Ohlsson & Rice: Orline Hedge Trimmer

[CNew 404]

Finally started getting into my Orline Hedge Trimmer project. Was able to get it completely torn down and started the cleaning process this afternoon. I’ll be going through the engine too. You all weren’t kidding about watching out for little roller bearings!  When I removed the blade rotary lobe mechanism each side was filled with bunches of tiny roller bearings. I was able to get all the old grease cleaned out and set the rollers back in the grooves. Pretty sure I didn’t lose any  I failed to get some “before” pictures on this camera but I will try to add a few later, I think I got a couple on a different phone.

[factory 487]

Looks in pretty good condition, those Orline hedge trimmers don't seem to appear as often as the Little Wonder ones.

 

David

[CNew 404]

Overall it looks to be in pretty good shape. I haven’t opened up th engine yet to see how that looks. The exhaust and muffler were really caked up with carbon, worst I’ve seen yet on one of these tools. 

[factory 487]

Here are the parts diagrams for the Orline Hedge Trimmers & type 13A224 engine (as fitted to CNew's hedge trimmer) now they have been edited & turned into a PDF.

 

Ohlsson & Rice Hedge Trimmer Model HT-24 248 249 288 289 Parts List Oct 70 & Type 13A224 Engine Oct 71.pdf

 

Note that engine types 13A183, 13A208 & 13B259 were also used on these trimmers but are not shown in the above PDF.

 

David

[CNew 404]

This is fantastic - thank you David! I appreciate you going to the trouble to provide this information. It’ll be very helpful as I go to put this trimmer back together.

 

Clint

[CNew 404]

The decal on the front of the pull starter is completely faded on my trimmer. Normally I would leave everything in as-found condition but I might go for a new decal on this one since the faded sticker is quite unattractive and the rest of the trimmer is in pretty decent shape.  I’m thinking someone must have wiped it ei5 some harsh chemicals or something at one point to clean it and basically erased the lettering.  The rest of the paint looks to be original and is in too good of condition for this to be sun fading damage.

 

Does anyone know if this model would have used the label with silver background and black lettering or the black background with white lettering?  I personally think the black background and white lettering would look nice since the other Orline decal on the side of the gearbox is black with white lettering.

 

Thanks!

[factory 487]

Most of the Orline trimmers I have saved pictures of have the yellow starter housing, with the standard (silver background & black text) water slide instruction decal & 1HP decal, but from around 1969 they changed to a sticker version with the white lettering, these don't seem to survive as well as the earlier decals.

 

 

The most common type found on the Orline trimmers;

 

 

I also found this picture, with what I believe is a Sears model number on the bottom of the sticker (no guarantee if it's original starter assembly though).

 

 

Of course there are a few other versions of the stick on decal (from my collection).

 

 

David

[CNew 404]

David,

   Thank you, this is very helpful.  I can’t believe you even have service bulletins about decals  the black background looks tempting.  I’ll have to position both labels and see which looks better.

 

Clint

[CNew 404]

I’m finally in the re-assembly phase. I went through just about everything. I’m working on the gas tank now trying to clean out some gunk and varnish. Once that’s done I’ll be ready to do the finish it up and then hopefully my new decal will arrive. I’m also delayed for some ultra small fuel line for inside the gas tank. The little fuel filter looks to be attached with 0.080 or slightly smaller ID tubing. 

 

I’ll add some photos when it’s all back together. Cleaned up pretty nicely.

[CNew 404]

All cleaned up and reassembled. I decided to go with the black decal- I think it looks nice with the original black Orline decal. Now I just need the weather to warm up so I can get it outside and test the engine.

[Wallfish 698]

NICE!

Does that one have a throttle cable to the handle or just full speed?

[CNew 404]

Thanks John!  This one is just full speed.

[Wallfish 698]

Throttle must've came as an option so just curious because the handle is different than mine which has the throttle

[CNew 404]

Interesting, I’d be curious to see a photo of your trimmer.

[factory 487]

That's looking very nice now.

 

19 hours ago, Wallfish said:

Does that one have a throttle cable to the handle or just full speed?

 

From the parts list PDF in post #4 the throttle cable was used with models 288 & 289 which have a longer 28" cutter bar instead of the standard 24" cutter bar for the models HT-24, 248, 249. There is also a model 303 with a 30" cutter bar.

 

 

David

[CNew 404]

Thanks David, amazing insight as always!

[Wallfish 698]

On 3/5/2019 at 9:46 PM, CNew said:

Interesting, I’d be curious to see a photo of your trimmer.