OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums The History Forum Model Histories AUSTRALIAN Rotary Models AUSTRAL-VILLIERS - Hercules - c1959

Hello ODK history lovers
The Austral-Villiers Hercules was a 20” rotary mower made from
about late 1959. It was manufactured by Condeco Pty. Ltd., of
9 Graham Road, Highett, Victoria.

The Hercules in not common in that few domestic mower makers
ventured to make larger domestic rotary mowers. Alex Graham
did so in the late 1950s (20”) and Rover did so in the early 1960s (21”).
Otherwise, the standard domestic lawnmower had an 18” cut.



The chassis was made of a generously thick alloy, and the
shape was from the ‘love or hate’ school of styling. It had a
single point rear-inboard height adjuster lever; whose design
seems to have changed at one point [see images in Part Two].

The colour scheme was unusual, in having three distinct contrasting
colours. The blade holder was of unusual design; having a ‘Teflex’
cantilever cutter bar with swing-back blades.

Interestingly, the Hercules was optioned to take a metal
side-catcher.

In the Gallery I present a selection of newsprint advertisements.
Note that different engines were optioned [2-stroke and 4-stroke]
over the model run.

TO BE CONTINUED …