vhgmc - Vintage Horticultural and Garden Machinery Club

Ireland’s first golf course gang mower with Cletrac – 1922

November 7, 2019August 20, 2017 by Alan

Although this article is about trialing machinery on an Irish golf course, it is also a good example of engine powered machinery and mechanisation taking over from horses.In October 1922 A newspaper in Ireland printed the following image along with… Continue Reading

When Machines Go Modern

November 7, 2019August 2, 2017 by Alan

When searching machinery in any archives it becomes apparent that although machines were well-made and created to do a job, there was also a lot of thought behind the marketing too and creating machines that kept up with public demand… Continue Reading

Mr Rollo and his Croftmaster Factory – 1955

November 7, 2019July 13, 2017 by Alan

We are sure that many members would be able to recognize a Rollo Croftmaster tractor? Although rare, I am hoping that there will be one or two at the Scottish Tractor World Show in Edinburgh in March 2018. According to… Continue Reading

1950s Chelsea Flower Show Exhibits

November 7, 2019June 5, 2017 by Alan

Showing new machinery and ideas to the public at shows has always been a great way to promote a company and the machinery too. Even back in the 1950’s the Chelsea Flower Show had many new machines on show, many… Continue Reading

UK’s Oldest Bolens Tractor (and Australia too)

November 7, 2019May 17, 2017 by Alan

This isn’t a trick question but does anyone want to guess when Bolens introduced their two-wheeled garden tractors to the UK? We are all used to seeing the Bolens four-wheeled garden tractors, as in the image on the right, with… Continue Reading

Machines and original engines

November 7, 2019May 7, 2017 by Alan

Occasionally we see posts on the VHGMC forum asking if a certain machine had a particular engine fitted from new or is it a replacement engine.A machine may get an engine transplant over it’s lifetime. Maybe the swap is because… Continue Reading

Ryan and Horwool turf equipment

November 7, 2019April 14, 2017 by Alan

We probably all know the name of Horwool and their ride-on triplex mowers and the Landscaper 1200 tractor – see them in the Horwool gallery. In the 1960’s Horwool, based in Romford, were also the agents for the American built… Continue Reading

Homemade or Serious Idea?

November 7, 2019April 1, 2017 by Alan

Occasionally weird and wonderful machines turn up. But are they serious ideas, homemade affairs or ideas destined to be recycled for decades? Read on to find out about one.Whether they work or not one definitely homemade machine which everyone seems… Continue Reading

Before Starting Engine…

November 7, 2019March 19, 2017 by Alan

Engine maintenance is of the utmost importance, for without a running engine we are going nowhere apart from the workshop to do some problem solving. Illustrated right and shown as a full scan at the bottom of the page is… Continue Reading