OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums The History Forum Model Histories AUSTRALIAN Power Reel Models PRECISION - c1949 - A Hybrid Power Sidewheel

Hello ODK members,

Precision Mowers Pty. Ltd. of 977 Mt. Alexander Road, Essendon, Melbourne,
were 'manufacturers and Distributors' of both reel and rotary mowers in the
1950s, 1960s and 1970s.

Their most successful machine was their 14" powered reel side-wheel lawnmower.

Precision were not 'manufacturers' of reel mowers in the strictest sense.
What they did was capitalize on the rapidly growing trend towards powered lawnmowers
post WWII.

They would take a new side-wheel (mostly Qualcast) or a customer's hand-mower, and power
them with electric motors (Hoover), or petrol engines (J.A.P. or TOR).

They advertised heavily and I believe their sales would not have been insignificant.
I do not believe their machines were sold interstate.

Here is a typical illustrated advertisement from 1953:-

PHOTO RECORD

I do not have any quality photographs.
Here is a stock auction site image from 2013:-

PART TWO - Brochure 01 - c1951
In early 2017, three Precision Mowers' brochures were identified by Warrick Hansted
and Grant Simpson. These are the first brochures that have come to see the light
of day on the internet.

The first brochure I date to c1951. It presents as a simple, small bi-fold printed
on both sides. The brochure, in only covering the electric models, suggests this is
the earlier of the three brochures presented in this record.

Of particular note is the 'justification' for electric power ..."Bowling Greens and
Croquet Lawns are All Electrically Powered Why Not Yours?" This was largely true -
with the great Scott Bonnar commanding the market for electric greens mowers. But
also, note the careful and detailed instructions for the position of the power cord.
It appears that the few recorded fatalities (electrocution) were caused, in part, by
running over the power cord!

Note that the Precision electric mowers were offered in push and self-propelled forms,
and specific mention is made to the donor reel chassis - a Qualcast ball bearing model.
And, of course, the "It's Easy!" had to be augmented by the gender stereotype of the day.

PART THREE - Brochure 02 - c1953
By late 1951, Precision were offering a petrol-powered version. This was J.A.P. powered.
But by 1953, the engine seems to have changed to a Trojan TOR 75cc engine.

Again, the donor chassis is identified as a 14" Qualcast. The brochure depicts both the
'Standard' and 'Self-Propelled' electric models too. The petrol model had chain drive ...
meaning it was self-propelled.

PART FOUR - Trojan TOR Engine Brochure
This simple leaflet brochure was supplied by Precision Mowers, probably to
accompany the Precision petrol motor mower brochure.

Many thanks, again, to Warrick Hansted and Grant Simpson.

It confirms that the Precision machine was powered by the larger, British built,
TOR 75cc 2-stroke engine. The "exploded view" of the engine seems to have been
copied from a Trojan publication.