Hi kymbom2g,
WOW! Those photos are excellent!
WOW! This is clearly new information on this rare machine.
This is the first time I have seen the
first model Lawn King in detail.
Clearly, it is not a 33 or a 45, but a distinct design, integrating the newer
features of the 45 with the original 33. This is amazing.
It has not been documented (to my knowledge).
So, this machine has a 33 transmission layout, but with a 45 chain drive
to the reel sprocket. There is no belt!
I do not understand why the sleeve on the primary clutch is not painted.
The clutch, clearly a 45 design, seems original to this machine. I do understand, though,
that the cone was shorter on the 45, compared to the elongated 33 one, necessitating
a sleeve as used on your machine.
So if your suspicions are correct then this mower was created due to commonwealth economic policy? I only say that because I am currently studying economics and politics at university and would be a great topic for me to pursue in one of my subjects next semester If you have any info on this you could send me or point me in the right direction that would be fantastic!
This is not a topic lending itself to brevity.
Yes, this whole issue of Commonwealth policy and the history of the Australian lawnmower
industry are intertwined from the early 20th Century. You are lucky that you are studying economics and politics,
because you are in a position to see that they, too, are intertwined. It would be a rewarding
topic to pursue, as it would require original research.
In fact, it was only deliberate tariff protection in 1929-1930 that kick-started
Australian manufacture of lawnmowers. The Foreign Trade Minister made a special trip to
England and convinced Qualcast to manufacture here. It did, and this fostered a
bevy of local manufacturers including Qualcast, Clyde, Crowe, Adams and others.
I better explain my contention about why this 16" 33, modified to become a
Lawn King,
was manufactured at all; given that SB were producing the fresher designed 45 in 14, 17 and 20
inch variants. It just did not make sense to me.
After extensive research I have come to the conclusion that the
original Lawn King was not
a branding exercise but a deliberate attempt to confront the Trade Practices Act.
That Act, historically, prevented manufacturers
dictating selling prices.
On one side, there was the emerging mass retailers who had buying power and wanted
to sell at a lower price than what small agencies believed was viable.
On the other side, the small agencies, who lacked buying power (individually), were
hostile to the 'Big Chains' for doing this, and hostile to manufacturers for not
being loyal to them.
It is my belief that the
Lawn King was offered to the larger clients at a reduced price.
This appeased the small agencies, because ... it was a different machine ... but sort of
the same. Later, it was realised that more subtle changes and 'branding' were all that was
needed to appease the conflicting parties. Enter the 'store brand'. The later model
Lawn King is essentially a Model 45 with a pram handle.
I have tried to be brief here.
-------------------------------------------------
JACK. 
