Here is my Rover Heavy Duty slasher from the 1960s, which was actually called a "Rover Rider" in those days. This one mowed a primary school grounds for around 20-30 years. Operator at the time found it would clog in the front if grass or clover was thick and wet, so a local engineer extended the frame a bit which apparently stopped this problem from occurring. The engine was replaced by an almighty 10HP Honda G400 at some time in the past. It originally had an 8HP Kirby Tecumseh. Other models had 8HP Briggs and Stratton. I added the little fenders to the front just to dress it up a bit and for added safety. I am intending to paint it one of these days.
Battery and heat shields were a recent addition. Just push a button on the solenoid and away she goes, first try. You would really need that starter as it would take Hercules to pull it over. There is no stopping this brute. It will plough through grass over a foot high and throw it aside as if it was not even there. Two fuel tanks to go that extra distance!
More links and info on this slasher can be found by following this link.
https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/116030/re-rover-slasher-with-briggs.htmlI have two manuals for different Heavy Duty models from the 70s which I will post up shortly. I am still chasing a manual for the original "Rover Rider" (probably 1965-1969). It was so-called because it came with an optional sulky that you could sit on and get pulled along behind. I recently viewed one of these sulkies. It has a bend midway suggesting that someone might have been using it in the past and come to grief. Reversing and going over drains or across steep hills was a definite "No, no"! I am amazed that despite Rover having to encase the belts due to safety concerns around 1972, they were still advertising their pull behind sulkies up to at least 1979. I am hoping to purchase an original sulky soon and will show photos of it once it arrives and gets renovated. The sulky is missing its wheels, so I need two wheel hubs for it if anyone has them to spare? They were the same size hubs as used on the rear wheels of the HD slasher itself.
