OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Collectors Corner Identification of Particular Machines Victa Rotomo Specifications

Can anyone tell me which model Rotomo the following mufflers are off (the third is likley not a Rotomo muffler)? They all vary slightly in size and shape, but the two on the left both came off of early to mid run Model twos. The one on the right - who knows. As for the clips, which is correct for a model 2?

The last three images are of a rear flap that came off a Model two in the low 15,000's. Has traces of original paint, and does appear to have been factory produced, rather than home made, but could be wrong. Anyone know much about these? I've never seen one until this, and am curious as to weather it is original to the mower.

Hey Unkie,
The mufflers are all technically correct.

The left is Rotomo aftermarket.

The centre is Rotomo Original" with original clamp and bolt.

The right is a later Replacement for the OEM muffler for Rotomo and also Original HG palmer 2 stroke utility. I think this style were around in the early 60s and onwards.

I wont attest to the flap being NON genuine as Ive never seen one before,but it looks well made... ( Also the screws and nuts arent period VICTA") Some HG Noble dept store Rotomos ran a flap set up but Im not sure if this is it. The later toe ring For Roto 2,2a and 3 you have probably seen im sure,and wrapped completely around the base. Ill check the HG noble and see if its similar,BUT Im not hopeful. Id put it on even if its not original for nostalgia, Run Victa 1/4 bolts and nuts,will look nice)The owner may have made it,and it shows initiative from the period

Thanks mate! I thought the middle one was the keeper. Was there any variation between model 1 and model 2 mufflers?

The middle one came off #15,100 , which had a bunch of other model 1 parts on it. Speaking of serial numbers, what kind of date range would that number suggest?

As for keeping the flap, I totally agree. I would love it if it were something rare and "genuine" though!

No worries Unkie,

Yes...Model 1 muffler is different,same style as the 2 but the outer half is larger/wider,making it look like 2 even halves.

I thought we did a date on yours? lols. It will be early 56. And yes, A lot of early Rotos had model 1 parts,in particular barrel, brass nut carb,unmarked Model 1 Engine and Other bits and pieces. Rarley see mufflers or heads on early model 2s though.

Agreed,if its real youll have something mighty special...Good luck!

Thanks to the helpful fella that found this add, trying to workout the correct specs for a Model 2 just became a whole lot easier!

This first appeared in the Women's Weekly, on the 3rd of October, 1956:

The next ad appeared in the Women's Weekly, 28th November, 1956:







The same ad with a variation appeared on the 6th of February, 1957. Notice the black wheels?

A few more undated Rotomo images that appeared on various Victa leaflets:

And finally, some model 3 pics that show a very nice straight bar spanner and cowel sticker. Again, all are from undated Victa leaflets:

The way your going Unkie youll have the whole range done in a week!!! Wonderful research and images again Unkie! Ahh finally confirmation of the straight bar on the spanner!. The issue of the straight bar was confined to the Automatic,But since the model 3 came right after it,It seems higly probable that it was actually released on the Auto. Well spotted! Seemingly another Myth Dispelled?.

Did you also note the use of the 2a pulley on the model 3 Unkie.
This is accurate to the early release of the model 3,Again As with previous models to use up left over parts. The model 2a run was one of the shortest of the Victas,so the pulleys were used up quickly,and are rarely seen on the Model 3 STD. Great image!

Since your delving in Rotomo,Check your archives some more when you have time Unkie,You should find some Ads on The Model 1 also.

The Model 1 Rotomo Is shown in many ads,one of the earliest being in the "Canberra times" for Sept 1955. This ad has been reproduced many times,also in colour. If im not mistaken, it was the first ever Rotomo Ad. Im sure you will love to add this to your timeline.

You mean this one? It first appeared in black and white in the Canberra Times, 6th October, 1955. It also appeared in colour in a Victa poster, as seen here:







The earliest Canberra times reference to a Rotomo I could find is this, dated 12th August 1955. It also appears to be the first mention of the Victa 125cc, so probably counts as the first advertisement of the Model 1 Rotomo (non-fan, offering a pretty clear indication of the release date for this model:





And the earliest single mention of a Rotomo? lol! Here it is...20th of September, 1952 in the Sydney Morning Herald:



And here is the earliest pictorial advertisement, from the 14th of April, 1954, in the Sydney Morning Herald:



Phew...

I knew youd find an earlier advert! lols. The one with the lady is the one I was refering to,yes. I always thought July was the release month,So since this Ad is August, Ive no doubt youve found the Earliest AD! Especially as you said its states the 125cc.

