OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums The History Forum Model Histories AUSTRALIAN Rotary Models AUSTRAL-VILLIERS - Hercules - c1959

Hello ODK history lovers
The Austral-Villiers Hercules was a 20” rotary mower made from
about late 1959. It was manufactured by Condeco Pty. Ltd., of
9 Graham Road, Highett, Victoria.

The Hercules in not common in that few domestic mower makers
ventured to make larger domestic rotary mowers. Alex Graham
did so in the late 1950s (20”) and Rover did so in the early 1960s (21”).
Otherwise, the standard domestic lawnmower had an 18” cut.



The chassis was made of a generously thick alloy, and the
shape was from the ‘love or hate’ school of styling. It had a
single point rear-inboard height adjuster lever; whose design
seems to have changed at one point [see images in Part Two].

The colour scheme was unusual, in having three distinct contrasting
colours. The blade holder was of unusual design; having a ‘Teflex’
cantilever cutter bar with swing-back blades.

Interestingly, the Hercules was optioned to take a metal
side-catcher.

In the Gallery I present a selection of newsprint advertisements.
Note that different engines were optioned [2-stroke and 4-stroke]
over the model run.

TO BE CONTINUED …

PART TWO – Villiers 2-Stroke
Condeco clearly understood the emerging 1960’s market.
Mowers had to offer 2-stroke and 4-stroke power plants and
they had to offer – if side-discharge - an accessory catcher.

In this part I would like to discuss the 2-stroke powerplant.

At the Hercules release – for the 1959-60 season – the
powerplant was the Villiers 2-stroke Torque Master, one of
the few credible opponents to the Victa 125cc engine at that time.

Note that a grass catcher was offered from first release. Of mention
are the rear-inboard, spring-loaded height adjuster, folding handle,
blade holder, and wheel scrapers!



The Gallery presents a sampler, but I will include links to the
appropriate topics on ODK.

Many thanks to Paul C and Max Western for these images.

TO BE CONTINUED …

PART THREE – The Four Strokes
The Hercules was powered by at least three different model
4-stroke engines. All USA derivatives, two by Australia’s
James Kirby; one by USA's Clinton.

- Kirby GEM 4-stroke
- Kirby LV 4-stroke
- Clinton VS 3100 4-stroke

For me, the meaning is clear: 4-stroke engines dominated the
1960s lawnmower market. Every AUS lawnmower maker had
to have 4-strokes in their line-up.

The Gallery here presents a selection of 4-stroke
Hercules mowers. Many thanks to ODK members
Superdooper, Voljon and Paul C.