New but old toy

[Baldbloke]

Just bought an old Countax K15 ride on mower for buttons as the owner couldn’t get a spark at the plug. Absolutely no rot and every belt renewed along with the battery. Since the only wire to the coil is to kill the spark rather than to power it up, I’m assuming the coil is dead as after detaching the wire and spinning the motor up it is still not offering a spark? I did clean up all the mounting surfaces as well as resetting the air gap to ensure it was properly earthed.

[Khriss]

They good mowers, got the Saxon flail mower ( that became Countax) right beast on scrub. Wot engine on it? K

[Baldbloke]

They good mowers, got the Saxon flail mower ( that became Countax) right beast on scrub. Wot engine on it? K

Briggs and Stratton 15 HP Vanguard engine, presently without spark. The cylinder lies horizontally on this one. Actually posted on ‘What’s on your bench’ about the lack of spark to see if my assumption that the coil must be knackered in spite of an electrical test suggesting it’s ok. New coil arriving on Saturday so will update these posts if there’s life after new coil.

[Stubby]

3 minutes ago, Baldbloke said:

Briggs and Stratton 15 HP Vanguard engine, presently without spark. Actually posted on ‘What’s on your bench’ about the lack of spark to see if my assumption that the coil must be knackered in spite of an electrical test suggesting it’s ok. New coil arriving on Saturday so will update that post if there’s life after new coil.

Yea . Coil may well spark in fresh air but under compression it might not if there is a fault on it . A new or proven one will eliminate it .   On the edge of my seat by the way 👍

Edited May 19, 2021 by Stubby

[Khriss]

Mines the Robin 10hp, great little motors, new coil irrelevant cost to a solid mower, put new flails on mine last year, ripptastic  😊 K

[Baldbloke]

Coil fitted, gapped and fresh fuel. Now starts on the button[emoji1303]

There’s a bit of wiring to sort as well. Also there’s a wrongly ordered belt to change as the one that’s fitted for powering the hydrostatic axle is too long for the idlers to tension. All the other belts are correct and new. A missing E clip holding a rear wheel on was replaced with a large circlip, oil and filter changed and electro magnetic clutch that needed taken off for the belt refit was tested while awaiting new belt.

Although there’s some bits of the deck that have rubbed on things and could do with some paint the entire machine is built like a tank and is corrosion free. Pretty good compared to the smaller ride ons.

I think the previous owner took it apart and realised how tricky it is to order the correct parts, and to remember how to refit everything correctly. The coincidental failure of the coil and lack of spark must have been the last straw.

 

 

[Baldbloke]

Eventually had time to get the parts fitted only to find a bracket that the rear axle is mounted on was broken too.

Welded it up which in turn tensioned the new drive belt properly, and driven power was restored.

Then had to adjust the air gap on the Warner electro magnetic clutch and directly wire it to a separate switch. But it all works, and cut a couple of acres of grass to give my other mowers some time out.

 

[Dan Maynard]

Tidy job, blind man would be pleased to see it.

[Baldbloke]

Tidy job, blind man would be pleased to see it.

Thank you. The biggest issue I have now is my eyesight and having to wear glasses inside a mask. In an earlier life I wouldn’t have been happy with such a weld, but nowadays if it’s strong I’m chuffed.

[roys]

Looks good to me, not like it is a pressure vessel or anything.