The 1952 Advert for the Rotomo will be for the Billy Cart" as it is known,(But its correct name was Rotomo) And was The First Production Rotary Mower",as I believe a Reel Mower was the First Production Victa

The last Ad which im sure You now know is for the Fan. Possibly a late MK1,as its Ad date is april,Id dearly love to see the base clearly to confirm if it has the Flat base and legs(mk1).
(I think,And its only theory at this point ) that the Mk2 started its run later in the year,possibly around sept. But so few remain its hard to get an accurate pattern. Ive been told production run for the three Villiers powered Rotomos was around 5,000. But we can research this down the track

Man,Unkie Youre doing an amazing job!!!! And also confirming a couple things id only known by word of mouth! Thankyou for your efforts!

This is the next available pictorial advertisement, and dates to the 5th of December, 1954




Looks like the dog-leg was still selling at least until the start of December '54!

Well I think I may have found something that may cause a few waves...bare with me. So here is the supposed earliest pictorial advertisement for Victa, dated (apparently) to the month of September, 1952 (yet to be confirmed):



And as I mentioned earlier, the first mention of the term "Rotomo" appeared in the above pictured, small advertisement of the 20th of September, 1952. It all seems to fit pretty neatly, and according to bio's on the start of the Victa company, that small advertisement represents the earliest evidence of the company's establishment.

This is where it gets interesting; the following ad is from the 17th of March *1951*



To clear up any doubt, the next is from the 31st of March, *1951*




So Victa was selling mowers a full 18 months before previously thought...release the dogs

This december ad for the Mk1 fan,Im thinking would be for the very last,and maybe they kept the same image? My fan mk 2 is Definately October 1954 engine build and my Mk1 engine is august 1954,so they may have intersected?.

Your assumption is correct,This is the First production Rotary Rotomo the "Billy cart" This is all accurate.

BUT do you remember my reference in the previous post to the Reel mower being the first mower Mervin sold? Read the Ad Carefully...What do you see? Victa 14 Inch Petrol mower...No reference to Rotomo or rotary...You are correct in the fact that he sold mowers before The Victa Company Was founded. But As far as im aware they were heavy cumbersome and very pricey and didnt suit australias needs. This is where his ideas for the Rotary came about,and the Prototype was Born....Focus your research now on the Prototype and the reel mower...This is where the Victa story comes in handy,im sure all the info is in there. I will see if i can find a pic of the reel mower for you...Hope this helps. So YES your assumptions proved correct,he sold mowers Prior to the First Ad you found.

Ahhhh, reel mowers, I get it. This entry in the Australian Dictionary of Biography explains it pretty well:


Would love to see one of those reel mowers! Has one ever been seen?

Ahhh I see the extract,Yes thats the story...So they were sold under the Victa company name,my appologies I thought the company never started until the first Production Rotary, The Billy cart...Need to stop relying solely on my memory alone lols.

But seriously 60 mowers in this time was pretty poor. I guess this is why Victa wasnt really recognised until the Introduction of their first production rotary. And why the Victa story For most really starts here Ive only ever seen one reel mower Image,just need to find it for you:) But man its UGLY!

This Rotomo bill of sale is up on eBay at the moment, and has some interesting info on it:



It's a little hard to read, but states a sale date of 15/9/1956 for a Victa 18" Rotomo with serial No. 38952 and a sale price of 49 pounds 18 shillings. That serial is a little later than I was expecting, but helps pinpoint a date/serial correlation quite well.

Yes unkie they have.....

Photo courtesy of Martin (MVC), a member of OutdoorKing.
See the thread Click HERE

Amazing! Thanks Deejay. Great link to that thread also - It's all starting to build a pretty detailed history of Victa's early days. Keep em' coming!

You Found it Deejay! I looked for an hour. lols.

Unkie,Do you mean you think the serial number is way to low for this date? If so I agree totally.
The first ad you posted for Sept,shows clearly the plastic wheel rotomo( check the wheels carefully) and also the plastic metal throttle control,Both features of the Later Rotomo 2. And since many mower examples have also shown clearly that the plastic wheel Rotomo started around the 75,000 mark,this puts The Rotomo Production of "38952" much earlier on in 1956. Now since this is a sales receipt NOT a production date,then I would have to say that through transport,consignment and sale it could have been sitting around for months before it was sold. Hope This is what you meant by the serial?

