Hello ODK members,

GRASSHOPPER MOWERS - Does Anyone Remember Them?

No, I don't mean the American one, who make zero-turn ride-ons and the like.
I'm discussing an important and unusual rotary, made in Australia from the early 1950s and maybe
survived beyond that decade.

The factory was located at Kurrajong, a small town about 60km from Sydney.
The start date for the electric models is - best guess - mid 1951.
I include an ad. From June 1951 that shows its features, and that it was sold through
a small distribution network in the Sydney area at that time.

[Linked Image]

In late 1953 the Grasshopper Lawnmower Co. moved to Windsor Road, Richmond.
The advertisement (below) is interesting in that it states that three
persons were to be employed at the new factory:-

[Linked Image]

PETROL POWERED MACHINES
The first Grasshoppers were electric, but the most exciting piece of information I discovered
was the start date for their petrol powered machines.

The earliest adverts I have found come from early November of 1952! ...
that's just two months after the first rotary Victas appeared!
It is conceivable, then, that the petrol Grasshopper was made and sold
before the first rotary Victa.

The first petrol advertisement is below:-
Note: that two sizes were offered for the electrics: 12" and 15"
The petrol machine - powered by Villiers - was offered on the 15" frame.

[Linked Image]

Grasshoppers were clearly selling through a N.S.W. dealer network.
The ad. (above) says, "Visit leading city and country hardware stores for demonstration."

The rest is history.
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JACK