OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Collectors Corner Rotary Gardener Mower, info wanted!

I have also been wondering if the Gardener advertised with a Kirby 2 engine is related in any way? what do you guys think?

Hello Kye,

I would think so (assuming the record is accurate).
It was not uncommon for makers to offer various engines.
There would have been advantages in offering an Australian-made engine.

If late 1950s, it can only be one type of Kirby 2-stroke:-
https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=59415

Hope this helps.
-------------------------
Jack

cool as and thanks for the info! it just seemed like it could have been another mower brand if mine was a Clyde, we can only guess for now

Hi Kye

The best thing to do is keep an open mind about your Gardener.
All we have done is find similar components on the known Clydes.

I am convinced it is Australian-made, but who made it still remains
a mystery. I have a couple of ideas, but that's all they are.

I do believe, however, that this one will be solved.

Cheers
------------------
Jack

awesome! i will keep an eye out for any clues!

I am planning to do a full restoration now that i have found the original base paint color, should i paint the exhaust and cylinder black or leave them rusty?

Hello Kye,

that's good news!
I must have missed you finding the original base paint colour ...

I'm not a restorer - or collector - so I'll leave restoration advice
to the experts.

Please keep us informed of progress on this rare mower.

--------------------
Jack

i said it when you asked about the blue paint, even though i found some blue i believe it may just be from it rubbing on something next to or near the mower, the paint is just behind the wheels and is a silver color.

Hi Kye

Yes, forgive me, I remember now!
Once you remove the motor and brackets, you might find further evidence.
Here's a link to a member who restored a JAP engine:-

https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=63120

All very JAP
--------------------
Jack

haha thanks for the warnings, hopefully i will find something under the engines

also have any other members got this type of engine? the only thing i could find about it was this diagram (i'm sure there's plenty out there though)

just to make it more confusing i have found more paint traces, mostly green on the base,wheels and blades, though there is some red on the upper handle bars and some aqua-bluish color down on the lower section. sorry for bad pics

Hi Kye

Well that makes it more complex.
I wonder what colour lies under the engine?

All very colourful.
---------------------------
Jack

it is a very colourful mower jack, so far under the engine all i can see is grease that i can't reach, the bolt on the bottom is ridiculously big and i do not have a socket for spanner that fits it yet, hopefully soon i can get it of though!

Yes Kye

I'm hoping the grease may have sealed some evidence of colour.
It may be that a rattle gun (air or electric) will be needed to
remove the blade holder nut.

I wonder why that nut has an internal thread?

Cheers
-------------------
Jack

Yes i'm going to use a rattle gun, hopefully there is some evidence of color because i'm now stumped, there was even a bit of red on the base that i couldn't get a photo of. i'm not about the internal thread.

I have finally found the codes on the crankcase! on the C/80 /V (i think) 58785 /2 i'm guessing 1958 since the first 2 numbers are 58, if someone could tell me more info from this that would be great! there are still some codes on the cylinder that i just can't get too, this helped me a lot J.A.P engine on Ebay

just got the engine manual of ebay! great little book with heaps of info!

Hi Kye

Sorry I can't help with interpreting the engine code.
I guess the 'V' is for vertical; as this engine also appeared in
horizontal shaft configuration on reel lawnmowers in the late 1950s.
Example: https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=34395

I guess the manual is an operator's one, rather than a parts list.
Any illustrations, or is it all text?

All very interesting.
---------------------------
Jack

It has some stuff in it about operating and another section about parts. I will get more pics in a second!

Hi Kye

These are great for the record. And illustrated too!
The C80 was the fan assisted cooling version of the older 80.

These are robust engines that were popular on mainly British makes.
However, the Grasshopper used them here as well:-

https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=51420

Note the primitive fan on top of the pulley on this early Grasshopper.
The engine is the Model 80. I don't think the fan did much...



Cheers
--------------------
Jack

Someone showed me a Grasshopper that looked very similar to that one on my facebook group, it had the same engine as mine though. I should have the engine of soon! fingers crossed theres still some paint!

Not much progress has happened recently, hopefully some will happen soon, but progress may have been made when it comes to finding out who made the Gardener.

Someone just posted this Clyde on my Facebook page.



I am not sure if you have seen this model before. Notice the name on the front, its cast very similar, the E and D look identical, another feature pointing towards Clyde.



I have looked at the height of the holes for the wheels and I think the V.E.W. wheels might not be original. I have asked the bloke for some pictures of the handle bars so hopefully I can see if there like mine very soon.

He also has this Carter

G'day Kye
That's the first Carter I have seen with an original motor.
It's the Kirby 2-stroke (Johnson Ironhorse).

The Clyde is most interesting in that it has different details
to the chassis. The Clyde brand is cast in to the base.
Most interesting indeed!

Thanks for keeping us updated.

-----------------------
Jack

I thought you would like the Carter Jack!
He has lots of interesting things, has 2 later Minters as well.

I got very excited when I saw the Clyde because of the way the name was cast, just like the Gardener. I am now convinced Clyde made the Gardener.

Hopefully something will happen with the Gardener soon, its been waiting for its time to shine for too long.

G'day Kye

That's amazing.

I will still keep an 'open mind' about the Gardener.
I am sure,though, that we will identify its maker one day.

The copyright limitations make it difficult for us to have a clear
picture of anything post 1954. But all we need is just one bit of
evidence on the Gardener. So frustrating!

Here is an article of interest:-
http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/latenightlive/treasure-trove-under-threat/7230352

A treasure trove.
------------------------
Jack

Short but interesting, it would be much more interesting if there was more added to Trove, I wonder what we would learn!

I will still consider other makers creating the Gardener, but when you look at the similarities it just makes sense that it is a Clyde. Same handle bar brackets, same wheels, same E and D and the rest was very similar, similar casting styles of the base, both rear catching, possible same handle bars (pending picture), there just so similar!

Hi Kye,

My apologies. Here is the full context:

http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/latenightlive/7th-march-2016/7226100

You will need to download the audio for the interview.

------------------
Jack

It would be a shame if they shut that down. We would have no way to see all those advertisements, I'm sure there is many mowers that are only known from those advertisements.