OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums The History Forum Model Histories AUSTRALIAN Rotary Models TURNER - 4M, 2M and 2A - The First Turners

Hello ODK members,

INTRODUCTION

This article is long overdue.

Information on Turner lawnmowers is scarce today. My initial indifference to Turner mowers
was born out of ignorance of their importance to vintage mower history. But, as I researched
more about the company and its founder, R.W. Turner, I came to realize this was a significant
brand that should be both documented and remembered.

The reality is that by the end of the 1960s, the five biggest lawnmower manufacturers were
Victa, Rover, Pope, Supa-Swift and Turner.

This article does not explore the company or its founder.
Here, I want to detail Turner's first three mowers - the pioneering 4M, and then the
2-stroke machines that quickly followed - the 2M and the 2A. These machines were released in
the second half of 1959 for the 1959-1960 lawnmower season. I hope you enjoy the story;
it is an intriguing one.



A Special Note:
I am indebted to Mr. Graeme Plaw, Vice President of the Hand Tool Preservation Association of Australia (HTPAA).
Graeme Plaw was a former Research and Product Development Manager for The Stanley Works Pty Ltd
Turner Industries were acquired by a Stanley Division in 1970, at that time the author was Design Engineer
and Project Engineer for a variety of Turner products. His working career spanned 1956 - 2000 with the company.

The HTPAA website may be found HERE.

The 4M - AUSTRALIA'S FIRST 4-STROKE ROTARY LAWNMOWER

Australia's first four-stroke rotary mower was the Turner 4M.
It was introduced at some time in the second half of 1959 for the 1959-60 season.
The engine was a Kirby GEB1 and it had a recoil starter.

Here is an extract from the Turner Sales Manual for that season:-


The two-stroke lawnmower referred to was, in fact, two versions of the Villiers 7F Torque Master
two-stroke. The 2A was the automatic version of that engine (no handle throttle control);
the 2M, the manual version with handle throttle control lever.



The base was 18 inch and made of high grade aluminium. This machine had a narrow-skirt base,
the newer trend in design, replacing Victa's 'disc-plough' base used by many Australian
manufacturers in the 1950s. This permitted a distinct and directed discharge chute,
with right-hand side grass egress.

A turn wheel provide height adjustment to all four wheels.
The base was pained in a rich yellow with red highlights,
including the distinctive Turner logo. The handle permitted folding.

Here is an exploded view of the first Turner chassis:-


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

FEATURES

The most striking features about the first Turner concern safety.
If for nothing else, Turner should be recognised for being a paramount company dealing
with the increasing concern for safety in rotary lawnmowers.

In this post I would like to present the rest of the original brochure that introduced
the 4M and its 2-stroke derivatives. Note how safety is frequently addressed.

THE 2A & 2M

Right from Day One, Turner intended to 'cover the market' by offering their
first lawnmower with 2 and 4-strokes. The advertising clearly favoured the
4-stroke because ... this was Turner's 'unique selling feature' - the first
Australian-made rotary lawnmower to offer this 'revolutionary' engine.

Here is an early advertisement from 1959. Note how the 4-stroke is considerably
dearer than the 2-stroke versions (using the great Villiers 7F)

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

Turner's involvement in rotary and reel lawnmowers lasted just a decade.
In this time it produced quality mowers that placed this company within the top 5
manufacturers of the era.

The first Turner is highly collectable. It is rare to find a 4M nowadays.
The 2A and 2M are more likely to be found.

Turner exited lawnmower production, not because it was unprofitable, but because
it was not profitable enough for its business model. It was this model that
other companies found tempting enough to acquire Turner. In 1970, Turner Industries
was acquired by Stanley-Titan.

The rest is history.
-----------------------------------------
JACK.

ODK collector and restorer Alwil has done a magnificent job on
the restoration of this Turner Model 2A (automatic throttle).
To view the full post click HERE.

"The Famous Carter"

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