Hi Max Thanks for adding to the Pace Pursuit record. Your research is greatly appreciated.
The Pursuit and the larger-engined President are not well documented. I find the styling anachronistic - almost an ugly mix of old and modern. Certainly no match for the new Victas.... or Turners of the day!
The claimed 'revolutionary features' ... I think not. I would describe them, instead, as 'novel'.
The 1963-64 Paces would be Pace's penultimate year models.
It turns out I do have some info on the remote impulse start lever.
Just in case anyone can't read the patent text, you right click on the patent text file then left click view image then the file is expanded for easier reading then Click left again and the magnifier should make the file larger.
I would think the American patent went into production, Australians had to get the idea from somewhere
Hi Max I meant that the patent you found was a refinement of the design, not the two common types found here - (1) the high-energy sure start impulse, and (2) the low energy trip-release impulse.
Your patent was filed in late 1960, and accepted in 1962. Impulse starters in AUS were available for the 1960-1961 season [best guess].
Tecumseh seem to have been behind both impulse starters used on Kirby motors here, and I think those patents must date to the 1950s or before.
I don't mean that other designs did not appear here. For example, Pope seems to have used an impulse design that probably originated via Clinton.
Max, I seem to recall that another AUS make used a remote (handle) start on their impulse starters, but I can't find it. Any ideas?
[I don't mean the Briggs engines that used a rotary knob mounted on the engine cowl].
I just meant the Australians copied this type of remote starter idea connected to the the low energy trip-release impulse starter. As far as I know this low energy trip-release impulse starter was first used here in 1963.
I'm not sure also who else used a remote (handle) start on their impulse starters ,I will have a look at a few more mowers.
One different type of starter I've seen was a kick starter connected to a recoil starter.
Hi Max Starters are pretty interesting for tragics like myself. I'm impulsive ...
I should have warned folks to not get me started ...
I think your 1963 release date for the Trip-release is a good call there.
Incidentally, it has been suggested that the move to the low-energy trip-release was because of 'service concerns' with the initial high-energy impulses first used here. Warnings were placed on spring casings alerting repairers to this, but the best solution was a better design.
Both of us have a good understanding that these impulse starters were the most common (by far) used on AUS domestic lawnmowers in the 1960s.
The advent of decompressor engines and then electronic ignition made them dead-in-the-water by about 1973. The recoil starter now reigned supreme.
Incidentally, I recently read that the trip-release - though much safer then the high energy sure-starts - also had safety concerns. There was a small possibility the starter could remain 'armed' indefinitely if a careless user wound the starter and then gave up, storing the machine ready to start!
I loved your research on the kick-recoil starter. We did that, too, in AUS: -
When I saw the Champion Kick start mower with the pulley wheel I could see how it would work but I didn't know you would find the patent Jack ,the patent was a great find and all the information you find and continually add to this great site ,if I had known the Champion patent existed I would not have needed to explain the workings, the patent images are easy to follow.
Good to know it was Turner with the remote starter also,thanks for the info.
I understand it was Eaton Stamping Company that have the patent for the sure start impulse starter and the trip release lever impulse starter.
Briggs and Stratton had the the knob release type of impulse starter 1960 then by about the mid sixties they went to the trip release lever impulse starter.
G'day Maxl and Gizmo This is as good as it gets! Sincere thanks. Max, Eaton rings a bell with me ...
Every year, ODK seems to advance our understanding of the history of lawnmower design.
Your important contribution - and research skills - are recognised here. Folks love your work!
I think the Hayman patent find is a real treat! It shows that AUS was pretty quick on the uptake of USA inventions.
If Australia did make the best rotary mowers in the World at that time (and I think it did), then your research certainly shows we were not an island entire of itself, but took some ideas from our overseas friends.
Sincere thanks to Gizmo for the great Pace gallery!!!
The 1963 -1964 (1964 model) Pace Pursuit had the same front pop riveted Pace badge as the Pace Forward SP below .
This Pace Planet below has a build date of 1964 with a Pace decal. I think it's build date is in the later half of 1964.(1965 Model)
I have found a Pace Partner ad from the 16th of October 1964 ,meaning the Pace Partner is a 1965 model and it shows the same Pace decal as my Pace that I thought was a Pace Pursuit.
It looks like the 1964 model Pace Pursuit has a pop riveted Pace badge and the 1965 model Pace Partner has the Pace decal,remembering the 1965 model Pace Partner was released late 1964.
Interestingly it seems the Pace decal on my mower would indicate that it's a 1965 Pace Partner .
![[Linked Image]](https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/ubbthreads.php/ubb/download/Number/11242/filename/Turner Self Propelled Mower.jpg)
