[vhgmcbuddy]

One thing I did during the first lockdown, understanding that this COVID-19 was here to stay, is to hold a mini rally on my drive. The intention really was to sort the garage out, but there were loads of people walking around the estate doing their 1 hours worth of exercise unable to go to the shops, “working” at home and so forth.

The three Colebys took pride of place on the drive which generated quite a bit of interest and I managed to talk to people who stopped keeping the requisite 2 meter (6 foot) distance.

The attached photo shows the setup.

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[vhgmcbuddy]

I forgot the BMB Hoemate with cutter bar attachment. Would love a plough for it

[vhgmcbuddy]

Well I’m blowed small world. Hope it was the same price lol.

Howard gem series 2
Howard bantam
Howard bullfinch
British Anzani Iron horse
British Anzani motor hoe
Moto tiller S3
Landmaster x 2
Oxford Allen scythe x 3
Atco ride on mower
Allen challenger mower

I think I need help

[vhgmcbuddy]

Wow, thanks Charlie. That is impressive. I’ve picked up a manual but I will have a look at yours as well. I have many other machines as well which I would like to get done, but one at a time.

[vhgmcbuddy]

I find it absolutely incredible how a light hearted and seemingly unimportant post has created such an interesting conversation. I just found a random piece of information and a flurry of associated posts ensued, all of which are interesting in their own right.

I guess this is the point of VHGMC and the forum with so many people with different experiences. I can’t fault it.

[vhgmcbuddy]

The company name was Howard Rotavator Co Ltd, and Rotavator was trade marked. At one time Howard used the slogan “ if it doesn’t read the same backwards as forwards, it’s not a Rotavator” . They also used a mirror image of the slogan.
With the demise of the Howard company and manufacturing rights passing to Dowdswell, the trade mark also went there .
What is interesting is that I have Howard literature going back to the late 50s and there is no mention of Rotavator being a trade mark on it. Less litigious times in those days perhaps. Unlike my first employer, the Caterpillar Tractor Co. who went to great lengths rap the knuckles of any unfortunate journalist who used caterpillar ( lower case c) in a generic manner to describe a crawler or track laying vehicle.
As far as rotovator goes, I guess that it either developed as an error, or from more switched on writers wishing to describe rotary tillers without impinging Howard’s trade mark. Howard themselves used the by line “ The world’s largest manufacturers of rotary tillage equipment”

[vhgmcbuddy]

Spelling was never my strong point and I did wonder whether the spelling of the trademark Rotavator or Rotovator and I can’t find a definitive answer on the internet.

From the Collins English Dictionary I found both spellings and defined as a noun. Collins also makes reference to it being a trademark, but it’s less clear which spelling this is, however a further search of the internet seems to suggest that Rotavator is a trade mark of CNH INDUSTRIAL DANMARK but there were no results of Rotovater being trademarked.

I would hazard a guess that Rotavator was mis-spelt Rotovator for such a long time that it made it into the English language, who knows?

I started this article as a bit of fun but it turns out to be a little more interesting that I first thought.

[vhgmcbuddy]

I believe it is the longest single word palindrome in English

Could also be the most misused word!

[vhgmcbuddy]

HI Ray,

Thank you for your advice I have managed to clean the bearings enough to read the following stamped on the seal/bearing ENGLAND WESTON W 105010045 RF .6 (BB in subscript) Google brings up nothing except some rod end bearings which look wrong.
Do I need to split the gear housing to remove the bearings?
I’m itching to start stripping this lovely old machine down but waiting on my landlord to fix a my leaking garage roof as I don’t have enough room in my woodwork shop. It’s only been over a year!!!! I have a tarp over everything inside and periodically run the water off. It’s too cold and wet to be working outside on restoration like this and I need her ready for February to get my deep bed made.

Thanks again , take care and stay safe, Mike

[vhgmcbuddy]

Welcome to the Club and forum.
Just a suggestion, there are possibly others like me who don’t know what engine is fitted to your machine but would know the correct mixture if they knew what engine you have . There may have been a choice when new or it may have had an engine change at some time in its life.
As ever, an image or two will assist.

[vhgmcbuddy]

I’ve got mine as well with only my address sheet, a really good read and some great articles.

[vhgmcbuddy]

mine arrived yesterday with my address only no second name some good gear for sale but as usual too far south for me

[vhgmcbuddy]

Thanks for that Andy.

I’m not sure about George at Villiersparts. He seems more than a bit abrupt. It’s not the first time I’ve had dealings with him and if he was a little more friendly I would be happy to deal with him. The last order was not right but managed to make the best of a bad job and sort out the issue I had.

Pity really, I love to support the smaller guys even if it costs a bit more.

[vhgmcbuddy]

Good morning gentlemen and many thanks to those of you who commented. As usual we have two “ experts “ diametrically opposed. What’s new? I have to make up my own mind.
More interesting than petrol/oil ratios is the following:- Having totally striped the engine and rebuilt it, to make sure I wasn’t loosing crankcase pressure, I RESET EVERYTHING and pulled the string. Nothing, not even a cough. I had fitted a brand new spark plug which came with the “ bits “ I had bought, an NGK AB-6. I don’t know why but I remembered I had an old plug, it turned out to be a Lodge H1. Probably 1930s or even 20s.I took it to bits, cleaned it, fitted it and hey presto, COMBUSTION, I purchased a new plug, a D14-GS Champion and the engine is running fine.

Any more “ expert “ thoughts? Thanks Donald.

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[vhgmcbuddy]

WOW Wristspin. the parts manual is the same as the one as on allotment garden that is linked on this site HOWEVER yours is SO much better you can see all of the components on the diagrams and the belts part list is a welcome bonus. Thank you thank you so much.
Take care and stay safe, Mike

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