Hi all, probably a long shot but i have a 1961 Turner 4 stroke but it is missing the wind-rower from the side discharge, does anyone have a spare ?. I believe that Turner had available as an optional extra for this model a canvas covered catcher, has anyone got one they would part with ?
Cheers
Last edited by CyberJack; 08/11/1809:34 PM. Reason: Topic heading
Hi, It would be a very lucky find, I think you could fabricate a catcher though. Not my mower or pictures, I saw them and saved them for future reference.
Hello wce and Paul That's brilliant that you recorded those images.
Yes, catchers were optional for most rotaries in the 1960s. As such most advertising never showed them.
Rear discharge mowers changed the optional perception. Gradually, it became expected that rear catchers were standard fitments. Side catchers remained optional.
It appears that the catcher had metal sides with synthetic cover. One ad says this catcher fitted all Turner side discharge models.
This catcher would have stayed in production for several years before being replaced with a plastic job in about 1967.
Here are a few more pics of Turner catchers.The information I have mentions the sides were made from canvas and a metal side catcher was also an option.
The plastic side catcher still fits the older Turner Mowers. (It fits a D62)
G'day Max, Paul and wce It is amazing how the record for these machines changes. Turner's offering both canvas and metal sides is new information. Many thanks, again, for Max's research.
Paul, best guess, Turner did use brackets for securing their side catchers.
I would like to make a final point here: Best evidence is that Turner did introduce the first injection moulded grass catchers. But synthetics were used on a couple of AUS designed catchers from the late 1950s. Was our Collect-o-Matic first to use synthetics on catchers?
Those catchers look like the small ones, I have a rear discharge that I have been looking for a catcher for but have all but given up. Would you please consider parting with one. I will see if I can find a picture of my base.
Thanks for the great response, fabricating a catcher is an option if nothing turns up. Ill need to find some dimensional information as well as bracket and attachment method. My mower has raised sections at the discharge which looks like a catcher frame would sit over, it also has a speed clip in place, not sure if that is associated with the catcher or wind-rower.
Unfortunately I don't have any spare Turner catchers,I have more mowers than catchers so I am looking for more catchers myself. If I see any advertised closer to you I will let you know.
I don't think the Villiers Torque Major would have a painted crank case,I have not seen one painted from factory but the 4 stroke motors are painted ( regarding the Turner link from Paul)
Hi wce , I don't think the speed clip is associated with the catcher because the clip does not effect the attachment of the catcher.
Thanks for your reply and yes please if you can keep an eye out that would be great. Would you have a pic of the side catcher attachment bracket for the older metal side catchers. I want to have a go at making one.
G'day Max That is the most extraordinary detective work.
For me this goes to the early development of the AUS lawnmower grasscatcher.
The point of interest to me is the cotton rather than synthetic covering. Like the first Collect-O-Matic rotary catchers, it appears that makers moved to the new synthetics - like nylon - from early cotton designs; as in Paul C's images in the second post.
Certainly, canvas (cotton) was used on grass catchers from the early 20th century, but synthetics seem to have been used from the early 1960s.
I feel Max has uncovered the transition in technology here: from Turner using cotton, then nylon and then moulded polyurethane.
It must be an irony that we have moved back to woven synthetics from moulded catchers in the modern era.
Max, are these fair comments about Turner and grass catchers (in general)?
Gidday Jack, Yes that summarises the use of different materials used on early grass catchers to modern catchers very well.
At least Turner had an option for a better quality catcher ,these days you may have to replace your mower to get away from the woven synthetics bag catcher.
Hi Everyone, We are not done yet, I have worked out that there were the two styles of catcher attachment. There is no adapter plate, the catcher opening is model specific. The type with two slots in the base plate as in the first images and then the second type is lowered down over two tabs that are moulded onto the base plate.
The two catchers that Max has shown fit the F62 model that is in the picture, if you look closely you can see a vertical tab either side of the chute that would locate the catcher.
Hi Paul and all, Yes I put images of the two types about 5 posts up that were a little clearer .
Depending on what model Turner mower you are fitting the catcher on,you would make the bracket fit that model.
The images we now have show the catcher side that attaches to the mower is a pressed shaped piece of sheet metal.
If I was making the catcher I would make a bracket like the one on the polyurethane catcher ,no point making the catcher unnecessarily difficult to build from home.
I think you can work out the diementions for the catcher from the last catcher images fairly easily.
Hi all Many thanks for the interest shown in the topic and the great information shared. I will post some pictures of the discharge arrangement on the mower soon as the computer is going very slow at present.
Hi all A couple of pics of the arrangement at the discharge. I presume the pin is for the Wind-Rower and the raised sections of body for the catcher but not sure about the speed clip.
A helpful chap contacted me about the wind-rower, unfortunately he doesn't have a spare but sent pics of the one he has. His mower base arrangement looks the same as mine and he will also forward some dimentions. When i looked at the pictures it didn't look as though it would be easy to make as the section which the pin goes through is ribbed and a few other things. I was surprised to learn that the wind-rower he has is made of plastic and is Red in colour. Were they using plastic componentry in those days ?. Has any ODK members have a wind-rower on their Turner that they could post some pictures of ?
Hi Jack Thanks for the information, anyone know a plastics manufacturer ? I'm very grateful of the responses I have received to my posts being a super novice. The search continues for the parts but during the process I have touched base with some great characters and have secured some other Turner items, one being an original owners guarantee and instruction document in the turner envelope. It's a good read with a strong reference to not putting oil in the fuel as I guess everyone at that time was bought up on a diet of 2 strokes. The other interesting bit I noticed was to make sure you install the correct blades in accordance with what you are using the mower for ( utility or catch ) My mower has the 4 throw blades fitted for catcher use, I presume the utility blades are flat. The throw blades look a bit fancy having a slight indent section on the back of the blade and the cutting edge is stepped and slightly angled. A lot of science and thought or a lot of nothing ?
Just letting you know that new blades, bolts and carriers are still available through GA Spares, any mower shop with a account can order them for you. Have a look here on their web page, go to mowers and type Turner blades into the search box. Same with the ODK shop, blades and bolts are available
Paul_c's recent great images posted promoted me to post.
No luck with a windrower or side catcher thus far but picked up a few bits as a result of contacts made. Oil bottle, had no idea that a matching fuel bottle even existed until Paul posted the pic of his, metal Turner sign, Turner mower guarantee and owners manuals in Turner envelope and a NOS Turner catcher. Not sure what model it is for, possibly later Valiant ? the chap i got it off told me the original price tag was attached to the string on the handle but rotted away unfortunately.
Hello wce and Paul You guys certainly know Turner.
These are great images for the record.
The Turner signage must be rare now. My best guess is that the campaign slogan "Built for the man who demands the best!" appeared in late 1962 for the 1963 season.
So jealous of your sign and new old stock catcher, they both look great. I wonder if the sign can be reproduced at one of those printing places and then attached to that plastic curfew board. Food for thought.
Those blades you have fitted are in fact Turner P/No 50-07-18, an early 1960s type which continued to be used on side discharge Turners until Turner exited the mower industry in 1970. These are long unavailable.
The P/No 50-15-18 'fan' type blades shown in paul_c's post above were introduced for rear catcher Turner models around 1964. These were fitted as a pair, rather than a set of four.
Thanks for the info, I had a look through a bag of nos Repco blades and bolt sets that i acquired but the turner blades are the later model. Some good stuff in there including hexagonal blade bolt set for sunbeam. Mayfair , pace, early rover and other bits.
