OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums The History Forum Model Histories GARDEN & FARM EQUIPMENT TEAGLE - Jetcut - c1953

Hello ODK history lovers
No one can deny that the late 20th North American invention of the
line trimmer has changed the nature of garden edging, and the
cutting of grass on steep hillsides. It is a brilliant invention.

But before this – the mid-1950s – portable and lightweight machines
did roam this earth. These were the precursors of the line trimmers,
when hand held or otherwise lightweight machines did mowing,
edging and trimming using the old-school ideas of mini sickle-bar
or small rotary blade.

This is the story of the British Teagle Jetcut of 1953. Made by
W.T. Teagle & Company this machine was sold in small volume in
Australia from about 1954.



This was a clever mini sickle bar design – preceding the
rotary blade designs that would come a bit later.

Note that in 1953, Teagle developed their own 50cc two-stroke
engine for their Jetcut, but the engine was also offered as a
cycle-motor for powering push-bikes.

It is remarkable that Teagle survives and prospers to
this day; making a range of horticultural and agricultural
machinery products. That is amazing!

Unlike many modern companies – who do not promote
their own history – Teagle is clearly proud of their heritage.
Brilliant!


Please check-out their history here.

https://www.teagle.co.uk/en-GB/About-Us/Company-History

TO BE CONTINUED ...

PART TWO - Specification
The Teagle Jetcut was a clever design in that it was a miniature take
on the agricultural sickle mowers that roamed farms for food production
from the early 19th century. The horse-drawn sickle-bar mowers were
ubiquitous in the cutting of grasses and used in conjunction with hay
bailers for producing animal foods too.

Combine Harvesters still use the magic sickle bar principle! Brilliant!

Post WWII, there would be an explosion of motorised sickle bar
machines used for horticulture – to clear land and cut grasses
on smaller land holdings.

These were smaller, motorised walk-behind machines that sold
on-masse everywhere. These machines are the precursors of the
modern rotary slashers that replaced them.

NOTE: I do not want to give the impression here that the small sickle-
bar mower is a dead design today. Far from it. Line trimmers are all
pervasive in the domestic market, but this design cannot touch the
hedge and topiary markets.

These jobs are still done with small sickle bar trimmers.

THE ENGINE
Teagle also made the engine for the Jetcut!
Released in 1953, this small 50cc 2-stroke was a clever design.
Note the PTO is positioned between the crankcase and the
flywheel magneto! This engine also powered a bicycle accessory –
the Teagle Cycle Motor.

PART THREE – Teagle Jetcut Manual
The Jetcut Manual was a rare find.
This is a comprehensive manual from the old school …
covering operating, maintenance and parts.

This is how all manuals should be. It has twenty pages with many illustrations.

This manual is from my collection and it is in average condition.
As always, I offer it to members for viewing, or as a quality PDF download.

A great story from Iceni CAMmag: -
http://www.icenicam.org.uk/articles9/art0151.php

Some great images from the Vintage Horticultural & Garden Machinery Club: -
http://www.vhgmc.co.uk/photo-galleries/teagle/

A YouTube video here: -



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