OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums The History Forum Model Histories AUSTRALIAN Rotary Models WHIRLWIND - Tornado - c1958

Hello ODK history lovers
Whirlwind was the brand name for products made by LJ Phillips
& Company of 44 Nepean Highway, Mentone, Victoria.

Their Tornado was a 19” ‘toe-cutter’ style lawnmower that was
introduced in late 1957 for the 1958 range year. This coincided
with the introduction of Villiers’ brilliant Model 7F 2-stroke engine.

Note that this had a 19” cut – meaning it was intended to be an
upgrade from the standard 18” cut, a size created by Merv
Richardson’s Victa; and reflecting the ‘standard’ size for an
Australian rotary lawnmower of the 1950s.



The Tornado was of a simple design.
Earlier mowers had a small skirt base, with no discharge port.
There is some evidence that the base would acquire a side
discharge port in the early 1960s. It had a folding handle and
a single-point bell crank height adjuster.

TO BE CONTINUED …

PART TWO – The Operator’s Manual
This manual is in good condition and it is from my collection.
As always, it is available for personal viewing and download.

I have dated this manual to 1958 because of the clues offered in
the text. At this time the range included the Whirlwind 16”, the Sabre
18”, the Tornado 19”, and the 20” and 24” rotary scythes (slasher mowers).