OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums The History Forum Model Histories SCOTT BONNAR Models DOUBLE MOWER - c1927

Hello ODK History Lovers

This is probably the weirdest Scott Bonnar of them all.

The year is 1927. This was an important year for Scott Bonnar because it introduced its
14, 16 and 18 inch Standard Electric Lawnmowers. These were the first Scott Bonnars to not be powered
�conversions� of Shanks� and Green�s hand roller lawnmowers. Scott Bonnar had come of age as a
lawnmower Manufacturer.

Scott Bonnar were clearly expanding and experimenting with new ideas.
The most-intriguing of them all was what I have dubbed the �Double Mower�, or what the 1927 patent
described as, �a combined power driven roller mower and lawn mowers operating mechanism therefore�.

It was an odd-looking machine designed for bowling greens that placed two mowers back-to-back with a
single set of split rollers in the middle. It had duel sets of handles so that the machine would not require
turning as it traversed the green.

In research, I have only found one record that references (and explains) this extraordinary machine.
It comes from the Adelaide News from 14 May, 1927:-



I guess you're wondering what it looked like? Luckily, one photograph survives.

TO BE CONTINUED ...

PART TWO - The Photograph

It was sheer luck that this photograph should first appear ... on these forums in 2013.

To my knowledge, only one photograph of the machine survives. This photograph was supplied by member Geoff N,
whose grandfather was the great Scott Bonnar designer Sid Bowditch:-



Member Willingworker recognised the significance of the photograph and has generously
supplied a DRAFT extract from the 1927 patent:-



TO BE CONTINUED ...

PART THREE � The Patent

For the record, we now have unearthed a copy of the patent. It was only through tenacious searching at
the AUSPAT website that Sir Chook recently uncovered the final patent application for this wonderful folly
� the two-headed mower.

It was clear from newsprint notices that the 1927 patent Application was revised in a later 1928 Application,
which was then Accepted in March of 1929.




Here is the illustration that accompanied Patent 12,057 of 1928. I have provided a download link of the
5-page document at the bottom of the illustration.

PART FOUR - SIGNIFICANCE

It seems pretty clear why the "Double Mower" never went into production.

The great test of inventions is whether they solve a problem.
This one didn't. The advent of gear differentials in land-rolls meant that any damage
to a green by turning the lawnmower was, in a practical sense, negligible.

The price would have doubled and so too the weight. With two opposed handles, it was not
a simple and elegant design. It was over-engineered for the perceived problem.

Nonetheless, this almost-forgotten invention, brought to the light of day on these forums,
does show a new company - in its first decade - developing into a world leader.

Scott Bonnar was a company that was prepared to think and experiment.
Without failure there can be no success.

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

The original post that inspired this article may be found HERE.



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