Vintage Horticultural and Garden Machinery Club | Philip Swain | Activity https://vhgmc.co.uk/members/philip-s/activity/ Activity feed for Philip Swain. Sun, 05 Apr 2026 15:56:20 +0100 https://buddypress.org/?v= en-US 30 hourly 2 3bb93438592f86018ea9c714509822e7 Philip Swain replied to the topic Flymo Professional in the forum Grass Cutting Machinery https://vhgmc.co.uk/forums/topic/flymo-professional/#post-41961 Sun, 24 Mar 2024 08:57:32 +0000 The cutting width is 19 inch. I wondered about the cowling being apparently aluminium so it appears it is a GT2 JLO model. Now I just have to get it going, does it have the usual points and condenser under the flywheel?

]]> 5b9f415a47efabda8f68289c92b6978f Philip Swain replied to the topic Flymo Professional in the forum Grass Cutting Machinery https://vhgmc.co.uk/forums/topic/flymo-professional/#post-41949 Sat, 23 Mar 2024 08:21:23 +0000 Many thanks for the detailed information.

]]> 8620bad47ad7242da202b4319649656c Philip Swain started the topic Flymo Professional in the forum Grass Cutting Machinery https://vhgmc.co.uk/forums/topic/flymo-professional/ Fri, 22 Mar 2024 17:34:32 +0000 I have just acquired what I believe is a Flymo Professional, not seen one with with two rear wheels before. Does anyone have information on this machine such as age and the engine make, it says Cushaire on the cowling.

]]> 30c4b03d3ff166c57075748f263ad4e4 Philip Swain replied to the topic Barrow sprayer in the forum Help and information https://vhgmc.co.uk/forums/topic/barrow-sprayer/#post-41880 Sun, 10 Mar 2024 10:16:11 +0000 I remember my father having a number of barrow sprayers in the 1970’s thrown in the hedge as no longer used on our hop farm in Kent. Most were made by Drake and Fletcher or Weeks of Maidstone but the iron frame was different to yours. Where are you based as it could be of local manufacture.

]]> fb881a6a79c75406087091ffa0e6be7e Philip Swain replied to the topic Air filter Garden Master 80 in the forum Pedestrian operated machines https://vhgmc.co.uk/forums/topic/air-filter-garden-master-80/#post-41634 Tue, 02 Jan 2024 09:40:12 +0000 You could try Jon Cruse at http://www.themowercentrehailsham.com. he has a good selection of vintage parts.

]]> 1776422bd5d6ac58c9aa379400485f04 Philip Swain replied to the topic Gunsmith Mk 2 drive belt replacement in the forum Help and information https://vhgmc.co.uk/forums/topic/gunsmith-mk-2-drive-belt-replacement/#post-41501 Sun, 26 Nov 2023 18:04:32 +0000 According to the 1959 Ferodo Belt Catalogue the Gunsmith takes flat belt W34 which has an inside circumference of 38 inches with one and a half inches width and one eighth inch thickness. Hope this helps. They were £1.18/6 in 1959!

]]> d7723fdb778149b09e8b4242aa6fdecc Philip Swain replied to the topic Wolf Spreader in the forum Garden implements https://vhgmc.co.uk/forums/topic/wolf-spreader/#post-40793 Tue, 02 May 2023 09:07:55 +0100 Logo on my spreader

]]> 691d03eac5ea507073f3ac395fcd23ab Philip Swain replied to the topic Wolf Spreader in the forum Garden implements https://vhgmc.co.uk/forums/topic/wolf-spreader/#post-40786 Mon, 01 May 2023 17:12:45 +0100 Thanks Alan, it’s nice to see a contemporary advert and the cross section diagram. Apparently chosen British manufactured items were exhibited at the Design centre in Haymarket, London where the public could go and see (and presumably order) them. The product could then carry the triangular Design centre sticker.

]]> bf317e9d32333727912d1cc25b2ecaa9 Philip Swain started the topic Wolf Spreader in the forum Garden implements https://vhgmc.co.uk/forums/topic/wolf-spreader/ Mon, 01 May 2023 06:28:07 +0100 Collected this Wolf seeder/fertilizer spreader yesterday as it has an unusual convex shape hopper and claims it was made for The Design Centre London. The hopper and handles are metal and the wheels plastic and my guess is that it is 1970’s, does anyone have any more information?

