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Collection, Preservation and Display of Old Lawn Mowers

A Christmas Elf found working late!

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wristpin Sat, 19/12/2020

Looks as though the elf has fallen victim to the forum posting glitch. I had the issue a couple of days ago when it wouldn’t let me post my Dennis Z roller question . The Trust doesn't happen to have any Dennis records does it ?

Woosh, as if by magic  he’s appeared !

 

hdtrust Sat, 19/12/2020

Hi Wristpin,

Fire away we have the total Dennis records,plus something real strange turned up the other day!

What if I said to you 'Power Shovel and Dinkum Digger Major' then Whitlock remember the conversation,you may even find pictures of it from this Sunday in Mr Wallingfields shop

 

All the best Andrew

wristpin Sat, 19/12/2020

Dennis question. I would like to pin down the date of the switch from the “dry “ to the oil bath rear roller on the 30” Z.

Whitlock. I’ve treated myself to some Christmas reading - “Whitlock Brothers” by Adrian Corder- Birch. Looks like a good read - essential for anyone who thinks that JCB invented the back hoe !!!

hdtrust Sun, 20/12/2020

Dear Wristpin

I'll have a look for you shortly on Dennis,as for your Christmas read,be prepared to be knocked backwards! Just follow the thread to Mr Wallingfields shop,he's actually in my office at the moment tapping out the final scribe on the piece,before it hits the net tonight,on that famous auction site!

Adrian Mon, 21/12/2020

Blimey, I never thought I'd see Whitlock's come up here! In my old stamping grounds, to the point that Dad knew the family, and I believe there's still a farm wall somewhere in Yeldham with wonderful ornamental brickwork put up by one or another Whitlock. There's also a crinkle-crankle wall there.

 

BTW, what's the monster machine in the first photo? I think I can read Simms and Jefferies on the tank, so presumably a Ransomes, but beyond that...

olcadmin Mon, 21/12/2020

Adrian, you're correct, and maybe Andy will be able to tell us a bit more about it. I thought I had a photo of it at an event, but it seems not. Instead, here's one that looks very similar from c1905.

Adrian Mon, 21/12/2020

Good grief! That makes the Atco Standard look like the SR71! What a beast!
(awaits the arrival of the exclamation mark police)

olcadmin Tue, 22/12/2020

'Ello, 'ello, 'ello...more of an XB70 fan myself...

Without wanting to divert the topic completely (as admin I really should be against that) your comment got me wondering whether there are any mowers that share their names with aeroplanes. I can immediately think of Typhoon and Concorde and Antelope but there must be many others.

Clive1962 Tue, 22/12/2020

Qualcast Jetstream...Handley Page/Bae Jetstream...first one that came into my head ;)

C.

 

Clive1997 Tue, 22/12/2020

I'm on Elf duty at our charity grotto,  not many quiet moments but an occasional look at the forum, can I add the Fairey Firefly,  so thats a triple whammy for Shanks!

Lee Smallwood Tue, 22/12/2020

The Vantage, from visionair, the v10, shares its name with the Dudley Works Vantage. 

Suffolk IronFoundry made a sidewheel, called the Turf Glider, not the name of a plane but maybe a very very low flying engine free one. 

As you say, a bit off topic but fun all the same. Have a great Christmas, 

Clive1962 Tue, 22/12/2020

We get the CV22 Osprey around our way...you can feel them approaching.! 

I'll add Allett Buffalo....DHCanada Buffalo and also Brewster Buffalo.

C.

wristpin Tue, 22/12/2020

Meteor - as in Ransomes. 

Viscount - Vickers / Atco

BAE Hawk trainer / Hayter

 

Clive1962 Tue, 22/12/2020

and again with Hayter..... Hawker Hunter.   Of which a few still operate from this county with a civilian company on military threat simulation duties.

C.

wristpin Tue, 22/12/2020

Yes, I remember the Hunter for all the wrong reasons.

both Snapper and Central Spares sold Comets . 

Clive1962 Tue, 22/12/2020

Now that's a point..the Central Spares mower range...did they use some planet names...Orion.?  

Mountfield.....Mirage.

...and Victa Vulcan.?

 

wristpin Tue, 22/12/2020

UNow that's a point..the Central Spares mower range...did they use some planet names...Orion.?  

Yes, there was a Saturn as in Landmaster! 

Remind me, was it Admin who started this?

Edit .Just remembered and checked , Orion was also a spacecraft and also the Lockheed P3 Orion AWACS aircraft.  

 

 

hdtrust Wed, 23/12/2020

Hi Adrian,

So you like monsters! Yes the Ransomes in the first photo is a mark 2 Ransomes Patent 24 inch Motor mower of 1910,which was new to the Duke of Devonshire estates,Derbyshire.In the second photo the large mower is in hibernation,only to say an icon.Its the Cadbury's Ransomes Patent 42 inch Motor Mower of 1902.If you like monsters try this photo!

Adrian Thu, 24/12/2020

You could take the cutter right off that and the grass would cut itself in fright! What a magnificent thing!

wristpin Fri, 25/12/2020

No doubt, HDTrust can tell us how many of those were made and sold and how many survive. The difference being those just left to rust away or weighed in for scrap - I hate to think.

Best wishes to all for the New Year - here’s to hoping ...........

MikeD Tue, 29/12/2020

When I'm working in grumpy Santa's grotto I'm joined by Mr Shanks' Elf, Fairy and Wizard, not to mention Ivanhoe, Drake and a whole company of Caledonia products etc. The Eagle is watching - must go.

Regards, a happy not so bad Elf.