Have a look at the Ad that follows the Sept one..Nov womens weekly. See how all The Images are showing the Tin wheels AFTER the Sept Plastic Wheel Ad? Odd isnt it. But the Add is very flashy and maybe it was already held by womens weekly and reused,as its only a month difference from the Original Victa AD . I think ive said before they sometimes recycled or used the same ad for longer than they should have after new models were released,as we saw with the 2a and the model 3...What are your thoughts Unkie?

Yes mate, that number seems pretty low, but given the high production runs for that model in such a short time, I would assume turnover was also quite rapid. I think it would be fair to assume that mower spent probably no more than 2 months on the shelf between manufacture and sale, giving it a production date around July 56. Its always possible it could be earlier, but what it does confirm is a terminal date for production on that serial number range. The bill of sale does confirm with little doubt, that no Model 2 with a number after 38952 predates a production date of September 56.

I also was thinking about the black plastic wheel ad, and what it suggests. Given that no example of a black plastic wheeled Rotomo has come to light, and that to my knowledge the ad appeared only once in this form, it would suggest that it represents the very first adoption of plastic wheels, at least in concept form. I would interpret it as proof that at the time of this ad (Feb 57), the first attempts at producing plastic wheels were being considered, but the design had not been finalised - hence the colour change. Prototypes had probably been developed and in their rush to generate sales, they had depicted them in the ad in question, before they had been officially adopted. Sounds like aggressive marketing strategy to me.

I think that what the ad does demonstrate is that in all likelyhood, plastic wheels were not introduced until after the appearance of this ad, thus all plastic wheeled Rotomo's, as you've said - #75000 onwards - were produced no earlier than February, 1957.

So, in short, these two terminal dates of production (the bill of sale and the plastic wheel advertisement), by my reckoning, would work out something like this:

1) Serial #38952 onwards produced no later than September 56
2) Serial #75000 onwards produced no earlier than February 57

I guess what would be interesting is to find out how many mowers they were turning out per month during this time...ahh here we go:

Aus Dic of Biography

10,000 per month! Damn....

I know all this probably slides previously assumed manufacturing dates forward a little, but the evidence is what it is. Whadaya reckon?

Forgot to mention, we also know for a fact that white plastic wheels had been adopted by the 24th of August, 1957, as this is when the Automatic was first advertised. Never thought I would write an essay on plastic wheels

I agree with most youve said.

BUT Firstly the Ad I was refering to is not the black plastic wheel one it is the First Ad you put in this thread... Womens weekly dated 3rd of October...Look at the second Image..These ARE plastic wheels and plastic metal throttle control,these were not on the earlier Rotomo Note the groove distance and the curvature. The Tin Wheel tyre has very fine grooves and flat edges:)

The date approx for release fo the plastic wheels would have been somewhere around sept or october. The date Feb 57 would have been the winding down or end of the Rotomo 2. So from sept/oct 56 to febuary 57 would have been the last 25,000 plastic wheel rotomos.

In addition the quote for the 148,000 export mowers is for 1958 and does not include the rotomo,In addition export models did not use our serial sequence. I will try and find figures for 1956 as from memory it states that 60,000 mowers were produced in this year. ( I need to find you this reference) So from Aug 55 The start of the Model 1 in your Ad to Oct 56 will give you a Total of 75000 mowers yes? So since the model 1 had approx 8-9,000 in its run,that leaves 65,000 Tin wheel Rotomos. What needs to be found is when the Model 2 started,we have no Ad confirming this as yet. Since before the move to Milperra production was nowhere near that of 58. I would put production at approx half that,possibly making the Rotomo 2 start at the beggingng of 56. Your date of manufacture for 38952 would be as you said Im thinking between may and June Now what you reakon? lols.. But seriously if the first rotom 2 Ad can be found,then we can count from then to Oct 56 then to Feb 57 and get a near perfect picture

Definately by then Unkie,But you forget the Use of plastic wheels on the Last Rotomo 2 the 2a then the model 4 Automatic. Up until then would have been a total of 35,000 mowers with plastic wheels,before the Automatic In August.

In relation to black plastic wheels,Id say its for the Image only or concept..On NO mower example,image,part no or Advert other than this Have I seen reference to Black plastic wheels.

When something is unusual or different it tends to bring up questionsy many,but in 25 years Ive not seen or heard or read a post or article on The use of Black wheels...But please Feel free to find what you can,Id love to know otherwise. But seriously I think it is just the way the advert was made..

This confirms Your Ad 12 August for the Rotomo 1 with the new 125 cc engine to be spot on the money Unkie!

