Martin H

Thanks Stormin, will do and my lips are sealed...:)
 
And Meadowfield, yes stripping it would be my expectation. Getting the side plate off will be my first challenge..:)

Haha, now now, steady on...it was one of the things that first attracted me to it, I think it has a certain delicate charm. Who wants boring old solid panels when you can have such fine lacework...
 
Seriously though, it is just the least important panels, well, sort of, as long as you don't lean on them... The engine cover is ok, I doubt whether I'd have bought it if that was riddled as well. Underneath it all it is a solid runner and the tyres are in brilliant condition. The exaust pipe arrangement worries me a little bit, but I imagine that could be sorted in time. I guess whoever did it had to loop it to make room for the belt.
 
Interesting Stormin, recoverable you say. Is there a special kind of filler I'm currently unaware of?

Haha, now now, steady on...it was one of the things that first attracted me to it, I think it has a certain delicate charm. Who wants boring old solid panels when you can have such fine lacework...
 
Seriously though, it is just the least important panels, well, sort of, as long as you don't lean on them... The engine cover is ok, I doubt whether I'd have bought it if that was riddled as well. Underneath it all it is a solid runner and the tyres are in brilliant condition. The exaust pipe arrangement worries me a little bit, but I imagine that could be sorted in time. I guess whoever did it had to loop it to make room for the belt.
 
Interesting Stormin, recoverable you say. Is there a special kind of filler I'm currently unaware of?

Right...photos...I'm working on them..whilst absorbing every morsel of info that gets mentioned here.
 
I'll now bear in mind the belts and type of grass I'll be cutting, hadn't considered the strain they have to cope with. Thankfully it's not too thick generally, although it's getting longer every day I delay while I try to sort the cutter... Trying not to feel too panicky, the allotment commitee might get a bit narky if I don't cut it soon....
 
There are currently three lines of enquiry. Purchasing a completely new 42" deck from Toro. Asking my local agri-welder to refurbish the one that came with the machine. Getting a new shell fabricated by a chap in Lincs who advertises on Ebay.
I suppose the new deck from Toro will be made from the same thin steel and prone to rust and flexing.
The local agri-welder is the only complete unknown at present and he may just laugh when he sees the state of the cobwebbed deck.
And a new shell apparently would last longer than me. He uses thicker guage steel and gets good customer reviews for his thorough workmanship, but might just be too expensive. I'm guessing it'll be between two and three hundred....hmmm..half what I paid for the machine itself...
I'm waiting for quotes from all three before deciding.
 
So there we are, hope the suspense doesn't drive me mad.. Having bought the machine, I can't actually use it yet..Might have to get the little Mountfield out and do a 2 hour stint to keep the grass in check..cutting nearly half an acre in narrow strips is a daunting task though..rather hoping I wouldn't have to do that anymore.
But I shall remain positive having got this far.The dawn of a new Golden Age in my orchard will be somewhat delayed it seems...
 
Cheers, all...

Hi all, thanks for the encouragement and info, that's made me feel like I've got a decent machine, (I did buy it in the end). So it looks like I may be visiting here a few times in future...
 
Cosmetically it's no showstopper, the body panels are rusted through, but it works fine mechanically which is the main thing. Looks like it's been really neglected in the past, left out in the rain, (why would anyone do that?). The cutting deck is rotted out, but there's enough left to save it I think and as mentioned the panels around the seat are rusted like a cobweb. The seller has done a good job of restoring it to working condition. It's had a couple of non-standard mods, one to the exhaust sytem, but it works ok. It came with some extras, pulleys etc. which look like they are from a previously rusted out deck.
 
It's frustrating that I can't use it until the deck is repaired or I find a replacement. Don't suppose any of you know of a solid deck for sale, or even if there are any out there..? Is it worth looking for one? I do have a local agricultural fabricator/welder, I'll see what he says next week.
 
Thanks again chaps, really appreciate the useful info and all, quite invaluable, have taken note of the axle bearing comments, I'll check them....
 
Martin

Hi all, thanks for the encouragement and info, that's made me feel like I've got a decent machine, (I did buy it in the end). So it looks like I may be visiting here a few times in future...
 
Cosmetically it's no showstopper, the body panels are rusted through, but it works fine mechanically which is the main thing. Looks like it's been really neglected in the past, left out in the rain, (why would anyone do that?). The cutting deck is rotted out, but there's enough left to save it I think and as mentioned the panels around the seat are rusted like a cobweb. The seller has done a good job of restoring it to working condition. It's had a couple of non-standard mods, one to the exhaust sytem, but it works ok. It came with some extras, pulleys etc. which look like they are from a previously rusted out deck.
 
It's frustrating that I can't use it until the deck is repaired or I find a replacement. Don't suppose any of you know of a solid deck for sale, or even if there are any out there..? Is it worth looking for one? I do have a local agricultural fabricator/welder, I'll see what he says next week.
 
Thanks again chaps, really appreciate the useful info and all, quite invaluable, have taken note of the axle bearing comments, I'll check them....
 
Martin