Lawn-Boy Automower (Yardwork the Reto way!!)
- Thread starter rickr
- Start date
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Performance Powered
O M C (outboard marine corporation)
Finger Tip Start
This is a TOL 1963 model. The first year of the "Finger Tip Start"
The large round thing under the metal shroud is the air filter screen. The only plastic on this mower are the on/off switch and the start "pull" Say yaaaay for quality!!
The rollers that you see above the rear wheel is part of the self propelled drive. When engaged, the rollers come down on the rear wheels to drive the mower forward.
Performance Powered
O M C (outboard marine corporation)
Finger Tip Start
This is a TOL 1963 model. The first year of the "Finger Tip Start"
The large round thing under the metal shroud is the air filter screen. The only plastic on this mower are the on/off switch and the start "pull" Say yaaaay for quality!!
The rollers that you see above the rear wheel is part of the self propelled drive. When engaged, the rollers come down on the rear wheels to drive the mower forward.
I always thought lawn-boy mowers were interesting and unique. They were one of the only 2-cycle mowers on the market for as long as I can remember. Those engines were particularly smooth, and very torquey. The staggered front wheels was an interesting feature that I never could figure out what advantage it created. The thing I remember about them was that they were extremely tough mowers that could withstand considerable abuse. Of course, they were built buy OMC, who at the time built some really nice outboard marine engines too. I imagine the lawn-boy mowers were built using "off the shelf" parts from their outboard motors!.
You've got quite a nice gem there. I imagine getting that machine into that condition took quite a lot of work. Lawn mowers tend to live some pretty rough lifes!
Emission controls, and the demise of OMC have meant that we have no more lawn-boys unfortunatley.
You've got quite a nice gem there. I imagine getting that machine into that condition took quite a lot of work. Lawn mowers tend to live some pretty rough lifes!
Emission controls, and the demise of OMC have meant that we have no more lawn-boys unfortunatley.
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This photo shows the on/off knob and the start "pull" You simply turn the knob to "on" push it a few times to prime the engine, and then pull the start rope with two fingers. It will start on the second pull when cold, and on the first pull when hot.
The lever on the left side is a speed adjustment. Fast (3200 RPMS) and Normal (2200 RPMS) This mower has a 4 horsepower engine.
The fan on top helps to cool the engine. The heavy screen protects fingers.
This photo shows the on/off knob and the start "pull" You simply turn the knob to "on" push it a few times to prime the engine, and then pull the start rope with two fingers. It will start on the second pull when cold, and on the first pull when hot.
The lever on the left side is a speed adjustment. Fast (3200 RPMS) and Normal (2200 RPMS) This mower has a 4 horsepower engine.
The fan on top helps to cool the engine. The heavy screen protects fingers.
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As you move to push the mower forward, the handle flips over,and engages the drive. When you stop, the handle flips back upright,and the drive is disengaged. Cute huh?? Best of all...You can let go of the handle on this mower, and the engine stays running!! No more bungy cords!!
As you move to push the mower forward, the handle flips over,and engages the drive. When you stop, the handle flips back upright,and the drive is disengaged. Cute huh?? Best of all...You can let go of the handle on this mower, and the engine stays running!! No more bungy cords!!
you might be interested in this: a shop manual for it!
http://cgi.ebay.com/1954-1963-Lawn-...3QQihZ006QQcategoryZ42229QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/1954-1963-Lawn-...3QQihZ006QQcategoryZ42229QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Beautiful LawnBoy Rick. We had one growing up that was the light green color.
That really brings back the memories. Thanks for sharing.
Patrick
That really brings back the memories. Thanks for sharing.
Patrick
Rick, that's not too dissimilar from our 1967 or so model. Worked well until Mom decided to get more gas and didn't do the oil thang. Dad was furious, it was his dream mower. We got another one in late 1970s. Was going strong when my parents sold hiouse in 2002. I have a 2002 model I love.
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Another shot, showing the removable plate for the grass catcher attachment. The chute is metal also BTW. a Mulching Plate is on order for this mower. For now the grass just shoots out the discharge. Can't wait until the plate comes in. Makes a mess all over shooting grass out at 3200 RPMS.....
Another shot, showing the removable plate for the grass catcher attachment. The chute is metal also BTW. a Mulching Plate is on order for this mower. For now the grass just shoots out the discharge. Can't wait until the plate comes in. Makes a mess all over shooting grass out at 3200 RPMS.....
