OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions on Walk Behind Lawn Mower Frames Old Mower Pictures Allan Oxford MotorScythe

This machine was restored at our museum here in Bordertown last year. Started as a project for a couple of young kids to keep them interested - but their interest waned and the oldies had to finish it. Villiers motor. Runs nicely.



Stationary.

I have seen pictures of these 'teeth' mowers here and there, they look prety crazy to me.

Is there a particular purpose to them, or was it just another way to cut grass?

How effective are they?

Im not so sure the knobby motor bike tyres would be era correct. lol.


I like those old finger mowers. I do have some contact info for a guy to go have a look at one, im just not so sure i need to be collecting stuff like that.

I would love to find out more ablut them, they seem quite an interesting thing.

Were they for any specific purpose, or are they actually meant for lawns?

These were built in UK by John Allen of Oxford from about 1938 for about 40 years. They were often used by smallholders to cut grass for hay and by councils to clear undergrowth, nettles brambles etc, in the years before brushcutters. A range of accessories, pumps generators even sheep shearing kit were sold I believe.

Early ones had a 147 cc two stroke Villiers ( 11 c I think) with a hit/miss governor on the points cam to limit revs to 2000 so they sound like they are four stroking. Truly built to last many are still working . The tyres shown are correct . Very dangerous to use or be near. The self propelled drive is by a sort of dog clutch that tends not to release when under load- worse than that the revs drop, the governor leaves points working and the engine really works hard digging the wheels in and cutting through almost anything .

My friend who worked on them in the sixties and seventies said dogs with a foot missing were often to be seen on smallholdings that had them . .

Some clips on Youtube show brave souls using them

I ll correct myself - early engines with steel fan cowl were mk 25c and late ones with alloy cowl were mk11c. Also some versions had four stroke engines

Hey Midget98,
You are spot on the money with all of that. From the nobby tyres to the hit and miss governor. This is fitted to the 25C 2 cycle engines as well but I did think the 11C engine was the earlier model so that was interesting to see your edit.

In all, there's about 20 attachments, I totally think I'm going to have to make one of the cart things with wheels

I picked mine up on Wednesday, should run but hasn't done so for a while. Will start with new tyres, a good wash/grease/oil and a bit of love under the covers and see if we cant sark some life into the old girl.

Howdy Midget98,
I just saw a couple of vids and it makes me ask why?? They look like a chore to operate but are certainly interesting -I'll give them that.
I guess they are good for cutting woody undergrowth, but as a mower for long growth, I'll pass .

Bit of a delay but.... There were no brushcutters/ strimmers/ weed eaters at the time and cutting a 30 inch swathe through thick undergrowth at a good walking pace they are MUCH quicker and less wearing than a brushcutter . I use a modern version each autumn but the Honda engine lacks the low down torque of the Villiers. The many safety cutouts make it marginally safer though. The build quality of the Allen is great though

Bit of a delay but.... There were no brushcutters/ strimmers/ weed eaters at the time and cutting a 30 inch swathe through thick undergrowth at a good walking pace they are MUCH quicker and less wearing than a brushcutter . I use a modern version each autumn but the Honda engine lacks the low down torque of the Villiers. The many safety cutouts make it marginally safer though. The build quality of the Allen is great though