Fix'em all

Bought this machine this weekend because I can find absolutely nothing on the web about it. It is called the Astra & it was made by the Digmower Manufacturing company in Hampshire. It has an Aspera engine & a huge gearbox & set of Tines on the front. The identification plate has a space for a serial number to be stamped on it, but it was never stamped. Can anyone throw any light on this.

Picked up this really nice British made Danarm 55 MK2 at a local auction a few weeks ago. Was a non runner but a clean up on the points has it running like new. I think people just assume that if it's old & no spark means the coil is dead & no chance of getting spares on a 44 year old chainsaw.

I can't catch the little buggers mattblack. I suppose it's 50s or 60s

My Reyroto 80 has the same engine. If you need to remove the flywheel, mark the position first because there is no keyway. I have never known a flywheel as difficult to remove as these are.

It's a S200 5hp engine. Just had a look online & it is more rare than I thought it was. Best I keep plenty of oil in it

Despite the weather I still nearly finished this project at the weekend

You will also find that older Briggs & also Tecumseh engines around 5hp open the exhaust valve slightly on compression. As the engines wear this can cause starting issues due to low compression. On OHV engines I have countered this by increasing the gap on the exhaust valve & on side valve engines I have removed the exhaust valve & ground a bit off the valve stem (not too much). I am sure Wristpin will not necessarily approve of this practice but it has worked for me on several occasions.

The last time the country was this divided was the English Civil War. It's all very painful & I will be glad when it's over & the news headlines start with something other than Brexit

& Didn't mention Brexit once.

He probably means a crankcase seal on a 2 stroke. It will run but throttle response is vague & lacking power

I think Ral3001 Signal Red is close but I may be wrong.

£50

Does anyone know anything about the Versatiller MK3. I don't think it had the same engine as the first 2 models but interested what engine it had fitted.

I have an Autosteer trailing seat for an Atco. Not sure if it could be adapted to fit

Is it one of the Mountfields with a one piece fuel tank & pull start assembly. They always leak & the best bet is to find another engine

The non EP gear oil is GL1

Could be Paul !! I think i am correct in saying you already have one of these, so it's good to share The book mentions a separate manual for the 75 engine, that would be a nice to have.

Lucky enough to pick up this rare 1950's manual to go with my equally rare Versatiller Mk 1

Hi John & welcome to the group. I believe these have a clutch with a friction plate & it has probably all rusted together. You need to strip it without damaging the components if possible. I have never worked on one of these, but assume it may have an asbestos clutch plate that won't want to be soaked in wd40 if you want to re-use it. I am sure one of the other members will be able to give you more detailed advice, but a couple of photos will be useful if you can.

Happy Birthday Paul, have a good un

Brand new genuine Kohler piston ring set (2 available). £15 per set plus p&p

In amongst a job lot of Kohler & Victa new spares is this piston. It appears to measure 2.5/8" diameter of just under 67mm. Any ideas?

Search for Colwood on this site and you will find out more info from previous posts. With older machines like this, you just have to gather snippets of information by searching.

Happy birthday Norm !

Presumably this is a 172cc 2 stroke. The fan looks heavy enough to replace the normal flywheel that would have been used if fitted on a motorbike