OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums The History Forum The Old Soap Box RESPONSE to Minter Height Adjust.

This RESPONSE relates to the Record for the Minter lawnmower HERE.


just read the stuff Jack posted on the Minter height adjust. As always I enjoyed the read. This kind of 'practical history' stuff floats my boat!

My question is......and far be it from me to knock anyone who goes out and innovates, in fact more power to them....., did it work?

The reason for the question is that it looks like there is no spring retention for the ratchet. It appears it relied purely on weight (weight of the ratchet lever itself and the weight of the machine as mentioned in the patent application) to lock it in place. It would be fine running along on smooth ground......but a forward bump on a front wheel, or a rearward bump on a back wheel would possibly cause it to jump the ratchet?

Perhaps someone who has used a minter on rougher country might know.

Hello prd

prd, thanks for creating this topic. It is long overdue, and I can now
link the Minter Record to it for 'everything Minter'.

That's the way I see it - gravity on the lever against the weight of the
machine (acting on the height segments). Simple and basic.

I'm not sure whether a forward bump or a rear bump would unsettle the
mechanism; but one in unison would cause a ratchet jump, I guess...

This is an anorak question, and one suited to my sensibilities.
It's anal but completely valid - and engaging for practical history
lovers. Train spotters would identify with this.

May I say this: I have never seen another lawnmower that used the
ratchet and segment mechanism quite like this.

The evolution of single-point height adjustment mechanisms is exciting
for tragics like myself - but it is an important topic.

Many manufacturers 'got around the patent' or simply improved upon
it by using other means. Some used worm and sector; Lawn King used
a system that raised or lowered the engine; but the most popular
system (that prevails today) is the bell-crank combined with a
lever & segment.

None of this takes away from my fascination for the Minter and
Robert Philpott. I wish I knew more about the man and his mower.

The rest is history.
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JACK