Firstly sorry about the "very very" late reply as I must've missed your question above when you posted it.
*************** Yes October is around the normal time to start reworking couch lawns. Depending on how the season is travelling you could nearly start in mid September, but again this is depending on ground temperature. Last year was a very late start for all of us in Adelaide while this year was an early start.
To Everyone Else that's been watching this thread,
Now as I was incapacitated late August with Surgery, I wasn't allowed to do anything for around 8 weeks which really urked me big time as it was just around the time slot to do the follow up scalping and top dressing for the front lawn to eliminate those bumps that the original plugs left when the lawn was originally planted.
Anyway I've pushed myself and along with some good friends of mine which pitched in to help, I've just managed to do what is absolutely necessary for this season. Yes I agree it's a tad late, actually around 2 months late, but it's the best I could do apart from giving it a total miss this season and leaving the lawn looking like a disused thatched up golf course.
The following photos were taken this afternoon with the scalping work having being carried out last Thursday (9/11/2017) and the top dressing on the Saturday (11/11/2017).
I just need to follow up with some fertiliser now, but with the Adelaide temperatures currently reaching 36 degrees at the moment one can't use any fertiliser otherwise the lawn will be burnt by the temperature created with the fertiliser. That will be done in two days time when we are back to 23 degrees.
Check out the following shots in the next few posts as the file manager would only allow me 2 shots per post, bit annoying I must say.
BTW. A big thank you to both David and Justen that helped me out when I really needed it.
I live a 24 Hour lifestyle, but every now and again I seem to fall asleep, well at least that's what my wife tells me.
Now the Following two shots are of the lawn that was a season ahead of the front and side lawns.
As can be seen it has sunk above the storm water pipe that's located underneath and thus needed only to be top dressed in those areas as it had its major dressing done last season. When running the Scotty over this lawn it is like running over a floating timber floor, it's that smooth, whilst the front still had it's mother plants bouncing the mower around a fair bit. That should be now eliminated with the current work that has just been done.
Now it's just a constant watering game and it should be at its best just before Christmas, better late than never I guess.
I live a 24 Hour lifestyle, but every now and again I seem to fall asleep, well at least that's what my wife tells me.
Well here we are on the 11th. of December and it's all looking good apart from a few rather strange small crop circles which I can't explain. I'm starting to think a bit of sabotage from someone within the street, as it seems to look a lot like the result of a spray bottle as that's what the circular pattern reflects. Anyway give it another 3 weeks and those patches will have grown over and thus out of sight.
Jealousy is a really bad emotion which many people just can't deal with in a controlled manner.
Anyway here are this mornings shots, not forgetting that the scalping work was done nearly 2 months later than it originally should've been.
The 20 inch Scotty is loving the new smooth ride, as am I.
I live a 24 Hour lifestyle, but every now and again I seem to fall asleep, well at least that's what my wife tells me.
Lastly a bit more "Lawn Porn" with the side lawn that's nearly a putting green, well so some people in the street think and wish to use it for practice.
This will probably be the last installment of photos from this project as I've pretty much gone through the full cycle and what is achievable with a lot of work over a couple of seasons.
I hope that this inspires some more Scott Bonnar Owners / Restorers and other brands of Cylinder mower enthusiasts.
Enjoy your Lawn !
Cheers, BB.
I live a 24 Hour lifestyle, but every now and again I seem to fall asleep, well at least that's what my wife tells me.
Bloody good job BB, the lawn [garden] looks fantastic !
Great to see a good lawn now days.
Most people these days are too busy in their theatre rooms or on devices to bother with lawns which is a real shame because nothing looks better than a nicely mowed lawn.
Great for the kids to play on and it cools the house down as well, therefore saving money on the aircon LOL
Thank you very much for your kind words of support, I'm nearly blushing. Yes it's been a long and arduous process, but it was all worth it in the end I guess.
Now it's all the ongoing maintenance that has to be done regularly.
As they always say no pain no gain.
Cheers and thanks again, Bonnar_Bloke.
I live a 24 Hour lifestyle, but every now and again I seem to fall asleep, well at least that's what my wife tells me.
You know the best thing about having a good lawn is the exercise you get from mowing it [ cheaper than going to the gym] and the enjoyment from seeing how good it looks LOL
Guys I�ve just joined as a new registered member. I have a 17� SB Model 045-581. I recently installed a new Palmetto lawn on my verge, front and back yards. I need to cut this at a height of about 30-35mm but the max adjustment on my SB only does this at about 20mm. I leve in Perth and its 35 degrees today so I can�t have the cut too low. Any suggestions on how I can do a modification to the height adjuster to increase the cut height? Many thanks
I've never heard of anyone having an issue on Buffalo Lawn with a Model 45, in actual fact many 1960's lawns were cut using the faithful Scotty and in actual fact many Scotty's were bought purely because of the client having a large Buffalo Lawn and wanting a self driving mower.
Anyway the only way I know of how to extract an extra bit of height out of a model 45 is to remove the threaded adjuster shaft and run a die over it and increase the thread length to provide a bit of extra pull on the roller frame.
The only issue I can see here is that the roller frame will want to pull the shaft at a bit of an angle. Personally I've never had the need to raise the height anywhere near its limit of travel, thus I've never had the need to modify anything in that area of the mower.
I guess you might be the pioneer here so can you please report back with your results so that it can be documented.
Cheers, BB.
Edit.........................
Regarding this answer to the above post there are now modified front roller frames being fabricated and available on eBay for sale. This will give anyone plenty of extra height.
