G'day
JohnI'm all selfish here - well, almost.
This is a great opportunity to document a
Model 430.
For me, the
Diplomats (having won a design award) were let down
by production cost constraints. The most serious restraint was in the
set mechanism - or lack of it. Bean counters appear to have taken charge.
Had SB adopted the most
basic system from a century before, they would
have still been in front of the shambles they came up with - with
no direct adjusting system between bed-knife and reel. What were they thinking?
The Diplomats do not suffer from lack of quality. The final drive gearing
was brilliant - and probably taken from a UK patent. This is unknown.
The final drive met the objective.
The Achilles heel here is the lack of replacement parts, not any
defect in design or materials chosen. Lawnmowers do wear out.
Diplomats were never given the olive branch that Model 45s have been
given in the modern age.
I have argued many times on this forum that rear catcher power mowers
were not
that uncommon, but Scott Bonnar's clever use of space and aesthetics
must go to their credit. The design worked well!
From a
safety perspective, the Diplomats act at their diplomatic best.
The reel is almost invisible at the front, and all other moving parts were shielded.
Remove the rear catcher and there is no chance of injury. Brilliant!
Like Shakespeare's Macbeth, we have greatness let down by a fatal
flaw. This makes the machine more
human and
understandable.
The Diplomats were flawed, but not un-lovable!
They deserve a chance beyond uses in maritime anchoring.
I'm sure you will keep us informed.
---------------------------
Jack
