Need help?


Search OutdoorKing-Forum by entering Key Words Below



Who's Online Now
3 members (jsbmad, Doug, Buckets), 3,630 guests, and 463 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newest Topics
Victa Super 24/600
by Doug - 07/03/26 07:07 PM
Eaton Model 6/7
by mm-mowers - 06/03/26 08:27 AM
Early Morrison rotary mower
by Hawkeye - 01/03/26 10:20 AM
Rebirthing a Honda 12 volt solenoid
by MowingManiac - 19/02/26 09:57 PM
Victa SPX 2342 - Blue Model - Belts Help
by Steve_2012 - 18/02/26 10:24 AM
GXV390 chaging oil with vacumm pump.
by leslloyd - 12/02/26 05:44 PM
Topic Replies
Early Morrison rotary mower
by maxwestern - 07/03/26 10:21 PM
Victa Super 24/600
by Doug - 07/03/26 07:07 PM
Eaton Model 6/7
by maxwestern - 06/03/26 08:42 PM
Add electric power to push reel?
by maxwestern - 06/03/26 08:34 PM
B&S 20hp hunts through the rev range.
by mm-mowers - 06/03/26 08:32 AM
Victa SPX 2342 - Blue Model - Belts Help
by Bruce - 02/03/26 09:37 PM
Rebirthing a Honda 12 volt solenoid
by NormK - 22/02/26 02:31 PM
Greenfield Drive belt keeps twisting
by Bruce - 20/02/26 12:02 AM
GXV390 chaging oil with vacumm pump.
by leslloyd - 18/02/26 02:59 PM
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
Hop To
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 6,938
Likes: 312
Forum Historian
Hello ODK History Lovers
Since I wrote the ODK History Record for this Austral-Villiers in 2015
[Related Reading], I have been lucky enough to find both an early and
later brochure for this unique Australian lawnmower.

It’s pretty clear that A-V’s first power rotary was the Rotary Power Mower
of about 1956. Later, it would be rebranded as the A-V Adaptomatic,
when the machine acquired the capacity to offer a PTO option.

There were other changes too. Here are both brochure’s covers: -

[Linked Image]

I was also luck enough to acquire an Operator Manual for the later, Adaptomatic: -

[Linked Image]

TO BE CONTINUED ...

Portal Box 6
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 6,938
Likes: 312
Forum Historian
PART TWO – Brochure - Rotary Power Mower
This folded pocket-size brochure is probably the first one
produced for A-V’s first rotary lawnmower – the Austral-Villiers
Rotary Power Mower
– introduced in 1956 for the 1957 season.

Note that the mower was advertised as the only rotary mower with
kick-start. That’s probably true, but both the Atom Mofast and
Champion rotaries would introduce kick starters on some of their
models in the then near future.

This brochure is from my collection and it is in good condition.
I make it available to members as a high-quality PDF.

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]

TO BE CONTINUED ....

Attachments
av_rotary_brochure_01.pdf (725.28 KB, 6 downloads)
AUSTRAL VILLIERS ROTARY POWER MOWER c1956
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 6,938
Likes: 312
Forum Historian
PART THREE – Brochure – Adaptomatic Rotary Power Mower
This folded pocket-size brochure introduced the improvements
made to the original Austral-Villiers Rotary Power Mower.

This new rotary – the Adaptomatic – was introduced in
1957 for the 1958 season.

The addition of a PTO [power take-off] enabled many
domestic tools to be added [see Manual in Part Four below].

This brochure is from my collection and it is in good condition.
I make it available to members as a high-quality PDF.

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]

TO BE CONTINUED ....

Attachments
av_rotary_brochure_02.pdf (797.21 KB, 5 downloads)
AUSTRAL-VILLIERS ADAPTOMATIC ROTARY BROCHURE
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 6,938
Likes: 312
Forum Historian
PART FOUR – Manual – Adaptomatic Rotary Power Mower
This Operator Manual from my collection was a real find!
It explains so much that was mysterious to me for many decades.

The manual covers the later, Adaptomatic lawnmower, and it is detailed
at 16 pages, many illustrated. Note the clear explanations and
illustrations of the stepped, swing-back blades, and engine safety clutch,
and the power take-off.

This was a well-thought-out machine.

[Linked Image]

Also note the brilliant images of the PTO system and its accessories.
This was a true multi-mower!

As always, I make this manual available to members as
a high-quality PDF for viewing or for download.

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]

Attachments
av_rotary_manual_adaptomatic.pdf (5.37 MB, 7 downloads)
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 6,938
Likes: 312
Forum Historian
[Linked Image]

The History Record for the Austral-Villiers Power Mower and Adaptomatic is HERE.

For other domestic mowers that had multiple features: -

The GMF Multi-Mower ...
https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=60132

The Singer Lawnmower ...
https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/61208/singer-lawnmowers-c1963.html

[Linked Image]
Would you like to comment on this article?
Simply create a new topic in the Old Soap Box HERE.


Moderated by  Alan M, CyberJack, Mr Davis 

Link Copied to Clipboard
Newest Members
DF Handyman, Wayneo888!, Gerald the draught, spud 1, Ilia
17,870 Registered Users
Forum Statistics
Forums145
Topics13,071
Posts107,308
Members17,870
Most Online16,069
Sep 19th, 2025
OutdoorKing Showcase
20 Bucks from FB Marketplace
20 Bucks from FB Marketplace
by Return Rider, February 20
Victa Cortina 2 Shed Find
Victa Cortina 2 Shed Find
by Return Rider, January 25
My Rover Baron 45
My Rover Baron 45
by Maxwell_Rover_Baron, April 16
SHOWCASE - Precision Mowers - 2021
SHOWCASE - Precision Mowers - 2021
by CyberJack, April 14
SHOWCASE – Atco Rotary – Paul C - 2020
SHOWCASE – Atco Rotary – Paul C - 2020
by CyberJack, December 28
HOME |CONTACT US
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 8.0.0
(Release build 20240826)
Responsive Width:

PHP: 8.3.30 Page Time: 0.034s Queries: 27 (0.029s) Memory: 0.6457 MB (Peak: 0.6977 MB) Data Comp: Zlib Server Time: 2026-03-07 23:29:05 UTC
Valid HTML 5 and Valid CSS