]]> efe724a393680f3f1fac783f277d7946 Philip Swain replied to the topic Coborn c3 engine in the forum Help and information https://vhgmc.co.uk/forums/topic/coborn-c3-engine/#post-40576 Tue, 07 Mar 2023 18:14:02 +0000 Coborn (Browett and Lindley) were taken over by Petters Ltd after the 2nd world war. You could try the Internal Fire Museum in W Wales who have the Petter engine records and may have got some records for Coborn engines in with them.

]]> 4d6c29576e3c992d17358b7d28d9ff1d Philip Swain replied to the topic Villiers Mk15 ignition problem in the forum Pedestrian operated machines https://vhgmc.co.uk/forums/topic/villiers-mk15-ignition-problem/#post-39651 Fri, 05 Aug 2022 15:54:12 +0100 Villiersparts are out of replacements, expressed surprise at the type of unit in my magneto. Definitely not original so looks as if I am looking for another engine.

]]> b40bf31d0be67fd402686ac88427cc63 Philip Swain started the topic Villiers Mk15 ignition problem in the forum Pedestrian operated machines https://vhgmc.co.uk/forums/topic/villiers-mk15-ignition-problem/ Wed, 03 Aug 2022 17:45:32 +0100 Trying to sort out the Villiers MK15 engine on my Allen Champion to cut some rough grassland. There was no spark so I went through the usual checks and got as far as checking the points – what points? This is what greeted me inside the flywheel:-
Someone has been there before and I assume this is some sort of electronic ignition. I thought these…[Read more]

]]> a3ed1d9828d3fcdb449dcf44e0f0232f Philip Swain replied to the topic Cothi Bridge show 2022 in the forum Garden implements https://vhgmc.co.uk/forums/topic/cothi-bridge-show-2022/#post-39412 Tue, 05 Jul 2022 11:53:47 +0100 The stallholder smiled and said ‘If you can identify that, I will reduce the price’, so I surprised him and said what it was, his surprise didn’t reduce it much though.
Some years ago I found an Edwardian postcard of a man in a field hitting his scythe with a hammer. That set me off on a journey of research and I discovered in the history of…[Read more]

]]> da352128b770f8ff0c2034ba56fb1470 Philip Swain replied to the topic Iron horse in the forum Help and information https://vhgmc.co.uk/forums/topic/iron-horse-2/#post-39332 Mon, 27 Jun 2022 12:35:49 +0100 Jensales do a reproduction Johnson Iron Horse manual which you can download, but it is not cheap.

]]> 30d67c065e7179f7143c0f32530f3027 Philip Swain replied to the topic Sisis scarifier in the forum Groundcare Machinery https://vhgmc.co.uk/forums/topic/sisis-scarifier/#post-39243 Fri, 17 Jun 2022 11:31:26 +0100 Thanks Andrew for the information, sounds like a useful machine for restoring lawns. What is the best time of year to use it to improve the sward?

]]> a5a4c068614df87c8672602937bbefd7 Philip Swain started the topic Sisis scarifier in the forum Groundcare Machinery https://vhgmc.co.uk/forums/topic/sisis-scarifier/ Thu, 16 Jun 2022 18:02:14 +0100 I picked this up at the weekend, never owned a Sisis before and wondering if someone can give an idea of the age of the machine and if manuals are available
On the plate it says Sisis ARR2 Auto Rotorake no 1869.
The engine is a Kohler model k91T spec3124c/7456232.

]]> 0f21f915e5ebd607a2818b64d6c0b3d3 Philip Swain replied to the topic Iron horse in the forum Help and information https://vhgmc.co.uk/forums/topic/iron-horse-2/#post-39231 Thu, 16 Jun 2022 17:51:57 +0100 A picture would help.
There was a Johnson Iron horse which is a small air cooled engine often attached to a generator, these were made in America and I believe manuals are available in the US if you search on the web.

