OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums The History Forum Model Histories AUSTRALIAN Rotary Models ATOM MOFAST MOWERS - c1957

Hello ODK History Lovers

Once in a while a company comes along that both fits the mould but also embraces
the times. Mofast Mowers were the most stylised Australian lawnmowers of the
1950s, embracing Sputnik and the Space Age, Marvel Comics and the Machine Age.
They personified the future!

They were distributed by a separate company, Atom Distributing Company,
of 52-62 Burwood Road, Burwood, Melbourne, and with State Branches in Sydney
and Adelaide. I guess the owners of the distributing company were the same
players as the manufacturers. That story is yet to be told.

In any case, Mofast realised - before most ... that a range of mowers could
produce better returns on investment. As such, they would offer 15", 18" and
20" mowers, all sizes coming in standard and deluxe versions. There would also
be a kick-start 15" machine, taking the tally to seven models, at a time when
the biggest player, Victa, could only muster three (at best).



TO BE CONTINUED ...

PART TWO - Specification

I have already said that the Mofast was made in three sizes, but with several
variants. Mofast used two, possibly three engine makes. The smaller machines used
the British Trojan Tor Minor and Major engines. The larger machines used the
Australian Hurricane 125, 180 and 185 engines.

I have found references in Repco and ACL catalogues of the day:-




Chassis
The Mofast chassis was cast alloy. The wheel base was not typical Australian 4-square.
The smaller machines had a narrower track at the rear, whilst the large 20" machine
had the American-style off-set front wheels and forward chute discharge.



The height adjustment was a more sophisticated form of the four-point
(on each wheel). Without tools, the height-of-cut could be adjusted by levers
in defined increments. This adjusting method, though favoured by American designs,
was becoming outdated on these shores by the single-point lever and segment system.
Only Pope (of the big manufacturers) would persevere with this system into the 1960s.

Special mention should be given to the styling of the De-luxe machines.
The tear-drop cowl and large fuel tank offered a recoil starter. The design is
reminiscent of American outboards of the period. Combined with the distinctive
'Mofast' font and we are clearly given a perception of speed. The Mofast could
turn grass into lawn very quickly!

TO BE CONTINUED ...

PART THREE - The Kick-Start Mofast

This History Record should include reference to the kick-start 15" model.
To my knowledge, none of these have been found.

In the late 1950s, a few Australian rotary manufacturers experimented with the
kick-starter - and with good reason. The same phenomenon was appearing with reel
mowers at this time. Austral-Villiers, Champion, Mofast and Scott Bonnar all
offered at least one kick-start model. The lack of automatic decompressors in
small 2-stroke engines started the trend in the late 1950s; and the advent of the
rewind-start in the early 1960s probably ended it.


Source: http://acms.sl.nsw.gov.au/item/itemDetailPaged.aspx?itemID=74729

TO BE CONTINUED ...

PART FOUR - Range Manual - Part 1
I was lucky enough to acquire a full-range manual a few years' ago.
Though not in mint condition, it was good enough to scan and record.
It is an important document.

The manual is almost fifty pages, and I have broken it down into separate
parts for easy download. This first part covers the first 13 pages and covers
these topics: the Mofast range, preparation, starting, using, and fault finding.

There are some great illustrations that reveal in detail the works of Mofast mowers.
Of particular note are the patents taken out for handle, wheel height adjusters, and
the kick-start.

PART FIVE - Manual - 15 Inch
The 15 Inch Mofast was made in three models: Standard, Deluxe, and Kick-Start.
This manual covers all versions, including engine and chassis.

PART SIX - 18 Inch Manual
The 18 Inch Mofast was made in two models: Standard and Deluxe.
This manual covers all versions, including the Hurricane engine and chassis.

PART SEVEN - 20 Inch Manual
The 20 Inch Mofast was made in two models: Standard and Deluxe.
This manual covers all versions, including the Hurricane engine and chassis.
Of particular note are the American-style off-set front wheels.

PART EIGHT - Commentary
Mofast Mowers didn't last for that long. The earliest advertising dates from early
1957 and the last from early 1962. Some information is known about the Atom
Distribution Company, but nothing about the manufacturing side of things.

I believe the enterprise started in 1945, when Charlie Tull (1917-1997) and his
partner Gil Nicholls registered the Ezycut Tool Company and the Seacraft
Manufacturing Company.

They proceeded to design and produce various Ezycut and Atom power tools (woodworking),
Lawnmowers, Outboard Motors and Plywood Dinghys etc. They built yachts at Parkdale
and were keen sailors. Atom was formed in 1954 with a capital of £100,000 to
distribute these products. Lawnmowers, then, were a later venture.

Their most unique feature would have to be the streamlined bases, and the tanks on
the Deluxe models. These were otherwise competent late 1950s rotary mowers with some
nice fatures.

Atom's biggest customer appears to have been the H.G. Palmer Group who frequently
advertised the small Mofasts. Mofasts were probably sold in all the Eastern States.
There is clear evidence that Mofast made at least one store brand - the Park Lane
for Waltons.

Mofasts are rare today and should be considered highly desirable and collectible.
The rarer machines appear to be the larger models, particularly the 20 inch 'Giant'.

Clearly the designs were not really suitable for the 1960s; the biggest drawbacks
being the lack of grass catchers and safer bases. A large range of 'utility' mowers
was simply just not the formula for success in the new decade. So I guess Atom was
not prepared to re-invest in a new range of side and rear discharge catcher models.
That's a pity ... because they probably would have looked fantastic!

The rest is history.
-------------------------------------
Jack

Member Paul C was lucky enough to acquire one of the most
original, low hour Mofast 15 Deluxe machines you will ever see.

[video][/video]

I mentioned in Part Eight that Atom also made and distributed outboards.
I understand these were sold under the Atom Waterboy brand, and included a range
of hp sizes. Of note is that, again, Trojan and Hurricane engines were used ...
but with modifications.





http://forums.tomm.com.au/index.php?topic=4400.0
http://www.saving-old-seagulls.co.uk/phpbb3/viewtopic.php?t=4930
[Great research by ODK member AusAnzani]

An Interesting physical connection to part of this manual: -
https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/u.../atom-mofast-printing-blocks-c1950s.html

Mofast Park Lane Mower:-
https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=68914


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