Help with oxford Allen Scythe

[stugordon321]

So by just replacing the original ignition system it runs properly & reliably I take it?
I ask as after looking at the Villiers web-site I see they do a electronic ignition system so assumed that's what you added. I don't plan buying loads of parts until live got it running so once I've had a chance to give it a proper work out I will then have a better idea of if it's worth spending money on it or buy something newer. I intend using it to keep on top of my parents paddock & possibly use it for a few other tasks within my fencing & ground care business but won't know if it's upto the job until love used it. Thanks for reply.
Stu

 

[biggles]

yes it runs sound now, the coil was all green and shitty like old copper goes, thus a poor spark and poor performance, now its ten times better, not done bad really as it must be knocking on 50 years old. as others have mentioned getting the timing right can be tricky. I had read about this before so marked everything up before stripping and put a longer spark plug in for the piston to stop against. my marks were about 30 degrees of the marks that were stamped in the engine. when first started it was a bit rough running, I rechecked my marks and they were different, not sure if the flywheel had spun on the shaft when I refitted it or had moved from backfiring, I timed it to the original engine marks and it seemed to be firing to late, fine adjustment of the timing is difficult as trying to turn the flywheel and not the crank isn't easy without putting something down the plug to stop the piston traveling. after several different timings I found one that I was happy with, which gives me easy starting and smooth powerfull running, this though is knowhere near either mine or the factory timing marks. it works well for an old machine and I am happy with it.

 

[farmer99]

They come up at Cheffins auctions regularly.Used one years ago father said start in the middle of field tillyou get used to it.Good for doing the odd patches of thistles .Good Luck !

 

[pycoed]

I have the last manifestation of the Allenscythe: The Allen Mayfield 8 with an 8hp Kohler engine & Eaton hydrostatic transmission, plus diff lock & dual wheels! It's a real handful on any slope & rough ground is REALLY hard work so I'd say suitable only for plane surfaces i.e. flat, even if steeply sloped, if you get my drift. Tumps & tussocks are very tough. You'll know you've spent half a day on thick rushes with a finger cutter!!
As to capacity - mine will cut any bramble stem you'd ever find & saplings up to an inch are no trouble - any more than 1 1/2" & it may stall the 8hp - so your little two stroke will struggle there. It clogs easily on fine grass - you know the stuff that grows under rushes?

 

[essexpete]

My uncle used them and I think they were a bit of a pig to start and handle. He had a small market garden and used them fitted with a hoe toolbar.

 

[Kevm]

Stu,
I have one that I use every summer to cut the roadside and steep banks with.
Yours is a Allen model TS with a villiers mk25c engine, the "s" in ts stands for servo as the gear looking thing on the axle is there to help disengage the clutch.
It does not look in too bad a shape but will probably need a new coil don't bother with a s/h one as it will probably not be much better, also a new condenser it is a little square one underneath the points - they might be ok with just a clean up.
Clean the carb and tank, I use modern two stroke at 33:1 and have never had any problems, modern oils are much better and it will run cleaner and start better.
As mentioned previously when you undo the flywheel nut you will find it is captive, keep undoing it and the flywheel will pop off.
Be careful not to snap off flywheel cooling fins.
They are very hard to time accurately and you will probably have to do it a few times before you get it right.
They are a "mans" machine to use and I only do an hour or so with it and then need a sit down and a cup of tea, I could not work it all day even say three hours would kill me, but once you get the hang of them it is very satisfying to see the weeds and rubbish just falling over in front as you charge through the wilderness.
Kev