[alan]

Steve,

I’ve had a look at VHGMC archive stuff and a few other sources and your Webb Witch appears to date after 1936, yet it has the ribbed rear roller meaning it was a later production machine, but it has the earlier older style handles later changed in production to the crossed handles. From that information and if we had a selection of brochures then we’d probably be able to date it to within a few years!

An interesting early-ish machine and apparently not many about.

[alan]

The Yellowbird cultivator is now quite a scarce machine for the UK and for someone would be a useable and unusual make to have.

[alan]

Page 17 of Jean Smith’s book has the Wikeham Weed Eradicator logo on it:

https://vhgmc.co.uk/member-downloads/british-hand-held-garden-tools-and-equipment-volume-1/

[alan]

The earliest date I can find for the Wikeham Weed Eradicator is an 1894 advert with the item on sale at a florist/garden shop in Royal Avenue, Dublin.

Then there is a newspaper article from 1904 stating “An implement destroying weeds in lawns called the Wikeham Weed Eradicator is manufactured by the Killet Chemical Company, Liverpool. It is a tubular, 36″ long staff, fitted with a self-acting valve, and when filled with a reliable weed killer then simply by pressing the point into the plant enough liquid is injected to destroy it. The weeds turn brown about the second day, and by the fifth day shrivel up and die.”

I cannot find any reference to the fantastically named Killet Chemical Company so it may have been a marketing name. However there is a chemical company of the same time in Liverpool that made insecticides, sheep dip, and weedkillers which heavily relied on arsenic…..

Regarding the Mysto which is obviously the same: There is a 1927 Australian newspaper article saying that a Melbourne horticultural firm stocks the Mysto Weed Eradicator. Stating it’s a tool working on the syringe principle, it holds the chemical and has a pointed end which pierces the stump before injecting the weed killer.

Having looked at a few things it’s probable that Wikeham and Killet were brand names of Mysto. Any thoughts?

[alan]

I haven’t heard anything and there’s been no request to use any photos or documents/advertising/downloads from the VHGMC website.

You are right about collating information, on a wider scale I think everyone should have a stab at writing a short piece about their favourite machine with photos and some sales literature, it’d be good archive material for future collectors!

[alan]

There are many Case compact garden tractor models lurking about the country including the 646, some with loaders and other implements though locating the tractors is not easy! We have a Case 210 and it’s a well built and quality tractor.

I have also seen one of the early Case 130 tractors in this country and had chance to buy it – didn’t and have regretted it ever since!

[alan]

The nearest image to that in the gallery is 066:

https://vhgmc.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Seed-Drill-IMGseed066.jpg

[alan]

Would that be the Excelsior Pyramid Truck from the mid 1950s?

https://archive.commercialmotor.com/article/5th-june-1953/55/new-lightweight-industrial-truck

[alan]

I’ll add them to the Jalo gallery….

https://vhgmc.co.uk/photo-galleries/jalo/

[alan]

I have seen references to these before although all I can remember is something about there being a couple of models so a MK1 and a MK2 version?

I cannot find any reference to the machines in the archives but there is a Baromix (York Forge) advert with an address when located at Kings Heath:

https://vhgmc.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Allen-Scythe-and-Baromix-Nippy-1964.jpg

[alan]

I’ve repaired a few quite easily, I’d suggest using the genuine Kohler parts for anything like the fuel pump diaphragm.

[alan]

Thanks for the question, Plonker.

As the internet has grown it’s now easier for people to find answers to their machinery questions on many different websites, social media or numerous sources. This means that people no longer have to actually post a question to find their answer. On a positive the throughput of people searching the website, looking at the gallery and articles is quite impressive, so although we don’t see people they are there.

The club website also holds the database from the old forum and that is incredibly heavily searched on a daily basis. With members having posted such a huge amount of information over the years then the VHGMC online presence has been a staggeringly positive one.

[alan]

Items from the Saturday auction.

Including:
British Anzani
Garner Tractor
BMB
Trusty with plough, toolframe,disc, cambridge roller etc.
Ransomes MG5 with plough
Rollo Croftmaster
Gunsmith
Allen Scythe
Ransomes mowers
Browns of Leighton Buzzard hoe

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[alan]

More photos:

Including:

1941 Lister DH 1.5hp engine
1972 MF8 Tractor
1959 AutoCulto Universal
Planet Jnr Hoes
1953 Howard Bantam Queens Coronation
1986 Ransomes TurfTrak 425
1964 Howard Hako
1956 Rollo Croftmaster

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[alan]

More photos….

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[Author]

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