]]> 44b9d2c5104287386d5dff34ae00d625 Philip Swain replied to the topic Ransomes Motor Mowers 1939 catalogue in the forum Grass Cutting Machinery https://vhgmc.co.uk/forums/topic/ransomes-motor-mowers-1939-catalogue/#post-37716 Sat, 21 Aug 2021 08:21:13 +0100 Thanks for your help with dating info, I believe the mower was originally used in the grounds of the local university

]]> 62a8f2dbd81c72a19eb462c856f05825 Philip Swain replied to the topic Ransomes Motor Mowers 1939 catalogue in the forum Grass Cutting Machinery https://vhgmc.co.uk/forums/topic/ransomes-motor-mowers-1939-catalogue/#post-37710 Wed, 18 Aug 2021 08:59:30 +0100 This is my Ransomes Mk10 no B3413 which I believe also dates to around 1939 and which I found recently in the next village. It is all freed up but I have not had it running yet.
I have not been able to find any original pre war mower catalogues although there is/was someone in Australia reproducing some of the older ones and I got a nice copy of a…[Read more]

]]> 310031ccd0c1e3e013664d48475dcc37 Philip Swain replied to the topic Ransomes Motor Mowers 1939 catalogue in the forum Grass Cutting Machinery https://vhgmc.co.uk/forums/topic/ransomes-motor-mowers-1939-catalogue/#post-37708 Wed, 18 Aug 2021 08:47:46 +0100 233de2645a919f2614c8abee771f01d3 Philip Swain replied to the topic Dilapidated Seeder Help in the forum Garden implements https://vhgmc.co.uk/forums/topic/dilapidated-seeder-help/#post-37074 Thu, 29 Apr 2021 17:53:10 +0100 If you go to the photo gallery section of the VHGMC website and put in ‘seed drills’ you can get up pictures of a Fedex drill like yours. There are a lot of local firms who made similar drills about the turn of the 20th century. I repaired the woodwork of my Horace Fuller drill by building it around the brush and axle as I couldn’t move the brush…[Read more]

]]> ec306327b827fda8f3d0cd743b80ae9d Philip Swain replied to the topic Barford Councillor Power Scythe in the forum Pedestrian operated machines https://vhgmc.co.uk/forums/topic/barford-councillor-power-scythe/#post-36956 Sat, 17 Apr 2021 09:17:08 +0100 For what it’s worth, my Barford Scythe has BARFORD GRANTHAM cast into the wheels. I didn’t know it was a ‘Councillor’ until I joined this site a few years ago.
Is it possible that when Barfords produced a scythe attachment for the Atom they needed to differentiate it from the larger Power Scythe which they then named the Councillor as local…[Read more]

]]> 2d1c25b926ae28941501acb150af17c8 Philip Swain replied to the topic Lawn roller found in garden in the forum Help and information https://vhgmc.co.uk/forums/topic/lawn-roller-found-in-garden/#post-36709 Thu, 25 Feb 2021 11:07:29 +0000 Your lawn roller has very ornate castings and is probably late 19th or early 20th century. There are quite a few collectors of lawn rollers and also they display well with lawnmowers of similar age. The only problem is the weight!
Are you sure there is no name on the castings or the handle or perhaps evidence of a missing label.

]]> aa1d11a19143ef496940620de0d6a91c Philip Swain replied to the topic Name that 2 wheeled tractor in the forum Pedestrian operated machines https://vhgmc.co.uk/forums/topic/name-that-2-wheeled-tractor/#post-36674 Sun, 21 Feb 2021 10:32:51 +0000 Thanks for clarifying about the plough Andyfrost.

That’s a very nice photo Autophil, where and when was it taken? I see all the autocultos have the torpedo type tank so presumably date to around the 1940’s and the ‘ X’ series.
My machine had been stuck in the back of the shed for some time waiting until I could get implements to go with it, so…[Read more]

]]> e41c2434baa3fb735dc34c604b4a33d0 Philip Swain replied to the topic Name that 2 wheeled tractor in the forum Pedestrian operated machines https://vhgmc.co.uk/forums/topic/name-that-2-wheeled-tractor/#post-36648 Wed, 17 Feb 2021 09:10:26 +0000 There is what is probably a model L advertised in this month’s Cultivator magazine in the New Forest. Shame it is lockdown and a long way or I would have had it.
I am interested in Andy’s comments about the plough as I have just obtained a plough for my model EX but without the bits to connect it up to the machine so any ideas on hitching it up…[Read more]