Cheers, BB.
Last edited by Bonnar_Bloke; 03/01/1904:47 PM.
I live a 24 Hour lifestyle, but every now and again I seem to fall asleep, well at least that's what my wife tells me.
Please don't take this the wrong way, but there is a bit of misconception that cylinder mowers are purely for manicured lawns only and that these mowers turn weeds into golf courses, well that's so far from the truth it's not funny. One must remember that the cylinder mower was around long before the rotary and was the norm (sorry Norm) in mowing grass.
My father in law bought a Model 45 back in 1973 purely to mow his large Buffalo lawn in the back yard in Cheltenham SA, now anyone who knows this suburb will know how large the blocks are there and will realise that a self propelled mower was the best option and there weren't many rotaries back then that were SP.
The trick to Buffalo is, not to let it get too thick and spongy, which is what many Sir Walter owners seem to do thinking they might ruin it by cutting it down every few years. It's just another self rejuvenation species that you can't kill, same as Kikuyu.
Now the reasoning behind using cylinder cut machines opposed to rotaries is that the cutting action is far more finely controlled as you are cutting like a pair of scissors opposed to slashing with a fast moving scythe.
I hope that this clarifies the generalised misconceived views on cylinder mowers.
Cheers, BB.
I live a 24 Hour lifestyle, but every now and again I seem to fall asleep, well at least that's what my wife tells me.
Sorry BB, but that is analogous to saying pushrod engines in cars were around before O.H.C. Maybe the rotary was a better all round proposition with a similar result in most conditions, with a far simpler maintainance. You have kind of defeated your own argument by saying buffalo grass is hardy and self regenerating but then pointing out how well the reel mower cleanly snips the blades of grass with precision. You would need a magnifying glass to appreciate the difference of both finishes. A slashed lawn from a rotary still gives the same attractive result in most conditions.
Last edited by Mowerfreak; 03/01/1803:29 PM. Reason: S---load of errors!
Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
Santa Ana Couch is also hardy and self regenerating as is Kikuyu, so what's your point ?
Plants prefer to be cut than torn, its less traumatic to them so I don't see your last point between Rotaries and cylinder. My main point was that Cylinder mowers are just not suitable for manicured lawns, but I will agree that they are now the preferred weapon of choice in better finishes.
Cheers, BB.
I live a 24 Hour lifestyle, but every now and again I seem to fall asleep, well at least that's what my wife tells me.
Use another mower. These are for finely manicured low cut lawns aren't they, such as bowling greens?
G'day Mod BB, MF and all lawn-loving folks.
I have pondered this issue for most of my life and I am compelled to say something as the forum historian. It is, inexcusably, a long post.
It is true that reel mowers are now for 'manicured lawns'. I guess 'manicured' might be defined as 'extra care' lawns. In that case, both BB and MF make a similar point - but different!.
This does not mean they should be thought of as "bowling green mowers". That is so far from the truth and ... my reality!
Reel mowers now have a niche domestic market; a stronger general professional market (domestic, public areas, parks and sports grounds); and a ubiquitous role in professional turf management.
In other words, there is an historical case here to favour Mod BB's comments.
Reel mowers are for manicured lawns, but MF's example of the bowling green is deceptive. I feel Mod BB's points are good ones here.
I am always amazed - and amused - when reel mowers are described as 'bowling green mowers' in FOR SALE ads. Reel mowers have changed as a single role (before rotaries) - to a dual role - in that they can deliver different aesthetics in both domestic and professional spheres. But most reel mowers could never be used on bowling greens!
Long live the reel mower! Long live the rotary mower!
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You would need a magnifying glass to appreciate the difference of both finishes.
Not at all. The 'scissor' and 'slasher' action produce vastly different cuts to the naked eye.
But the conditions and resultant aesthetics vary too. This is universally accepted as fact.
Some of the most beautiful spaces of lawn I have seen have been cut with rotaries. But the aesthetic is hugely different to reel cut spaces.
Universally, public spaces for general use will be cut with rotaries. Universally, public spaces for specific purposes will be cut with reels.
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Maybe the rotary was a better all round proposition with a similar result in most conditions, with a far simpler maintenance.
MF raises a great point in dire need of clarification. History tells us the rotary mower is - almost - ubiquitous today.
It won the battle - with the reel - because of the reasons MF said: - a better 'all round' proposition - simpler maintenance (I would say, much simpler, and much cheaper, maintenance.)
I feel MF is right in saying, "...with a similar result in most conditions". But there's the catch: and why Mod BB and MF seem to disagree ... I do not feel they disagree too much at all.
The results are vastly different in specific conditions!
I feel Mod BB is right in saying that there are difference in the aesthetic effects in the choice of cutting method.
I guess it is a question of: What do you want?
Cheers Jack
p.s. Want a nice, 'manicured' Buffalo lawn? Use a reel mower - but spend the time to make the right lawn! The rewards are there for the right person!!
I certainly recognise this cracking example of a patch BB. I bought a 17 inch model 45 from you around March? last year. The patch is even nicer in person. Loved seeing how you got it established to this point. Well done
Thank you very much for your kind words. Yes I do recall the machine as it was one that I couldn't find a use for and I didn't want to see it deteriorate any further, thus I decided to give someone the opportunity to restore it and give it a second chance of life, something that you have done so beautifully.
Maybe you could put up a photo of the two machines you have onto this thread for historical purposes.
Cheers, BB.
I live a 24 Hour lifestyle, but every now and again I seem to fall asleep, well at least that's what my wife tells me.
