Alan

Firstly, I can say that all messages are still stored as they were and will be accessible once again once the messaging service is restored.

Secondly, the reason for the messaging being suspended was because there were several spammers sending messages in quantity via messaging to VHGMC members. This is frustrating not just for members but also…[Read more]

I remember the magazine adverts for the Dynamow when they were first introduced in 1989 (I think) – I also had an original brochure at one point but not sure what happened to it.

May need further research but I do recall reading that the Dynamo was developed by Denis Selby of G.D.Mountfield after he sold the company in 1985. They may have been…[Read more]

UK Jacobsen Chief brochure:

http://staging.vhgmc.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Jacobsen_Chief_Brochure.pdf

Well done on getting a Jacobsen Chief, they are well made machines and certainly (in my view) better than several other manufacturers of the time. Although not as popular as Wheelhorse the Chiefs did sell in some reasonable numbers in the UK.

Jacobsen Chief tractors were sold in the UK by Horwool, their main office and works was in Romford,…[Read more]

Some vintage images in the VHGMC gallery:

http://staging.vhgmc.co.uk/photo-galleries/skimmer-itc-ransomes/

That’s good news with finding the Westwood orange paint.

Regarding the engine, I would recommend finding an engine that is as near a fit as the original was. This means getting a suitably powerful enough engine that also has the correct shaft length and diameter that the original drive pulley size will fit onto.

I’d certainly make sure that…[Read more]

It is a rare machine and one may have appeared in the past if I recall.

If I may, I might write about these Bolens being on The Prisoner in the homepage news/articles bit. It may just spur someone on who knows where one is.

Alan

It’s an unusual machine but the mower being driven is actually a Bolens Suburban 26.

It’s in the correct white and red colours with proper red seat too! That is a pretty early and rare machine especially for the UK.

In the background of the video there is also a Bolens Lawn keeper.

Imagine going down to the mower dealership asking for the…[Read more]

Hello, Tom
 
On Westwood Gazelles the chassis were either black or orange, never seen a grey one. But the larger Laser model had a grey chassis but also had grey bodywork too.
 
Unsure of what the orange/red colour was and no mention of it in my brochures.
 

Here’s a link to info regarding uploading images to the forum:

Photos

There are some Hayter colours available online, but completely unaware of any paint codes. It’s usually listed as ‘Hayter Green’ although there is a ‘new’ version of the colour to confuse matters.

I don’t know the colour for the Murray mower but there is a link between Murray and Mountfield mowers through manufacture, so on some older machines…[Read more]

Looking through the archives it might be the remains of a Stothert & Pitt powered barrow. The one in the image has a Robin engine although S&P used Villiers MK12 and MK15 engines on many machines.

http://staging.vhgmc.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Stothert-Pitt-Powered-Barrow-1.jpg

Looks interesting! To potentially narrow it down a bit, do you have any idea of the original colour or any id on the equipment?

Log into your account, then click your name at the top right corner of the screen next to your picture, this will open your account. Next, click ‘settings’ where you can change your email address, password etc under the ‘general’ heading.

Welcome to the club. Hope to see some of your projects.

Thanks. It’ll be good to have a little more info to fill gaps, when PM is soon sorted I’ll be in touch.

I did find that information about Ariens just seemed not to appear after about 1990, thanks for confirming that sales did drop in the late 1980’s which would explain why I couldn’t find anything!

Interesting that you sold the tillers with snowblower attachment, first hand knowledge is always good. Thank you.

For research it’s always difficult…[Read more]