What have I got?

[vhgmcbuddy]

I hope someone might be able to help me identify an Oxford Allen Scythe that I have just purchased, as I noted a very knowledgable member was able to identify the serial numbers of a couple of other machines in the past. The serial number on mine is R26737, it has a two stroke engine and as far as I can tell from browsing the internet, is most likely a model TS from around the early 1950s. Can anyone help me please?

[charlie]

Try contacting Museum of English Rural Life (MERL) at Redaing, they hold the factory records for Allen Scythes along with the engineering drawings.

[vhgmcbuddy]

Sound like a Model T

A model TS has guards over the axles protecting the clutch. TS models you have to pull the clutch lever up to make the machine drive. Model T you have to drop the lever down. These have internal Clutch & is narrower than a TS model

R means you have ratchet drive on the axles so you can steer the beasts

I had 20 Allen Scythes at one point!! Now just paper work as easier to store!

Chris

[vhgmcbuddy]

Thank you both for your help. Pretty sure now that it is a ‘T’ as Chris’s clues all match, and MERL (thank you Charlie) are going to let me have the manufacturing date.

[vhgmcbuddy]

Another query if I may? It’s definitely a Model T and according to MERL (very helpful) it was manufactured in 1947. The ‘working Instructions’ for the Model ‘T’ that I have suggest Castrol XL for the engine and machine lubrication and “In countries where it is impossible to obtain Castrol XL, any oil complying to specification S.A.E 50 may be used”.

Castrol XL appears to be SAE 30, so is SAE 30 or SAE 50 the correct oil to use in both, or doesn’t it matter? As the scythe and I are both of the same age, I would quite like to ensure that I do it no damage!

Tony DW

[charlie]

Castrol XL is still available details here Other simialr oils are also available eg Morris Oils An SAE50 oil would be thicker than SAE30.

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