[SARKH]

Hi, I'm new to this forum and seek help/advice. I have just been given an old Mountfiled M1 Tiller on which the engine runs fine, although missing the handle mounted throttle control lever.
Questions, 1. can I obtain the correct or a similar throttle control lever,
2. it has a Kirby Lauson engine VK-30 01369, serial 649780, of which I have never heard. Any info please.
Thanks in anticipation.

[chick-a-loo]

hi, sorry  not able to help with your questions, but welcome anyway. im sure someone out there can

[Ice]

I'll move this to the equipment shed, you'll get a better chance of a reply from our resident petrol heads.

[Gwiz]

Hi, you should be able to get a cable that will fit, however, I've never actually seen a Kirby engine, so if it's anything like another Australian engine Victa, then you might have a few difficulties.
There is a manual for the M1 on this website.
Good luck.

[SARKH]

Hi Graham.
THanks for comments re cable. Yes, I have found the manual for the M1. Just need some info on the engine now.

[smud6ie]

This was one of the first cultivators that I ever used and worked on back in the  late 1950's early 1960's, and were sold in catalogues like Kays and Mashal wards.
The KL engine  slides to tighten tihe belt to engage the drive.?
If my memory serves me right,it had a sliding throttle button .not a lever that you pushed with your thumb which with use or lack of it and age became difficult to use and could be replaced with a lever type one with the same free length of inner wire but depending on how handy you are, most  can be altered to fit.
KL are virtually ,if not the same as  Aspera engines which were fitted to Qualcast push mowers as well as many other cheap machines .

[SARKH]

Hi Smud6ie.

Thanks for comments. Yes, the drive is taken up by moving a handle which moves the whole engine. If this is virtually the same as an Aspera engine, is there a link to find a manual or parts list? Thanks.

[dorimower]

I've never quite got my head around Kirby Lawson but just about remember them vaguely on a Flymo contractor.?.

Could it then be that they were another licence build of USA Tecumseh...in the same way that Aspera/Tecnamotor were in Italy..??

It may well be that a generic throttle cable or one with suitable length/travel from another more recent machine could perhaps be sourced from most local machinery agents.?

"Dori"

[smud6ie]

I've never quite got my head around Kirby Lawson but just about remember them vaguely on a Flymo contractor.?.

Could it then be that they were another licence build of USA Tecumseh...in the same way that Aspera/Tecnamotor were in Italy..??

It may well be that a generic throttle cable or one with suitable length/travel from another more recent machine could perhaps be sourced from most local machinery agents.?

"Dori"

They  used the same flywheel ingition system and carb .I  found an engine in the dead until needed pile  that looks the same and snapped the id plate:

As I mentioned in an earlier post ,most cables with a piano wire centre and the right free length could be made to fit
smud6ie

[dorimower]

Hello Smud6ie,

At my first employment, 1981-ish, we used to have a big box  dead until needed pile Aspera engines.
 Kirby Lawson seemed rarer....hence I never got the measure of their history and origin.

"Dori"

[SARKH]

Hi all,
Thanks to you all, I am starting to learn a bit about all these different machines. Is there a significance in the different spelleing of laUson/laWson? I have just photographed the ID plate and it says" Kirby Lauson, Manufactured in Australia under licence". Would upload pics if I knew how to? Can anyone tell me how to on this site?

[smud6ie]

We always refered to them as "Kirby"engines, its a long time since I took notice of the rest of the name plate so it could be spelled "Fred" if relying on my failing memory
The only wat I know how to post pics is to use a hosting site called Photobucket.
smud6ie

[dorimower]

Oops sorry,...seems my spelling was a bit out....

It explains why I couldn't find any ref' under Lawson...cos it is really Lauson. ..

A quick search under Kirby Lauson finds ref to JAMES N. KIRBY AUTOMOTIVE PTY. LTD.

"Dori"

[SARKH]

Thanks Dori. Had a search but still can't find any direct ref to my Kirby Lauson engine. Any other suggestions out there? Thanks.

[smud6ie]

Thanks Dori. Had a search but still can't find any direct ref to my Kirby Lauson engine. Any other suggestions out there? Thanks.

Is the absence of the manual turning up,is there anything specific that you need to know,
smud6ie