1920s

This 18" sidewheel mower was made in the USA in the 1920s or 30s. It was designed for use with a collection bag rather than a grass box.

Sidewheel mowers made in the USA are typically larger than the models made in the UK. This is because, as a general rule, the grass found in the USA is thinner or less dense than that growing in the UK. This makes it easier to push the mower which means larger models could be used with the same effort.

Most of the sidewheels found in the UK were made here but models made in the USA were occasionally imported, especially after trade restrictions were lifted in the early years of the last century.

One tell-tale sign of an overseas mower, especially American machines, is the use of bright colours such as gold and silver, rather than the normal green and red found on most British machines. This is not a hard and fast rule because some British machines, including a number made by Ransomes and Qualcast, also had brighter colour schemes.

The Herschel Manufacturing Company was based in Peoria, Illinois, the same town as Caterpillar.