PART FOUR - Specification - Chassis
When I first set eyes on the KX-B I knew it was not the single inspiration
of the Toowoomba Foundry. The chassis had striking similarities to the Pope
side-discharge lawnmowers of the day.

The Pope Company of Adelaide is the odd-man-out in the 1960s; in that they
exclusively made their lawnmower bases of pressed steel - when the preferred
method of the other 'big players' was the die cast alloy base. It was therefore
interesting that the KX-B machines would be referred to as 'The Tin Mowers'.
That was the clue that led to other detail observations.

It was only in recent times that I saw closer similarities in detail -
with the base style, wheels, windrower and bladeholder. There was clear
collaboration between two great companies - from QLD and SA.

When I say collaboration, I certainly do not mean the KX-B was a Pope copy.
There are too many similarities in design to say it was coincidence; but
too many differences to say this was a re-badge. It may be that Pope supplied
certain expertise, components, or process machinery. We are never likely to
know that. Also, note that the self-propelled version of the KX-B is totally
unique to Southern Cross.

The image below is an exploded view of a Pope 320-13. This mower was
powered by Clinton. This chassis is one of the earliest Popes to use the
single-point height adjuster - a major change in the 320 series.

[Linked Image]

The image below is an exploded view of the KX-B

[Linked Image]

The base is a deep skirt pressed steel design in the style of the Pope.
The height adjuster assembly is of a similar design, as are the wheels,
bladeholder and blade assembly, and windrower. The handle assembly is
quite different.

[Linked Image]

TO BE CONTINUED ...