Quote from the Victa Story

"By April, 1955 it was ready to offer its new engine to the public and by June, eight weeks later, it was producing sufficient to swing its whole mower production completely away from the old engine"
So production was in full swing in June. So allowing some time for transport and dealer Set up,this Ad would almost certainly be the First!

Here is the Sales for 1956/7...

"Mower sales during the second stage of Victa's marketing plan showed a substantial increase over sales made in the previous two-year period. Sales rose from 35,577 to 59,974 (in 1956-57), and then to an all-time high of 66,742 (in 1957-58)" these are

So approximately 60,000 mowers for 56-57....The next sales Detail shows the 148,000 sales total including the exports..

Nice, so that also suggests a production to sale time frame of around 8 weeks. Neat as a pin!

Back to the plastic wheel topic, from what I gather, you are suggesting we ignore the ads of 28 November 56 (tin wheels) and 6 of Feb 57 (black plastic) as demonstrative of a transition and rely on solely on the ad of 30 October 56 to establish the introduction of plastic wheels, which to my eye could swing either way? I'm probably relying to much on tangible evidence, but that's the academic in me

Given that you think the production figure of 143,000 p/a by 1958 be ignored, and would be allot lower (ie 60,000 for 1956, as you said) that would average out at 5,000 per month. From June - January would see them at #35,000. This would suggest that mower number 38952 would have been manufactured around the end of January, and then left on the shelf for 7 months - sounds like a stretch

As you said, I think we need to find that illusive Model 2 ad for a little more clarity

Ahhh, just caught your sales figures - need time to absorb it

You're gonna love this, Blue. Remember this image we were debating?




It's actually from the Women's Weekly of the 20th of March, 1957.

Notice the "plastic" wheels?

Well here is the original, un-molested image and its first appearance dated the 3rd of October, *1956* Say hello to the earliest image of the Model 2:






Sorry for doubting you on the plastic wheel assertion, but in my defence, they were pretty badly retouched images of some tin wheels

Sorry, should have said "earlier" as in earlier than the plastic wheel version of the SAME ad. This ad appeared three times, the earliest, with the un-doctored tin wheels, on 3/10/56. The later appearance of the same ad on 20/3/57 has the altered "plastic" wheels.

A very generous collector from Melbourne has brought to my attention some info that pretty much closes the case on the introduction of plastic wheels. As requested, I won't post an image of the document, but its a page from the internal company memorandum (titled: Victa Cuttings), as circulated to distributors each month during that time. The following is the relevant excerpt, as it appears, un-edidted and unchanged:


So as I theorised in earlier posts, polythene wheels were definitely introduced in either February or March of 1957 - more likely February, as this is a March circular.

This confirmation allows us to narrow down a production date/serial number correlation. Now all we need to find is the earliest confirmed "plastic" wheeled Rotomo serial number...

Now thats an Impressive Document Unkie!. Its so rare people share these original documents. Thankyou to the Donor:)

So it seems right to conclude the last tin wheel models finished production around this time,Jan-Feb 57,of course allowing a little time for tin wheel stocks to run out.

At this point I still maintain the tin wheel transition was around the 75,000+ mark.
The highest tin wheel version I have seen was recently on Ebay with a 74,600 serial. My own 2 near this serial are 71 and 73,000. Now this is inconclusive at present,but all mowers above this number I have seen are Platsic/Poly wheels and would amount to more than 50 examples.

Please could any memeber contribute their Rotomo 2 serial numbers (not the complete serial if you dont wish) If they are between 70,000 and 100,000 and whether they are Tin or Plastic. Then we can narrow it down and finsih this topic completely.

Thanks again for confirmation Unkie

Mine;
71,445 T
73,876 T
86,753 P
91,196 P
94,240 P

Since This thread is Rotomo Afterall...It wouldnt be complete with out an Original Owners Manual.

Im unclear if their were 2 manuals Issued( But I think its likely).Now since its been confirmed Rotomo went well into 57,this coincides with the move to Milperra.

So as with many things at this time, (Ie..Fuel Tank Stickers) It may have been ameneded at the very least, with the Milperra Address. But Im not aware of any Pictorial or text change from the original. Any other examples To confirm would be appreciated.

Oooooh, nice manual!

May as well make this a Serial Register of sorts?! Mine:

19,431 (Should be tin, but isn't lol) Model 1 base, Model 1 badge

51,015 Tin wheels, Model 2 base

Oh and forgot to mention, that manual was still being used until September,1956 as it is the same as the one with the previously mentioned sales receipt of serial number 38,952

Coool! But you know,this now raises more questions in relation to the Roto the Auto and Milperra! Some things dont ad up!....To be continued...lols.

