Follows & Bate Patent Roller Lawn Mower

What an excellent video Richard Jones has produced in connection with his Follows & Bates Patent Roller Mower, an interesting and no doubt rare mower. Earliest advertisement I have seen for the roller mower is 1874.

Looking forward to seeing the next installment & indeed the mower. Link to video below.

This appears to be the first roller mower produced by F & B, having started their mower production in 1869 with The Climax, the first sidewheel mower patented and manufactured in Great Britain. Then the 'Anglo American' in 1871

In 1876 the roller mower was available in 8,10,12 & 16in, the 20in being added in their 1881 advertisement, we assume the Patent roller mower gave way to the F & B Tennis roller mower in the mid 1880's?.

It is interesting to note that Ransomes & Thomas Green who established their lawn mower production with 'Roller Mowers' both introduced their first sidewheels around the same time, Greens with the Royal Guinea in 1874 & Ransomes with the Little Gem in 1875.

As for Shanks it appears they were in mower production for around 40yrs before introducing their first sidewheel, 'The Waverley' in 1882 & the 'Improved American' in 1886.

Certainly the mid 1870's to mid 1880's was an exciting period of change & indeed competition with mower production.

https://oldlawnmowerclub.co.uk/mowers/videos/follows-and-bate-8in-rolle…