Rayp

Thanks Richard - you are a mine of information and told me more than I already knew about my Deck. My Tractor (and I assume the deck) were made in Belgium and were 0wned from new by a family in Nottingham, from whom I acquired them. You also are right about the wheels. I couldn't find any suitable wheels so I sent for them from the USA and they certainly are robust so should last.

Prompted by Richard's excellent posting I thought I would post the work on my deck. After sandblasting/wire-brushing and welding repairs the top was zinc-primed. The underside was Metal-prepped then treated with two coats of POR. I was unable to source small quantities of stainless steel flange bolts so purchased the nearest metric equivalent. This meant the spacers required drilling-out, but when I tried the first one shattered. A friend then kindly made me some metric replacement spacers. All the remaining bolts were replaced with stainless steel and a new Bar Idler Bushing Spacer fitted. I'm afraid I'll never achieve Richard's high standard, but I'm confident that the Deck will not corrode before me.

Thank you all for your replies. I emailed Meetens, but to date have had no response. Subsequently I emailed Mike Hitchins and he replied the following day asking me whether I wanted chrome or cast iron piston rings. What's the difference, apart from price?

Thank you for the Link Richard I'll try Meetens. The parts are for my K341S.

Can anyone suggest the best place to get piston rings and gasket sets.

Hello Stormin, I was with BT for some time and found great difficult in speaking to a human. In addition whenever (very frequently!) they increased their prices, I too was able to nbegotiate substantial reductions only to be faced with further increases within months. Prior to Bt I was with Talk Talk and they were HORRENDOUS! I am now with John Lewis and have found their service (provided by PlusNet) exceptionally good. Calls are answered quickly by persons who speak good English and understand the issues without passing the buck. Any call; is immediately followed up with an email to ensure that it has been resolved to your satisfaction. John Lewis prices are competitive and they don't offer the myriad of options which you could get from PlusNet. They are also reputed to be the last among providers) to increase prices.

Just to let you know I followed all your advice regrinding both valves, decoking the head, replacing the plug, diaphragm and gaskets. The mower now starts easily and as soon as the new belt and blades arrive I hope to put it to work.

My brother is looking for a rotovator in good working order (most of those on EBay are huge distances away making it difficult to view before bidding) about the size of a 350 or 300. A smaller Clifford would also do, but he does not want anything bigger or a non-wheeled type such as a Merry Tiller.

Another mystery solved - I'll bet very few people know that!

Thanks Colin. I'll try and adopt your practice in the future as its not the first time I've relied on a manual only to find it is not very helpful. I've located the springs and wire as per the above photo but still need to fiddle as the smaller spring doesn't seem to be doing anything. Regards Ray

Sorry Wristpin I meant to have thanked you for the photo.

Thankyou for your offer Potash and many thanks Potash for the photo which is very helpful.

Regrettably, I neglected to make a sketch or photograph the throttle and governor linkages on the top of the carburettor before removing it for an overhaul. I am now uncertain which holes to use for the throttle and governor springs and likewise for the 'wire rod' with cranked ends. The Parts Manual and/or Repair Manual are not helpful in showing where they attach. Can anyone please help?

Stormin and Wristpin, thanks again for your advice.

Thanks for the advice - I'll look out for the Book and let you know the outcome of my efforts.

Thank you both for your recommendations - I will follow these.

My Hayter 21 is very difficult to start. It has good compression and a good spark, but when it does run it performs a little 'lumpy' and the exhaust fumes are somewhat 'sooty'. I am currently cleaning the fuel tank and carburettor, but can any one suggest any other possible causes for its difficult starting. Also can anyone tel;l me where to buy Briggs & Stratton red engine paint or a near equivalent (preferably in a spray can).

You're doing a great job, but can you say how you cleaned off the parts, especially the cylinder head in preparation for painting.

Yes thankyou Meadowfield.

Thankyou Showman.

Can anyone help with a diagram of the lift linkage, i.e. into which holes in the Lift Arm and Bell End the Lift Arm should fit and does anyone know a supplier for the bushes which fit into the chassis at the ends of moving spindles. I tried to upload some pictures, but the upload failed and I will have to try and find out why.

Thankyou Richard and Meadowfield - another hurdle overcome!

Hello again Richard, Having removed the front wheel bearings and given them an initial soak in petrol I found that I either had 2 sealed bearings and 2 unsealed bearings (PLEASE SEE ATTACHED PHOTOS) or that the seals had disappeared from the 2 ‘unsealed’ bearings and I hope I have not damaged the sealed bearings by the petrol immersion. 3 of the bearings turn smoothly and quietly whereas the fourth turns not so smoothly with a slight grinding noise and I assume this bearing needs replacement. The ‘sealed’ bearings are marked as made in the USA and I assume that I will not be able to re-pack them. Yours advice would again be most appreciated. Kind regards Ray