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

Hi Blue and ODK members,

Yes, this Turner thing is becoming a monster
I'm almost ready to say something sensible on the first Turner in the History forums.

I have reluctantly come to appreciate Turner's contribution to history,
in terms of design, but most importantly, their contribution to safety.
I have come to even ... like them.

Yes, the Valiant.
Turner's foray into rear catcher Machines was with the D64 Conquest.
Their best machine, in my view, was the 1965 high arch 'Valiant'.
From what I can gather, Chris's Super is a Valiant, perhaps a "Valiant Super".
p.s. I thing 'Deluxe' just means the 19" version of its equivalent.

Here is a time-frame of Turner Developments:
1959 - 4M released, followed by 2M & 2A
1960 - 5 Four stroke models released
1961 - 3 Four Stroke models released.
1962 - 4 Four stroke models released including the SP30 Self Propelled
1963 - rear catcher mower - the Conquest - introduced.
1965/66 - 11 models released including the Turner-Morrison Reel mowers.
This was also the year that the first plastic (polythene) grass catcher was introduced.
1967 � 11 models with minor changes ( this continued till the close of manufacture)
1968 � Turner selling under licence the TORO USA range including the TORO 21� Reel mower.

Mal, I envy that you have a Cyclops collection. That's an expensive hobby...
Tinware toys are just so interesting from this era.
And remember, the 'Cyclops', too, was a monster!

I think we're lucky in having Chris's great restoration-in-progress.
In my view, it is the most significant Turner design.

All vary Valiant.
--------------------------------------
JACK

Chris, I disagree with you about the rigid front axle mounting being a bad thing. The wear that happens to the base around the front axle, is caused by the spring clips that hold the axle in place. There is pretty much no wear on the frame around the rear axles, because they have a rigid mounting, like the Turner front axle. The plastic bush is not chopped out by rotary movement of the front axle, it is chopped out by vertical movement. Get rid of the vertical movement, and you don't need or want a plastic bush. Use a rigid U bracket, and there is no vertical movement. It costs more than a spring clip, but it is way better.

Your Info is Spot on Jack...

Im also,dare I say it..Starting to find them interesting.

Agreed the Deluxe is the 19 inch Version.

Unsure on the Super as it has the least references,but is possible.

What I did notice was A woolworths advert showing this,so possibly it had an alt name for sale in there stores.

Also in the same year as Chris's mower
seemingly 65", there is reference to the
New Tornado which also appears similar if not the same.

The time/model line at least is becoming easier to decifer and accurate as youve stated. Actually slightly easier to determine than the model 4/5 victa was.

Im really interested in the SP 62, I just havnt found any info yet,so im hoping it actually made production. An example would be great.

Thanks jack,your contributions are valuable and make our restoration process easier....


And im going with the Grumpster on the axles...Mine have zero wear on the axle,retainer and base arch...considering the base/axle arch is load bearing and unbushed,is pretty impressive that it hasnt chewed it out.

On the other hand My wheel axles also have no wear and this is due to the full length one piece bush. NO more groves and uneven wear from spit bushes. So a plus for both
when used in different areas.

Hi Mal and ODK members,

Yes, the Self-propelled did make it into production as the SP62 & SP64.
I have been told that there was only tinkering with the designs after 1965.

I also now know the GEB kirby engines lasted to 1963, and were sold alongside the
VKs that were introduced in 1960.

Note the unusual engine mount bolt in the front centre of the SP.
The cable for the stater trip release was novel, and introduced on the
SP64 Conquest in late 1963. The conquest was medium-arch, the Valiant, high-arch.
These were thoughtful designs.

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

Stop dragging the chain Blue I'm about done! well almost lol...few pics

That air filter housing - it would be correct for a 1970's Pope, but I'm not so sure about a Turner.

Pope pic in this past thread - Pope used both black and orange versions.

I was thinking the same thing Gadge as there is more than one mounting hole on the handlebars for the filter box..Does anyone have a pic of a turner airbox I may have one??...

Fantastic Brochure Jack....

Im assuming this is the SP 62 As it has the same cowl as mine and the only one of its type listed on the models chart.

This is a huge help in filling in a few gaps like cowl and cap simply due to its clarity.

I really wish now the parts for mine were obtainable,but unfortunately they are just to rare.

Chris im in awe mate! I wouldnt have given this a second look,but with the condition of your parts(most being in excellent cond) and your restoration skills,this is now one of the best restorations of any mower ive seen on or off this forum! That catcher is all but mint.

A credit to ODK mate...Fantastic! As is the contributions from Jack.

