OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Restoring, Customising and Modifying Other Walk-Behind Rotary Mowers Turner Super

Hi guys got my hands on this old Turner I don't know much about them, This one is in great shape for age...I'm going to restore it best I can.. few pics.

Got the engine cleaned up...

wow chris how do you get it so clean?

Hi Chris, Luv your work as always mate, this Turner is going to look a treat!

I have never seen an engine like that one. The mower is in great condition for its age.
Beautiful work on your restoring Chris.

Make a nice partner for my 62 Frankenturner lols. Not normally a fan of later Turners,as they are not much more than dep store generics,but in saying that it is quite unique and in very good condition and I love the odd and unusual. From the images it looks like they put the catcher away when they bought it,looks new. Ive not seen this exact model before but one similar. Ive got limited info on Turner post 66 but it still holds a few of the early model characteristics. Its running a villiers torque major and appears very accurate bar the cap. Early Turner ran the date/model code on the base so keep your eyes peeled when your restoring. Its a high arch so id say its very late 60s early 70's But its only an estimate going of styling. The Higher cc of the Major should make it a really strong cutter compared to its baby bro and will make for a good user" Loving your resto detail as always:)

Hi Chris125 and ODK members,

I am compelled to say something here, on this one ...

Turner have gone unrecognised in the vintage mower world.
They were more innovative than they have been given credit for.

They were pioneers in introducing the 4-stroke Australian-made rotary.
They were pioneers in introducing the moulded-plastic catcher.
They were pioneers in addressing lawnmower safety issues.

This is an important machine, and one frequently overlooked.
Chris, your machine is mid-to-late 1960s.
I hope you call it 'Tina'

Rene Turner's story is an interesting one that I hope to tell in the History Forums.
Turner probably entered the lawnmower market for the wrong reasons.
Turner probably exited the mower market for the right reasons.
They were only there for a decade. No more.

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

Thanks for the information Guys very interesting, It's a very well made mower and easy to work on I take it engine is 168cc and mower is a 1966 model?? . Engine is done am working on the base, how do I get it so clean lots of degreasing and scrubbing..few pics

Looks good mate...Torque major is 140cc From memory and 66 could be good. 65 still had a metal catcher and I think this is the last style change from then until their demise in 69. Their model nos partly form their date codes so 66 must be the first year of the plastic catcher.
Heres an image of a 68.
Ive seen no other major model change after 65 other than your example with exception of some minor variations and an alternate engine fitment....not to say none exist but I think your style ran thru to the end with very minor changes...

nice work mate looks like its straight off the showroom floor

Hi Gizmo, I will second that mate!

Unobtainium I'd say... I have for this mower a full set of NOS Tuner Wheels.

Thanks guys just hope I can do this old rare mower justice in my clean up restore of it. Starting to think maybe I should not work it to hard ,but I will give it a run in easy going that's for sure, I will get a vid of it running also for you guys Cheers...

Lols....Good now you can give me your old set! Unobtainium,Clown...lols. I can get unobtainium for 5 bucks a pound! Shoulda ebayed em...people will pay a fortune for unobtainium. Then again people pay a fortune for Crap on Ebay. Never said before,but I love the colour of this Model,as it is identical to my HT Interior...Turquoise Mist:)

Beautiful. Once you've had your fun with it, I bet that the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney or else Museum Victoria, both of which are strong public institutional collectors of Australian industry, would love it.

We had a Turner like that when I was a small boy. I remember the hand crank. My dad was always repairing it. Eventually he got so frustrated with it that he chucked it - it would be 80ft down in the Northcote tip.

Hi Chris125 and ODK members and Guests,

This is as good as it gets.
I can only agree with all, in the great progress being made.

NOS Turner wheels. Who would have thought... [that must be a story in itself]
The patent (number in your photo) applies to the base and catcher, and I will
put the patent document in the History forum in the fullness of time.

As an aside, Chris, I feel you are a natural photographer.
The black fabric background and lighting made the engine photos studio quality.

But the really artistic piece for me is the photo of the crank and split case
on the piece of wood. Have another look now ... I'll wait here ... ... ...
[man-made versus natural; solid and liquid, metal and timber, ... awesome]

Here is a brochure from the History Forum: click HERE

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

Few random pics, the air box was a mess very sun faded chorkie plastic coated it with fiberglass resin to give some strength back

Old school lead wiped fuel tank..

Getting there..

No fair,I dont have shiny new wheels,how can I compete . Hurry up Grandma,Im nearly done..lols
Looking sweet Mate...

Hi Chris125 and ODK members,

These are great record shots of your project.
For me, this is a chance to study this superb design.
I think I appreciate Turner more, thanks to your detailed restoration.

This is not Australia's first high-arch rotary mower, but
it would be second. However, this is the design that others took note of, and
would influence future rear-catcher rotary designs.

NOTE: how the safety flap would close when the catcher was removed...
Turner should be remembered for their safety initiatives.

I know Administrator Deejay will be salivating over those wheel scrapers

All very exciting.
--------------------------------------
JACK.

Hurry up Grandma give me a break I got side tracked by a rotary valve Pope, full throttle on that thing is scary! lol

I agree Jack its a well made and thought out machine for its day, and that would be about 48+ years ago it's creation took place..

There is one thing I'm not a fan of and that be no bushes on the axles?, good thing this mower has done bugger all work..

Say wha? You actually touched a Pope? Lols,You are a brave boy!
Yeah my axle set up is identical,same flat bracket over the axle and no bushes,but it works fine. Base plate and blades look Identical to.
Now get your hands of that Dirty Pope,and finish of this fine machine,Frankenturner wants to play...Mwaaahaahaaa*.

Its hard to see,but the catch line reads...New Jet Age Styling" This is actually a long range fighter mower Chris! Who'd have thought....

There appears to be four models in your series,
Standard
Super
Valiant
And Utility,which still retains its basic early form(same base as mine)

Another item that may be of interest is a few ads showing the soon to be released SP62 MODEL. Although it seems unclear if it was actually released. This mower is an earlier model than yours(same as my F62)it may be one to keep your eye out for as im sure youd love it:)

Hi Chris125, Blue and ODK members

Blue, nice find with the advertisement.
Yes, the full slogan was, "jet age styling - high powered performance"

This machine was released just years before the Moon landing,
during the 'Space Race'. Manufactures reflected this in names and styling.
[remember that Hoover vacuum that looked like Sputnik?]

Chris, That's a good point about no axle bushes - I did not know that.
Again, a great photo of the safety skirt.

Here is a brochure for the range dated from, I think, 1967.
[Mal's ad. must date from late 1965 or early 1966, on the cusp of currency decimalisation.]

TURNER BROCHURE

All very space-age.
--------------------------------------
JACK.

Yes Jack the ad is late 66 and shows the Valiant...
The Valiant must have carried over to 67 with the indroduction of Sapphire and Coronet" As they feature in quite a few sales ads for 67. The Deluxe" Name appears to have been used from 62 up until 67 at least,as per your brochure.

Agreed on the space theme as it was especially common for childrens toys from the late 50's right through to the Moon landings.

Im currently restoring a Cyclops Jupiter Rocket Dinkie from 1959 and it was based solely on the Jupiter Rocket theme.

A very rare toy and the most prized piece in my Cyclops collection. Very few remain,One is in the Powerhouse another in the national museum and only a handfull in private collections.

Anyway thats for another forum,but highlights your point on the space theme over these years.

Cheers for the link to Jack. It's a nice clear piece and an important part of the slowly growing Turner threads.