Lawn-Boy lawn is a level cut lawn is a level cut,bevel cut,
The man who restored this mower for me has worked on Lawn-Boys since 1969. He owns a hardware store in Fort Wayne that is over 100 years old, at the same location. The store has been a Lawn-Boy sales and service center since the early 1950's. This mower was upstairs of the old store, and had been used for parts. (just a few were missing) I asked him to rebuild it for me like new. It took several weeks for him to do it. (off and on) The owner of the store was excited as I was about this project! He said that he really enjoyed doing one of these again! The mower is rebuilt as new. The engine has a new piston, rings, needle bearings, rod, coil, points and seals. The front tires are new, the rears original, with metal rims. The drive has one new gear,and new belt. The blade is original.
How much $$$?? $250.00 Including the price of the mulching plate and a four pack of oil. Like I said, he enjoyed doing this project, and wanted to use up the N.O.S. parts he had laying around all these years.
The mans name is Roger. Roger said that these mowers always made the lawns look better. He is not sure of the reason, but thinks it is because the blade was thicker, the mowers were lighter in weight, and these mowers had a "blade stiffener" (to keep the blade from wobbling at the high rpms, when hitting bumps in the lawn)
I do have to admit, that the lawn looks great, just mowed by this mower. (even with the dry August heat)
I have always used Lawn-Boy mowers, but never had one this old. I sold my old (new) Lawn-Boy (vintage 1989) for $100.00
Good night all!!
Rick
The man who restored this mower for me has worked on Lawn-Boys since 1969. He owns a hardware store in Fort Wayne that is over 100 years old, at the same location. The store has been a Lawn-Boy sales and service center since the early 1950's. This mower was upstairs of the old store, and had been used for parts. (just a few were missing) I asked him to rebuild it for me like new. It took several weeks for him to do it. (off and on) The owner of the store was excited as I was about this project! He said that he really enjoyed doing one of these again! The mower is rebuilt as new. The engine has a new piston, rings, needle bearings, rod, coil, points and seals. The front tires are new, the rears original, with metal rims. The drive has one new gear,and new belt. The blade is original.
How much $$$?? $250.00 Including the price of the mulching plate and a four pack of oil. Like I said, he enjoyed doing this project, and wanted to use up the N.O.S. parts he had laying around all these years.
The mans name is Roger. Roger said that these mowers always made the lawns look better. He is not sure of the reason, but thinks it is because the blade was thicker, the mowers were lighter in weight, and these mowers had a "blade stiffener" (to keep the blade from wobbling at the high rpms, when hitting bumps in the lawn)
I do have to admit, that the lawn looks great, just mowed by this mower. (even with the dry August heat)
I have always used Lawn-Boy mowers, but never had one this old. I sold my old (new) Lawn-Boy (vintage 1989) for $100.00
Good night all!!
Rick
kevinpreston8
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 23, 2006
- Messages
- 371
Rick interesting you should post this
I was thinking of a thread on my dad's 1963 (or so) Cooper Edger/Trimer. It is in unrestored condition, but very good for it's age. He basically has left it at my house and I am wondering if he will ever pick it up!
I am planning on cleaning it up. It is all there and 100% functional. It had stopped running, and it turned out the carb was loose. I tightened that and this unit's (4stroke) Briggs and Stratton fires up on the first or second start.
All four original rubber grips (push handle, carry handle, angle adjustment) are there and in good condition.
I will post some pics of it tomorrow if folks are interested.
I was thinking of a thread on my dad's 1963 (or so) Cooper Edger/Trimer. It is in unrestored condition, but very good for it's age. He basically has left it at my house and I am wondering if he will ever pick it up!
I am planning on cleaning it up. It is all there and 100% functional. It had stopped running, and it turned out the carb was loose. I tightened that and this unit's (4stroke) Briggs and Stratton fires up on the first or second start.
All four original rubber grips (push handle, carry handle, angle adjustment) are there and in good condition.
I will post some pics of it tomorrow if folks are interested.
scott55405
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 26, 2004
- Messages
- 1,831
How fun! My dad had Lawn Boy mowers for years, 2 different ones I think. He has a John Deere rider now, but I think he still has a regular one around for doing certain places.
Is Lawn Boy still in business?
