OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums The History Forum Model Histories AUSTRALIAN Rotary Models TURNER - Brochure - c1969

Hello ODK History Lovers
Turner Industries was one of the top half-dozen lawnmower makers in the 1960s,
yet their contribution to lawnmower design has gone under-appreciated.

The ODK History Forum has attempted to correct the record - claiming that Turner
introduced our first 4-stroke rotary lawnmower, our first plastic catchers, and were
pioneers in lawnmower safety and high-arch rear catcher designs.

Turner's lawnmower making venture lasted just over a decade and it was successful
and profitable. In fact, Graeme Plaw, former Research and Product Development
Manager for The Stanley Works Pty Ltd [Turner Industries were acquired by a
Stanley Division in 1970, at that time the Plaw was Design Engineer and Project
Engineer for a variety of Turner products] said this:

Turner had approximately 15% of Australian lawnmower sales.
Although sales continued to grow to an all-time record in 1970 the company
decided to cease the manufacture of Turner lawnmowers due to inadequate
return of funds employed.

Turner went out on a high. Still at the forefront of lawnmower design in the late 1960s,
this brochure - from my collection = represents the final Turners ... the Golden Turners.

Only a couple of manufacturers took advantage of the new North American electric start
small vertical engines that were being made at this time. It was Turner's flagship machine.



TO BE CONTINUED ...

PART TWO - The Brochure
The issue of Lawnmower safety came to a head in 1968 when the industry adopted
a code of safe lawnmower design. The leaders here were Turner and Victa.

This brochure presents the Turner lineup for 1969. These were full-featured
lawnmowers of high quality. Note the Turner Golden Viking - proof that the
Turner self-propelled did survive to the end.

As always, I provide this quality scan for personal use.