OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums The History Forum Model Histories AUSTRALIAN Rotary Models GRASSMASTER - Rotary Mowers - c1963

Hello ODK history lovers
The AUS Grassmaster rotary lawnmower presents as a
number of lawnmower designs [rear discharge, side discharge
and utility] made from the early to late 1960s. They present
as name brand mowers in that these mowers were sold to
various retailers as ‘Grassmasters’.

We have these mowers sold by various stores in NSW, VIC
and the ACT by Myers, Grace Brothers; HG Palmer, Bebarfolds,
Nock & Kirby and others.

They were all ‘made’ by Grassmaster Pty Ltd of Browns Road,
Prospect, Sydney. I have found some evidence of that company
[see Part Two below].



Note that this maker should not be confused with
the Crowe Grassmaster powered reel sidewheels
of the 1950s.

These Grassmaster Grassmasters were rotary lawnmowers.

TO BE CONTINUED …

PART TWO – The Company
Grassmaster Pty Ltd is largely a mystery and there
are a lot of unanswered questions…

I only know the Grassmaster Company when it was in difficulty –
with a series of newsprint notices starting from about 1966.
The company was struggling and then liquidated.

I present a selection of those notices in the gallery.

It’s clear – at least to me – that the Grassmaster premises
was an assembly facility: not a manufacturing factory.

My best guess is that Grassmaster was established
to market cheaper mowers through department stores.

Who made key components for Grassmaster?
I’m thinking Hurricane and Walmac. Any ideas most welcome.

PART THREE – Gallery
I have image records for two separate Grassmasters.

A big thank you to members Kye T and Paul C for
supplying some of these images.

Note that the first mower is a rear-catcher Kirby 4-stroke;
the second mower is a TAS Tanaka 2-stroke.