[vhgmcbuddy]

Found the instructions for the Hunter Olympic shear grinder saved on the ‘puter as a 2043PDF file but don’t seem to be able to attach it. Advice needed!!

Had a think!
https://www.dropbox.com/s/5bvaweh1z4s8w0q/Olympic%20shear%20grinder%20instructions0001.pdf?dl=0

[vhgmcbuddy]

Thanks Trusty Bloke and Andy F – I’ll contact both of them.

[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, thanks for the info…..not sure what best to do with it as I am trying to make space 😃
Thanks again

[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]

A couple of images will help .

[vhgmcbuddy]

Many thanks for trying Wristpin, any help is greatly appreciated. Whilst I’d love to keep the business going, trying to find someone with the same skill set and knowledge is near on impossible and unfortunately I never learnt how to setup the cylinder grinder so hopefully it can find a good home.

[vhgmcbuddy]

Okay thank you.

[vhgmcbuddy]

I sent you a pm a couple of weeks ago – not of interest or in your junk folder ?

[vhgmcbuddy]

Just Google Tecumseh H60 -there’s plenty on line.

[vhgmcbuddy]

This may be of interest
https://www.vehicle-electrical-rewinds.co.uk/how-dynastarts-work.html

[vhgmcbuddy]

Hi the make of the engine is Tecumseh and the other info stamped on the pull cord casing is H60 – 75448M SER 1238D, it was made in the USA.

[vhgmcbuddy]

I had an early Bug with a Tecumseh engine and that was white. In the early days of Westwood there was a certain amount of making it up as they went along and “ use what they had”. It sounds as though what you have is a Dynostart – starter and generator combined – the two functions in one unit, not that unusual in those days when many of the engine manufacturers had not got around to incorporating an alternator under the flywheel with the ignition windings.
Sounds like your Bug is original, so many were butchered for lawn mower racing.
I’m only about ten miles from you, so if you need any help send me a PM.

Edit. I should add a word of warning. With any electric starting system it is very important that when” messing” with the wiring that you don’t end up sending battery voltage up the ignition stop/kill wire to the ignition windings – it will burn them out in a millisecond. So if you are experimenting sorting the electrics out my best advice is to disconnect the kill wire until you are sure that all is in order. You mention smoke – hopefully that has not already happened.

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