OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Collectors Corner Rotary Ings Rota-rola Mower - WA

Here's another interesting mower, has a Kirby lauson motor and unusually for a rotary, rollers both front and back. Have seen a few examples of these in western Australia but unsure of history. The badge had only just been removed when I acquired the mower.
Cheers Sir Bat.

I saw a badge for one a few months ago for $10 I think on ebay, interesting mower!

Interesting mowers you have over there in WA, Sir Bat! Seems to be a bit like Australia the continent, WA's separation from the East has produced a unique mower fauna...

Hello Sir Bat, Kye & Patrick

This was made by Ings Engineering, a company that still exists today.
Ings has appeared on these forums for their edgers and turf equipment.

This is the first photographic evidence that their Rota-Roller survives.
The photo below dates from October, 1965.



Sir Bat, you might like to give them a call and get some
information about this rare machine. I guess it's missing its catcher?



Hope this helps.
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Jack

What about this WA mower Patrick! The Wesmo!

WA sure did have some weird mowers!

This may be even weirder but the stencilled lettering at the back of the mower also says PROPERTY INGS ENGINEERING, might have been the mower used for the lawns at the factory. I believe this particular model did not use a catcher as the roller and back steel work are very close and underneath the mower the blades are encapsulated in a steel ring, looks more like a mulching setup. As far as I can tell no modifications have been made to this mower, all paint work matches, no DULUX rebuild here.
Cheers Sir Bat.

Hello Sir Bat

Maybe, or it was a hire-out machine.
That's interesting - about underneath.

Would it be possible to get an under deck photo?
I'm struggling to see a rationale for this mower if it
rolls cut grass.

I wouldn't describe it as a winning design.
I think there is a real problem with it having a fixed rear roller,
with height adjusted just from the front only.

Another interesting mower from the Sir Bat collection.

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Jack

Jack, Sir Bat and Kye,

you're all blowing my mind! Didn't think there be such unique looking machines. I must be experiencing what the British felt seeing their first Australian mammals.

Kye, that's one angry/mean/unsafe(!) looking machine!

Sir Bat and Jack, I was just wondering whether that machine may actually have been an engineering or experimental prototype? Hence the Property of..." label as it perhaps was never meant to leave. If this is so, you have a unique item! (and hopefully they don't want it back)

But I can't see how it would work effectively, it would require the smoothest and flattest of lawns (hence the photo on a bowling green), any stone or bump anywhere in front would hit a roller (unlike 2 wheels at the outer edge), even then the rotary action would not produce the result you'd want? It must always mow low- not much height adjustment?

Sir Bat, I don't know much about this field yet but it seems to me you've got a great eye for finding the unusual and unique. Much better than 'run-of-the-mill'...if perhaps not as lucrative in some cases. Good luck with the collecting, I look forward to seeing some more!

What is the problem only have two rollers is that not what reel mowers have ???? with the adjustment on the the front roller only
Could someone be trying to use this principal on a spin cut
Just a thought
Ian

Sir Brad is becoming my main competitor when it comes to finding cool things haha! Keep it up Brad, i love it!