MOWER OF THE MONTH
Number Thirty Four
SHANKS WIZARD
The Wizard was a motor mower produced in the 1920s by Alexander
Shanks of Arbroath, Scotland. When the mower was introduced, Shanks claimed that
it was "specially recommended for golf greens and for extra close
cutting".
The design of the mower was very simple and took advantage of
the new lightweight engines and other components that had only just become
available to general manufacturers following the end of the First World War. A
cast iron frame supported the cutting cylinder at the front, a rear roller and a
Villiers Two Stroke engine. Power was transmitted through roller chains. A
"bucket" grass box was mounted on the front of the machine using cast
iron brackets at either side.
The Wizard was only available in 16" cutting width but was
similar to the company's larger Jehu model. Although the two models shared a
number of components and design features, the price of the Wizard was much lower
than the Jehu. This was because it was smaller and was powered by a less
powerful Villiers Two Stroke engine. In 1927, for example, the Wizard was priced
at £45 whereas the 20" Jehu was priced at £60. By 1928, the price was
less than £38, perhaps reflecting increased competition from companies such as
Atco and also the general reduction in prices enabled by more efficient
manufacturing.
Production of the Wizard ceased in the early 1930s. Shanks
introduced newer models manufactured from lightweight materials such as plate
steel rather than cast iron.
Examples of the Wizard are highly unusual and prized by
collectors.
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