OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums The History Forum Model Histories SCOTT BONNAR Models MODEL 22 & 31 - The First Spincuts - c1956 & c1958

Hello ODK History Lovers

Scott Bonnar's first rotary lawnmowers were the Spincuts, first introduced in late 1956 for the
1956-57 lawnmower season. There were two models made in the 1950s.

The latter, larger 1958 machine varied significantly from the smaller 1956 original.
This article explores what we know about the first two Spincuts.

- The MODEL 22 16"
- The MODEL 31 18"

PART TWO & THREE - SPECIFICATIONS

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PART TWO - MODEL 22 - The Spincut 16"

The first Spincut was a 16 inch machine with a solid alloy base and sort-of folding handle.
It was powered by a 2 h.p. British JAP engine with snorkel air cleaner and lanyard start.

The wheels appear to be solid rubber mounted on metal hubs. Height adjustment was primitive,
requiring bolt removal on all four corners of the base. Three pitched blades were said to give
a 'suction lift' to aid grass cutting.

The recommended price in 1957 was £58/17/6, somewhat more expensive than the Victa Rotomo's £49/18/-.

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PART THREE - MODEL 31 - The Spincut 18"

Significant changes were made with the second Spincut model.The new pressed steel base was re-designed
and enlarged to 18 inch, and was released in late 1958 for the 1958-59 lawnmower season.

This machine would have the fashionable semi-pneumatice wheels mounted on plastic hubs,
with the rear wheels being of a larger diameter. It had a new design folding handle.

The height adjuster was somewhat improved. Now it was dual point, in having an adjuster for the
left and right sides. It was awkward in having two adjusting and two locking knobs.

The 18 inch machine was the first to be fitted with a vertical shaft version of Scott Bonnar's
own 155c.c. two-stroke engine. At a rated 4 h.p., they claimed it to be the most powerful
rotary mower on the market. Interestingly, it had a half-length snorkel system for air filtration.

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ADVERTISEMENTS

In this 1958 advertisement both machines were being offered. Of particular note is the
reference to the 16 inch being offered with lanyard or kick starter.




In this 1959 advertisement we, again see both size machines, with the focus clearly on the
larger one. Note the new 'proper' folding handle and half-snorkel. Note the height adjuster is
now dual point, but awkward in having two knobs (one for locking).

SIGNIFICANCE

I guess these early Scott Bonnars, because of their rarity, are the holy grail of SB rotaries.
It's easy to see that Scott Bonnar were developing these rotaries to compliment
their domestic (or smaller lawn) 14" Bonmow reel mowers.

The Spincuts would be outdated by the early 1960s; the main drawback of the
machines being their lacking an optional grass catcher.

However, the crowning glory of the development of these early Scott Bonnars would
culminate in the introduction of the magnificent Model 35 19" rotary of late 1960.

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

16" SPINCUT
These photos of the 16" Spincut come from member willingworker.
[The orange colour is original]





2015 Auction (eBay) photo of a Model22

[Image supplied by paul_c]

MODEL 31 18" SPINCUT

A rare Spincut 22 with kick starter has been found.
For perhaps just one season, Scott Bonnar sold the older Model 22
alongside their second, newer rotary, the Model 31.


Whilst kick starters were not uncommon on reel mowers at this time,
their use on rotary lawnmowers was not common at all. Austral-
Villiers' Adaptamatic used one; Champion used one; and Atom's Mofast
used one.

I guess Scott Bonnar ungraded the Model 22 to take kick starting
because the Model 33 offered the newly released automatic recoil.

This mower, owned by member Sir Bat is, perhaps, the most original
Spincut found - with all but the snorkel air cleaner intact and
original.




See links below for a full photo record of this machine.

I was lucky enough recently to acquire an Operator Manual for the
first model Spincut - the Model 22. This must be the
earliest instructions, but note amendments were made to a few part
numbers, suggesting this manual probably dates from 1957.

BROCHURES for the Model 22 and 31 have been found ...

MODEL 22


CLICK HERE

MODEL 31


CLICK HERE

SCOTT BONNAR MODELS

Blumby's Model 22
https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=39981

Sir Bat's Model 22
https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=72963

Barge's Model 31
https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=68671



The History Record on these Spincuts is incomplete.
Please leave your comments in the Old Soap Box HERE.