OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums The History Forum Model Histories GARDEN & FARM EQUIPMENT HERKULES Sickle Bar Mower - c1920s

Hello ODK history lovers
The grass ‘mower’ is an old idea.

CONTEXT: -
Originally a scythe or a shorter hand sickle held dual functions –
as an agricultural implement, and later as a horticultural implement.
They could be used for food production or for producing aesthetic
looks as the first lawnmowers.

When the first mechanical lawnmower was invented in 1830, a similar
idea would transfer to agriculture. The issue was: how do you cut
agricultural grasses on a large scale? A reel mower design beyond
about 40 inches made no engineering sense.

The answer was in the sickle bar mower. A system of fixed bars
acting against reciprocating blades arranged in a linear fashion
could be made to very wide cutting widths.

This article is about a brochure depicting one particular sickle-blade
mower that was popular in Australia in the early 20th Century –
the Swedish built Herkules.



TO BE CONTINUED ...

PART TWO – The Brochure

This brochure is from my collection and it is in average condition.

The brochure dates to 1929 and it is a testament to the brochure
makers of the day. Beautifully illustrated in colour. it is a bi-fold 8 panel job.

As always, I make it available to members for viewing or as a quality download.

PART THREE – Australian Advertising
I wanted to match AUS advertising to the brochure [c1929] and
also understand why the Herkules was a big seller here.

In terms of technology, the Swedes had the edge, using ball and
roller bearings, and advanced gear trains – not inferior bushes
and spur gears. The machine was lightweight too.

I should also mention that the Herkules was sold through a
large and respected importer and manufacturer – the Baltic Simplex
company – a farmhouse name to any Australian farmer for most of
the 20th Century.

Here is a selection of AUS advertising from the day…