[alan]

Images and details of the K-series engine fuel pump, also as a PDF:

Usually, to make the images bigger, left-click on the thumbnail as normal then right-click on the opened image and choose ‘Open image in New Tab’ or similar and it’ll open it in a new tab for larger viewing.

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[alan]

Indeed, in the second half of the 1980s the Honda polymer decks hit the market in the UK.

I’ve done more research this evening and found some March 1986 adverts and an editorial report about the new decks – but nothing advertised earlier in 1985. You are correct that it was a smaller model first, it was the 17″ HR173 and available in both four-wheel or rear-roller versions. This led me to find the Honda manual online which is dated 1985.

Amazing that it’s 39 years since they introduced those polymer decks!

[alan]

Hello

Thanks for letting us know, it’s much appreciated, and I’ve had a look at this.

I’ve checked the club email and there’s been no emails sent out to members from there.

Indeed, unwanted emails are an unnecessary aggravation, but as said it’s advisable to just delete such emails.

I will add that the club never sends out global emails or messages to all members. If there’s important info regarding the website then we’d put a post on the site, or to contact everyone we use The Cultivator magazine.

Alan

[alan]

Thanks for posting a picture of your Bernard tractor.

I had a look to see if I had any adverts for Bernard tractors but couldn’t see any. There is a 1983 advert for Bernard pedestrian mowers and a 1985 list of the mower models with an interesting list of engines that were used.

I haven’t seen a Bernard mower in the UK but one would be nice to go with the tractor!

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[alan]

Hello Oli

It’s good to see a Bernard tractor.

The USA-made Bernard machines were imported into the UK in the 1980s by Hyett Adams Ltd, Stonehouse, Gloucestershire. There were three tractor models and said to all have 6 hp Bernard 4-stroke engines, and three forward plus reverse gearboxes.

According to a 1985 pricelist, the model BM749 had a rear-discharge 32″ wide mowing deck with five cutting heights, headlights, and an electric start engine. A grass collector was optional. It was priced at £1205+vat.

The models BM809 (recoil start) and BM829 (electric start) had 36″ wide mowing decks.

The models were also available in the UK liveried as ATCO and Dynamark. The Bernard BM749 looks to have the same bodywork as the early ATCO 8/36 – although the models didn’t stick to just one design. I assume the 32″ mowing deck was the same (or similar) as found on the ATCO 7/32.

I have no idea about the paint colour code, and I’ve not seen reproduced decals. It will probably be a case of getting a company to match the paint and also someone to create new decals – take lots of photos of the decals as square-on and perfect as possible!

It will be nice to see how the project progresses as it’s good to see a different tractor.

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[alan]

I hope everyone has a good Christmas and New Year.

Indeed, let’s hope for good weather at shows and events next year.

Attached are a couple of photos from Malvern Autumn show. An excellent turn-out from members with a varied range of machines, good company, and great weather on the Saturday!

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[alan]

I’ve looked through my photos and cannot see anything similar from the big manufacturers (but might be wrong) such as Ransomes, Mountfield, Victa etc and the ones you have also mentioned.

I can see why you thought of and dismissed Norlett as some models had the sticking-out wheel supports at the front as shown on the attached 1976 image.

Do the handlebars have any distinguishing features? Are they one or two-piece or foldup?

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[alan]

Thank you Trusty220.

As you know, I aim to get a range of questions, so hand tools, mowers, etc. And I like the questions and answers to be informative and sometimes offbeat.

I come across some really weird facts that include garden tools or machines and would make great questions but I cannot include them all. These include a gardener who used a shovel to defend himself against an escaped Tiger in the 1940s; and an advert for a watering can that had a spout at the bottom edge so that the user didn’t have to tip it up to empty the contents. There’s some interesting things out there!

[alan]

The cutaway engines sound interesting and must have taken a while to complete.

Regarding the Pioneer P12 chainsaw…I have very little knowledge of chainsaws but I have a bit of printed info that briefly mentions Pioneer. Unfortunately, I cannot tell if it’s a rare model or not, but does it run and work or is it past repair?

Advertising appeared around 1981 including for the P12, I haven’t found an earlier P12 model. There was also a P12S model at the same time, it was listed as having a 35cc engine, 30.5cm bar, and a safety chain brake.

Danarm Ltd, Stroud, Gloucestershire were involved with Pioneer chainsaws in the UK and listed many models of Danarm and Pioneer models in the 1970s and ’80s.

[alan]

Bartrop was advertising the Australian HD8 and the M8 models in the mid-1970s. They were certainly shown at the Royal Show and also the Institute of Groundsmanship Exhibition, both shows in 1975.

Trade reports state Bartrop saying that they imported the ride-on machines in kit form and then assembled them in the UK.

Bartrop detailed that the HD8 had a Honda G65 6.8 hp engine.

A few Greenfield HD8 and M8 ride-ons have come to light over the years, but they are indeed rare in the UK.

[alan]

Thanks for bringing this to our attention, much appreciated. Your account certainly looks fine, so the issue is probably software related. We will have a look.

[alan]

Hello Jamie

Excellent that you have a Stoic in running condition and plan on keeping it going for the foreseeable future.

I have been playing around with a Stoic this weekend, it had been languishing under rubbish in a building for many years and I decided to bring it home and get it running. It has obviously been a council owned mowing machine due to a fleet number, it has been worked hard and, like many other Stoics, has obviously stood up to all that has been thrown at it – even though the 3.5 hp B&S engine has been cobbled together from three other engines through time! They seem to be tough machines.

I have another Stoic in bits that was dismantled by a previous owner, there are some wheels and various spares, but it’s 200 miles away at the farm. I can check next month when I’m there.

[alan]

Hi Chris

I have looked through all the Victa info I have gathered and it looks like your model is a 2-stroke Commander model – it appears that the Commander was the top of the range that Victa did. I found a 1966 newspaper advert for the 4-stroke Commander and the black and white image looks the same as your model regarding the handles, height adjuster, grassbox, deck, etc.

Also, a 1979 advert for the 500-Twin model.

Alan

• This reply was modified 1 year, 8 months ago by alan.
• This reply was modified 1 year, 8 months ago by alan.

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[alan]

That looks a great machine!

Just today I have been writing up the models and history of Victa in the UK. I am surprised how many Victa models there were, even a twin-cylinder two-stroke model which was sold here in the late 1970s – need to find one of those now!

[alan]

The Tractorbox data is archived on a server. It’s currently not accessible to the public but we will see what can be done with it.

I do have all the photographs and images from the website saved. Some of the archived photos were put on the gallery pages on this website.

[Author]

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