OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums The History Forum Model Histories AUSTRALIAN Rotary Models POPE - The First Pope Rotary - c1957

[6] Forced Up-Draught Cutter Disc - 26193/57

The Up-Draught Cutter Disc was clever and revolutionary.
It would be used on Popes throughout the 1960s and would influence blade holder designs for mulching mowers.
I have located this patent and its contents are revealing.

Pope recognised that @the majority of troubles with cutter discs, [was] the blades are attached to
the bottom surface of the disc, constituting a major projection there and consequently being highly
vulnerable to damage by heavy impact forces.@

The new blade holder was designed to improve the 'cutting action'.
A holder with in-built aerodynamic flutes would, 'increase the so-called suction effect of the blades'.
Also, the new design would shield the blade fasteners from impact damage and degradation.
The blades were 'swing-back' for engine shock protection.

A secondary purpose was to increase cooling to the engine and help clear debris from the
underside of the base.

So efficient was this cutter disc that flat reversible blades (not fluted) were used on this model,
and subsequent models fitted with large capacity grass catchers.