OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums The History Forum Model Histories AUSTRALIAN Power Reel Models MOBILCO - Cruiser - c1956

Hello ODK History Lovers

The Mobilco Cruiser was a 14" power reel lawnmower made from late 1956. It was designed
and manufactured by Mobile Industrial Equipment of 410-422 Whitehouse Road, Mitcham, Victoria.

It is a rare machine, and I do not believe it was made for more than a season or two. It was the most handsome
of lawnmowers, and it was a completely Australian design (with the exception of the engine).

Here are a couple of early announcements, from the Melbourne Argus, 11 September and 24 October, 1956:-

SPECIFICATION

The Cruiser was powered by the British Tor 49 engine, as used on other Australian makes such as
the Ogden and Atom Mofast. The mower used ball-bearings throughout (including the steel front roller),
and the chain-driven transmission was fully enclosed.

The Cruiser was a twin clutch machine: a centrifugal (automatic) clutch drove the blades,
but a 'hair-trigger' friction plate clutch drove the landroll. A weakness in the design was that
the landroll was a single roller (without differential).

Interesting features included a 'built-in' toolbox accessible via a flip-up lid and a 'floating handle'
for operator comfort and storage. I guess that feature was the inspiration for the name 'Cruiser'.

The Cruiser would have looked stunning in its yellow baked enamel finish, brass triangle nameplate on the
toolbox lid, and fanciful royal crest decal emblazoned on the grass catcher. This was a pimp-your-ride mower!

In late 2021 Clive Garvett, founder and trustee of the British
Budding Foundation alerted me to an Australian auction
of an original Mobilco Cruiser in very good condition.

I have just recently acquired this flyer for the Mobilco Cruiser. It gives single-page,
per-release information for this most stylish lawnmower.

The flyer is not in great condition, but that one survives at all is amazing!
This is the best image we have of an original Cruiser ...