'69 Montgomery Wards gas-powered reel mower

[SteveH-CO]

My brother's neighbor got this, and I ended up with it. It not only runs, it cuts like crazy. It has an aspirator type carb. - no fuel bowl. Runs oddly well at my 7000' elevation and while self-drive, it has plenty of power going uphill and mowing. Engine date code is May of 1969. Rated at 2hp on the decal!

I literally put an new air filter element in it, adjusted the single carb needle, put gas in it, and fired it up. It has the original grass catcher, which is a big galvanized sheet with canvas sides that clips on the back.

How did this survive? Gas tank is totally clean inside, and belts/chains/cutters are in great shape.

I would love to straighten the sheet metal along the front edge, but I'm afraid I would booger the paint and the decals.

 

[ndnchf]

Cool find! Keep it just like it is. Run ethanol free gas with a few drops of Marvel Mystery oil to keep the valves happy.

 

[StillTooManyHobbies]

That's a great find. Those reel mowers give the best cut of anything I have seen. Use it!

 

[countryroad82]

Dang that thing is clean! If you're inclined to do so, take it apart and use a block of wood about the same length to pound that front out. However I would be in the let it be camp, you'll probably wind up chipping that cherry paint.

 

[Willie Makeit]

I'd be a buyer if he wants to be a seller.