]]> d371cb4ac7bfe52b7c392d41b547901a Philip Swain replied to the topic Vhgmc 2021 calendar in the forum General talk and discussion https://vhgmc.co.uk/forums/topic/vhgmc-2021-calendar/#post-36330 Sat, 02 Jan 2021 17:30:29 +0000 Thanks for a nice calendar with interesting photos

]]> bb40a855a8466e76b5f8a36267a37307 Philip Swain replied to the topic C. G. A. Annual Price Book in the forum General talk and discussion https://vhgmc.co.uk/forums/topic/c-g-a-annual-price-book/#post-35940 Sat, 21 Nov 2020 07:44:01 +0000 Hi Alan,
I suspect the name changed over the years as I have a faccimile copy of the Country Gentlemens annual Catalogue dated 1894 produced by the C.G.A. It is full of contemporary adverts with prices, just like the annual price books of the 1950’s and 60’s. It is also stated that it is the second annual catalogue they had produced—hence 1893…[Read more]

]]> 4e7bc1b5684a6dc918d9d45a156293f4 Philip Swain replied to the topic Re purposed Lawnmower in the forum General talk and discussion https://vhgmc.co.uk/forums/topic/re-purposed-lawnmower/#post-35856 Tue, 17 Nov 2020 17:51:55 +0000 Thanks for the warning, I haven’t tried to run it yet, got it as a possible replacement for the engine on the Landmaster Stoic which seems to have lost its spark.

]]> 367a0d525d7b3f9b4a229bf7c1d9cac9 Philip Swain started the topic Re purposed Lawnmower in the forum General talk and discussion https://vhgmc.co.uk/forums/topic/re-purposed-lawnmower/ Sun, 15 Nov 2020 09:52:23 +0000 I recently bought this for the Briggs and Stratton engine at a sale. It was said it was adapted for gassing moles, all the mower parts had been removed.

]]> d5dc51c4d42bbf44b5a76a057ef796e1 Philip Swain replied to the topic Where can I find Mayfield parts? in the forum Help and information https://vhgmc.co.uk/forums/topic/where-can-i-find-mayfield-parts/#post-35759 Tue, 10 Nov 2020 09:44:54 +0000 Why not post an ad in the VHGMC newsletter, are you looking for any attachments or those other than the usual finger bar mower.

]]> 6bd4a740406185df15c1f0d344c9a64d Philip Swain replied to the topic Malvern & Newbury Spares day in the forum General talk and discussion https://vhgmc.co.uk/forums/topic/malvern-newbury-spares-day/#post-35452 Thu, 01 Oct 2020 08:46:35 +0100 Patrick Edwards tractor jumble and spares day is still going ahead at Clanfield Oxon on Saturday 3rd October.

]]> 07bcefba2a927f1ff1627a987fc94740 Philip Swain replied to the topic Trusty book in the forum General talk and discussion https://vhgmc.co.uk/forums/topic/trusty-book-2/#post-35329 Sun, 30 Aug 2020 09:08:08 +0100 Price was almost £5 per photograph, about the same price as the Autoculto ones. There was unfortunately no contemporary written information with them to prove where and when they were taken.

]]> 51ea03b146fcbe1fad9f3367b2ebb800 Philip Swain replied to the topic BMB Plow mate in the forum Help and information https://vhgmc.co.uk/forums/topic/bmb-plow-mate/#post-35282 Sun, 23 Aug 2020 11:21:21 +0100 It would help to know where you are

]]> 8349879757adfef0a100b69eff8b75d8 Philip Swain replied to the topic What hoes are these? in the forum Garden implements https://vhgmc.co.uk/forums/topic/what-hoes-are-these/#post-35278 Sun, 23 Aug 2020 06:59:12 +0100 This was in the same box as the hoes, any idea what it is for? It appears to have had a long wooden handle.

]]> 6768af85dc5e1cfe3d87a04383dd54c8 Philip Swain replied to the topic What hoes are these? in the forum Garden implements https://vhgmc.co.uk/forums/topic/what-hoes-are-these/#post-35278 Sun, 23 Aug 2020 06:59:12 +0100 This was in the same box as the hoes, any idea what it is for?

