Another hobby to take up garage space
 

okay, first off let me say, 1. I'm a sucker for anything mechanical, the older the better and 2. why would I start another hobby when I don't have the space for my others????!!

I snagged this old engine powered reel mower this morning. turns over and has good compression, and has been stored inside a garage for 40 years. gotta love open blades turning at several hundred rpm, no OSHA here boys! can't find any info on it though. from what I learned, it was probably built in the early 50's. it's a Johnston brand and made in Ottumwa, IA. think it will be cool cleaned up and sitting in the bed of the '69 at shows.

thought you motorheads would enjoy seeing it. when I get it running and chasing the dogs around the yard, I'll post up a video.

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/b...t/100_3672.jpg

Re: Another hobby to take up garage space
 

i like it!

Re: Another hobby to take up garage space
 

That will be neat in the bed... gonna stick with the stock color options? Might look good with white handles/bar and a med. olive green deck.

Re: Another hobby to take up garage space
 

x2

Very nice

Re: Another hobby to take up garage space
 

Nato,
staying bone stock now. just a little clean up with some warm water, a fresh crackcase of oil, a bit of 93 octane, and a whiff of starting fluid. maybe in a few years she'll get a full resto (if I ever find any good info on it).

oh yeah, it still has the original Champion screw-on-electrode type plug. oldie but a goodie!

Re: Another hobby to take up garage space
 

That's cool! You don't see many of those nowadays. But where's the starter (rope)?

Re: Another hobby to take up garage space
 

My dad had one similar to that for "life lessons" growing up ... his did NOT have an engine on it. :sexy:

Re: Another hobby to take up garage space
 

cool...

i'm gonna have this moved to the Alternate Tinkerings section...

Re: Another hobby to take up garage space
 

sorry 'bout that Mike. after I posted I thought I should've put it over here.

got the rope too! just had it off at the time.

Re: Another hobby to take up garage space
 

Sweet find Doug !

Here's another I ran across; http://www.smokstak.com/forum/showthread.php?t=49465

Doe's yours still have the Briggs model number plate on the side ?

If so would you care to post the serial number, There's a good chance I can de-code the exact year built since I'm in this biz, And should you have any problems getting it running shoot me a PM. I've got the service manual sitting here next to me.....

Re: Another hobby to take up garage space
 

Holy Cats, Rob!!! that's my mower!! I've looked all over for another and you get me a link that shows mine exactly! thank you!

serial: 38434
type: 701019
model: 6S

thanks for any help

Re: Another hobby to take up garage space
 

I remember cutting our lawn with one of those in my earlier years ...

Re: Another hobby to take up garage space
 

Here's a little info on your engine;

http://sites.google.com/site/briggsmodel6sengine/

Normally I can look at a serial number and de-code the build year, But this one is a little before my time. But.... I will take these numbers and call my Briggs Dealer's support line and see if they can help. I own one of these Ole 6S's as well but the plate is missing on mine, I'll see about getting a pic of it
. It's on a shelf in the showroom at work with some other old equipment.

Re: Another hobby to take up garage space
 

Rob,
I think I figured out at least the build date of the engine. the 6S design started production in July of '49 and my engine was no# 38434 off the line (built in December of '49). which if I'm reading right, is very early production. it looks like there were 984394 units produced from 1949 to 1957.

got my info here:

http://www.asecc.com/data/briggs/data4.html#6S

any more info you can get for me would be well appreciated!

Re: Another hobby to take up garage space
 

I want one!

Re: Another hobby to take up garage space
 

-
You might find some info here:

http://users.crocker.com/~jricci/

Here is a picture of mine. I'm not sure my drop cord is long enough for three acres though..:).. It is factory built by Lakeside Mfg. I think this is a pretty rare bird.

LockDoc

Re: Another hobby to take up garage space
 

neat mower Leon!! never seen a electric reel mower.

Re: Another hobby to take up garage space
 

have the the regular push type I got from under a cottage years ago....I thought it would be a great lawn orniment but the funny part is when I have a stressful day I will pull in the driveway get out of the truck and cut the center of my circular driveway with it... the noise it makes is very relaxing (think it because gramp used one in his yard back in the day and it bring back some memories)...and it gets me a quick walk

Re: Another hobby to take up garage space
 

Pretty dang close there, Mr Briggs said it was built November 49 although he couldn't pinpoint the exact day.

The model 6 was a float bowl type carb and the 6S "S" designating a suction type carb on tank....


Have ya got-r runnin yet ?


Leon,

That's a fine example of a early mower, Awesome find for sure ! :metal:

Re: Another hobby to take up garage space
 

Rob,
been poking around on it tonight. the throttle cable and the blade engagement cables are seized so I'm going to have to remove and replace them before anything fires. I need to drop the carb and give it a bit of a going through. the oil is probably syrup, so fresh dinasour juice is in order. wonder if the old Champion spark plug will fire?!

I'd like to keep everything as original as possible. it lasted 61 years in this condition, It would be a shame to change it now.

Re: Another hobby to take up garage space
 

Just clean it up a little with a hand wire brush then spray it out with some carb & choke cleaner, If you have to replace it use a CJ8 because it's closer to the original plug. Also, Be careful with the carb cleaning. Some parts are hard to find....

Re: Another hobby to take up garage space
 

thanks for the pointers Rob! virtual rep points for you, sir!

Re: Another hobby to take up garage space
 

That is pretty darn sweet Doug!