Home › Forums › The Machinery Forums › Pedestrian operated machines › Commando Hoe
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September 19, 2018 at 3:43 pm #29328charlieKeymaster
Recently added to my collection is a Commando Power Hoe, made by Power Hoes, Ixworth House, Ixworth, London, SW3. It is powered by a JAP2A engine with engine number 2A W 12499 45, the W dates it to 1950. The only information I have is that which is Brian Bell’s book 70 Years of Garden Machinery; any additional information would be most welcome.
September 19, 2018 at 6:01 pm #29331vhgmcbuddyMemberThere is a picture of one on page 35 of Mechanical Aids to Gardening by J G Wallace. It also features in the Appendix, which gives an ex-works price of £75!!
September 20, 2018 at 7:50 am #29339charlieKeymasterbusman, thanks for the extra information, that is one book I dont have (yet).
September 20, 2018 at 7:32 pm #29341vhgmcbuddyMemberUntil you have managed to track down a copy of the book, attached are a couple of scans. The original picture in the book is very small, so the scan isn’t the clearest.
Sean
September 21, 2018 at 8:20 am #29344charlieKeymasterSean, many thanks for copying the photo etc. The machine in the photo is the same as mine except for slightly different wheels.
September 21, 2018 at 8:23 am #29345charlieKeymasterAfter giving carb and magneto a good clean and replacing perished HT lead the engine now runs. New throttle cable made. Now to checkout gearbox and how clutches are supposed to work. Clutch to disengage hoe drive does not seem to work.
September 21, 2018 at 8:26 am #29346charlieKeymasterA search of British newspaper archive revealed an article dated December 1949 that shows the Commando Hoe exhibited at Smithfield Show. Associated photo shows a machine the same as mine.
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September 21, 2018 at 9:21 am #29349charlieKeymasterAn online search of MERL archive has revealed they have a leaflet for the Commando Hoe, something to look at and copy next time I visit.
September 22, 2018 at 10:03 am #29350charlieKeymasterSeptember 23, 2018 at 5:52 pm #29354charlieKeymasterEverything is back together, time for a test run/hoe.
September 24, 2018 at 7:48 am #29355trusty220KeymasterIt looks like a very expensive way to rake the allotment- I can see why it didn’t catch on! Well done to Charlie for saving it. These must be so rare these days, it has been difficult even finding a photograph of one.
September 26, 2018 at 9:44 pm #29363will-haggleParticipantIxworth House, Ixworth, London, SW3. was also the address for Tarpen throughout the’50’s.
September 27, 2018 at 7:50 am #29364charlieKeymasterThat is an interesting fact, I wonder what the connection was, or it could simply be the registered address.
December 18, 2018 at 3:01 pm #29899charlieKeymaster -
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