was mowing my grannies lawn with it 25 years ago, it now looks as though the head gasket has gone - certainly, it is blowing bubbles in a place that bubbles should not be, and it will not keep running when it starts - it lugs, races, then stops.

I reckon it's time it went. Before I leave it out for the scrappies, is there anyone within collecting distance of North Oxford (I am currently carless) who could use it for spares/a real challenge? There is a new blade with it that I never fitted, which I guess at least triples its value!

Generally similar to the model shown below, but much older and more battered, and with an unidentified Italian engine - the sticker has mostly gone, just telling me it was made in Turin.

http://www.lawnmowersshop.co.uk/mountfield-m3-self-propelled-petrol-law…

Finally - anyone got anything interesting worth using on my postage stamp that they were considering parting with?

 

Forums

stonethemows Wed, 05/10/2022

Apparently not, sadly. I have a somewhat similar situation at the moment. I have been trying to move on an Atco 1760/1 which probably only needs a small amount of work to have a usable machine. I posted it on the Forum a little while back and have subsequently had it on eBay - over 200 views and 5 watchers has result in a couple of silly enquiries. The watchers have been sent a reduced offer but nil response. I have just removed it from eBay so as not to waste any more time.

If you fancy it to replace the Mountfield you are very welcome. Otherwise for a postage stamp I recommend either a Ransomes Leo or if you have edges of course it's an Ajax. I also have several of those surplus to requirements. If it's a slightly larger postage stamp and/or you don't really want to push then it's got to be a thirty year old Honda HR194.

As a matter of passing interest, a well known auction house ( a proper one as opposed to some nebulous internet entity ) in this area sells second hand machines on a weekly basis. There are all sorts but commonly petrol rotaries which usually struggle to make much more than a tenner. Rather puts the market into perspective.

Adrian Thu, 06/10/2022

Ooh - I'm rather a long way from Bungay but my Mum lives in NW Essex, so it could be done, and would give me an excuse to see the godmother I don't recall ever meeting too! Also needs me to get a car... (I blew the old one up), but that gives me an excuse to do something instead of sitting on my chuff.

I'm away for a few days, but I'll measure the stamp and send you a photoas soon as I get a mo and daylight - I fear it might be a rotary job just by virtue of being rough as a badger's bawbag, but you never know. Thanks, appreciate that a lot!

wristpin Sat, 08/10/2022

QUOTE “As a matter of passing interest, a well known auction house ( a proper one as opposed to some nebulous internet entity ) in this area sells second hand machines on a weekly basis. There are all sorts but commonly petrol rotaries which usually struggle to make much more than a tenner. Rather puts the market into perspective.”

A similar situation at the monthly collective sales here in Kent. Even running order “modern” Hondas and. Hayters go for £50/60.