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Collection, Preservation and Display of Old Lawn Mowers

Can anyone identify this mower?

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Lee Smallwood Fri, 05/03/2021

Hi Andy, I've just saw your post and hoping someone can shed some  light, I've been zooming in seeing if I can make out the lettering on what's left of the transfer, by the look of the triple rear roller and the solid front roller, I assume its wider than 12 inches? Does it have more than 6 blades on the cylinder, is it 7 or 8?, please can you add more photos too. 

I cannot tell you what it is from the photo, by the front roller brackets I'd say it was a Ransomes, by the handles and the side plates I'd be edging towards a Greens or a Shanks mower. Some club members would take one look at it and know exactly, I hope they see your post soon, it's driving me potty. Nice mower. 

If I had to guess with what I can make out from the picture, I'd probably say it was a Shanks Buffalo, only thing stopping me is the width as it doesn't look wide enough. There are holes in the top of the roller adjusters where a draw bar probably fits. Anyone???? 

 

Clive1997 Sat, 06/03/2021

Hello All

Sorry for delay in commenting on this mower, had my jab yesterday & a bit groggy today!

Done a bit of digging & yes it does perhaps have a 'Shanks' look, but in the absence of any manufacturers name being visible it really eliminates the major mower producers & leads to a smaller concern. These small businesses would have used transfers to name & identify their mowers, if you look closely at the side cover you will see the remains of the transfer with the start of the word 'Bedford', also a transfer was no doubt originally seen on the scraper bar.

Watkinsons & Co of Bedford produced a range of push mowers in the late 1930's in addition to main business of mower servicing, we do know of a few held by member in different designs. This particular machine lacks its thrower plate, grass box & what may have been a draw bar, note the holes at the top of the front roller brackets. 

A smaller model was called the Bedford Minor, yet to find this ones name.

Whilst there is little information available we do know of a scan of a brochure & I attach below a 1937 Watkinson advertisement.