MOWER OF THE MONTH
Number Forty Eight
THE EMERY CLIPPER
The Emery Clipper was produced during the period immediately before and after
the Second World War by J A Emery and Son Ltd of Halesowen,
near Birmingham. It was available in 14" and 17" cut width.
The company was typical of many that produced mowers during this period,
trying to compete with the larger and better established manufacturers. Most of
these companies were unable to compete and soon went out of business or decided
to concentrate on other markets.
The overall design of the Emery Clipper is typical of many mowers from this
period. The flat steel sideframes support the major components. The engine was a
four stroke JAP unit with rope/pulley starting. Engines like this, with compact
design and good power to weight ratio were developed during the 1930s and 40s
and were used in many different types of machinery. They were ideal for mowers.
Despite its overall appearance the Emery Clipper does have a number of unusual
features. There are two independent clutches. The first is a cone type operated
by a foot pedal toggle arrangement to control the cutting cylinder which is
split helical bladed to ensure cuttings are thrown into the centre of the grass
box. The cutter is driven by twin V belts. The second clutch has a latching rod
control working a band brake on the small epicyclic gearbox driving the heavy
split land roller via roller chain.
All three drives run inside substantial
light alloy covers. There are no chain or belt tensioners or adjusters and the
drive chains have no joining links. There is a spacious pressed steel grass box
and the mower is heavy but well balanced at about 2cwt so it can be used as a
powered garden roller by declutching the cutting cylinder.
The Clipper seems to have only sold in the
midlands and must have been expensive to build and very few machines have
survived.
Examples of the Emery Clipper are very hard to find and the mowers are
consequently sought after by collectors.
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