Hello
ODK history lovers
The
Amplion rotary is well-know to mower collectors but they
are quite rare today.
Amplion (A’SIA) Pty Limited of
101
Pyrmont Bridge Road, Camperdown made a few ‘toe-cutter’
rotary models from about 1957 until the early 1960s.
Their first model, introduced in late
1957 for the
1958 season,
was powered by an Australian 125cc
Hurricane 2-stroke engine.
This engine, of robust design, was augmented with a ‘world-famous’
AMAL carburettor and a VOKES air filter.
Note the
Victaesque fuel tank ...
![[Linked Image]](https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/images/jack/amplion/amplion_rotary_c1957.jpg)
With shallow-skirt steel chassis, this 18” cut mower embraced
two relevant design features of the day – single point height
adjuster and a folding handle. It was way-behind in styling –
given what other makers were doing at this time. Amplion
rotaries look older than what research has revealed.
The incorporation of a ‘automatic foot guard’ at the rear
effectively gave this chassis a rear secondary skirt.
The ‘zipper action’ height adjuster is novel; its clever U-frame
bracketry enabled a quick single-point height adjuster –
certainly quicker than the rotary knob design of the Victa,
but aesthetically less appealing than that system, and the
elegant lever-and-segment system that reigns supreme to
this day.
TO BE CONTINUED …