OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums The History Forum Model Histories AUSTRALIAN Rotary Models TODD - Arthur Rotary Slasher Mower - c1954

Hello ODK history lovers
From the earliest days of garden machinery there has been
a crossover between machines designed primarily for agriculture
and those primarily designed for horticulture.

I have always been interested in this crossover effect. For example,
we see this in the crossover of the rotary mower. The design could
be used domestically and commercially; for horticulture or agriculture.

Here we discuss the Arthur Slasher Mower.

J. Todd and Son Limited was a South Australian engineering firm,
best known for making steel-framed buildings and farming implements.

Their factory was located at 639 South Road, Edwardstown, SA.
But they also made a range of slasher mowers that catered for crossover.



Todd’s ‘Arthur’ slasher mower had a nickname …
the ‘Flying Saucer’; probably because of how the
unshrouded chain version appeared to the eye or ear but
also because of design features.

These slasher mowers were primarily used for slashing
farm properties, but could be used for cutting grass
intended for lawn.

TO BE CONTINUED …

PART TWO – Patent
The Arthur Slasher Mower was clearly a success, with it
being exported to over twenty countries by the late 1950s!

The Arthur was named after its inventor, Ivor Kellow Arthur,
of Mount Compass, SA. The patent was lodged in late 1952
and I include it here for the record.