OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums The History Forum Model Histories AUSTRALIAN Rotary Models SUNBEAM - Twin Rotor Electric Mower - c1959

Hello ODK History Lovers

Electric rotary lawnmower production began here in 1948. Electricity powered
our first rotary lawnmowers. They had an instant impact, taking advantage of a
new, more prosperous Australia post WWII. By the end of the 1950s, however, the
electric rotary had been overwhelmed with the petrol-powered units.

The Sunbeam Electric Lawnmower kept the idea alive in the 1960s and 1970s.
Introduced in late 1959 for the 1959-60 lawnmowing season, this design
(of USA Parent Company design) would be made in Australia and would go
through at least one significant model change.

This was a unique and clever design that captured a niche market of
small-lawn owners who loved them. The first design appeared initially
in a red/white colour scheme. This was followed by a fresher looking
green/blue scheme.



TO BE CONTINUED ...

PART TWO - Advertising
The Sunbeam Electric was widely and regularly advertised in the 1960s, and moderately
in the 1970s. Remember that Sunbeam (Australia) was arguably the number one appliance
manufacturer of that era, and the Sunbeam mower was distributed through both electrical
retailers and specialist lawnmower outlets.

There was good publicity in Australian Women's Weekly (to capture female consumers?).
Note the AWW ad foregrounds the female (as main buyer of appliances), but the mower
Christmas card is made out to ... Dad!




And in the wider news press. Here are some early examples - of the 'red Sunbeam Electric':-
This one from the Canberra Times, dating to February, 1960.


TO BE CONTINUED ...

PART THREE - Specification - First Model
The Sunbeam had a unique design that cleverly overcame some design issues
with large size cut electric rotary mowers. This was a full 18 inch design,
but with that cutting width spread over twin rotors. The rotors were not
blade holder discs, but bars, and each held two swing-back blades.

With twin discharge ports, this was an almost symmetrical mower. By 1960
electric mowers were incorporating advanced safety features and the Sunbeam
was at the forefront of electric mower design.



At least one feature was a very short wheel base (because of two half-size rotors).
This was advertised as an anti-scalping feature - with some credibility; given
Australia's liking for low-cut mowing.

This unique design, combined with a feature of all rotaries (that they would
cut in reverse direction) meant that an unusual mowing arrangement could be
achieved. Essentially, there was no 'front or back' ... and no need to turn the
mower around for the next mowing strip. Instead, the handle was simply flipped
over!



The most interesting feature was the clever drive system. With a safety
clutch on the motor, and twin shock-absorbing toothed drive belts, this
was a mower designed for longevity. Note how the belts are 'timed' at 90
degrees ... so the rotor blades do not make contact.



TO BE CONTINUED ...

PART FOUR - Manual

Printed in the days when manuals were manuals, this 20 page booklet covers
operation, maintenance and spares parts. It is a great read for anyone wanting
in-depth knowledge of the first model Sunbeam Twin Rotor Electric Lawnmower.
I have scanned my personal copy and have made it available as a personal use
download.

PART FIVE - Second Model

At some point the Sunbeam was updated. Its new livery was blue and green and it
had a revised cowling which gave it a more modern look. It featured a new handle
design too, with new power control unit. It possibly was fitted with a larger
motor and other changes at this time.

I have been frustrated in not finding advertising records, but I guess this change
occurred in the mid-to-late 1960s. Here are some photos of the revised first model:-




TO BE CONTINUED ...

These are fantastic 2015 auction pictures of the first model.
Final selling price ... $71.00 !!!

Here is a NOS blade set from a 2012 auction.
Note the subtle angle for the blade face, and the fluting:-

PART EIGHT - Summary

The Sunbeam Twin Rotor Electric Lawnmower kept the flame burning for the
electric rotary lawnmower in Australia. Petrol-powered mowers were ubiquitous
by the late 1950s, and all the other Australian-made electric mowers (except
Tecnico) did not survive to see the 1960s at all.

The Sunbeam was, arguably, the most thoughtful, well-engineered, electric
mower of the era. It entered this market catering to a niche set of buyers -
who didn't take well to noisy, smelly - sometimes cantankerous - petrol
lawnmowers. The Sunbeam worked reliably year in and year out.

Its design was unique; in having twin rotors, belt driven, and swing-back
blades - all grass being discharged through twin discharge chutes (at front
and back).

It was revised here with a new blue/green model that updated the specification
and style. However, the biggest drawback was the lack of a catching system.
This would be corrected with a radically changed Third Model that could cut and
catch. But that is a story for another record.

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

AUSTRALIAN ROTARY MODELS

SUNBEAM 2 & 4 LAWNKEEPERS

VINTAGE ELECTRIC LAWNMOWERS

BREVILLE Electric Lawnmowers:-
https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/83747/BREVILLE_-_Electric_Lawnmower_.html

GMF Multi-Mower:-
https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/60132/GMF_MULTI-MOWER_-_c1955.html

MERCURY Electric Lawnmower:-
https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=60497

SUNBEAM Electric Lawnmower:-
https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/76641/SUNBEAM_Twin_Rotor_Electric_Mo.html

TASMA Electric Lawnmower:-
https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/84095/TASMA_-_Electric_Lawnmower_-_c.html

TECNICO Electric Lawnmower:-
https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=67838


Are you charged-up? Does electricity excite you?
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It's always nice when one can place a digitised newsprint advert
alongside its original counterpart.

Here is a recent find: a full page news print advertisementt from
Post magazine, 1960.

I present these to members as a gallery and the printad as
a high quality download.