PART TWO � Patent 38558 � Folding Mower Handle Effective folding handles on Australian rotary lawnmowers only appeared in about 1957. Prior to this, some disassembly was required. This was a significant obstacle in lawnmower design � both in easy packaging and transport by the manufacturer, and easy transport (in a vehicle) for the owner/end user.
Many early folding handles still required tools (to loosen fasteners) before folding the handle. This included Scott Bonnar�s first rotaries; the Models 22, 31 and 35. By the late 1950s and early 1960s, folding handles on many mowers required no tools. It became a significant selling feature.
Roy Knigh'ts first recorded patent [1963] would appear on Scott Bonnar�s first three rear- discharge rotary mowers � the Models 47, 48 and 49 � from about 1964 to 1974. It was a simple, brilliant design that permitted both full-folding and rake adjustment for operator comfort. Folding simply required the squeezing of two spring-loaded triggers together. Brilliant!