Hi to All,
As this thread was 'off topic' also, I have moved it here to the correct forum area.

So Iv'e been passed on a couple of genuine date/serial numbers to complement the ones we already have - these really help develop a better idea of a production/sale/serial correlation. We already have:

15/9/1956 for Victa 18" Rotomo with serial No. 38,952

Now these:

22/12/56 for Victa 18" Rotomo with serial No. 54,062

23/12/56 for Victa 18" Rotomo with serial No. 52,825

Both are verified dates/serials from sales receipts/guarantees. Gives a nice indication of production volumes and stock distribution/turnover aswell

I did some quick calculations on those numbers and arrived at a ball park figure of 4,700 units being produced each month. Given static production rates (which is a little unlikely, but helpful none the less) the following date of sale/serial correlations can be reached:

15/8/1956 - #34,252
15/7/1956 - #29,552
15/6/1956 - #24,852
15/5/1956 - #20,152
15/4/1956 - #15,452
15/3/1956 - #10,752
15/2/1956 - #6,052
15/1/1956 - #1,352
6/1/1956 - #0001

Allowing a generous %20 margin of error to accommodate fluctuations in monthly production rates, arrives at a +/- 6,800 units, suggesting a date range for the first Model 2 sold to be between the start of December, 1955 and the end of February, 1956. In reality, it's probably much closer to a January start date, but this 3 month window gives us something solid to base any further research on.

Hey guys, these dates have got me real anxes as I have been talking with an older member of our work force and he tells me he has a 1955 Rotomo at home and is going to bring it to work for me to see if I would want it, trying not to sound to excited I said that would be good, he tells me it has 7 1/2 meters of fire wood stacked around it but when he can get to it he will fetch it down, I just hope his wood burns quick and it remains cold he is a fastidious bloke and I normally hold a lot of reservations about what people say what they have but not so much with this bloke, so with a bit of luck could end up with a Rotomo model 1?????

Hey jonesy, I'd be round at his place right now re-stackin' that firewood!
Good luck mate, and a good score!

I would Deejay but he lives 5 1/2 hours drive from myplace.
He also has a photographic memory, if you tell him your phone number once he can recall it at any time,
so I know he will not forget about it & another reason why not to doubt what he is saying unless what he has been told was incorrect.

Yep start burning wood...A model 1 it may be...Unless "Praise the mower gods" Its a Mk 2 Fan Gasps*...Dare we hope to dream? lols. BTW its not fair that you should have so many recent Rare aquisitions....I will speak for Unkie ...WE think you should SHARE! lmao...Hope it all turns to Gold For you Jonesy! And if it does...Just keep in mind..Tassy aint really to far away! Maaahaaaaa

I had Fan in the back of my head and was really trying to keep it back there, but kept creeping back forward until it got the better of me, I had to ring him, he does not recall a fan, Bugger! but everything else he explained to me sounds promising, so fingers crossed as he said "I dont think it has plastic wheels". so it's a long wait.

Yep, what that guy said!!!

So around what model/year did they start putting Victa on the crank cases?

Start of the Model 2 mate. Though some of the early model 2's had the model 1 crank case - but that's a whole different story lol. If your serial is below 9,000, you would be pretty safe to say you have a model 1 Roto. why? No "Victa" stamped on your latest?

Haven't got it yet, but a bit of info I did get was "no brand on the engine, no fan, pully on top, unbolt each wheel to adjust height, single two stroke, does not remember being any brass couloring on flywheel, no side throw just a round tin base" he told me he picked two up a long time ago and paid $50 each for THEM! No I haven't asked " where's the other one?" Yet!

Billy Cart? lol...imagine that! Probably more like a model 1 or early model 2, but either way a great score!Keep us updated

#76,799



Great example of one of the first "plastic wheel" model 2's

Cool...That puts the 75,000 serial for the transition,pretty much right on the money! Another point confirmed! This yours Unkie?

Nah, ebay mate. In Brissy though, doh!!!!

Gee Unkie didnt take long to pounce on that info

Unkie is a machine!!! lol
I was just about to post this after looking at it on eBay....
Nice border collie though

Now just a question while we are here....the front axles on the model 2 above don't look right....are they meant to have an 's' bend like that?

