It is a first for these forums that we finally have an 'Eric'. Eric Anderson, along with Scott's, were the big retailers in Canberra in the day. So it is nice they are remembered; not just as a seller of early rotary power mowers, but of their own store brands. We have a great collection of ads for the record.
'Tecumseh' never appeared on the first Kirby licenced copies of Tecumseh engines here. The reason is simple. Tecumseh acquired the great old company Lauson in 1956, but a decision was made by Tecumseh that 'Lauson' still appear on Tecumseh-Lauson engines for a few years, as it had a long-established name. By the mid- 1960s, Lauson would disappear and Tecumseh branding would prevail.
The LV stands for Lauson Vertical. Kirby would later change that designation to VK (Vertical Kirby). An LV30 is a VK30.
Patrick, if the piston is not moving it means a failed conrod. The two likely causes for that are (1) lack of oil, or (2) over-revving. These were solid motors.
The front wheels are original; the rears are not. The blade holder is, I believe, a 'universal' replacement - designed to take a number of manufacturers' blade designs.
That the Eric might be used as a re-purposed garden trolley does raise certain philosophical issues though. Will it be half a mower, or half a trolley ? ...
Thanks Patrick for giving us great record images. I really love the first shot - of the Eric on the centre strip - prancing down a deserted road. Canberra is that sort of city.
