OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums The History Forum Model Histories AUSTRALIAN Power Reel Models GRASSHOPPER - Power Reel Mower - c1954

Hello ODK History Lovers

The Grasshopper Reel Mower was a 14 inch reel-type lawnmower made by the
Grasshopper Lawnmower Company of Windsor Road, Richmond, NSW.

The company is historically important for being a pioneer in the
manufacture of rotary lawnmowers in this country. The start date,
best guess, c1950.

The big surprise - and confirmation of research - is that Grasshopper
also made a powered reel lawnmower!




TO BE CONTINUED ...

PART TWO - Dating

It is unusual that a company would manufacture against the convention.
The Grasshopper Lawnmower made rotary mowers first, but expanded this to
include at least two reel models - a 14" electric and a 14" 'petroil'
two-stroke. The egg came after the chicken!

The earliest record of the reel mower from the factory occurs in November
of 1954, and I believe this is a fairly accurate indication of the start
date for this mower. The price, at £54, is clearly for the cheaper electric
model. The petrol engine machine would be dearer ...



TO BE CONTINUED ...

PART THREE - Specification

It is at this juncture I would like to acknowledge and thank
Scotty from Warwick and member IanOZ for the discovery and image
recording of this rare machine. Without their foresight and
assistance this mower would not have come to light.

This is a 14" machine with traditional design elements; but with some
surprising ones too!

It has a steel plate side frame in the squarish style of Alex Grahame
and Morrison reel mowers of the day. It is solidly built and intended for
the middle-market; between the cheaper side-wheel power mowers offered by
Australian Pope, and Ogden, and the like.



However, the Grasshopper reel sits between the powered side-wheels
[generally 12" - 14", but not self-propelled], and the top-end reel-roller
types offered by the imported Ransomes, Greens, Shanks, and the like
[powered and self-propelled].

The Grasshopper was priced in-between the two design extremes - like the
first Scott Bonnar Bonmow. I guess it was aimed at the top-end of the working
class - who could afford a rotary; but wanted a mower for a 'nicer' lawn,
but could not afford the higher-priced reel-roller mowers. This was, after
all, about class and respectability ...

This was a front catcher mower, with split differential roller and
Villiers MK 2 Midget engine. It used a combination of chain and belt
power transmission.

It appears that compromises were made for this entry-level reel/roller mower.
Like the Bonmow, there was a single secondary clutch - to operate the landroll
via a simple belt tensioner. This would mean that the engine carried the load
of the reel turning at start up. There was no primary clutch; but a tensioner
belt clutch for landroll engagement.



The most exciting feature must be the small roller configuration.
Grasshopper seems to have invigorated a century-old design - of the
original lawnmower - the Budding Patent of 1830. That design positioned
the small roller behind the cutter assembly.

The biggest objection [defect] in that design was the positioning of
the small roller. It caused scalping of the lawn; particularly with the
larger models that required a pusher and a puller - a two person job.

It is on record that the great British company, Thomas Green & Son,
overcame this defect by incorporating a front roller [rather than mid-
mounted] that overcame the scalping problem. At this time similar
experiments were made with 'outrigger' rollers, which carried the front
weight of the mower on small external-to-the-frame rollers.

Grasshopper seems to have adopted a most unusual retro-approach, in
returning the small roller behind the reel and bottom block; but having
outriggers to carry the weight of the catcher (and grass), and to prevent
scalping on uneven terrain. Amazing.



The use of outriggers was not uncommon - with many companies offering them for
facilitating the cutting of higher grasses. But the combination of a mid-mounted
small roller and outriggers should be considered quite unique in 20th Century
mower design.

Having said that, Keith Wooten, President of the respected Old Lawnmower Club,
has understood both the unusualness and understandable choice of the design.
By removing the front roller, - there may be advantages in the configuration
if trying to cut slightly longer grass as the roller won't deflect it out of
the way of the cutter, but the risk of the cutter grounding out would be
greatly increased.

I feel Grasshopper understood the Australian psyche and lifestyle - where
lawnmowing was historically closer to a chore than a pleasure.

Grasshopper's generous reel diameter and complete removal of a central front
roller enabled the machine to more efficiently cut higher grasses.

The disadvantage, of course, lay in a short roller base, and the small outriggers
carried most of the weight of a full grass catcher. There was also the added
complexity of adjusting all rollers to the same height. It was never an elegant
solution ... I guess that's why Australians fell in love with the rotary design,
in all its configurations and guises.

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


TO BE CONTINUED ...

PART FIVE - Conclusion
It has been a decade in waiting before I finally came to see evidence
of a Grasshopper reel mower. What I saw surprised me. The machine was;
and was not conventional - with its most unusual placement of the
small roller.

The evidence, today, suggests that the Grasshopper reel is extremely
rare indeed. This is the first image evidence of one existing in modern
times, and a big thank you to Scott and Ian for seeing something quite
unusual.

The Grasshopper rotaries are more important, I guess, in the scheme
of things - in that they were early, and they did not conform to the
direct drive designs adopted by major Australian makes. Grasshopper
had belt drive on its early machines, but moved to direct drive by
the late 1950s.

I feel the Grasshopper reel mower was somewhat an aberration -
a company wanting to expand its range to cover all tastes and
preferences had to offer them. But, the future lay in rotary
designs, and their reel design was ageing as it was born.
That is why they are so lovable and collectible!

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

GRASSHOPPER LAWNMOWER COMPANY


Would you like to comment on the Grasshopper?
Simply create a new topic in the Old Soap Box HERE.