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Collection, Preservation and Display of Old Lawn Mowers

MP048: Emery Clipper

Emery Clipper

The Emery Clipper was produced during the period immediately before and after the Second World War by J A Emery and Son Ltd of Halesowen, near Birmingham. It was available in 14" and 17" cut width. 

The company was typical of many that produced mowers during this period, trying to compete with the larger and better established manufacturers. Most of these companies were unable to compete and soon went out of business or decided to concentrate on other markets.

The overall design of the Emery Clipper is typical of many mowers from this period. The flat steel sideframes support the major components. The engine was a four stroke JAP unit with rope/pulley starting. Engines like this, with compact design and good power to weight ratio were developed during the 1930s and 40s and were used in many different types of machinery. They were ideal for mowers.

Despite its overall appearance the Emery Clipper does have a number of unusual features. There are two independent clutches. The first is a cone type operated by a foot pedal toggle arrangement to control the cutting cylinder which is split helical bladed to ensure cuttings are thrown into the centre of the grass box. The cutter is driven by twin V belts. The second clutch has a latching rod control working a band brake on the small epicyclic gearbox driving the heavy split land roller via roller chain. 

Emery Clipper

All three drives run inside substantial light alloy covers. There are no chain or belt tensioners or adjusters and the drive chains have no joining links. There is a spacious pressed steel grass box and the mower is heavy but well balanced at about 2cwt so it can be used as a powered garden roller by declutching the cutting cylinder.

The Clipper seems to have only sold in the midlands and must have been expensive to build and very few machines have survived.

Emery Clipper showing the foot activated clutch mechanism

Examples of the Emery Clipper are very hard to find and the mowers are consequently sought after by collectors.