Hi Charlie
The photo comes from an official Atco promotional shot. What you are looking at is the Atco Power Scythe, this was introduced in November 1934, the 2 stroke engine powering the power scythe is a villiers “Mar – Vil”
This Villiers engine was introduced in February 1934, the engine is a single cylinder horizontal 2 stroke, and develops 0.6 HP at 1750 revs per minute, having a range of speed of 1200 to 1800 rev’s.
The ignition is by a water proof and dust proof flywheel magneto, which has a special control for regulating the speed of the engine, the carb is a suction feed from the fuel tank which is beneath and also acts as the base of the engine.
The Patent for the Power Scythe was passed on July 6th 1931 by The Johnson Motor Company of Illinois, of which Lloyds of Letchworth introduced their version in August 1934
From the archive library of The Hall & Duck Trust.
