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Collection, Preservation and Display of Old Lawn Mowers

Atco Oval Frame

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Hello All

Just rescued an Atco Oval frame, whilst it has suffered from being left outside for many years it does appear to be more or less complete with no breaks or welds in the frame. I did notice that its fitted with an Amal carb, I have had I think 6/8 Ovals through my hands over the years and I believe all had Senspray carbs, but to be honest can't be sure. Anyone seen one with an Amal?

The fuel tank looks to be wrong way round?  But I note that on an Oval Frame working instruction card the diagram shows filler cap & outlet at opposite ends of tank with outlet towards the rear?

Any comments from Oval owners appreciated, Thanks

 

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Forums

robin coleman Sat, 15/01/2022

i have seen them fitted both ways.Maybe when they were rapaired by the atco repair service they went back which ever way fitted.Or a new fuel pipe was made slightley shorter or longer.

Clive1997 Sat, 15/01/2022

Interestingly the colour picture below which I think is Keith's Oval Frame has the same tank formation as above, tap & cap to rear, I have found an early B & W photo of an Oval at Powis Gardens which has the tank with tap & cap at opposite ends as seen in the original instruction sheet.

 Most of the later 'H' casting Atco Standards we see appear to have tap & cap at the front.

 

Clive1997 Sat, 15/01/2022

Just to add, think we have solved the Amal query, a colleague informs me that Amal did not come on the scene until 1927, so cannot be original.

More comments re tank orientation welcome

retlaw Sun, 16/01/2022

Hi Clive,

Oval frames keep turning up!  The Amal carb is most certainly post war,fitted to some lightweight motorcycles and possibly mowers. I would like to comment regarding the power unit. You have the most prevalent Villiers Mark IV 269cc, but very late models have the Mark V engine. The distinguishing feature of the latter are wider fin at the top and an alternative spark plug position at the rear of the head featuring a hexagonal plug.

 

Adrian Sun, 16/01/2022

Are we getting a bit to keen to assume standardisation at the time? I've got a 1920s Kodak catalogue somewhere that lists - I think, off the top of my head - no fewer than 28 different film formats it sold, and each model of camera was available with a bewildering range of lenses and shutters.

Given that only a thousand or so are supposed to have been built, I'm intrigued as to how many oval-frame Standards have survived the intervening century.