OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums The History Forum Model Histories AUSTRALIAN Rotary Models CHAMPION SENIOR - Kick-Start Model

PART THREE - PATENT
In the 1950s kick starts were used on many Australian and imported reel mowers.
The advantages of kick start systems were taken up by a few Australian rotary
mower makers. Here I specifically refer to the Austral-Villiers Apatamatic,
the Scott Bonnar Model 22 Spincut and the small Atom Mofast.

These designs were complex (Adaptamatic) and awkward (Spincut). A more
elegant solution was patented by Champion Mowers - one that did not involve
ratchets, racks and segments, etc., acting on the flywheel. Instead, a clever
system acting on the blade holder disc engaged the spring mechanism located
directly above it. This was energised by a kick pedal located at the rear.
The patent was written in broad terms to accommodate a side-mounted pulley as
seen on the auction machines.



It was an exciting discovery ... to find Patent 30118, lodged in August, 1957.
The patent explained the function of the pulley I saw in the auction pictures.
The reading of the patent explained much more ...