A while back there was some discussion about the mechanical drive
mechanisms used in coin operated pianos.  Specifically, the type of
drive which has a driven disk with a leather tire that runs on a
rotating driving disk mounted perpendicular to the driven disk was
discussed with commentary on how to replace the leather tire.

This spring I bought a new Ariens lawnmower with a power drive on the
wheels with a lever to adjust the walking speed of the mower.  The
system used is a flat plate that turns constantly with the motor.  The
driven element is a disk with a tire on it of some material.  The lever
system moves the driven disk back and forth to vary the point on the
driving plate where contact is made thereby varying the speed.

The point of all this is: a lawnmower gets tough duty and is expected
to last a long time.  Maybe the material used is something that could be
adapted to a coin piano drive or perhaps the entire driven wheel might
be used.  Just a thought for those in the process of restoring one of
these things.

Bob Conant
Endicott, NY