Hi Ty, Deejay and ODK members,

This is a great debate.
First, I would like to discuss the Rotoscythe County model.
When I first met this machine I recognised its significance. I was excited:-
[see images below]

This was a machine produced by the second Rotoscythe owners, Shay Limited of Basingstoke.
It was a 'utility' mower with a rear discharge.

I have no doubt that Rotoscythes were the first rotaries sold in Australia.
They were sold pre-War from 1937 and post-War from 1946.

They were moderately advertised, and sold across Australia.
I think Ty is quite right in implying that Rotoscythes were not in public consciousness
though. The reasons being I think:

[1] Pricing - the average rear-catcher Rotoscythe was priced as high as a top-end domestic
reel mower. They were for middle-class Australians., not the vast majority of the time.

A cheaper non-propelled model was introduced in the early 1950s, but its price was
still well above the Victa. The County model was priced in-between but still too high.

[2] Marketing - these machines appear to have been imported ad-hoc, with no National
importer. In many cases they were marketed as agricultural implements rather than
horticultural. Dealers never saw the domestic market potential [with exceptions].

All very interesting.
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JACK

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]