Getting spares sent from Oz (lawnmower, not welder!)

[skotl]

I'm in the process of rebuilding a Victa 550 Pro self-propelled mulching lawnmower - they go for over a grand new and I got it (knackered) from an industrial auction for £40. Time will tell whether that was a good investment!

I've rebuilt the gearbox now, which I'm chuffed at, and have been trying to get one of the idler bearings unstuck (it pushes the wheel forward when power is applied and freewheels when power is released, or you're pushing the mower).
UK supplier wants £77 for one plus a tenner delivery.

Emailed a company that does mower spares in Australia, where Victa are based, and I've bought two (the left and right one idle in opposite directions) for £60 delivered to sunny Scotland. Figured at that price I may as well replace the other one as well.

Pays to cast your shopping net further afield sometimes

 

[brightspark]

will they sting u for import tax though

 

[Hitch]

I bought some bits from Australia recently, postage was cheaper than postage on comparable items sent round the UK.

 

[skotl]

will they sting u for import tax though

Good point. That had occurred to me last night but I had managed to forget about it between then and tonight

Oh well - still cheaper than buying them here

 

[the snooper]

couldn't you go to a bearing stockist and get them matched up or are they specific to the mower

 

[Parm]

Sometimes they think they can charge anything for parts. Last year the starter motor went on my ride on mower, honda wanted nearly £400 for the starter, being a tight bar steward I was obviously reluctant to pay and shopped around but with out much luck.

Then I had a eureka moment, honda don't only make lawn mower engines, they make outboards too, so took unit off the mower and down to a local outboard p,ace, chap couldn't find matching part numbers but was persistent enough to physically match one like for like on the shelf. Bingo both thevsame and replacement only cost £65. Proper result for me, also know which outboard it fits too so replacement is easy and bloke got a big drink from me for being so helpful

 

[Parm]

couldn't you go to a bearing stockist and get them matched up or are they specific to the mower

I'd be very surprised with bespoke bearings for a mower

 

[skotl]

It's more than just a bearing (my fail, on the terminology part). These are the two units, disassembled (as far as I am aware the difference between the left and right sides are the springs 43 and 32);

#44 and #33 are gears and directly drive the rear wheels.

 

[wristpin]

I'd be very surprised with bespoke bearings for a mower

Unfortunately, quite common, especially with American made stuff!
Victa parts used to be distributed in the UK by EP Barrus of Bicester but I see that the Victa logo no longer appears on their parts site.

 

[Chris Stevens]

Under a certain amount no import duty payable. Unfortunately the HRMC leeches are now nailing us with "handling" charges on items where duty not payable. Charges are not made in all cases though, and never been charges in relation to things coming from China.