OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums The History Forum Model Histories SCOTT BONNAR Models MODEL 45 - History Record - c1968

Hello ODK History Lovers

The Model 45 was a reel mower made by Scott Bonnar Company from about 1968.
It was made in 14", 17" and 20" sizes - and with various petrol, mains electric, and
battery electric power units.

The '45' was the culmination of various post-war designs and it is widely recognised as
Scott Bonnar's best residential reel lawnmower. In its career, the machine has been cosmetically
modified and re-badged at various times as a Lawn King and as a Craftsman.

The Model 45 survived through a number of company takeovers, culminating in the final version,
the Rover 45 Reel Mower of the 1980s.

The Model 45 has been widely copied and its engineering DNA presents in various manufacturers'
machines sold to this day. Its longevity, as an enduring design, is testament to its place in
vintage mower history, and one we should all be proud of.

This is its story.




UNDER CONSTRUCTION ...

OPERATORS MANUAL

Here is the last Operator's Manual from the company's Thebarton Factory.
Note how this post-dates the Rover takeover of 1980, but before the closure of Adelaide manufacture.

The document has been digitally re-mastered for improved format and readability.

BROCHURE - MODEL 45 - c1970

This brochure appears to date from 1970, or that's how I read 'FL4765/70' at the bottom of
page three. It would represent the Model 45 Range for the 1970-71 Lawnmower Season.
It's a great four-page brochure with iconic photographs, but I do want to discuss some points
of note below.

POINTS OF NOTE:
It is amusing that Scott Bonnar should say that a feature of the 45 was that it had,
A Separate clutch that engages the cutting reel, so that the mower is started without load.
Imagine the extra years of life that adds. That would be true, but not a statement that would
appease the Model 19 Bonmow owners that bought a machine without that feature!

Of particular note on the back page is the referencing of the Model 45 Mains and Battery
Electric machines (450440 & 450466). When the Model 45 was introduced for the 1968 Lawnmower
Season these versions were the variants of the older Model 40 (400119 & 400215). It would
appear, then, that the Mains and Battery 45s were introduced for the 1970-71 Lawnmower Season.

An interesting side-note would be the description of the 14 inch machine. The photo on page
three only glimpses the Briggs & Stratton Series 6 engine. On the last page the description
is given as 'Powered by reliable 2 H.P. 4 stroke engine'. Curiously, the 17 inch and 20 inch
machines are specifically identified as having, respectively, the Kirby HK25 and HK30 engines.
My take on this is that Scott Bonnar had the intention to standardise, and power all 45s with
the Kirby engines for the 1972-73 Season.

The Last Rover Model 45s
The Model 45 has had an incredibly long and distinguished history.
That history was also chequered ...

From 1970 the original company was lost, when Scott Bonnar
was acquired by Electrolux and became Flymo - Scott Bonnar.

A few years' later the NZ's Challenge Corporation would acquire
Scott Bonnar and further develop the range.

By the 1980s, Rover Mowers [through parent company GWA Limited] acquired
the Scott Bonnar brand. This was a time of considerable consolidation,
when most of the SB range was lost to history. GWA Limited formed the
GWA Group in 1993.

GWA Group Limited (“GWA”) was listed on the Australian Stock Exchange
on 20 May 1993, and comprised the business divisions of Caroma, Sebel,
Rover, T H Martin and Poolrite.

These businesses were previously owned by Queensland’s Anderson family
who privatised the former public company, GWA Limited, in 1989.
https://www.gwagroup.com.au/who-we-are/company-history

The Rover Model 45 was reduced to just two models as the 45
entered the 21st Century …

The 45048 and the 45148. Both were classic 17-inch machines; the latter
with a 10-blade reel. [an offering that never made sense on a domestic reel mower].




Here is the final Rover 45 Manual …
Note the safety changes – the cover over the primary clutch,
and the rear-mounted clutch lever.

The new decals were decidedly gaudy. The modern Rover Mowers
owner never understood Rover history; far-less Scott Bonnar’s…
I guess that's the nature of the 'take-over ...