OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions On Ride On Mowers Questions on Greenfield Ride On Mower Frames Old Greenfield Ride-on: First Model?

Summary,

Why do I believe it's the first model? Simply because I've not seen any other Greenie with so may 'firsts' which have been clearly replaced by design improvements. It also aligns with the statement in the obituary that the first machines had a 4.5hp Honda. Not exactly rock solid evidence, but it's all I've got. SD if you have anything on this please let us know as it changes everything.

If we assume that the 4.5 hp Honda was the one and only engine available, it stands to reason that only a 25 inch deck was available. And to me it stands to reason that an emergent company, urgently needing to get sales happening to offset the massive development and startup costs isn't going to muck around with a range of models. Sell one model and build a range in time, if that's what's needed.

Questions I have include:
How long was this model variant around?
How long were the little engines around after the G65 went in
Were only the little engine models fitted with the slitted grille bonnet faces and all G65s with the mesh grille? I had intended to discuss this one further but we can save it for another day.
When did a 28" deck become available

My own example of the beast is going to need a whole lot of lovin. gml's is way better!

Let the free and open discussion and the further investigation begin!

great work prd this is very interesting reading,today i found two work shop stickers on it from the same shop, i will google them and see if they still exist if so they have serviced this machine a few times they may know more,i have it all torn down it has been painted in red lead i thought it was rust, there is signs of yellow and red when i started to wet sand it..cheers

G'day gml, I'd be very interested to know what you find out. Also I'm keen to know how you go with the colour match.

Cheers,

i will keep you informed,i have to slow myself down i wanted this to be a now and then thing but its already in pieces,i will order front tyres and tubes tonight they are a weird size as you would know. i need a steering arm coupler for the front lhs i see in pics of yours they have been replaced,cheer's

this is my Red model version. Engine is just there for some where to put it..
Mine has a stamped "dash", Plate steel on steering mount not box, box & plate chassis solid front wheels & is a mesh grill front. My yellow HD8 is slightly different from my red model

are the dual rears on mine original or has some one added them?any clues

I read an internet article (I'm trying to find again) which was discussing the first engines & overheating issues they were having, (I beleive that was how honda got into them) then went on to discuss how the mesh front & bonnet flutes came about for the overheating problem

Added on, like the front bumper & rear exhaust on mine but it could of been a request by the buyer due to slopes (roll over)

[color:#FF0000][size:14pt] A topic from Here (ODK) with regards to Red HD8[/size][/color]

ok thank's, i just spoke with owner he say's it came from belgrave and had g45 small engine, and he believe's its a 66

norm they are 2.50.6,ard to find,cheers

gml I assume the wheels you want are the ones in Pauls pic above, the ones I have are the wider later model ones

G'day prd and all Contributors.

There is comprehensive new information here.
Many thanks for the wonderful, clear photos.

I have just created a topic on the first Greenfield patent.
It may provide valuable info. to Greenfield enthusiasts.

https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/u...FIELD_-_Theo_Reinhold_Pat.html#Post78614

------------------------
Jack

thank's jack,very interesting.it seems that honda was the first engine used,i found on mine a service tag from kilsyth mower services bayswater rd bayswater it is hard to read but says sold and serviced by them,also while cleaning parts i came across this it was cut out with torch i have tidy'd it up wit a file,not sure why it was done maybe chain had come off and tore sheet metal?

G'dat gml

Many Thanks!
This story is slowly unraveling.

I guess Greenfield introduced the Honda engine to lawnmowers in 1966...

That's interesting - the agent's sticker - and it adds to the
provenance of your machine. I feel early AUS ride-ons will be the
new collectible, and Greenfield were at the heart of it.

Cheers
------------------
Jack

p.s. You may be surprised with the last patent I put up for the 1960s-1970s.
It's not a lawnmower!

G'day gml, G'day All,

Interesting....G45... I wonder if he meant G40. It would help with lining up the ducks

hi prd he didn't sound sure when i asked him sadly... with all this info now i'm not sure where to go with mine i feel i should just put it back as a "roller"and hope a engine or a parts machine turns up someday, cheers

G'day again gml,

Sorry to have left you hanging. How's work progressing?

I fired up another post when I first replied to yours. It shows a slant (modern) Honda fitted to one of these machines - so it can be done. I suspect it wasn't a 'throw in' job though because even though the mounting bolt pattern is probably the same, the crankshaft height and the distance (forward) that the PTO is from the mounting will be different. I'm channelling my experiences with G65 vs GX390 here. A bit of Internet research will give answers.

Personally, I'd wait for a little G40 or G50 or the like to pop up. Bolts straight in and at least looks authentic. The Modern engine sitting in that red one in the other thread looks a little out of place, me thinks. Keep stooging around Gumbay and fleatree and swap meets atc and something will pop up

g'day prd,i have torn it all down wire brushed it,and started to rub it back ready for some primer, put new steer tyre's on so it roll's now..i will keep my eyes open for a g40/50 for it,if you see one let me know, cheer's

ready for some paint..

G'day gml,

Definitely puts the short-lived discussion about green in the bin! You've put in a tremendous amount of work. Please share your experiences with the colour match. I'm still envious of the condition of that machine compared to mine. Sigh.

Are you keeping the duals? I'm betting pounds to peanuts Jthey're not original. Tried to zoom in on the photos to get an understanding of what's been done to make the join. Looks like they've stacked two outer wheel halves together to make the outboard wheel and made the join with the inboard wheel with spacers and long bolts? Looks like someone went to a huge amount of effort. At the risk of stating the obvious, if you do try to take it apart deflate both the inboard and outboard tyres first! In fact completely remove the valve cores. Forgive me if I'm stating the obvious but the consequences of not could be nasty.

Looking forward to the photos once the paint is on

Cheers,