Yep those axles are correct - they look the same on mine at least! lol

Pretty sure I've nailed the release date for the Model 2a with this advertisement:

The Sydney Morning Herald - Sep 29, 1957

So here are some images of an ex Victa Collection Model 3 held behind the scenes at the Powerhouse Museum storage facility. Three things of note:

* The engine number is simply "XY" which may indicate it was a prototype
* The throttle control is both plastic and metal
* The carby button is painted red

Not sure what to make of the big black choke, but maybe it's correct?

I have also heard the Automatic had the red "tickler" on the carby? can anyone confirm this?

Hi ODK members,

The Red Tickler is confirmed:-

Thanks Jack, that would have been were I seen it, I just could not remember, this info needs to go into the Automatic thread also for later reference, cheers

Hi Jonesy,
As requested I have posted that info in the Automatic thread

Thanks Deejay

Hey guys, so what are the differences in the Model 1 & 2 badges? one has the same size numbers in the "18" and one has a shorter one in the "18" so which is which? and is that the only difference in the two? also the badge off a Model 12 I think it is, is that the same as either the 1&2 or is it a totally different fish? cheers guys.

Hi Jonesy,

From the research I have done, I believe that this is the Model 1 badge:

And this is the Model 2 badge:

I am sorry I cannot throw any light on the Model 12 badge, but I am sure that the Victa gurus will chime in here and correct me if I am wrong, and may sort the Model 12 issue.

Thanks Deejay, as this is the first responce I've had and so far confirms what I have been thinking, however I am not real knowledgable with the Rotomos.

The biggest different's is the back of the badges.The model with the smaller 1 was a solid back.So the alloy is thicker.The other is more hollowed out on the back and is the same as the Model 12.I think for memory they are not as thick.The model 1's were more like the fan mower badges.

This apears to be an original Model 2 badge and it appears to be painted red on the outside lip of the badge



this is a reproduction with no edge painted.



To get to the point, are the edges of the badge painted red???? thanks for any help.
PS, it seems like the Model 12 badge is the same as the Model 2.

Hey guys I dont know if this is going to be in the right area but it can be moved if needed, A bit of help also needed on the correct head for my Model 2 engine #94828 as from what I can tell from looking at others it has the wrong head on it as the spark plug comes out at a different angle, it also has cast into it a couple of threads like for a cowl to screw onto, maybee from a later model 125, did the 125 heads change from the Rotomos to the Model 4 & 5's? I will put up a couple of pics so you can see what I am talking about and the difference in the mateing surface where they meet the barrel, the model 5 type head is round and the head on my engine is square.







if my theary is correct, at what point did the change of heads come about?

cheers.

The blasted head (left) is correct. Model 2 early through to early sheerline are the same. (This includes model 3 4 auto and model 5s and any utility running the model 5 engine) Model 1 is also similar style just with thicker guage fins. The first head change was the later sheerline. Centre plug hole and the two 1/4 mount holes for the cowl. The head on the roto engine pictured is neither model 2 or sheerline. Head change date would have been 1961 approx. Im unsure what your second head is off, mid 60s models on maybee?
As for the badge the rear will tell you model accuracy. Models 2 , 3 through to 10 and 12 utilities should be the same. The red edge is irrelevant. The reproductions are heavier flat on the back and often with more casting bubbles on the rear. They are also pliable you should be able to bend them with moderate effort. I have seen 2 replica styles only. Without seeing the rear of the second its harx to tell if it is a replica.

Mal.

Nice collection you amassing jonsey:)

BLUE! havent heard from you for a while, Thanks for the info on both the heads and badge, when you say "the red edge is irrelevant" I dont get it? I am painting my badge and would like to make it the same as original, I have not seen that many original badges so I dont know, only going off photos and the one posted seems like it may have the edge painted, what have you or anyone else found to be correct from original badges?? and yes the collection is mounting all the time, with some good weather now I hope to get stuck into some painting.

Your welcome Jonesy,
My meaning was that the red edge wont always determine its being original. But yes the original badges were painted full red then faced off. So your first example is correct (painted edge). And my appologies, I stated the red badge started mid mk2 fan. This I think is incorrect. It was the first handfull of model 1 rotomos still retained the green badge. I got it wrong way around. I have 2 original examples both under 1000 serial.

OK mate, thanks, Green badge, I never knew anything about a green badge, but I'm sure this info is going to help others as well as myself, and yes the second badge is definatly a repro as I got the image from Ebay. By the way the new avitar is not as out there as the old.

