OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Restoring, Customising and Modifying Reel-Type Mowers Trimmer Push Mower - c1930s

Have another one on the way should be here next week so resto can start
Ian

Hi Ian
Fantastic!
No one seems to bother with Australian-made pushies - except yourself!

I have been researching AUS pushies for years, and I am no closer to
identifying the maker of the Trimmer.

The top-two suspects are Purcell Engineering or Crowe Engineering.
I have currently only catalogued a few adverts, and they are dated mid-1930s.

Please let us know how the project progresses.
Many thanks for keeping 'purist' lawnmower collecting alive.

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Jack

Hi Jack I'm a Fitter & Turner and the machining required to machine up the parts a small lathe. milling machine, press drill just about anybody could do it
The cast parts are small so just how big a setup would be needed
It is amazing just how many different brands/name there are in the push reel mowers like Rex, Norka
Have you see this one cast onto the wheel Queensland Special, NOT mine
Ian

Hi Ian
I do find it amusing when folk talk about 'store brands' in rotary mower terms.
You have pointed out the vast number of pushie models out there.

The store (or hardware brand) is probably an idea first used by the Americans in the late 19th Century.
The idea spread, and Australian makers followed in the 20th Century.

I have looked at the Queensland Special and your image is the first I have seen of one.
It is a late inter-war design and I have suspicion it was a store brand made for the great
QLD company of Smellies Limited.

Their Head Office was in Brisbane, and that beautiful building is now heritage listed.
Their other office was in Cairns. The Queensland Special was not entry-level, but
a high-end job, and quite expensive. I hope to identify the maker at some point.

Cheers
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Jack

Hi Jack
Mower arrived today and there is some info on the inside frame which might help your research allso the only one I have seen with a square rod?
Ian

Hi Ian
That info you sent has proven crucial!
It is tragic that I find this exciting.

I had the patent on record, but associated with the Little Trimmer.
My best guess is that the Little Trimmer was the 12"; the Trimmer the 14"

We now know who invented the machine: George Stanley Donaldson.

It was manufactured in Victoria, originally by Donaldson Slattery & Company,
and then (probably) by Australian Foundries and Engineering Limited.

The patent appears in the gallery ...
The square-bar cross-brace appears in the patent illustration.

I have more work to do on this one, and we look forward to your resto progress.

Many thanks.
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Jack

All Finished
Ian

Hi Ian
Many thanks for this restoration!
Fantastic record images.
You have brought an old lawnmower to life

Yes, I remain annoyed that so few folks look at AUS lawnmower history.
Our history does not start with Victa!

Your great images confirm an important lawnmower ...
Note the self-adjusting ball bearings - novel in the day.
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Jack

Hi Jack
Here is some I took to a display a few weeks back
Ian

Hi Ian
I must say, you not only restore, but you display.
For me, this is the highest category of lawnmower collector = they publically share!
Many thanks.

As I said, I have more work to do on the Trimmer and its history.
But you have saved another one!

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Jack