OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums The History Forum Model Histories AUSTRALIAN Rotary Models DECKSON - Executive 26” Mini-tractor – c1976

Hello ODK history lovers
The Deckson Executive was a 26” garden tractor made by
John Deck & Sons of Smithfield, Sydney, NSW.

Little is known about this model, but at least one survives...

Dating is c1976 and I have found but one newsprint advertisement.
It is rear-engined and seems to have been marketed between the
popular Rover Colt and Rover Ranger. The engine was, best guess,
a Briggs Model 17 vertical shaft.

The drive presents as similar to the Cox system – of an
engine-mounted friction cone acting between friction plates
producing instant forward and reverse via a RH side lever.

That is not surprising; given that John Deck & Son were the distributors
for Owen Cox mowers in New South Wales.



TO BE CONTINUED ...

The owner of ODK, Bruce Walsh, sent me these images of the Deckson Executive.

Note the unusual steering handle and the friction drive.
The engine – as presented – is a 13 Series 5hp Briggs, note the
17 Series 7hp as suggested in the print advertisement.

Maybe there were two models…

TO BE CONTINUED …

G'day Jack,

My family's OPE business had a Deckson agency back in the day [Teddy Forster-Knight had Cox and Rover], and the drive engagement on these was by a hand lever, located on the RHS below the seat.

Hi Gadge!
I have just corrected this record.
Many thanks.

I think this is a genuine Deck design - not an imported one.
It screams ... AUS.

I have more info on the company than its models.

I hope to say something shortly.

Cheers
--------------------
Jack

G'day Jack,

This drive engagement system made the Deckson machine best suited to long runs, rather than dodging around trees and shrubs, which was where the Greenfield and Cox heel/toe drive engagement excelled. Very well built machine, the Deckson was - heavy section steel panels and frame.

PART TWO – Brochure
I acquired a brochure for the Executive in 2021, and it gives
us some clear information as to design features.

Note that this is the Model B version of the Executive, so I’m guessing
the images in the Gallery are the Model A or first version of the Executive.

The main feature change appears to be the moving of the directional
change from a lever to full foot-pedal control.

As always, I make this brochure available to members for viewing
or as a quality download.