Hello ODK history lovers
Ransomes is a company that needs little introduction to
the grass machinery enthusiast. They were the first company
to hold a licence for Budding’s Patent lawnmower in 1832.

This brochure, from the 1970s, represents the Ransomes
domestic reel mowers of the day. They reflect a changing world.

The once extensive Ransomes catalogues of the early and
mid-20th Century fade away as a mere handful of reel mowers
represent the 1970s line-up: -

The Ransomes Sixteen, the Marquis, the Twenty-Four, the Antelope,
and the token push roller, the Ajax. How times had changed!

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Of course, Ransomes had been pushed into a corner
with the World-wide ‘Rotary Revolution’ taking hold.

To Ransomes’ credit, a diminished domestic range was sensitive
to their heritage, rather than engaging in the race-to-the-bottom
with the making of toy-like reel mowers.

Ransomes would exit that once brightly lit stage with dignity
and focus on their professional mower range.

I guess that’s where the viability of the company lay.

TO BE CONTINUED …