Fix'em all

I have separated the 2 casings & for anyone unfortunate enough to have to repair a pull start on these little Vincent engines, this is how I did it. After removing all the Rotovator tines and shafts you remove the 4 bolts that hold the pull start casing to the engine. Next remove the points & condenser. There is a small gap between the casings big enough to fit 4 x m8 nuts equally spaced. Rotate the pull start casing and use 4 long bolts to push the 2 casings apart and force the magnet and points cam assembly off the shaft. I now have to remove the recoil spring to find out why the assembly is not throwing itself forward & engaging with the engine.

Cheers Steve, I wanted to avoid dismantling the ignition system but not sure if there is any other way. Even then I'm not sure it will split. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

I haven't solved this yet if anyone else can help

Thanks Nigel, have pm Paul

Hi all, this weekend I bought a versatiller mk1 of mid fifties vintage. It has been standing for around 35 years in a shed but is original. Took the head off & cleaned the carb & tank before attempting to start it. Started firing & was about to go when the pull start mechanism decided to separate from the engine. I have stripped it right down to get to the pull start. I reached what seemed to be the point where it would split when I removed 2 locknuts and the roller bearing from the main engine driveshaft. Still no joy, the casing moves freely but there is another aluminium plate behind the points and condenser. Can anyone help with this as I cannot believe you have to do all this work to get to the pull start. Ian

Can anyone help identify a Howard Rotovator. It has the side shaft like the Bantam but the tines appear to be wider than the Bantam. I know it originally had a Villiers engine but i don't have any photos sorry.

Paul, is there a way of running the engine without driving the tines. There is a lever & pin near the starter mechanism but not sure what it does.

I have added the Versatiller photo's as an album. All comments welcome please. Ian

Hi Paul, I will take a few photos this week & post them. I missed out on a nice one of these about 12 months ago & was lucky enough to find this one badly described on ebay. I would like to get hold of a stand for the tines but may have to make something up. Ian

Hi, I have just joined this forum as I have recently bought what I believe is a mk2 versatiller with a Vincent 75cc engine. It is virtually complete & in very good condition. I expect to have it running in the next week or two. It has an unusual foot start system, but I do not have the folding stand that raises the tines. This is all it seems to need apart from the air filter has been damaged & has been taped up. I dare say these are like hens teeth. Ian