OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Restoring, Customising and Modifying Reel-Type Mowers Odgen M53

Hi
I have a what has been identified as a Odgen M53 which is well on the way of being restored.
What I'm chasing is picture of the decal that was on the grass catcher, I have found one on Trove but it is not very clear as there appear to be wings on the side of the 'M' trying get a better picture of what they looked like
Ian

Hi IanOZ, and a warm welcome to the forum. It's great to have you aboard.
What you have there is the Ogden 'Motamatic', Model M53 powered by a Tor 2 stroke engine. This would put it as a 1953 model, with the tank on the handle.
I have done some research for you this morning, however I have not found a better pic of the catcher decal unfortunately.

They did change the decal on the 55-56 model as evidenced by this pic, courtesy of CyberJack:

This advert is from the Australian Womens Weekly, 9th November 1955.

I don't think mine is the 'Motamatic' as mine does not have the cowl or a flywheel where the 'Motamatic' does
Ian

Hi Ian, I will some more research and get back to you.
The history of the Ogden is a little thin on the ground.

Hi again Ian, from my research I have found that it is all rather confusing....there appears on Trove to be Ogden advertisements with and without the cowl...all from different dates though...
It also shows that I was wrong in my earlier assessment that your machine was a "Motamatic" and that it is an Ogden Power Mower, with the large oval decal (possibly carried over from the 1952 model which had the tank over the engine.
I still, however, believe it is a 1953 model.
Hoping this helps,

Hi Deejay
Yes I agree that it is 1953, the is two large oval decals one with the word ODGEN and one with the letter M with a pair of wings on each side which is mine I arrive at this as mine has lot of the original paint light green where the other models are blue
Ian

Hi IanOZ, Deejay and ODK members,

All very confusing would be true.

I agree with Globalmod Deejay that the M53 from 1953 introduced the new
tank-on-handle model. At this time the paint scheme and decals were changed.

At the time it was simply known as the Ogden Power Mower because it was the only
power mower Ogden made. It was also making the Model B and Model C push mowers, and
a very interesting square fan sprinkler . . .

By 1954 Ogden were using the cowled TOR engine, but the machine remained an Ogden
Power Mower. By 1955, Ogden had to differentiate this hybrid machine (an engine
placed on their Model B handmower) from their new power mower, the Rotamatic.
The Ogden Motamatic became at this time the new name for this Power Mower.

IanOZ, your M53 is highly collectable because these hybrid type machines were
made by AUS companies to compete with rotaries and they were half the price of
conventional reel/roller designs. Ogden did it; Pope did it; Crowe did it; and
Qualcast Australia did it with their highly successful sidewheel 16" Power Mower.

I am yet to find anyone with a Rotamatic; that would be a nice addition to your machine; and
of course you'd have to get a Motamatic as well. Oh, and you'd have to get the first, fuel tank
on engine model, also. I hope this helps your budget planning!

I just wish we could help with that "winged M" grass box decal/transfer.

All very problematic.
------------------------------------
JACK

A bit more done today
Ian

Love your work Ian, it looks brilliant!

Hi Ian, Deejay and ODK members,

Ian, I think you have captured Ogden Green!
I concur with Darryl, it looks brilliant!

This is the only one I know that has gone through a restoration.
Here is the original colour on a stock M53:-



And, finally, here is a better look of the elusive winged "M".



I have come to love these little machines.
I look forward - as all collectors do - in seeing the finished machine.

p.s. for members that wonder what the brass plug on the head is for . . .
it was for a de-compressor option when this TOR Mini-Motor was used for
its, by far, most common purpose . . . powering bicycles.

All very collectable.
--------------------------------------
JACK

Here is my Odgen M53 pictures and U-tube of it running, this mower is dangerous to start you can�t stand behind it, you can�t start it with the grass catcher on and nothing to put you foot on at the front to hold the mower so you can start it
After it was assembled it of course would not start pulled the carbie of found nothing still no start so of with carbie again and again and again, oh crap now have no spark of with magneto checked everything all seams Ok so tried to start it and of it went great for about 20 seconds and the magneto flywheel key sheared ???? don�t know how that happened so of with magneto again fitted a new key by this time and about 5hrs latter I started talking to the little sod saying do you know the value of scrap, it must of got the picture and of it ran on and on did not want to stop must of given the little sod a big fright
Ian

Hi Ian and ODK members,

The first restored M53, and the fist YouTube clip of one too.
I note your comment "dangerous". The 1950s really did produce some nasty
little Widow Makers. It was only in the 1960s and beyond that manufacturers
addressed these issues.

Still, you must feel proud that another piece of Australian vintage mower
history is saved and preserved.

All very:-
I started talking to the little sod saying do you know the value of scrap,
it must of got the picture and off it ran on and on did not want to stop must of
given the little sod a big fright.
-----------------------------------------------
JACK

Hi Ian, Jack and ODK members,
Just a thought,I am wondering if there is a nut on the end of the crankshaft, down that hole in the center of the rope pulley?
If there is, you could possibly use a drill with a extension and socket to start it...which would be safer than having your toes anywhere near the blades.....

If there is a nut on the end of the crankshaft, down that hole in the center of the rope pulley
Yes there is BUT only 3/8" and would undo the other side would be better larger and would tighten up
Ian

some pics n video of mine .cheers
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/rzdpzcx54nldmno/tfjw8_DJws

Hi Ian,
OK mate, bad idea....but there has to be a better way than putting yourself in danger...will have to put on my thinking cap!

Hi Gizmo,How cool is that with the cooling cowl!
Are you going to restore the machine? Thanks for posting the link to your pics mate.

as with everything .one day i will get to it?

Hi Gizma
Your engine is the latter model and should have a flywheel also I think you will find your engine will only go in one direction
My has no cowl original, no flywheel original and the engine will run in both directions as there is two place to set the points CW or CCW as per picture
Ian

A History Record is now available on the Ogden Power Side-wheel.
Please visit the History Forum record HERE.