OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Finding and Swapping Idle Chatter How far have you travelled for a mower?

How far have people travelled to acquire that mower for they're collection?

I'm about to travel 900km for one
I love my Greenfields but we don't have many older types here in Vic..

I think when long distances are involved people usually either find a way to get the item moved at reasonable cost, or let it go by. I've traded for interstate mowers a very few times. In one case I waited perhaps a couple of months until a transport opportunity arose, in a second case I waited three or four months, and in a third case no transport opportunity arose and the planned deal simply lapsed.

My overall view is that it would be rare for someone to physically travel more than perhaps 200 km each way, to acquire one mower. The cost of the journey, including loss of work time, becomes disproportionate to the perceived rarity of the deal.

all up under $260... Greenfield ride on

Yep, normally I have a 3hr drive rule, but this one got me.

Im with Grumpy, a few hours each way...Ive had mowers sent as from as far as WA (Im in Sydney).
Know a bloke who will bring like size Items for an even 50, so its worth it in most cases.

Ive travelled to melbourne to pickup, but made a trip of it.

But....How far would I go? For A Billy Cart, Fan or even a first 100 serial Roto, I'd get on a plane to anywhere to view its Authenticity.

Hello Superdooper, Grumpy and HT6

What a great story!
I guess a 900km trip is an indicator of high passion.
I guess, also, it's not just distance but the hardships of the journey.

In the latest Grassbox Magazine from the Old Lawnmower Club, a
collector tells his story of travelling in minus 18 celsius, on
roads covered with worsening snow and ice, to buy a 1922 Coldwell
Model M in original condition!

All very interesting.
---------------------------------
JACK

Wanted to make a trip & visit the folks in the Snowy mountains (Retired)
but wasn't able to, so a long drive is ahead. My bro likes road trips & his call because we're using his 4x4 ute ( which I must say is very nice & comfy)...

Well that depends on whether it's just for a mower or mowers.Or whether you make it visiting as well.I know when Mr Davis (Ty) and I lived in Canberra we had a trip to Melbourne and before that we went to Brisbane,but it wasn't just for one mower.The Brisbane trip we came back with about 12 mowers and from Melbourne I think it was close to 50,but we caught up with old friends and made new ones as well.It was two very awesome trips.

Hi All,

I have done a mad dash from Adelaide to Melbourne to Adelaide (1400km all up) in less than 24 hours to pick up a 1920's cylinder mower. Whilst that was a once off and I usually get my mowers freighted when they are a long way away (e.g. Sydney or Perth), I will go wherever I need to to get particular mowers for the collection. It is good though if you can make a trip of it and visit family and/or friends.

Cheers,
Sir Chook

Well 1708km 19hrs 12coffees, what are road trip!
I'll be ticking that off the list of "done it, wont do again" but luv the experience.
Also very nice mower for my OLD Greenfield collection and a big thank you to my Brother.

Hello SuperDooper,

What a great resolution!
A safe trip, coffee - perhaps truckin' singsongs with bro. - and a
very nice Greenfield in the photo as the sun goes down...

You beat Sir Chook's previous distance record.
I don't think your road trip record will be beaten too quickly.

All very on the road again.
--------------------------------------
JACK

Thanks Cyber. lol luv the pun... the best news is, (had to ask) he retired it because he was worried about it tipping over on his hills. 10yrs sitting in his shed. the cutting deck is perfect. body in good shape "bar" all the surface rust,
tomorrow is the big test, starting her up!

Music was 70s rock.

Picked up an old Greenfield catcher for it today.
Have had the mower passion from childhood, but life, home and money put it on hold till recently.
25yrs ago a couple of mates & myself went to Sydney for coffee because we were bored..

G'day all,
This is what I've Found so far.
Greenfield Mini tractor 8


This had a Victa 2 stroke option. Interesting combination, will have to look into further.
Mine has the White B&S 8hp Motor also the clutch for the cutter engagement is similar to the horizontal shaft but vertical, a lever pivoting off the chassis near the right foot pedel

hello Paul,

Yep, there does seem to be a common thread in why folks get into lawnmowers.
There invariably appears some childhood and teenage association.

Early Australian ride-ons have been poorly documented and I find it odd
that the three biggest manufacturers all came from Brisbane. Odd.

The good Old Days
-------------------------------
JACK

back then I guess the hob knobs at the top never thought about traceability or it becoming "Aussie Icon" collector.
Only Greenfield (QLD) & Deutscher (Ballarat) left making them in Aus

Not to sure how your maths is but as I said in my post Canberra to Brisbane and returned Was well over 2500kms.

Yep 2400 to 2600km now that's some Ks.

Hello All Contributors

Blumbly - profusely apologies for that mathematical misdemeanour.
I guess I rate my written literacy above my pathetic numeracy.

So, this is how it stands on the tally Card:

1400km road trip for a reel mower: record!
1708km road trip for a ride-on: record!
2500km road trip for rotaries: record!

I've got no claim to fame in this regard... although I once imported
three reel mowers from Nottingham, in Nottinghamshire in England!

I regret having done this for two reasons:
[No. 1] I'm not very smart at maths;
[No. 3] I'm not very smart.



I have no idea how far that is - to the land of Robin Hood.
You see ...I'm no good at maths.

Go figure.
--------------------------------------
JACK

Jack, unless you went to the UK by road, and then brought the mowers back by road, it wouldn't count anyway. I guess it could be done - if you just puddle-jumped between islands in ferries to get to Malaysia, drove to the chunnel and sent your car/trailer rig across the channel by rail. Maybe that will be the next, and perhaps ultimate, record in your series. I personally wouldn't count any trip that involved shipping the car and trailer as a "road trip", but a ferry across the Bering Strait would be legitimate, so the US isn't impossible, it just isn't as far as Britain. On the other hand, once you were in Alaska, driving down the Pan American Highway to Tierra Del Fuego sounds like the ultimate record, until somebody builds a road bridge from there to Antarctica.

Very funny Grumpy

- and with enticing and exotic names for your 'ultimate record'.
I can see another reality TV show here: "Grumpy's Grand Tour".



All very Grumpylu Productions.
--------------------------------
JACK

If I have to do that trip in a BMW Isetta, Jack, I decline. We would do better to make it a competition, with the prize going to whoever completed the trip in the silliest car.