Hi Darryl, Marcus and ODK members,
I can't help but agree with Deejay about the info. on the early minors.
I'm well versed in the Mk 6s and 7s, but the earlier marks are in want.
I have no doubt that the Mk 4's are the most common.
Marcus' Mk 1 is the first maker's plate I have seen here.
From a historical perspective, my interest lies in the intro. dates,
and the specifics of mark specification changes. Was the Mk. 1 sold here?
When was it introduced?
The bigger picture, of course, is the issue of 'lightweight' mowers.
The Ransomes 'Minor' range, when introduced, were never revolutionary.
They continued a tradition - popularised by Atco - that mowers could be
made more light, cheaper, and available to a wider, emerging Middle-class
market. Ransomes got the message pretty quick, but they were not the
instigators or visionaries here.
With respect to the flywheel data, this remains problematic.
Villiers, to my knowledge, never intended that there be a public,
logical, codified system of engine identification. The numbers
just might be esoteric and factory specific.
With respect to the clutch. I have no information that asbestos was
ever used in these clutches - these were positive engagement types,
and slippage did not generate the heat that asbestos materials could
handle. They were not brakes. Any replacement lining should be no
problem, if a lining is required at all.
Post-war, Ransomes were imported from 1947. I have assumed that these
were Mk4s (from evidence supplied to me). I want to know the historical
lineage of the previous marks.
I agree with Darryl:
"For a company that has been manufacturing cylinder mowers since 1832,
I find that information from the company really hard to find."
All very interesting.
Jack