OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Restoring, Customising and Modifying Reel-Type Mowers Pope Power Sidewheel Restoration

well guys i decided to have a go at getting this old thing running.the motor was seized and it needs quite a bit of work.









its now clean and a runner and i tried it without the carbie attached so ran only for a few seconds til it ran dry of fuel. i now need to clean the carbie next so i can give it a proper run. but all good so far.you never know what a seized motor is going to be like until you dive in.very happy . cheers bazz

Hello Gizmo,

I would like to thank you for bringing this machine to our attention.
This is Pope's first Motor Mower.

I was surprised to find out from you who made the engine.
Pope had always said it was their engine in advertising.

I do not dispute that, but I always thought it had design elements
taken from the British Bax and Trojan engines.

Your photo of the manufacturer's plate on the engine cowling has
identified the actual maker as W. Wills of Coburg, Melbourne.
That is an important find. Pope had the engine made for them!



The other riddle I had concerned the fuel tank: it was identical
to the Melbourne-made Precision sidewheel mower I wrote about HERE.

The Precision used a Trojan TOR 49cc motor, but had the same fuel tank. How?
The answer now appears to be that there was a common supplier of the fuel tank to
Pope and Precision. Maybe it was of W. Will's manufacture...?

A History Record is now available for the Pope Motor Mower.

https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/109172/pope-motor-mower-c1954.html