Hi to All,
Would it be possible for someone to put up an image of the green Victa badge...it would be good for this archive.
Thanks fellas,

Lols Jonesy. And Will do a shot of the green badge shortly deejay:)

Thanks Mal, I don't think I have ever seen one in the flesh and must be quite a rare beastie....I often wonder what was the badge colour of the Victa 14" reel mower that Merv produced before the 'Billy-Cart'

Pleasure Deejay...yes probably rarer than the mower id think, as ive seen a few badgless fans. Oddly enough im sure the 14" reel was red, but id have to do some digging to try and confirm. I was looking at a few stored fan images I have and it seems my original comment regarding the red badge running on a portion of mk 2 fans may well be accurate as their appear quite a few original examples...my curiosity now is why I have seen (and own)a few examples of early model 1s with original green badges...again using up old stock? Another odd victa discrepancy.

Howdy fellas, thought I'd throw a few more newspaper ads I've come across. This one dates to the month of release of "plastic" wheel Rotomos, which we know to be around serial #75,000 (see previous posts).


February 10, 1957 - Sydney Morning Herald






The following ads are quite a significant find, I reckon. Firstlty, here is the final ad I could find for the fan mower in the SMH. The second ad shown is the earliest SMH ad for the Model 1. It pre-dates the appearance of the same ad in the Canberra Times by some months, and combined with the last ad for the fan, gives us a tidy three month window for the release date of the model 1 Rotomo (some time between March 6 and May 15, 1955):

March 6, 1955 - Sydney Morning Herald



May 15, 1955 - Sydney Morning Herald

have got a question on throttle, what Model or engine # change had the bakerlite? or Plastic? & steel throttle like the one below?



Cheers.

Are you sure that throttle lever is steel jonesy? It looks to me as if it could be diecast zinc.

Grumpy, you are most likely right, I should have said metal not steel, it's just not plastic like on my M2, I also noticed the same one in post #49161 of Unkie's on a M5 series 3?

You can tell whether parts are zinc (or if they are not plated, perhaps aluminium) in various ways, but usually I just look to see whether it is a die-casting. Iron and steel are not suited to die casting because of their high melting temperature, though they can be sand cast. Zinc is even easier to die cast than aluminium, and is stronger. Incidentally, for some reason Americans like to call zinc "pot metal".

Of course steel or iron, unless it is an austenitic variety of stainless, is magnetic and few other metals are, so you can usually detect steel and iron with a magnet.

Something we need to research better for accuracy I think.

This is all the info I have from memory,see what you think,we can make adjustments as we gather more concise info:)

Mk 1 and 2 fan,Std Villiers throttle control.

Model 1 and very early model 2,chrome over copper plated cast alloy.

Model 2 full plastic (Black)

Note I am unsure whether the use of a bi material(as per your diagram) throttle control was Victa issue or a repair option for plastic assy due to base failure? Although I have seen many of your type around.

There is evidence of a green(same green as the groove cover) throttle control used on early model 2 rotos but ive yet to come across a real sample.

So black plastic for rotomo 2 and into model 2a. Then the full chrome alloy with the red Victa embossed on the cover which im certain saw out the model 2a.

Model 4 and 5 control same as 2a with the exclusion of the red embossed victa logo.
Fan,Model 1,model 2 are confirmed accurate,just need to see when(IF) your example was Victa issued and also the correct fittment for the red embossed full metal version.

Please feel free to correct any discrepencies,as ive not fully researched throttle controls,only going of what type ive seen on the majority of corresponding models.
Also my appologies for lack of images lately,my printer /scanner is cactus my comp is on its last legs and i cant find the cable for my phone sighs*.

sorry its a little late...The Green Victa badge as fitted to the first Rotomos "The billy cart" Mk 1 Fan and an undetermied amount of Mk 2 fans. This badge has also been seen and confirmed accurate to very early model 1 Rotomos.

The intersection of green to red appears to have been somewhere in the latter period of the Mk 2 fan run with both Mk 2 fan and early Rotomo model 1 recieving either.

This example is one of 3 unrestored model 1s I have in my collection,it is original and untouched. Of the other 2 one has the green badge the other the red.

Both green badge models are below the 1000 serial.

Correct screws and nuts for the Rotomo displayed are identical to the ones fitted in the images and the others I have in my collection.

This is Rotomo 2 serial 96,000 so one of the last model 2's made.

The image isnt the best but it shows the same screws fitted to the earlier models,showing that at this point rivets were still not being used.

This was on display at fairfield machinery museum...yeah I bought it lols.
Its an original Rotomo 2 serial 70,000+ and was donated by the original owners estate.

This is an example of enhancing an original mower without full restoration so as to keep its original patina and history.

