[vhgmcbuddy]

Hi there just noticed this post, you should find that most internal parts are uniform on these old brass sprinklers, washers are easy to replace if you know where to look, you need to go to a hardware supplier and get an assortment of tap washers they come in many sizes.
Even the famous Pluviette sprinklers that Lloyds made were all made up with British standard pipe fittings.
It is always best to just coat the washers with a little Vaseline, but dont use KY jelly as its not water resistant, keep that for internal door hinges!

[vhgmcbuddy]

I am with the info above on Trusty Tractors, but to go back to Ransomes push mowers, all their hand push mowers never were cast with individual numbers, what Clive 1997 is referring to are Ransomes version of their truth about sales.

Anyone who has worked in sales in any industry or the lawn mower trade as I have will know, that round figures to the nearest thousand are circumspect.

To actually date these machines, there are two ways, firstly to define the introduction year, then to check for improvements made,via Patents. Secondly Ransomes changed its name on known certain years, which were cast into the lawn mower arms, eg Ransomes Sims & Head 1869 to 1881.

On hand machines it will always be difficult to define an end of production date, the year will be no problem with our dating records, but it has to be said that all Ransomes machines had spares available for up wards of 7 years after production, and we all know in the trade where machines were still being sold as new, after being stored by wholesalers by up to 5 years.

[vhgmcbuddy]

Hi
Yes The Tudor Lawn Edger sold during the second half of the 1960’s, mainly through hardware shops and Horticultural Agents. The design came from the USA type trimmers rather than English which dealt with a dropped edge. Looks like it has been looked after. As for value – well it still cuts grass!

[vhgmcbuddy]

When researching company history, it can help when original sales material turns up, but please always remember, Sales material is there to sell an item, the further you go back in history, you will find that the stringent rules we have today did not exist over a hundred years ago, so when it reads sold items, you really have to be circumspect with the year and the amount sold!

Ransomes sales brochures are well known to have used the same pictures over many years.

Fortunately in the case with Ransomes we hold all the original records of the company, which are also duplicated with Merl Reading.

The Hall & Duck Trust was established in 1982, and was founded in part by the Directors of Ransomes PLC to help save their vast history which include many actual machines

[vhgmcbuddy]

Yes always liked that design with great colours, although those we have are more hand bill size, a colleague does have one 12in x 9in approx., interested to know the size of yours?
As to the date, there is a clue as it states 10,000 sold, so that puts it at 1875 rather than 1869.
On the subject of Ransomes posters we have an original 1868 Ransomes & Sims hand bill 8in x 5in approx. when only 1000 Automatons had been sold, copy below, interestingly it has a couple of testimonials on the reverse from estates that had trialled the mower in 1866 before the launch in 1867.
We also have two similar items for 1869 & 1870 R.S & H when 2400 & 4000 had been sold.
Advertised sales continued 1871-5000, 1872-6000, 1873-7000, 1874-9000 & finally 1875 10,000 in line with your poster.
I trust that’s of interest.

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[vhgmcbuddy]

Actually they are Mason jars, to them that know they are a little cheaper than Kilner but just as good

[vhgmcbuddy]

Well Mr Chairman, I can now reveal what Thomas does in his spare time, within a well locked shed!
Perhaps you could say the feminine side is coming out!
Or the correct things to do with all the produce we grow

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[vhgmcbuddy]

All I will say is I’ll keep you all in suspense, or is that suspend********

[vhgmcbuddy]

Well Mr Chairman, you just dont know how close you are with your answer! You will just have to wait till the new series of Thomas in the capital, comes out! (be careful with the last bit, it is not a typing era!)

[vhgmcbuddy]

Just finished reading mine, though had a little trouble finding the end of Thomas’s article as starts on page 11, but finishes on page 6.
Lucky for me, I can read in two other languages which helped greatly (Cantonese and Mandarin)

[vhgmcbuddy]

Thanks wristpin and john-e-w for picking up typing era, as you should both know better centrifugal refers to the clutch.
I say typing as it reflects both your ages!

[vhgmcbuddy]

Dear phillip-s
This is going to be your lucky day! And a free ident from The Hall & Duck Trust

Your Ransomes MK 10 No B3413 is a 20 inch machine, You are correct to say the mark started before WW2,infact the first Mk 10’s came into production at the start of 1936.All Ransomes motor mowers had suspended production in 1940 except for Gang Mowers for airfields, After the war the Mk 10’s were still in production from 1946 -1947 with pre war parts, there after 1947 – the end of 1949, with new parts.
Your machine from Ransomes records which we hold states B3413 was made in February 1947,so using pre-war parts.
Your engine is a 248cc RSJ (Ransomes Simms & Jefferies) which is centrifugal
Hope this helps you

[vhgmcbuddy]

Hi Dave
It would be very helpful to include a photo preferably from the front showing a 3/4 section to include a side as well
Kind regards
Andrew

[vhgmcbuddy]

To day while doing my day job, having to clear dross from garages, I came across a stash of magazines to include old issues of the Cultivator and FHEC,Old Glory, Vintage Car and Commercial enough to fill a small 4 cu yard skip!
How many other garages are full like this up and down the country.
Had to put a muzzle on Mr Wallingfield and reins to stop him going through them!
I think the one to beat is a few years ago we cleared a library full of Bibles in over 72 languages, they did fill a 6 cu yard skip!

[vhgmcbuddy]

Its quiet a strange history about Shanks, geographically speaking, Arbroath had the correct infrastructure, for raw materials and labour plus a sea port. It also has to be mentioned that up to 1890 Scotland had its own patent laws.
Way back in 1842 Budding was sent by Ferrabee in Stroud to check on infringements of Budding’s lawn mower patent (1830)
Later years Shanks were known for their heavy oil engines of which there are a few in captivity, they also made a Traction engine and a locomotive, as well as Greenhouses, along with being one of the largest makers of lawn mowers along with Ransomes of Ipswich and Thos Greens of Leeds

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