OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums The History Forum Model Histories UK & EUROPEAN Rotary Models ALLEN MAYFIELD - Merlin Garden Tractor - c1966

Hello ODK history lovers
Of course, ODK records AUS and NZ lawnmowers. But it also
records imported garden machinery sold on our shores.

A fourth category goes to the machines not sold in NZ or
AUS, but of some historical interest.

Surely, the 1966 British Mayfield Merlin garden tractor must
qualify for this! It is a very rare machine … and few appear to
have survived.



In researching another Mayfield – their Motor Scythe – I discovered
a great document titled, “A Buyers Guide to the Mayfield Garden Tractor”.
This was written by Bill Castellan and Ray Smith in about 2003.
An extract says: -


SOURCE: http://www.tanygraig.f9.co.uk/John/mayguide.htm

This machine is important in that it is an early example of the British take
on the garden tractor. It was made by the great John Allen & Sons of Oxford,
makers of the famous Allen Motor Scythe! Allen acquired Mayfield from
Mayfield Engineering in 1965.

TO BE CONTINUED …  

PART TWO - Brochure
It was New Zealand’s Alan M – ODK Moderator and collector –
that reminded me of the existence of the Merlin. He sent me
an original brochure he held in his collection.

This was a single page flyer or simple brochure. It was stamped
with, “Agricultural Engineering OCT 1966 Lincoln College”.
Alan explained, “Lincoln College (near Christchurch) was an
agricultural College, now a University.”

Alan has given us permission to record this rare document.

My only comment about the Merlin is that … well … the styling strongly
suggests why it wasn’t a great seller. When one considers what the
North Americans were doing with ride-ons in the 1960s, the Merlin’s
styling is decidedly 1940s. I mean, it’s like a vintage baby Austin car or
Enid Blyton ‘Noddy’ … something like that. I love it: I love the fenders and
auto grill. So collectable nowadays!

I wonder why it had a North American engine …?




Many thanks to Alan. As always, this document is available for
member viewing or as a download.

PART THREE – Specification
The definitive research I have found comes from the brilliant
Seventy Years of Garden Machinery by Brian Bell [2007].

This book presents as the source of often quoted but unacknowledged
comments made about the Mayfield Merlin. Here’s the Bell extract: -



Note the reference to an alloy blade holder! Probably not a good idea.
Otherwise, this would have been a solid job … but with extremely dated styling.
I feel styling was the Achilles Heel here.

I found, in my collection, that I have an advertisement for a Merlin from
Country Life Annual from 1967. I think this is proof that Allen advertised in
AUS and NZ, but I have no evidence that any Merlins sold outside England.



TO BE CONTINUED ...

PART FOUR – Image Gallery
There are a couple of original and restored Merlins visible on the WWW.
In particular, I mention a personal website: -

https://myclassicvehicles.weebly.com/1967-mayfield-merlin.html

There are also some fantastic images from the great Vintage Horticultural and Garden Machinery Club: -

http://www.vhgmc.co.uk/

Restoration
The My Old Machine Forum has a great restoration of a Merlin.
Full credit to their member Nigel (Kent, England) who posted fantastic images
of his machine in 2014. Brilliant

https://myoldmachine.com/topic/134-mayfield-merlin/