This has evolved from a company just a few weeks ago,we new very little off and is fast turning into an accurate account of Turner models dates and history...very impressive indeed.

Be great to see some more enthusiasts with these models tucked away due to lack of info...

Im right behind ya Chris...Just waiting for the paint to dry lols.

As for accuracy,I cant find anything out of place...throttle control is correct and filter seems accurate as per diagram,although its white. Ill check further and maybee jack knows,but if it is wrong,its damn close to the image. I would however have expected to see black or white...

Damn im never this nice! Whats come over me? I guess I recognise fine workmanship....but shhhhhh dont tell chris,his head will explode! Lols

Hi Blue, Chris, Gadge and ODK members,

Mal, I guess you're right - it's an SP62 in the brochure.
The '62' is not the release date though, that occurred in late 1963.
It's an interesting machine though.

Gadge is clearly right about the filter housing. That is a Pope one, even with 'Pope orange'.
I don't know what the right one exactly look like. The only clue is Mal's photo from the
State Library of Victoria, and that isn't from a Villiers:-



I guess this shows, as Mal has said, how much we don't know about Turner.
What is becoming more clear, though, is that these are interesting machines.

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

Yeah ive looked everywhere for the filter to no avail. Every image is either covered or chopped at the centre bar.

The more I look at the Museum example of the 67 models the more im certain its a white version of the screw on top Scott bonnar filter as the vent amount and position is the same as all mine.

I did however find an unusual filter on a 65 valiant advert that showed what appeared to look like a smaller version of the Victa Big black choke from the model 5S2. Something more resembling a round stubby marine style filter.

I was certain the sp62 was from 62 as mine is f62 and is from that year...I did notice one ad that said coming soon and it was nov 62 from memory so that makes sense.

Thanks for taking the time finding all this information guys very interesting its been awesome ,I know a hole lot more about Turner mowers than I did a few weeks ago, when I got this mower I knew nothing about it...Its all but done few little this to do and just need to hook up a fuel line and fire it up ...

You've done a truly superb job on this restoration, Chris. Even the washdown port rubber looks like NOS!

Turner mowers faded out quite rapidly after manufacture ceased; IIRC that was because Turner also discontinued supply of the spare parts for them. About the only Turner-specific bits that were still available by the mid 70's, was blades and bolts, from aftermarket suppliers like Bynorm. The engine parts were still available, from other sources that had used the same engines.

A pity, because as CyberJack has said, in many ways they were 'leading edge' for their era.

Thanks for the compliments on the work I've done guys on this old mower means a lot.I hope I've done it justice I'm happy with it runs good too here is a vid of its 1st fire up and a pic of how it looked when I got it Cheers ..



[video][/video]

Hi Chris125, fellow contributors and ODK members,

I love that final evening photograph. To have a video record is a bonus.
Blue made the observation (and said it well) that folks have enjoyed this story,
and that all of us have learnt more about the dark horse, Turner.

I think this Model V machine was Turner's best lawnmower.
As you know, I have started writing about their first machine, the 4M, in the
History Forums. Here is the LINK.

Chris, I wouldn't mind a close up of the R.H. front wheel and safety sticker if
that would be possible at some point. Your stunning restoration work has become an
important historical record.

All very rewarding.
----------------------------------------
JACK.

Hope this helps Jack If you need more pics just let me know

Hi Chris125,

Yeah, that's the booty. Thanks mate.

I hope the 'Safe-T' sticker (top) will help identify this machine more accurately.
My current view is that you have a V chassis (introduced for the 1965-66 season),
but your machine dates from a couple of years later, 1967-1969.

In any case, this is the best record of this revolutionary machine anyone has.
All credit to you Chris.

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

I have just bought this exact model with a couple of slight differences.
I don't have an impulse starter, it is the rope pull start with wooden pull handle and actual rope.
Also my fuel [Censored] is brass and in the second picture there is a sticker that says something about either starting or stopping the engine

hhmmm it says fuel [censored] did that to me the other day when i typed dad

Hello Kye and stev

This is quite hilarious.
The UBB software, apparently, does not like these words:


Kye, you made a typo in the other post (now corrected).
You typed the first word in the list (above) instead of 'dad'.

stev had used the other word in context. Taps used to be referred to
as a water [Censored], and fuel [Censored]. However the plural is permitted:
Taps used to be referred to as water cocks and fuel cocks.

I guess it is a total [Censored]-up.
I understand why [Censored] is censored, but [Censored]?

------------------------
Jack

Nice post. Yep I'm showing my age.

aahh i see, woops, i call them that a fuel [Censored] as well