OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums The History Forum Model Histories AUSTRALIAN Rotary Models BREVILLE - Electric Lawnmower - c1949

Hello ODK History Lovers
I have written about Australian rotary 'pre-history' many times now.
Our first rotary was the little 10" Tecnico of 1948; but a few electric rotary
lawnmower makers appeared on the scene at this time. Many of these were comprised
of post-war manufacturers that needed to create new products to survive after war-
time production.

Breville was one such 'maker'... or 'marketer'. Everyone knows Breville - as a
home appliance manufacturer. It's most successful product was the sandwich toaster,
that sold in many countries. Few would know that Breville was founded in Melbourne in
1932. Originally they were radio manufacturers but quickly diversified. They made mine
detectors for the war effort. Today, Breville trades in over 30 countries!

The Breville Lawnmower dates to about 1949 - and the company clearly saw an opportunity
post-WWII to develop new household products for the emerging mass consumer market of the
1950s and beyond.

The Breville Electric Lawnmower was a 'marketed' product sold under the Breville brand.
Like the Mercury Electric, these were made, in fact, by R.G. Marshal of Sydney.



TO BE CONTINUED ...

PART TWO - Specification
Research indicates that there were at least two Breville electric lawnmowers.
The first model seems to have been powered by a ¼ h.p. motor, and with a 11½" inch
cutting width. I do not know if the blades were of the swing-back type.

It had a two-speed motor. The chassis base was alloy, and the machine
had a wooden rear roller and rubber front wheels.




TO BE CONTINUED ...

PART THREE - Specification - Second Model
The new model was introduced for 1951. This was the Model 'Q' for 'QUIET'.
This one, like the earlier model, had a two-speed motor, but of a larger ½ h.p.
The first speed was a low 2,800rpm - capitalising on the reputation - and advantage
over - noisy, high-speed electric motors. Notice the move to tubular steel handles,
but still with a handle mounted switch.





SOURCE: Vintage Mowers website



TO BE CONTINUED ...

These images depict a 2015 auction machine.
I believe this is the first model.

TECNICO ELECTRIC LAWNMOWERS:-
https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=67901

MERCURY ELECTRIC LAWNMOWERS:-
https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=60494



BREVILLE on Wikipedia:-
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breville

BREVILLE Website:-
http://www.breville.com/


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