OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Collectors Corner Rotary SUPA-SWIFT: Some Models

Hi Gadge and ODK members,
Thanks for posting this concise information to the forum, it all adds to an interesting archive.
Trying to pin down manufacturing time-lines is made all the more difficult when there are so many mergers and changes in company ownership.
But Supa-Swift....all very enigmatic
Thanks again, Gadge.

Hi ODK members,

I never tire of Grumpy's anecdotes and considered observations.
"...two magneto coil failures in a mere 38 years" is outrageous.
This is a classic to-die-for Today Tonight story.

I couldn't agree with Deejay more, about the challenge in constructing
time lines for vintage mowers.

I especially thank Gadge for his research into this. I had no idea about the
Mobile Industries link.

I can't help but agree that the original manufacturers were not Vulcan.
It may be, though, that they introduced the Big Bob utility mowers in the '80s.

So far, this is what I have on the puzzling question: who first made Supa-Swift
mowers. I have already said that I believe their start date was 1959.

In 1959 advertisements I have, there is a sole Australian distributor:
H.C. Paul 106 Kent Road, Pasco Vale. No mention of the manufacturer!

In 1960 advertisements in Vic, the manufacturer is listed as Swift Motor Mowers,
with the Victorian Distributor being Hynes Bros. Fireplaces Pty. Ltd. of
491 Nicholson St., Carlton. Telephone 34 2643.

In an early brochure (copy) I have 1959 or 1960), the manufacturer is listed as
Swift Motor Mowers, 270 Broadway, Reservoir, Tel. JM1164.

In an early 1960�s maintenance guide (p24) there is a very interesting list
of mower manufacturers. One is Swift Foundries Pty. Ltd., 50 Carween Avenue, Mitcham, VIC.
[I reproduce that page below].

In a 1966-67 original brochure I have for the range, there is no manufacturer listed,
nor any contact details!

In 1971 advertisements I have, the manufacturer is listed as
Super Swift Mowers Pty. Ltd.
Head Office: 32 Radford Road, Reservoir, Vic. 3073 Tel. 460 2122.

A NSW Branch: 25 Major�s Bay Road, Concord, NSW 2137, Tel. 73 5360, 73 5357.
Interstate Representatives:- Brisbane: Tel. 53277; Adelaide: Tel. 376477;
Mt. Gambier: Tel. 2 3643.

By the late 1970�s, advertisements are listed as Vulcan Superswift,
but with no manufacturer's address.

So ... all we can do, I guess, is keep finding pieces of the puzzle.
In the amazing list below I have identified all in the left column
except for three: J. Bartram, K.B.C. Limited and Swift Foundries.

Thanks all for an enjoyable post topic.
All very interesting.
----------------------------------------
JACK

I'd say you're dead right there. Every 'first-generation' Big Bob I've seen has been branded 'Vulcan'. Like IanOZ's in this thread

'First generation' here is just my description of the handle bracket construction, that had successive modifications in the 1980s. As illustrated in that other thread. It's about the only visible design change on the Big Bobs!

just been told my supa swift should have a windup starter, so I have found the parts and will fit a new starter setup , thanks dodegy for the help with this.
I will post new picture when I have it completed
cheers
chris

Hi Bunipper,

That's right.
If you want it totally original, the Kirby would have had an impulse wind-up starter,
not the later trip-release lever one. Housing (12) in the illustration.
I believe the starter cups for each type are different as well.



Cheers,

JACK

thanks for your imput jack. I assume that an impulse starter you wing and close the handle to start the mower, I will print your diagrams and check it

thanks again, I will post picture when I get the starter

cheers chris

Hi Chris and ODK members,

Yes, That's right.
There was no lever to release.

p.s. These impulse starters were very reliable but were replaced by
the trip lever design after just a couple of seasons.

The anecdotal evidence is that this was because there was a safety concern that
a repairer of the starter would not read the spring casing's instructions -
that the spring should NOT be removed from its casing.

The new trip lever design was repair-friendly; in that the spring could be
safely removed from its alloy enclosure for replacement.

All very interesting.
---------------------------------
JACK.

THANKS FOR THE INFORMATION

CHEERS

CHRIS

Correct, there is a fixed pin in the upper part of the winder handle, that trips the starter when the handle is closed. It was always confusing that this pin was never shown in the Victa parts diagrams, but the corresponding hole in the lower section is.
Might be more to it than that, though. The first-generation impulse starter spring came in a pressed sheet metal casing, and was installed and removed as an assembly. This was a single-wound spring. For sure, if the spring came out of the casing, forget about getting it back in without special equipment!

The second generation, with the trip lever, used a 'double-wound' spring like that shown [pic pinched from EBay],



This spring is much heavier gauge than the first-gen one, and it winds up as two layers. Thus more turns of preload ['windup' if you like] can be applied, compared to a single-wound spring in the same diameter space.

So I'd expect it to achieve a higher initial cranking speed. This is the critical factor in getting the engine to fire [assuming all is well on the fuel side], and the critical minimum speed is higher on the breaker points ignitions of that day, than it is on modern solid state electronic systems.

I have got a mower that's a supa swift base , as per the ones in the photos, but with no name "supa swift " on it. anyone have any info why and what it is. I am doing up a supa swift with a Villiers motor as per the al 's mower. the bases are quite retro looking and look even better with the Villiers engine.

Hi Bunniper and ODK members,

Yes, I have come across that before.

The answer is that Supa-Swift did make Store Brand mowers for other clients.
Your machine would have been made for a large Department Store or other retailer in VIC.

Any photos for the record would be most welcome mate.

All very interesting.
--------------------------------------
JACK

heres another supa swift ive never seen before .its on ebay now. too far away from me or i would have bid on it.

Hello Gizmo,

Yes, this is the 18" Vac-Ro-Cut, the first Supa-Swift lawnmmower.
It would be later named the Supa-Swift Standard.
This is one of the earliest manufacturers to offer a grass catcher.

I note the highly modified fuel tank (the original being part of the engine.

I have records on these from mid 1959 to 1961.



Hope this helps.
------------------------------
JACK.

awesome CyberJack. there is just something about the level of detail the old designs have that appeal to me greatly.same with old cars too.

Yep, I feel the same way mate.

By the way
That model Supa-Swift appears on a roof in this story...
https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=59153#Post59153

Cheers
----------------------
JACK.

i purchased the mower a few weeks ago, just need to find a tank, go 8 supa swifts now, another project. its a real cool retro looking mover, decks in good condition,

cheers chris

Hello Chris

That's great news that you pulled a Swifty.
It means another one is saved.

I agree, the first model was the nicest looking - in my view.
That 'auto grill' front really seals the deal.

The tank should not be a problem - Villiers 7Fs regularly appear for sale.

All very super.
------------------------------
JACK.

when I get a chance I will document the supa swifts that I have collected. heres another one. ????. once you start collecting and have a few, they just keep turning up. counld not help my self
cheers chris

i'm impressed gadge with your recount of the Mobilco / Ariens Echo story, most accurate i've read, most are pretty far off the mark. When they moved into Middleborough Rd, they where still putting together SupaSwifts in the back shed.

Ahhhh that's where the Super swift went, good to see it go to a Member:)