OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums The History Forum Model Histories AUSTRALIAN Reel Hand-Mowers PRESTO - The Magic Mower - c1932

PHOTO RECORD 02 - Scott's Presto

In late 2015 I was lucky enough to be contacted by an owner of a Presto in
original condition. Scott Gibson-Zielinski said he found his Presto in an old
farm shed at a house he lived in at that time, at Barmedman, NSW, in about
January, 2006.

Scott was generous in supplying good quality photos of the machines workings.
These, and his clear explanations, helped solve some of the features of the Presto.
Note the all-steel construction, including the rear roller.





SELF-ADJUSTING
Springs on the wheel axles and reel shaft were the conventional means by
which the bearings were self-adjusting. That the Presto had ball-bearings
immediately meant a selling feature - these bearings being better than the
plain bearings used on cheaper machines.





DRIVE & SET
Most importantly, we gain an insight as to the drive and set mechanisms.
One-way drive was achieved, not by a pawl internal to a sculptured pinion,
but by a steel plate, two-toothed pawl that relied on gravity and centrifugal
force for its efficacy. This arguably meant quiet operation without even
light oiling. Quite clever really.




The set between reel and bottom blade was less conventional - in working
on eccentric stub bolts and locking nuts.




I would like to thank Scott for his generous assistance in creating this
photo record of the Presto lawnmower.