This was fully stripped,everything cleaned and repaired and missing parts replaced. Engine was stripped,honed SH piston and new rings+ new full gasket kit+ rebuilt electrics+ HT,new throttle cable and new brass wheel bushes. Enhanced all the parts to bring out the remaing colour,then fully coated the steel with penetrol to bring out lustre and stop further rust.

Note also the cigar fuel tap. While I know they were first introduced on the later Rotomo 2 Id not seen one on a tin wheel version. First original fittment of the cigar? or just replaced over time? hmmmm.

Anyways this is my prefered method for mowers that do not require full restoration.




Required parts, Badge choke assy,correct carb. sorry bout the front tyres lols was probably waiting for some when i took the pics,but it has its booties" on now








Next ill post what I do to a complete relic thats way past this condition. oh and another of my favourite unusual Rotomo relics lols.

One of my favourite Rotomo Relics. This Is Rotomo 2 Serial 30,000+ its not my earliest model 2 but this one highlights the correct use of left over model 1 parts even up until this serial and with examples beyond.
This is a correct model 2 as sold. Model 2 tin wheel chassis running model 1 throttle control(not fitted as I stole it for another model 1 lols) engine,barrel and brass nut carby as per model 1. The combinations varied model 2 engine model 1 barrel and model 1 head or model 1 brass nut carby model 1 barrel model 2 head and so on. these transitional models are accurate and sold this way to use up existing stock. Model 1 engine parts only were fitted but always the correct model 2 chassis was used. Note this was random or sporadic as and not the norm for all early Rotomo 2 Models.

Restored as found,busted choke assy no snorkel no front tyre,pretty wrecked head and field modified villiers carby mesh filter and hose as fitted by previous owner.

Shes a real beast and one of my best runners and was also one of the worst condition Rotos id seen prior to resto,just a pile of rust and siezed parts covered in and inch of mud. But one of my favs as its the only transitional model I own....I like to think of it as Rotomo Model 1 1/2 lols.

Can someone check to see what spark plug they are using I have recently acquired a Model two and the plug is a modern ND model which is badly fouled. I'm assuming it's an incorrect alternate.
Cheers!

G'day fish. Victa adopted the Bosch plug (175/T2) in March 1957, which would be around serial #75-80,000. The Champion N21 (I think) was adopted around the intro of the Special. I don't recall what they used before the Bosch, sorry. The Champion N21 is the go to plug these days.

Great posts also Blue! I love your old survivor, it oozes character. One of my model 2s (#19,431) has a few of the transitional features - Model 1 barrel, pulley and badge with the wide set axles on the base. Do you reckon it started life with a brass nut carby?

Unkieeee!

yeah id love to see your 19,000...full restore or dressing up to keep original?

19,000 should have those features thats for sure. As for the brass nut carby its anyones guess.

I do know it was rare to recieve all of the model 1 parts on one mower. from most of the examples ive seen its been a few bits here and a few there,but things get changed over time. The head and BN carb are most likely to be the least seen as they failed easily,so may have been changed.

Since it has all you say then the odds are good...is the head a model 2 or 1?

Your choice whether to add or not but personally id leave it how you found it. The heads are near impossible to find and save the brass nut carb for a true model 1,unless you have surplus. The brass nut/carb combo are getting quite expensive and hard to buy as a set. Either way it will still be a fantastic part of your collection as the transitional models are getting quite rare.

then again you could solve this dilema easily...by selling it to me! lmao.... Might place an add me thinks as i am still yet to aquire a model 2 Roto under the 10,000..as my aim is to own at least one of every 10,000 serial. just need that and a 20,000,but another 19,000 wont go astray...lmao.

No plans to restore her yet mate. I'm pretty sure it's running a model two head, but I've never seen the two variants side by side so I might be wrong lol.

The chassis is in pretty good shape, so she might be worth keeping original, but does need a set of tin wheels and the correct choke. I'm running out of space and time so it will probably stay that way for a bit - unless I trade it for some other bits I'm after

Throttle control does this help
Ian
From a 1963 parts book


From the green book

My Rotomo's
Ian

My Rotomo's and numbers
Ian

Thanks heaps Ian....Interesting all the 70's serials being so close.
For your reference,

17420 early model 2 tin wheel possibly using some model 1 parts...need to see more images.

60435 mid run model 2 tin wheel

The remaining are later rotomo model 2 plastic wheel.

Id like to see the complete 17,000 serial if thats ok and see what chassis and parts its running:) nice little collection.