Is Lawn Boy still in business?
Rick, that is a gorgeous, gorgeous machine. And I don't have to tell you what a steal you got! I can't get over how clean the decals are. Is this going to be a daily-driver, or special occasions only?
Cory
Cory
scott55405
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 26, 2004
- Messages
- 1,831
I didn't realize there were self propelled models that early on.
I have a Lawn Boy. Can't use it any more, *much* too small for the new yard.
Cool looking Lawn Boys-A truely nice "Lawn care Appliance"!I had one once.The motor was hard to start-but once it was going-grass--watch out!It cut thru tall grass like a small bush hog.I made it so the front discharge worked-the offset wheels made it easier to mow up against a wall-and cutting all of the grass against it so you didn't need to use the weed eater.The 2 cycle motors had to go becuase they couldn't meet new mower motor air pollution regulations-and the new Lawn boys are just green Toros.Toro bought them up and Lawn Boys are now made in Toro factories.The "teeth" on older mower decks had to go because they were a safety hazard--they made great projectiles for the mower blade to throw as they bent or broke off from age.That restored Lawn Boy is beautiful!!Around here sometimes the older ones showed up at mower shops.I also have some of those ads in my old Better Homes and Gardens magaznies from that time.you can see the new "Toro "Lawn Boys" at Home Depot-look at them and the Toros and you will see what I mean.one of the Mower shops here pointed that out.
frontaloadotmy
Well-known member
If ya let me mow the lawn,
I'll vacuum the Super 88 for you!
I'll vacuum the Super 88 for you!
Rick, that mower is beautiful!! My idea of a "Lawn Boy" doesn't have a gas engine but this is outstanding!
I probably shouldn't tell you this but I saw a vintage Lawn Boy at a sale last week. It was in the basement, which I thought was odd at the time but I did notice how cool looking it was. I would say it was a lower-end model, cream or yellow in color I think?
I probably shouldn't tell you this but I saw a vintage Lawn Boy at a sale last week. It was in the basement, which I thought was odd at the time but I did notice how cool looking it was. I would say it was a lower-end model, cream or yellow in color I think?
Yeah, growing up it was either Toro/LawnBoy/Jacobsen or Sears Craftsman...the small engine repair places always sponsored Little League teams (Fribis Bros. in Affton, MO comes to mind). I always liked the 2-cycle LawnBoy sound with the under-deck muffler.
That's a beautiful mower, Rick! How cool to have a vintage mower---and a self-propelled one, at that. Love those off-set front wheels. I wouldn't want to get it dirty, either!
jasonl
New member
Mow-in!
Yay for vintage lawnmowers, the "automower" self-propelled system is a forerunner to the Toro mowers where you push down on the handle to make it go.
YAY!
I like vintage Snapper as well. Good ol' red and white with the classic noisy Briggs and Stratton engine.
Yay for vintage lawnmowers, the "automower" self-propelled system is a forerunner to the Toro mowers where you push down on the handle to make it go.
YAY!
I like vintage Snapper as well. Good ol' red and white with the classic noisy Briggs and Stratton engine.
Now that is nice Rick. Would be fun for occasional outings on the front lawn for sure. My "when I grew up" lawnmower story isn't near so exciting. My dad had a penchant thriftiness so all we had was a some old iron horse with a B & S engine that I hated by the time I was relegated to cutting the lawn. Made worse by the fact our neighbors had a beautiful green self propelled Lawn Boy and the neighbors on the other side had a shiny red Toro. When me and the partner bought our first house a good friend gifted us with his hardly used Toro. One day when my folks came west to visit I went to cut the lawn, mom was on the deck when I started the Toro "first pull" and exclaimed "what kind of lawnmore is that?" So I said "A Toro" and she replied "Oh I wish your father would get himself one of those" Later on, in 94, after he died, I was standing around in the garage with one of the neighbors and he took a look at my dads old iron horse and couldn't understand why my dad never bought a decent lawnmower either. I suppose in retrospect he must have loved the old piece of junk. But like the neighbor said, when they were away and he was looking after their lawn he'd bring his own over. Cheap as dad was though, when we bought this acreage and was seeding the lawn portion mom and dad came out for another visit. He asked me how I was going to cut all that lawn with such a small lawnmower and handed me check to go out and buy a new lawn tractor at Sears, which I'm still using.
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