[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

[vhgmcbuddy]

Try this book for size! Produced only in the USA, The Site Calculations, Pocket Reference (they have bid pockets over there!)
It was extremely expensive at $54 but worth every penny, there’s not a day goes by without me using it. It covers for all eventualities, look what’s inside

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[vhgmcbuddy]

Toro badged Harriers, the last ones I saw over there selling in dealerships was in 2009.
The historic prophecy of selling in the USA, was to sell a quality product, at an affordable price realistic to the market, but in recent years with the cheap influx of Chinese products, entering the market, reduced in price, as China requires Foreign currencies, this ripple has effected all economies.
I’m afraid the bottom line is that it may look good on paper, until later you find that inferior materials have been used.
At the moment there appears to be a steel shortage, so scrap is at a high making over £230 per ton, and we all know who is buying – China. So my view is to collect up all those inferior products eg scaffolding that bends when it should not, put the money back into the Economy by selling it as scrap to whence it came. Then buy British!

[vhgmcbuddy]

Some years ago they sold red, Toro badged Harriers in the US. Don’t know whether they still do.

[vhgmcbuddy]

Nothing like putting a picture to words, this is an original poster from 1925 from Automower’s which proudly sits in my office, there are only 2 known examples of this poster, of which we also own the second but in a much worse state, it was used in their drawing office on the reverse for drawing out more ideas!

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[vhgmcbuddy]

Hi there Will, I think you will find that Roger (R D C Evans) co wrote the post war history of lawn mowers with me which appears on our web site http://www.hdtrust.org (2011) which is also the same peice which Wikipedia uses, as it carries our copy rite, then as you will realise any use of this peice for commercial reasons, should be at least acknowledged.
Roger was the Librarian for many years at STRI (Sports Turf Research Institute)which I am also a past member.
He is better known in the literary world for his book on the history of guns, one amazing man!
Rogers own personnel collection of vintage related turf machinery is now held within The Hall & Duck Trust.
Regards
Andrew

[vhgmcbuddy]

Joys of two strokes ! Found an old post regarding timing :- points start opening 5/32 inch BTDC. Also refitting flywheel accurately.As said check simple things first although My previous workings with 2 strokes best do a leak down test to check condition seals especially old engines.

[vhgmcbuddy]

Just some more info,the engine would start okay and run for 30 mins then stop. After cooling it would start again.It has had a new set of points/condenser/coil fitted but will not start at all now. Personally i would be looking at crank seals ( 2 stroke) but the machine belongs to a work colleague.

[vhgmcbuddy]

I should have added that the model is a C25 with points set up

[vhgmcbuddy]

Hello, glad you enjoyed it, it was a VHGMC member, me! with some of the exhibits from our museum collection, it was a two part piece, both available on iPlayer BBC 2 Gardeners World Episode 4 18th April & Episode 8 18th May. http://www.museumofgardening.co.uk

[vhgmcbuddy]

Yes tracking it down by the sleuth’s of the lawn mower world!
Well there was plenty of that black stuff with a creamy head poured by a couple of leprechauns or was it 3!
We have many good friends in the South and many tales to tell, one thing to remember, it is very hard to hide over there, or go somewhere you should not!
Many years ago I was in County Clare digging around, by the time I had got back to London, all the ex Pat’s I new, had already been told where I had been!

[vhgmcbuddy]

65951 makes it late 1952 but MERL will be more precise

[vhgmcbuddy]

Thank you for your replies.

I have had a closer look at the machine number and noticed that there is a very faint ‘1’ at the end making a correct number of 65951. I shall follow this up as recommended with MERL in Reading.

I have tried uploading a photo without success as yet.

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