Hello ODK History Lovers

I have recently written about Sidney Bowditch, the Head Foreman and lawnmower designer at the
Scott Bonnar Company. The only publically available photograph of Sid is held in the Bonnar Collection
at the State Library of South Australia (SLSA). The library�s description of the photo is:

[Linked Image]

The SLSA have dated the photo to about 1930. Here is that photo in a better resolution than the one
readily available. There are clear signifiers of rank within the company. In a class-conscious Adelaide
of the time, note Sid's wearing of a tie and hat. Also note the foreman�s coat, sleeves rolled up.

[Linked Image]

The mower appears to be about 30� cut and it has the same model Douglas engine that appeared in my
story on the Scott Bonnar Queen City Douglas Mower HERE.

I tried to identify the lawnmower a couple of years ago, but with no success. I started with some
wrong assumptions: I guessed, correctly, that it was a Shanks� machine; because of the Shanks Agency
Scott Bonnar acquired in 1924. I did keep in the back of my mind, though, that it could have been
another make; given that the Company were general repairers and second-hand mower sellers.
Scott Bonnar would have seen every make of lawnmower in Adelaide.

The incorrect assumption was that it was a Horse or Pony mower. I held this view because I knew it
was not a recognised motor mower by any British make, and large American machines never made it to our
shores at this time. So what was it!!!

The transmission held the clue. The machine had what appeared to be a large, slotted clutch housing
on the outside of the landroll, and a higher mounted drive sprocket mounted on a jackshaft, that led
to the chain-driven reel. Here are some close-ups:-

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]

The way that the sideframe unusually ended with a flat (where the handles connect) was also telling.
I had not seen that on any animal mower. It was a Eureka moment when I changed my basic assumption:
this large machine was based neither on an existing power mower or animal mower. It was a �

TO BE CONTINUED �