hdtrust

hdtrust replied to the topic Cricket Grounds in the forum Sporting Equipment 4 years, 10 months ago

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…[Read more]

hdtrust replied to the topic Cricket Grounds in the forum Sporting Equipment 4 years, 10 months ago

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…[Read more]

hdtrust started the topic The Tennis Court Marker in the forum Sporting Equipment 4 years, 10 months ago

Probalby the only machine also a British invention most over looked only equal to the lawn mower.
With out it where would we be today in Sport!
There has been many designs over the years for actually applying the liquid lime to the grass surfaces, one by direct printing by the marker wheels or by using a belt to transfer the liquid to the grass,…[Read more]

hdtrust started the topic Shanks Pony with a Royal twist in the forum Grass Cutting Machinery 4 years, 10 months ago

Shanks mowers were made in Arbroath Scotland and are known to have been making lawn mowers since 1842.Their first Patent Horse mower was called a 5 Drummer. Although there has been many manufacturers of Horse and Pony mowers, Shanks are of the best design and for that easier to use.
The Shanks Pony mower shown is from the 1890’s,lovingly restored…[Read more]

hdtrust started the topic The Long Arm of the Crane! in the forum Grass Cutting Machinery 4 years, 10 months ago

Another story Geoff from Big Ears!
Mostly veteran Motor mowers tend to be not for the faint hearted, Most were made sent from the factory to the place where they were needed and left for their full working life. After a hard working life some lucky ones would have been pushed in a hedgerow while others not so lucky were met with their maker – the…[Read more]

hdtrust started the topic Atco Centenary Quiz in the forum Grass Cutting Machinery 4 years, 10 months ago

Now Stiga has banded about that their Brand name Atco is 100 year’s old this year, which to many in the trade and the know is very circumstantial.
A brand is not the same as a manufacturer to any degree of imagination, but what is 100 years old this year is their famous Lawn Mower the 22 inch Atco Standard, also known to collectors as the Oval…[Read more]

hdtrust replied to the topic The oldest known Greens Patent Motor Mower in the forum Grass Cutting Machinery 4 years, 10 months ago

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…[Read more]

hdtrust started the topic The oldest known Greens Patent Motor Mower in the forum Grass Cutting Machinery 4 years, 10 months ago

Some years ago I learnt of a rare beast sat languishing in an aircraft hangar in Southern Ireland.
After conducting much research into and about the machine, first we found its age but also to the original owners.
This is the earliest known example of the Greens Patent Motor Mower with tiller steering, we can very accurately date the machine to…[Read more]

hdtrust replied to the topic With Royal Ascent, ,King Edward V11 in the forum Grass Cutting Machinery 4 years, 10 months ago

Yes Ransomes did send out their staff to show how to use the machines, which in most cases happened to be the chauffeur to the estate.
This is why generally speaking these veteran motor mowers are now scarce to find, quite simply at the start of WW1 most engineers and chauffeurs were droughted to fight, with not many returning.
Even today its not…[Read more]

hdtrust started the topic With Royal Ascent, ,King Edward V11 in the forum Grass Cutting Machinery 4 years, 10 months ago

King Edward V11, was well known for his love of early motor cars, by 1903 he was also interested in motorised lawn mowers, of which he purchased two machines from Ransomes,the first was a 30 inch ride-on Patent Motor Mower for the Grounds of Buckingham Palace, alas now only the engine survives, which can be seen in the entrance hall of The Science…[Read more]

hdtrust started the topic From the stables of The Hall and Duck Trust in the forum Grass Cutting Machinery 4 years, 10 months ago

What better way to start a new chapter with a photo of the world famous Ransomes Patent Motor of 1902,Now fully restored.
Ransomes patented the first fully commercial Motor Mower in 1902,of which the first was a 42 inch ride – on. It was taken to show at the Birmingham Motor Show, where by Cadbury’s purchased it for their sports Ground at…[Read more]

hdtrust replied to the topic Update on my Simar 35 in the forum Ride-on machines 4 years, 11 months ago

Dear Andy
With best respect, that is certainly not original condition, would you buy a car with paint missing brand new from a showroom!
More like working condition but admittedly very nice!
I suspect all the neighbours had interference on their radios!

hdtrust replied to the topic A little Quiz Atco at 60 in the forum Help and information 4 years, 11 months ago

The character with the big ears, is not the right answer, I’ll give you a clue, the donkey’s name was Ben.
Just for the record yes Big ears did have a falling out with Noddy, Owing to Noddy pinching all the lamps in the street for a party around his gaff for his friend Tessa (This I remember vividly, when my Mother use to read to me) And before I…[Read more]

hdtrust started the topic A little Quiz Atco at 60 in the forum Help and information 4 years, 11 months ago

Its raining again out there! So been in the library, I found this old photo which was in an old Atco brochure for 1982,celebrating their 60th year in grass cutting.
The photo I hope is nearly legible, it comes from the famous story of when the donkey died,Atco developed their Atco Motor mowers.
After much research I have identified the estate to…[Read more]

hdtrust replied to the topic Ransomes collection – Help ! in the forum Help and information 5 years ago

Dear Kevan
As it is an estate you are dealing with there are certain hoops that you should know about, you may contact me direct via our web site http://www.hdtrust.org.
We have had to deal with estates many times, and can give you free advice, so dont despair
Kind regards
Andrew
Archivist

hdtrust replied to the topic Rotoscythe with Villiers engine in the forum Help and information 5 years, 1 month ago

Hi Monz
You may email me direct via this web site or go by our web site http://www.hdtrust.org ,I need better photos of that engine to direct you to the right place for spares.

The damage to the hood (aluminium cast)
I understand Charlie saying its part of its past, but the repair appears not to be safe, which was probalby unknown to the repairer at the…[Read more]

hdtrust replied to the topic Rotoscythe with Villiers engine in the forum Help and information 5 years, 1 month ago

Hi there, what a find!
It looks like you have the fore runner of the Rotoscythe Eton model, you are correct to say villiers engine on that machine as yours dated from roughly 1935,Although its lost it original colour on its hood.Rotoscythe did use Bux engines from 1939 onwards. Hope this helps

hdtrust replied to the topic Old Lawn Aerator in the forum Garden implements 5 years, 1 month ago

Hi All

Just come in from the cold! I was with Thomas and Mr Wallingfield last night as we can now meet in groups less than 6.
This rollers proper name is a Sorrell roller which comes from the Patent. I do not think its a Pattison as they all had large wood rollers with steel spikes screwed in. all tended to be much larger as well normally about 3…[Read more]

hdtrust replied to the topic An Elf found working late in the Christmas Grotto in the forum General talk and discussion 5 years, 5 months ago

What do bad Elves hang on their Christmas stocking line

hdtrust started the topic An Elf found working late in the Christmas Grotto in the forum General talk and discussion 5 years, 5 months ago

Looks like work as usual in the grotto somewhere in Somerset!

@hdtrust