G'day Steve
Great information there ... and images too.
Yes, the Lawn Patrol seems to have been the first model in 1954, followed by
The Cub and Scout in 1956 (as you say).
Cessation in the early 1960s seems right, but I am keen to know when
Wiltshire became involved, and whether Boundy was involved after that.
I also note that, by the late 1950s, Lawn Patrol was covering both
15" and 18" machines.
I have never been able to ascertain what BMS stood for?
And I do not understand why the BMS 10 was renamed as a Gold Cheetah
on the lawnmowers. I suspect it may have had something to do with
technical 'issues' surrounding the engine at one point. I have sent
you an email on that, and I hope to present that stuff in the
History Record.
I feel that Boundy's engine addressed an early problem with small
2-stroke lawnmower engines - that of crankshaft twisting.
By placing the flywheel (as a bar) under the motor, this issue
was addressed (according to Boundy). Boundy appears to have persevered
with bar blades for most models (?)
At this juncture I will add this point: Crankshaft twisting probably
occurred, not through any design defect, but through manufacturers
claiming that domestic rotaries could cut any length of grass. They
were land clearers - bull dozers! What rubbish!
Merv Richardson, though making these claims, took a different route,
with swing-back blades mounted on a blade disc holder (no bar holder;
no bar blades). Other manufacturers - Ogden, Tecnico, Qualcast - used
slipping clutches mounted above the blade holder. Merv's idea has proved
the most elegant solution.
In this Cub illustration (below) note the flywheel (40) and the bar
blade (39).
![[Linked Image]](https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/uploads/usergals/2016/04/full-7392-28045-vm_lawn_cub_manual_1_page_14.jpg)
In this Boundy ad (extract) from
1958, the Lawn Patrol is dropped from the model range.
The Scout becomes the Patrol, and the Cub is the smaller machine. Boundy perseveres
with a bar blade (now also a flywheel) rather than the swing-back blades and disc.
Also note the guide for a 'vertical pull start'!
This is amazing isn't it?
![[Linked Image]](https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/uploads/usergals/2016/04/full-7392-28046-1958_11_herald_01november_p28.jpg)
When I write the History Record I feel I will have to say that
the Boundy engine was a good one (but had production problems),
but ultimately, it offered
no advantage over flywheel magneto
designs. Clearly engines could be made with flywheel magnetos
that would not twist crankshafts. Victa used alloy flywheels,
and Briggs could still use heavy flywheels but with shear keys.
I might also add that one benefit of the removal of a top-side
flywheel (a low engine silhouette) was lost when Boundy had to
add a fan (flywheel) to cool the shrouded engine. If you're going
to have a lightweight alloy fan, why not make it an alloy fan
and magneto?
I will write that Boundy was an important manufacturer for many
reasons - not only an early protagonist, but one who understood
style and technical innovation.
I love the
Home Beautiful colour advertisements!
In one (from 1956) this detail reveals something interesting ...
![[Linked Image]](https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/uploads/usergals/2016/04/full-7392-28047-1956_03_homebeautiful_lawncub_detail.jpg)
I have never found the patents or whether any production ensued
in any other country. I suspect not. Reason: the 4-stroke revolution.
This is an interesting post Steve, because it has provoked me
into consolidating thoughts for a
History Record.
Steve, I'm more-than-happy to assist you in your endeavor here.
It has been way-too-long in remembering this great AUS manufacturer.
And thanks for adding a bit of spice to the forums
The rest is history.-------------------------
Jack