mower engine mounting - only 3 bolts - is this OK??

 

I've just bought (online) a new Castel lawnmower with a 5.5 hp Honda engine
and notice that the engine is bolted to the aluminium deck by three bolts.

The engine has four evenly spaced mounting holes but one of them does not
line up with a hole in the deck therefore the span between two of the
mounting bolts is approxiately 180°.

Should I be concerned about this??

 



Is the Aluminium plate a casting or a sheet plate? A casting could split, a
plate tear.

How far out of line is the 4th hole?

Is the plate drilled and tapped or a clear hole for a bolt to go through
then a nut on the underside?

Could the hole be made to line up with the assistance of a smaller round
file?

Have you contacted the seller and raised your concerns? This should be done
before you do anything yourself, but I have a feeling that if they sent it
out like that they couldn't care less, BUT, they could be a fine company, be
concerned and exchange it for you.

Mike

--
H.M.S.Collingwood Ass. Llandudno  20 - 23 May Trip to Portmeirion
National Service (RAF) Ass. Cosford 24 - 27 June Spitfire Fly Past
H.M.S.Impregnable Ass. Sussex 1 - 4 July Visit to Int. Fest of the Sea
RAF Regiment Assoc. Scarborough 2 - 5 Sept. Visit to Eden Camp

 



The deck is a single aluminium casting with four strengthened bits for
engine fixing.



Nearly the width of the hole. At the moment it would nearly be possible to
poke a 1/8 th inch drill through.



Definitly not. It is too far out and drilling or filing would move the hole
out of the strenghened area. There does not seem to be any scope for
loosening off the others and moving the engine slightly as the holes need to
line up exactly.



Yes I've just emailed asking about this and they replied:

" I can confirm that the positioning of the engine to the deck is normal.
this ih how all the Honda engines are fitted to machines. "

He is saying that all Honda engines are mounted by three bolts with one hole
left unused!!!

 

<snipped>

company,

The hole alignment is probably so they can use either a Briggs and Stratton
or a Honda engine on the same mower deck. If you've got it in writing that
this is how it is meant to be secured, then I wouldn't worry, although it
might be worth getting confirmation from Castel and or Honda (Honda customer
service can be reached at http://www.honda.co.uk/contact/contactForm.jsp ) as
it's them that will be providing the guarantee.

HTH

Cheers

Nick
http://www.ukgardening.co.uk

 



Yes it seems quite likely that it is designed to take more than one type of
engine but it looks like this particular Honda engine is not one of them.


Yes that sounds a good idea. Thanks