]]> 948990c29a47e71ef760ceb88963c4cb Philip Swain replied to the topic What hoes are these? in the forum Garden implements https://vhgmc.co.uk/forums/topic/what-hoes-are-these/#post-35199 Mon, 10 Aug 2020 08:14:35 +0100 Thanks, What does the end of the handle look like where it fits into the blade?

]]> 70d8d3379cf3588c3aaef2e7e139d209 Philip Swain started the topic What hoes are these? in the forum Garden implements https://vhgmc.co.uk/forums/topic/what-hoes-are-these/ Sun, 09 Aug 2020 09:05:04 +0100 Found these in a box of old tools.
The metal is very thin and I am not sure if they are hoes or scrapers of some sort. Does anyone know what kind of handle they had?

]]> d1254e60436c45d043e4e29c94006148 Philip Swain replied to the topic Father in laws new pump info required in the forum Help and information https://vhgmc.co.uk/forums/topic/father-in-laws-new-pump-info-required/#post-35022 Sun, 19 Jul 2020 06:28:00 +0100 Orchard sprayer?, can’t see where the outlet is, but it could be for spraying crops.

]]> 81b2bd2a9785c58b8d0e276eb343a0c8 Philip Swain replied to the topic J P Mower model in the forum Pedestrian operated machines https://vhgmc.co.uk/forums/topic/j-p-mower-model/#post-34884 Mon, 29 Jun 2020 16:58:32 +0100 Eventually found some numbers, The JAP engine has what appears to be 2AV 85976 pressed into the cowling, although the V could be a U. According to a JAP dating list I found this makes it 1956 or 1943. I’m not sure when they began making 2A engines but since this one had a recoil starter I am guessing it is probably 1956.
Taking a closer look at…[Read more]

]]> 2ff98dfcee1e8cdf9ad458940a76bae1 Philip Swain replied to the topic J P Mower model in the forum Pedestrian operated machines https://vhgmc.co.uk/forums/topic/j-p-mower-model/#post-34874 Sat, 27 Jun 2020 08:34:22 +0100 Thanks for that observation, the extension appears to be necessary to enable the user to lift the idler pulley in and out of gear effectively and the red catch higher up holds the lever out.
There are no controls on the handlebars you would expect on most motormowers and the JAP engine appears to be a fixed speed.
However the engine is painted the…[Read more]

]]> 22a824bca839a9b495e5c3a3fa494512 Philip Swain replied to the topic J P Mower model in the forum Pedestrian operated machines https://vhgmc.co.uk/forums/topic/j-p-mower-model/#post-34870 Fri, 26 Jun 2020 06:40:35 +0100 I thought this was a pretty unusual model of JP mower and I guess the silence confirms this. I wonder if it was a prototype, and what is the V pulley doing on the outside of the roller as the roller drive is already driven internally from the engine?

]]> f0bcd6934d5d2aa9288a639ed3bd8934 Philip Swain replied to the topic Ransomes cylinder mower in the forum Pedestrian operated machines https://vhgmc.co.uk/forums/topic/ransomes-cylinder-mower/#post-34844 Tue, 23 Jun 2020 06:37:13 +0100 It looks like a Ransomes with a Sturmey Archer engine of the mid 1930’s. the price would depend on whether it is running and does it have the grassbox.

]]> 794ed3994af27ddae2dc68aad43773a6 Philip Swain started the topic J P Mower model in the forum Pedestrian operated machines https://vhgmc.co.uk/forums/topic/j-p-mower-model/ Sat, 06 Jun 2020 09:31:58 +0100 Hi, I have been a member of VHGMC for quite a long time and used to be on the old forum. As I have some questions on recent acquisitions I thought I had better reconnect with the forum.

Attached, I hope, are two photos of my unusual JP mower fitted with a belt drive from a JAP engine. What model is this as it doesn’t seem to match anything I…[Read more]

]]> dd4719f3f451d848ba05b0acaa7dc1c9 philip-s became a registered member https://vhgmc.co.uk/activity/p/19704/ Thu, 28 May 2020 08:01:44 +0100 0