The Australian Experience
So, what Australian manufacturer produced the first mower with a catching system?
The general evolutionary view is that the side discharge machines preceded the rear discharge
machines. The general view is that side-catchers were most popular from 1960-1963, but were
eclipsed by rear catcher rotaries from that point forward.

That is true - but only as a general statement. With a couple of exceptions (e.g. Rover)
most manufacturers gave up on side catcher machines. The big disadvantage of course being manoeuvrability
... add a side catcher and you doubled the width of the machine. The rear catcher was an obvious design winner.

The research bombshell for me is that while the general statement that side catcher machines preceded
rear catcher machines is true, the first Australian domestic mower to use a catcher was Clyde,
and it was a . . . rear catcher machine!

The Clyde Minor and Major 18".
The earliest advertisement for these machines dates to October of 1956.
Clyde Engineering was clearly aware of the historical significance, proclaiming,
"JUST RELEASED! The only Household Rotary Mower with a grass catcher."

This was not a cheap machine at '69/10/- plus the grass box at 4/11/6. Note that the base does
not appear to be a high-arch - or even a medium-arch design!

I have only ever found a couple of references to these mowers. They seem to have entered
the market but were never popular. They would be highly collectable.
[I think the price may help explain why this mower did not sell in volume].

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