T i m wrote:
Hi All,

Trying to help an elderly couple with their 'Bosch Rotak 40' mains
mower where the sprung loaded top flap has become unsprung:

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/5772409/Rotak40.jpg

Now it looks like that spring should have an arm that goes though that
slot on the flap just under the spring itself and onto the body
somewhere and looking at that picture again I think the spring has
been put back on the wrong way round (eg, the lower bent arm should be
on the left and the right / vertical part of the spring that attaches
to the flap would be more vertical).

(Thinks) It now makes sense ... the spring came off, she found it on
the lawn and put it somewhere safe in the shed but couldn't see it
when she went to show me earlier. I couldn't see where another spring
would go and 'of course' it's 'the' spring that someone has tried to
put back on.

Now looking on the parts diagrams it looks like the spring is supposed
to be straight (the arms at 180 Degrees from each other) and I guess
there is a slot for the lower half of the spring to slot into?

http://www.ransomspares.co.uk/parts/brands/bosch/lawnmowers/rotak%2040%20gc%20(3600h81c73)/closing-spring/502117.htm

So, does anyone have such a beast who can confirm my thoughts re the
correct fitment above and have you had similar problems with yours?

Cheers, T i m


I think the spring has been hit by the blade and acquired an extra bend.
The long straight end is clearly meant to be located in the "tunnel" in the
flap. If the spring was threaded on to the pivot the other way around the
end with the loop on it might rest in the recess in the mower body. The
notch in the flap would suggest that the looped end should be "outboard"
rather than inboard.

You may be able to get rid of the blade induced kink if it's not too badly
damaged but a new spring is probably needed.

Tim

--
Trolls AND TROLL FEEDERS all go in my kill file