Edger motors for minis getting fewer and fewer

[Roadrunner]

Looking for nice B&S for a bike right now, figured I would get one off an edger, noticed that edgers are getting obsolete, being replaced by string trimmers. About 4 years ago needed a new edger, there were about 10-15 McClane and Powertrim edgers on CraigsList. Been looking for the last week, almost all are real old or rusty, mostly string trimmers.
Going to look at a nice McLane edger with 3.5 I/C red with black pull cover tomorrow that looks in really nice shape, like it was kept in a garage and rarely used. The only other nice one I saw was almost new, never used McClane 3.5 B&S for $25. Was going to drive over on my day off and buy it, when the lady heard I was going to drive an hour- and a half for the edger, she freaked, said she only deals locally. I think it was her first time on CL, and when she found out I wasn't local she was thinking I was a Nigerian trying to scam her. I was going to hand her $25 and stick it in my car......

 

[GTS225]

She's been hearing to many horror stories about C-list violence. Contact her again, and suggest you both meet at the local police station, or some other neutral, public place. That should help her relax about it.

Roger

 

[Tom S.]

Edger motors so often seem to have a crankshaft that's too short to accept a clutch

 

[Doc1976]

Edger motors so often seem to have a crankshaft that's too short to accept a clutch

Now that's interesting, they actually manufactured shorter cranks just for edgers?

Around here the edgers seem to come up for sale in waves. Nothing for a while, then dozens for a few months. I personally look for the cheap "ran fine last summer, now it won't start" ads for McLane tiff mowers. $50 usually, and always nothing more than a fuel pump and carb clean. Got my last 3 motors this way and they are great runners.

 

[chrisr]

Used tillers and rototillers are another way to get cheap mini bike motors.

 

[markus]

Used tillers and rototillers are another way to get cheap mini bike motors.

Watch for the Troy Bilt's the 3.5 Tecs are sidepoppers but most of them are heavy duty/steel sleeved, and they had a rototiller with 5hp briggs, 12v charging and electric starter......Been on the hunt for one of those for quite some time, but troys seem to hold there value pretty good and this area does not yield too many things like that

 

[Roadrunner]

Posted this in Briggs & Stratton already, but bought a nice McClane edger with really nice looking, goods running engine in greatr shape, was taking edger attachments off, noticed the shaft isn't drilled or tapped....... poop.

 

[chrisr]

These are easy drill and tap. I put a deep well socket over the end of the PTO which allows you to center punch the PTO. Once center punched, just drill slow & straight and oil as you go. Taping is similar, slow going, back turn about every forward turn and oil as you go. When all done, just carefully clean out the hole and enjoy the new motor. The tap will let you know which drill bit to use. A a 5/16 fine threaded grade 8 bolt works great.

 

[Doc1976]

Yes, VERY easy to drill and tap. All the ones I have done have already had a "concave indent" in the end of the shaft so centering the drill was cake. If you have, or have access to a large enough drill press, you can just lay the motor on its flywheel side and that will keep it square. The last one I did took me about 15 minutes start to finish. And using the drill press to start the tap ensures it will tap straight as well.