What was the first engine used in the Greenfield? We've read an article that says it was the Honda G30. I've also heard speculation that maybe it was only used in prototype.
Was the G30 used in production and for how long?
There are so many questions I/we would like to ask about the history of Greenfield but I'd like to kick off with this one as it's of particular interest to a few of us here.
Happy New Year to you too and everyone on the this forum
It was very nice to be so warmly welcomed!!
Yes. The Honda G30 was the first engine we used
We weren't spoilt for choice and a relatively unknown brand Honda was just about all we could get
I have the first Greenfield we sold
It was the second one we made
When I work out how to I'll post photos
I don't think we made that many with G30's but will try to find out because supply wasn't strong from that source and we were perpetually running out
We grabbed whatever Hondas we could I think we used G35 and G40's too but will check
We sold those machines hand over fist because they were an absolute revelation! So much so Honda Japan noticed and we eventually had a steady stream of the new more powerful G65
Of course we also trailblazed Fuji Robins successfully
Very much appreciate you looking into this and would very much love to see the photos of the machine you have.
I'm spending a little time over the break doing some work on the very tired G40 powered machine that I've got here. I'll post a few photos of work so far over the next few days.
Hello Lewis and prd. Many thanks prd for the assistance there.
Lewis, prd has sent me a PM about how we might get your insights and experience in a controlled way - as we know you run a large company.
It may be that this topic can be for questions to you, but the topic will be moderated to filter our irrelevant questions. I think the true believers just want to know better history about Greenfield - to set the record straight.
I have many questions, but one at a time, as prd has said. This is our best chance of setting the record straight about Greenfield Products, their great contribution to AUS lawnmower making, and the recognition of a great Australian inventor, Theo Reinhold.
Lewis, thanks so much for the photos!! They show that the very first machines were different again to the one G40 machine I have in the shed. Specifically the front axle pivot is different. The decals are different, the grille fluting is different and the colour- is the grey/silver original?
Doesn't that sound typical! Folks on the sideline pouring scorn on an idea when some bloke has hung his shirt and reputation on the idea!
But he had the last laugh. Is works better than anything on the market and is the very reason folks like me are here raving about the design and it's history.
.......and he had so many other brilliantly simple design ideas!
On the subject of Theo's famous and much copied drive: Those who can innovate, those who can't imitate.
Looking at the photos of #2 there are a good few differences to the old G40 girl of mine. Up until last night when you uploaded the photos of #2 I had assumed that my machine represented the first production design - we live and learn.I should add here that another forum member, gml has a similar ( identical to mine) machine that he's done an excellent job of returning to pretty much showroom condition.
Differences between #2 and later machines include all sorts of minor things ( cutter height lever ratchet, bonnet grille etc.) but the standout one is the engine clutch. Theo was yet to develop the device which hung on the engine pto of later machines.
Your accountant certainly got good use out of the old girl! . And it's great to see that it's preserved, warts and all, showing it's age and provenance.
I think I read that Theo started but never finished his engineering degree? If this is the case he didn't need one!!
And, if I may ask, what happened at Rover??
Below is a snap of my old girl as I bought it. It's now apart and the rust repair work on the chassis is done and will be painted shortly. The thing has had a hard life and sat under a tree for years. It was also subjected to flooding such that it and a G50 powered machine I bought from the same place had the engines literally full of water!.........and please excuse the state of my shed. All that muck on the floor came off that machine
I feel it's absolutely fabulous to have a Company Owner / Director on board here at ODK. Normally they wouldn't want to have a bar of any Forum type public communication. This really provides transparency between the ones that know and the ones that want to know.
I must congratulate you on your push mower series the "Enduro". It would without any doubt in the world have to be the worlds best push mower and the fact that it's still made here in Australia is such an endorsement to Australian Engineering and Manufacturing, something we should be proud of, but are sadly losing rapidly.
I have just recently steered my best friend to purchase the "Vanguard Model" from "Strathalbyn Small Engines" here in country South Australia and he (David) claims it to be the best mower he's ever owned and used in the domestic field. It just feels so right in ones hands and has so many features that we all used to have in the domestic home mower which have all now been turned into "Kmart Toy Department" type and looking machines at Bunnings. With all their flimsy highly colourful eye catching plastic paneling and razor thin plastic coated tread looking mag wheels etc. it is so good to still see that there is still one manufacturer left that feels that the trends must be bucked and sanity is to prevail.
If there is one downside to all this and that is that the dealer network doesn't seem to want to promote the "Enduro" range (at least here in SA) and would rather sell a Victa as was the case with David when he went to a major Adelaide Franchise who steered him straight to a Victa after stating that we can't sell those (Enduros) off the floor, but could order one if really desired with a wait of over 3 weeks, thus why we ended up going to a regional dealer who was so glowing of the Greenfield product. I understand that in the domestic market the name Victa and Rover is known by all, thus it's a good spring board to bounce straight off of and not much educating of the purchaser needs to be done in the sales process.
I'm not sure what the real story behind all this is, but I just feel that with such a fantastic product available here on our own shores why are we steering away to foreign owned brands and to make matters worse they are such a substandard product.
I have since David's purchase directed a number of people who have asked "what should I buy" towards the retailer at Strathalbyn and he has sold quite a few Enduros to them all. All these people are so happy with their purchases it's just so sad that none of the Metropolitan Dealers are willing to sell / promote the Greenfield Domestic range, but only the Ride On Range.
Anyway once again I must congratulate you Lewis for coming on board a public domain like ODK.
Cheers, BB.
I live a 24 Hour lifestyle, but every now and again I seem to fall asleep, well at least that's what my wife tells me.
Many thanks Lewis for posting the photos of Birdie. I'd read somewhere that the drive was initially used in a golf cart and that sales were fairly slow. I suppose it was a question of volume as much as anything else - a fairly small percentage of people play golf but most folks have grass that needs to be mowed.
I'm a bit of a history junkie and so find old advertising to be of great interest! Many thanks again.
