OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums The History Forum Model Histories AUSTRALIAN Rotary Models TURNER - SP 62 Self-Propelled - c1962

Hello ODK History Lovers
As the Forum Historian, Turner holds a special place � simply because
this great AUS company remains largely understood and under-appreciated.

They can claim a number of firsts in our rotary lawnmower history.
They introduced the 4-stroke rotary to Australia; they were a pioneer in
lawnmower safety; they introduced the plastic catcher here � and recent
research indicates that Turner made our first self-propelled domestic rotary �
the SP 62 of 1962!

Turner � Late 1962 (for 1963 Season)
Rover � Late 1963 (for 1964 Season)
Victa � Late 1964 (for the 1965 Season)

The earliest ad I have for the SP 62 dates from November, 1962.
Note the copy�s "Soon to Be Released� (at least in Canberra).



However, there is an underdog � Loukon Engineering�s Loukomatic rotary.
The earliest ad for the Loukon mower dates from early 1963 (again from Canberra).

I do not know whether Loukon, a small Sydney company, pipped Turner.
What is clear is that Melbourne�s Turner was the first of the BIG lawnmower
makers to do so on these shores � but models from Rover and Victa were
introduced in the immediate, following years.

TO BE CONTINUED �

PART TWO � Specification
I must say that the Turner Self-propelled is the most interesting of designs.
Turner did something no other AUS lawnmower maker did �
The SP 62 was propelled via front-wheel drive!

The later Rover and Victa self-propelled mowers of the 1960s would use a
primitive dog drive, acting directly on the rear wheels. Though robust, the
issue was lack of differential action (for turning), wear of the rear wheels,
and exposed rotating drive dogs.

The Loukon used a gearbox � like the Turner � but the Loukon had rear-wheel drive.
I have no doubt that Turner was inspired by North American design trends of the period.



The Turner mower had a 21� cutting width (as Rover would have with their Super 4 21) and
it was powered by a Kirby VK40 147cc engine. I suspect, given the limited market, that the
engine was a fully imported engine � but nothing is sure here.

The base was cast aluminium and note the safety deflector chute.
This mower was optioned to take a side catcher. Also note the three cables:
one to throttle; one to starter; one to drive.

TO BE CONTINUED �

PART THREE � SP 62 Operator Manual
I am fortunate in that I own a 1962 Operator Manual for the Turner self-propelled.
The manual is in an average condition.

It is a comprehensive manual that includes maintenance instructions.
The great message for me was Turner�s advanced safety features.

Note how the starting procedure required the operator to remotely release the wind-up starter.
Also note the safety chute. This was a skirted lawnmower and Turner took safety seriously
from an early date. Other makers would have to catch up.

PART FOUR � Analysis
Only a couple of these machines have been collected.
That is not surprising; given Turner�s short involvement in lawnmowers,
and that the Turner Self-Propelled was a top-of-the-line lawnmower that
sold at a premium price.

Introduced in late 1962, the Turner SP sold for about five years �
through three variants, identified by colour and cowling changes.



This was a sophisticated and full-featured design for the period. Using belt-drive
to a front-mounted transmission is unique to AUS made lawnmowers. Every other
maker delivered propulsion via rear wheel drive.

The drive was an improvement on the dog drives used by Victa in the
1960s and Rover in the 1960s and 1970s.

I have no doubt that Turner made the best self-propelled domestic
rotary in the 1960s.

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