OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums The History Forum Model Histories NZ Power Reel Models HJ RYAN – Speediecut – c1940s

Hello ODK history lovers
HJ Ryan Limited of 26 St. Paul Street, Auckland and
May Road, Mount Roskill, made reel mowers from
the mid-1940s, and rotary mowers from the 1950s.

A largely un-recognised NZ mower manufacturer, they
commenced business in 1919. Ryan also made grinders
and polishing buffs, heel tips and toe plates [for shoes],
small tools and dies, and metal stampings and pressings.

They made a range of push scooters under the Ryco brand.

This article discusses Ryan’s Speediecut reel mowers.
These were made as domestic 16-inch and 20-inch petrol
mowers, and as an 18-inch electric bowling greens mower.



TO BE CONTINUED ...

PART TWO – Speediecut Petrol
This topic would have been impossible without information
and documents supplied by NZ collector Greg Stokes.
Sincere thanks.

My best guess is that the Speediecut first appeared in about
1945. I have an agent’s ad from that year:



We know the petrol mower was made in two sizes:
16-inch and 20-inch. An all-steel plate frame and handles
with some cast fittings. Starting was via a hand crank.

There was a single friction plate clutch and all chain
transmission. The rear roller on the 16” was a single
piece (without differential).

Less is known about the 20-inch commercial Speediecut.
It appears that it was powered by a JAP 2-stroke and it
probably had a split rear roller (as the 18-inch electric did).

We are lucky that an Operator Manual and Parts List
survives for the 16-inch Speediecut. This was scanned
by Greg, but I have remastered the doc for better clarity.

PART THREE – Electric Speediecut
The Speediecut Electric reel mower was a precision
machine aimed at the cutting of bowling and croquet greens,
whether they be public or private.



Its design would change over time, with clear changes represented
in these early and late brochures: -