OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions on Walk Behind Lawn Mower Frames Two Stroke Lawn Mower Frames need help with a company ID

Hi Guys,
I bought this mower off a Auction site here in NZ in Aug 2011 but cant find any information on the body maker.
I know that the engine is a D5034 Iron Horse made in Canada, but would like to know who the body maker may be.
I've done a lot of looking on Google and i written to a couple of places with only one reply which was no.
so maybe you all can help.

thanks
Pete

Hi Pete, of course I had to find out what the writing on the rear of the deck said, but it wasn't helpful:

Just the usual warning to keep your fingers out.

The brand, Tru-Bilt, is cast into the base, and it looks too big to be likely to be an insert for a "home brand". The brand is also cast into the wheels. Hence this is not a rebranded product made under some other name. The design of the base, with the tiny but elaborate rear grass door, suggests it is from a long time ago. I don't think it will be an Australian brand, because I've heard at least vaguely about nearly all of the ones that could have afforded to tool up a cast aluminium base of their own. The British would have been unlikely to use a US engine, or to adopt such colonial spelling, so it seems to me it will be an ancient US brand. However like you, I didn't find any trace of it on the internet.

Hi Grumpy,
Thanks for your thoughts a good way of whittling it down.
Don't know if you noticed or not but the engine is actually on backwards, the 2 speed adjuster usually is at the back.
Pete

Check out the handle
Pete

It does look as if you've done it again, Pete. It has your beloved Iron Horse engine, it is a weird mower, and despite it's weird and impractical design, it is rather elegant. I can imagine this being the pride of your collection so far, when you finish it. Doesn't seem to be in too bad a shape, either. You can really pick them, Pete.

Mad!!! I want one,You seem to find some unique models:)I love this,the chassis style is fantastic.I had a quick peek too,Not a thing,Though I did cross reference this to trademarks and the TRU BILT brand name from the 50s and only came up with a boot manufacturer,So who knows.Many engineering companys had their hands in all sorts of stuff."Amplion"as far as I know was a leading manufacturer of quality Speakers and sound equipment,from what I understand but also produced some early generators and chargers and industrial engines,then on to lawn mowers.Also check the tyres for markings and the bolt heads,in some cases they may be maker stamped,pretty sure bolts would have been sourced locally back then,might give you another lead into country of manufacture:)
Anyways I love it!

Thanks guys, I do pick the unique for just that reason, i love the odd ones.

Hi Pete, I too did some research....nothing.....Maybe this machine was a prototype that never made it into full production...that would explain the lack of info out there.
Very unusual and a great score Pete.

Thanks Deejay,
even if it was/is a prototype it would still be cool to find out who made it.
And your right i too think its a great score, a friend of mine here in NZ loves it and keeps making me offers of $20 to fill a spot in his garage lol but I'm not going to part with her
As it is I'm in the middle of a partial restore.
That being I'm leaving the body alone as its in really good nick and the paint job is unique kind of like non slip paint you use on concrete(although not sand)if i was to paint over that it would take away something from her, i have already cleaned the body as best as i can and the wheels too and buffed the rubber with nugget, stripped the engine cover and tank and primed them cleaned with a great deal of time the muffler and muffler plate, carb has been cleaned too, just the bulk of the engine too do and the top coats of white and then I'll do the handle to finish her off.
Cheers
Pete

Hi Pete, I think that is a great idea to leave the chassis paint work as it is....as that adds to the uniqueness of the machine (as well as great for the archives) and will be invaluable if another example of this mystery mower is ever found.
Can't wait to see the finished pics, mate.

I'm guessing that, with a bit of detailing (scrub down and some car polish) it may look just about new anyway. If that turns out to be right, replacing the paint would be an awful idea. Collectors of really rare items put a much higher value on them if they have the original finish, whatever that was.

You're quite right there grumpy....In 1964, I purchased an 'L' series Fender Stratocaster, imported into Sydney by J.Stanley Johnson. Mine was in a batch of 12, and I got to select mine from that batch. It was finished in 'Sunburst' and had Leo Fender's signature in pencil, in the neck slot.

I foolishly re-finished the instrument at a later stage (I hated Sunburst!). I sold it recently...complete with tags and tremolo cover (the ashtray) in original case...for a good price....But had it been in original finish.....Value: $30,000!!

what do you use car polish for ?
Do you mean cut and polish ?

I'm using the Australian meaning of car polish Pete, the same substance Americans call car wax. It removes lightly oxidised surface and coats the underlying paint with wax. You could cut it before applying the polish, if it looks sufficiently oxidised to need it, after you remove the dirt and grime. My suggestion is just to treat it as a car you are detailing.