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Collection, Preservation and Display of Old Lawn Mowers

Qualcast sixteen and ransomes minor issues

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Hi everyone, thanks for the add. Ive recently picked up a few mowers and both are running but....

1) My Qualcast sixteen has a broken clutch engagement lever. I have the cable. When the lever/ cable is pulled does the clutch disengage? ( i have the bolt/ round cylinder part). Any replacements for this?

2) My ransomes clutch will not engage. I assume worn plates? I will open it up today and confirm.

Appreciate any help

 

 

 

Forums

timsp8 Sat, 27/05/2017

Hi,

Sorry to hijack your thread but we have some similar kit and hopefully some kind person may help us both. :)

I have a Ransomes Minor Mk7 20" cut. Does anyone in the forum know where you can buy the clutch petals from? I would love to install a new set and properly adjust my clutch.

Today I just picked up my 2nd mower a 70's self propelled Qualcast Suffolk punch 35 - series 5

It ran for a bit after a service but the carb is spilling fuel. Probably time for a new gasket I guess. I think I am missing a part for the governer spring. I'll ask about this in my own post though.

 

Tim

wristpin Sat, 27/05/2017

The fuel spillage is possibly due to the carburettor flooding as a result of improper sealing of the float operated fuel needle valve - dirt or wear.

Clutch "petals" - cork inserts? Try a vintage motorcycle parts firm or forum . Villiers Services is a possibility.

http://www.villiersservices.co.uk/

From their website

Clutch Re Corking Service

We offer the re cork service for all pre war Villiers clutches including 1F, 2F, 4F, 6F, 9D, 10D, 11D, 12D, 13D, 29C, 30C, 6E,...
£13.50 Ex VAT

timsp8 Sat, 27/05/2017

Hi,

Awesome, thanks muchly for your advice wristpin! 

When I get the 14" up and running, I'll get my clutch re-corked on your suggestion.  I assume that I'll just need to take the thirty odd, petal shaped friction material things out and post them off to Villers servicing.  I think mine is a 2F Villiers.

Sorry for being a n00b. The material isn't actually cork on my Ransome's Minor Mk7 is it?  

Are there any good articles on doing the clutch adjustment?

 

Cheers

Tim

 

PS. I thought it would be like Ferrodo brake pads...

wristpin Sun, 28/05/2017

Think that we may be getting our wires crossed!

I have no specific experience of the Qualcast 16 but if it has a cork insert clutch talk to Villiers Services (or whoever). The way that I read their blurb is that you send the plate to them.

The Ransomes has a centrifugal main clutch using shoes similar to older car drum brakes. These are very long lasting but can be re-lined and also fairly regularly appear on "that auction site". The traction clutch has cork inserts and is operated by push rods through its centre. These can wear making it difficult to disengage the drive or seize up completely usually causing permanent disengagement. A specific description of any particular issue will be useful and save a lot of unnecessary "verbiage".

 

timsp8 Sun, 28/05/2017

The clutch material will be a treat for my Ransomes Minor Mk 7 20"...  As we are in the growing season the 14" Qualcast Suffolk Punch 35 will have to take over mowing duties. My Minor Mk7 is running sweet, kicks over 1st time and I've got my 2 stroke all nicely mixed.

The 4-stroke Suffolk Punch 14" series 5 that I acquired today > I actually did get running for two minutes then my girlfriend released the clutch by accident - whilst I was letting it warm up and I only got it running for another minute.

I think 'the punch' is actually having problems with the Zenith Type 13 carb peeing out fuel from the gasket.  I've ordered a new gasket for three quid, but I think it is over-fuelling.

I am going to get the cowling off and see what the situation is with the spring and the governing rod. Hopefully this is the root cause of the problem. The spring is pretty sloppy.  I'll take some piccies and hopefully the stuff down the right side of the block is all connected up OK.

wristpin Sun, 28/05/2017

The gasket is only there to keep the dirt out and the " splash " in. The root cause of the problem is likely to be flooding caused by improper sealing of the float controlled fuel needle / shut-off valve. If that situation exists  a new gasket will not stop  the flooding until the issue is dealt with.

 

hortimech Sun, 28/05/2017

If you have fuel coming out from the joint between the top of the carb and the fuel chamber, then, it is as Wristpin has said, it is flooding or over fuelling, there is no other way that fuel can be that high in the carb.

timsp8 Sun, 28/05/2017

I might have the carb off again tomorrow and give the float pin a serious clean with some brasso.

Is there a way to test the float itself?  Like could I bob it in my petrol can?

wristpin Sun, 28/05/2017

Shake the float and listen for fuel in side , then hold it down in a mug of just boiled water and watch for bubbles as the air inside expands. No bubbles and it's good.