OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Collectors Corner Rotary Austral Villiers 20" Hercules mower

just bought this mower from the local tender centre

What an interesting colour scheme they have chosen.Even painted the compliance plate on the front of the engine.
What are the plans for this old girl?

hi voljon
that's a nice old mower made by av everyman , looks like a Kirby four stroke engine to me , have you have you it running, I don't think there would be many of those around , what a good find .
cheers damo

Havnt seen this Model in a long time...Kirby LAV 30 probably. 20" is a big call from Austral, especially with the engine tight against the body rails. I wonder how they got the last inch under.

Very cool find Voljon, and Super Rare:)

Hello all!

It is rare to see the A-V 20".
I have never seen one fitted with a Kirby-Lauson.

These machines were introduced in late 1959 for the '59-60 season.
They were originally fitted with the Villiers 7F 2-stroke.
The original colours were red base / green engine

This machine is missing its front bumper / skirt.
They could be fitted with a grass catcher.

Voljon, you have a very rare lawnmower indeed.
It would be dated from the very early 1960s.

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

Hi I've recently acquired an AV Hercules minus engine and it matches colours of one on another post with a Clinton engine. Would I be correct in assuming this should also have been fitted with a Clinton as the hole pattern doesn't match a LV30 I was going to use for it. Also what is the significance of the 'A' on the model does this indicate engine type.

Hi Red Rum,

I would check the stud pattern again ,the Kirby only uses 3 bolt holes and when I make my Victa Kirby base the same
size as the AV Hercules on the computer screen and measure the holes they both look the same.(spark plug at the back of the base)



Cheers
Max.

Hi Red Rum,

Going by the link below as you mentioned the other AV having a Clinton motor has the A on the id plate ,you would assume the
A represents a Clinton 4 stroke motor but only seeing a couple of mowers with the A and a Clinton it's just a guess.

https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/106808/austral-villiers-hercules-c1959.html

It's up to you how you would like to restore this mower base ,the Clinton 4 stroke is harder to find than the Kirby but
all 3 four stroke motors will bolt straight on as the pattern is the same even a briggs will bolt straight on.

Pics below showing bolt pattern the same for Briggs and Clinton 2 stroke and is the original Kirby pattern.

Cheers
Max.

Trust me it doesn't the two front holes line up and the rear is about 20mm off

I'd just drill that one hole Red Rum.

Makes sense that one hole being out as my 2 stroke motor had 2 holes at the back so was assuming the Clinton 4 stroke would also fit.


Cheers
Max.