GardenKit

I do not remember ever forgetting anything.

I agree 100% with the Kawaski, we have them in some JD models. The best engine in the trade IMO. Not so sure on the Kohler though, had a few issues with them.

I find 'Quickbooks' very good, and would recommend anyone, however small a business, to use it. Its easy to adapt to your business, easy to use, and keeps track of everything. If you update all your purchases and sales regularly (it does not take long) you will always know exactly where your accounts stand. Quickbooks is realtively cheap and the 'jargon' is more Joe Public speak, than 'accountant speak'. Best to start now rather than later. We present our records to the accountant on a memory stick. No need to print anything off. We then keep all purchase invoices in folders as even though they are on the disc the accountant likes to see the hard copies. simples.

I agree with Eddie on this one, there is nothing at all wrong with Briggs engines. They are pretty bombproof as long as the oil is maintained. In my experience they are a lot less finicky than Honda, especially when it comes to carburation.

Not being funny, but why?

For anyone interested, there was a thread in March 2012 titled 'any old oil' which went into a lot of detail on marine oil v horti oil. I would post a link, but do not know how. I am sure one of you can.

The fourth pallet of 2013 just arrived. Sales are hotting up, so I expect to shift this in about 2 weeks. (the red cans are on the other side!)

Good advice Div. Also worth noting that change intervals are quoted 2 ways, 1) by mileage 2) by time. For instance, my Jeep Cherokee 2.8 is 100,000miles, OR, 96 months. It is just 54000 miles, but is now 96 months (8yrs) so I had it replaced on monday. Its part of the 100,000 service and cost a massive £740! Its the first time in 40yrs of car ownership that I have ever put a car into a garage and paid someone else, but I took one look at this one and decided to stick to mowers and saws. Plus I did not have the time. My daughters Peugeot 307 timing belt failed just a few months after it was due to be changed by time, but on only half the designated mileage.

No, its totally true. You should never use horticultural oil in an outboard motor. Its down to the cylinder temperatures which are much lower on a water cooled outboard. A horti oil will remain unburnt and caused excessive deposits to form on the piston crown. It is however possible to use marine oil in a horti engine as long as it has the correct JAS rating, but I would not personly do this. Use the right oil for the job IMO, but use any good quality Horti oil for your saws. Keep clear of cheap multi-purpose oils (those that say ' boats, mopeds, saws, mowers etc). They may work, you may get away with it, but when the going gets tough....?

There is a tendancy for these engines to need a bit of choke, just like the Honda it is copied from. But yours does seem a bit extreme Rich. It has to be a fuel/air issue, so a bit weak, but how? If you had not tried another (known) carb, I would have said you had a semi blocked main jet or nozzle and suggested removing both, as well as removing the idle mix screw and pilot jet plug and giving a good boil up in the US. This normally fixes it. But, assuming your 'known' carb is good, then check the gaskets between carb and block, and also the plastic insulator. It may be cracked allowing some air in. It could also be sloppy valve clearances. This would reduce the amount of time the inlet valve is open, and reduce the amount of air/fuel mix sucked in per cycle. As the valves warm up the clearance will reduce slightly and the valve stay open a little longer. Hope these thoughts may help just a little.

:lol::lol:

Did not the short fat one have more brains?

Steel central boss? mmmmm.......bash it on and weld it:laugh1:

it is most likely to be the the sound of clutch shoes contacting the drum. teat by applying the chain brake. It should stop tinkling. This can be due to a weak return spring, or too fast a tick over, or both.

The correct answer for the front lower buffer removal has been given on the 'bench' thread, but the BG86 question is as yet unanswered. If by 'sticky fuel button" you mean the primer bulb is pushing in and not returning, then your problem is most likely a fuel blockage. This will likely be either the pickup filter (in the tank) or the gauze filter in the carb. Either can prevent fuel being drawn into the primer bulb to replace the vacuum formed when it is depressed. A fuel blockage of this nature will also prevent the engine achieving full revs. All you need to do is pull the pickup pipe from the tank to check the filter. if thats not it hen remove and dissmantle the carb to check the gauze, which you will find under the plate which is held down by one central screw. No need at this stage for major dismantling.

I shall look forward to hearing how you get on Woodworks. Keep us posted.

I had a disgruntled customer turn up today with a Hayter mower in his car. We had serviced it in February. Apparently he has used it twice since service, the first time it ran perfectly, but towards the end of the second cut it started to cough and splutter, then it stopped and would not start. So he was not happy. ' paid good money for that service, I expect better' he said. So I checked the fuel tank. EMPTY. 'Oh' he said, " I did not check that because it said on your bill that you had filled it" Managed not to laugh while he was here, but let loose when he had gone:lol:

We know you like a challenge Steve, good luck on this one.

These old Cylinder mowers have got the better of me again. Just finished the second at 16.00 hrs, as well as getting the next two cylinders out, cleaned and painted ready for grinding. Early start tomorrow to catch up

Go on Mick, get another. You know you want to:biggrin:

13.00 hrs. First one finished, a bit slower than planned due to a visit from my middle daughter (complete with'bump')

10.30 10.55 next, pressure wash, dry, paint and grind cylinder and bottom bar

They are not dificult to work on Steve, they just take time. And time is money, ..... and I love money more than I love mowers:laugh1: I have just done a whole ride on service since starting at 9.30, thats easy money. Now I start on the cylinders. I want to to all 4 before tea time if I can.

Both of those are Webbs, but similar in build quality to the ransomes.