SPECIFICATIONThese lawnmowers would have looked pretty, but were ultimately
conservative designs.
Both machines had
alloy bases and
swing-back blades. Importantly, the bases were advertised as having
�Safety skirts�; meaning that the grass would be cut and discharged in a controlled way, unlike the
prevalent �Toe Cutter� bases of the time. The rubber wheels were solid (later semi-pneumatic) and used �oilite� bushings.
The height adjustment was also American style � independent adjustment on each wheel � and was
described as a
�split second height adjustment� in advertising. The handle could be tilted,
but not folded for transport.
The
engines were significantly different. The
Rotor Mower had the 70 c.c.
Villiers engine.
The larger
Lawn Speed used a larger
JAP engine with recoil starter. I think the engine was a C80,
and the exhaust would have been directed downward through the base (I think).
Note the unusual lower crankcase.
In any case, most advertising records depict the smaller
Rotor Mower and its 70cc engine:-
MANUAL - LAWNSPEEDMember
Kye Turnbull has generously supplied scans of his
Lawnspeed
Operator's Manual. It is a four page document available for download.