OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums The History Forum Model Histories UK & EUROPEAN Power Reel Models RANSOMES - Brochure - Full Line - c1972

Hello ODK History Lovers

There are brochures and then there are BROCHURES!

This Ransomes full-line brochure from the early 1970s is one of my all-time
favourites. In full colour, it depicts Ransomes at its peak, and in a time of
transition, still making residential and professional lawnmowers, but with clear
engagement and collaboration with the emerging force in professional turf
equipment ... the USA.

This was a multi-page, fold-out brochure, and probably more suited to a booklet
format. Nonetheless, it was beautifully photographed and illustrated.



As a teenager, I vividly remember the English rural village scene (two pages)
that nicely illustrated the application of the Ransomes' range. Brilliant!



TO BE CONTINUED ...

PART TWO - Popular Pedestrian Reel Range
Because of the complexity of this fold-out, I have used editorial judgment
in presenting the range. Let's start with the common pedestrian (walk behind)
machines. Yes, trailing seats were optioned for the larger machines.

Note that the smallest reel machine offered was the splendid Marquis - a
clear signifier of Ransomes' intention to move away from the residential
reel lawnmower market. The Twenty-Four, at 24" cut, was for larger residential
lawns, but not as heavy-duty as the 24" Matador. The Auto-Certes was Ransomes'
profession greens mower. It shared common engineering DNA with the Marquis.



The Matador, Mastiff and Antelope were all suitable named for their heavy duty
applications. The Matador was the largest Ransomes to have a pressed steel chassis.
The Mastiff was Ransomes' largest pedestrian reel mower. The Antelope was the
general purpose surrounds mower.



TO BE CONTINUED ...

PART THREE - Commercial Pedestrian Machines
These were the high cutters specifically designed for commercial and
municipal work. Of particular note is that Ransomes was an early user of
new technology - the Flail Mower. The Multimowers were Ransomes last
hurrah for commercial reel mowers for the cutting of taller grasses.
Clearly, this application was becoming 'owned' by the rotary-slasher market...



TO BE CONTINUED ...

PART FOUR - Junior Gangs and the Triples
The Standard Motor Triple features on the front and rear covers of this brochure.
That is a curious thing for me - until one realises that older triplex technology
was possibly being contrasted with the newer Ransomes-Hahn Tournament Triplex
seen in the background. Perhaps a changing of the guard?



The Ransomes Junior Gangs were for large residential use or small sporting clubs.
They took advantage of the garden tractor market. The Junior Motor Triple is a
favourite but too big for many collectors. The Standard Motor Triple by 1970 was close
to being an anachronism: a beautifully over-engineered machine that led the way
in ride-on triplexes, but was by now aging fast. A new world order of less-
mechanical reel lawnmower designs was emerging.



TO BE CONTINUED ...

PART FIVE - The Large Gang Mowers
It is often un-recognised the importance gang mowers have made to society.
For one thing, the cutting of large areas paved the way for the advent of
parks and sporting grounds. They gave us manicured public and private spaces.

The traditional friction drive gangs appeared in the 1920s, and Ransomes did
'borrow' an American patent for the idea. But Ransomes designs evolved and they
held a huge market with their Sportcutter and Magna units.



However, a new technology was emerging - hydraulics.
The Trailed Gang Carrier was an interim technology, combining hydraulic
lifting with the older friction-drive gang units:-



The emerging technology was full hydraulic drive - with no reliance
on primitive friction drive wheels. Ransomes led the way with their Hydraulic 5/7
tractor mounted gang mower.

In this Mark 1 version note the use of hydraulic motors still running
through a traditional chain case. The later versions would opt for a more
direct drive to the reels.



TO BE CONTINUED ...

PART SIX - Ransomes-Hahn
Ransomes clearly saw the challenge that the USA was making with lawnmowers
on a world-wide basis. Ransomes had never gained a 'foot-hold' in the USA,
but American manufacturers were certainly making inroads into overseas markets.

It would appear that the relationship between Ransomes and the American Hahn
was one of agency and licence - a reciprocal sales agreement - with Ransomes
distributing Ransomes-Hahn residential rotary and Rider/Rotaries throughout
Europe, and Hahn selling Ransomes machines in the USA and Canada.




TO BE CONTINUED ...

PART SEVEN - The Ransomes-Hahn Tournament Triplex
This machine deserves a separate posting; because it was such a significant
'game-changer'. Ransomes original powered triplex greens mower was the
Overgreen (c1930s), based on an American Worthington (c1920s).

The same thing occurred decades' later when Ransomes marketed the Hahn Triple
as a Ransomes-Hahn Tournament Triplex outside of the USA and Canada.
This is a significant machine, in that it is a pioneer in professional golf
mowing equipment.

With hydrostatic drive and hydraulic lift, it used three electric clutches
to engage the cutting heads, and cable drive to power them. It had belt drive
in the cutter units. A most unusual arrangement! It was a big seller for clubs
who could afford to abandon the then ubiquitous single unit pedestrian machines.




TO BE CONTINUED ...

PART EIGHT - Download Brochure