Forums Archive Index > Outdoor Power Equipment > Atco B17 Commadore siezed ??

Author: ianstevens44

Date: 10 Dec 2006 4:50 am

I just recently purchased this lawnmower and it worked fine for about 1 hour. I turned her off to empty the grassbox and when I tried to pull start it again the engine wouldnt turn over and was solid. I checked that the clutch and drive to the blades was disengaged and by removing the spark plug I could just about turn it over but was very very stiff. Its ok for oil but unless someone knows better I would think its a big end siezure. The plug looked a bit sooty if anything so it wasnt running lean. Does anyone know also where I might be able to get hold of a copy of a workshop manual.
Many thanks


Author: Highwind

Date: 10 Dec 2006 10:09 am

Welcome to our forum.

I've never heard of an Atco brand mower. Did a search to see what they look like, and I've never seen anything like that. Look like they are well-built machines.

Here is a forum that has some dealings with your mower:
http://www.lawnmowerdatabase.co.uk/forum/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=5

Perhaps they can help.


Author: sonofjabba

Date: 10 Dec 2006 6:07 pm

ATCO If Memory Serves me. Is or at least used to be a very popular British Lawnmower. We never got them in the US. Maybe our northern neighbors might help out on this.

A few things could cause this. Excessive oil, Lack of oil, something jammed in the flywheel. Some Photos would be cool. I haven't seen an Atco since I was in Ireland..


Author: craig

Date: 19 Dec 2006 3:06 pm

does this mower have a blade brake clutch? you know, do you have to push/pull a lever after the engine's running to engage the blade?

if so, you probably have a bearing out in the bbc. i work at a jd dealer and we have this happen a lot on the older machines.

it happens on riders too if they have an electric pto.


Author: Marshall

Date: 19 Dec 2006 3:38 pm

Is it a rotory or a reel mower? They may call them cylinder mowers in the UK?

Not knowing the mower makes it tough. As said, a BBC would casue it to act that way. Could there be a switch that the bag engages when it is put back on the mower that could keep it from starting when the bag is removed, by some strange chance?


Author: mrmom

Date: 19 Dec 2006 11:57 pm

Ian, you could try Atco's website http://www.atco.co.uk/. Maybe email them and they could point you in the right direction.


Author: mrmom

Date: 20 Dec 2006 12:00 am

For the curious, here's a link to some pics http://www.marktplaza.nl/ATCO-kooimaaier-B17-2349784.php