OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Restoring, Customising and Modifying Other Walk-Behind Rotary Mowers My Early Rovers (I got another one!)

Took a picture of my Rovers today, my phone is getting worse...




I am guessing 1957, 1958, 1959 {??} Might be wrong, but I recon maybe 1957 they changed to the blue base (from the yellow Wizard), 58 they added height adjustment (see picture below) and in 1959 they went to the green big 'V' base. 1962 they changed again and around that time changed again to the blue base with the diamond badge. Around 1965-1967 they then changed to the blye base with the common white and red Rover badge, then around 1983-4 they became red with a black plastic Rover badge.
Jack might be able to offer more info.


As you can see this one is like my base above but without height adjustment.

Cheers everyone!

I like your old rovershard to find old mower blue one is very nice wich it were mine

Cheers Freebird!
I got the blue rover from a member of my page for an irresistible deal! Was very happy!

But Kye, did you sell anything?

G'day all,

Kye, I'm glad a Queenslander is taking an interest in early Rovers.
They are not well-documented at all, but the picture is slowly
coming together.

What is emerging is that Rover were prepared to experiment with 'trends'
in lawnmower design. My best guess is the dating is about right. In 1957
a number of AUS manufacturers were playing around with the American-style
off-set wheel design.

It appears that Rover dumped that idea when single point height adjusters
started to be recognised. Rover then followed the Victa-style rotary
handwheel design. It stuck with that design until it was clear that the
lever-and-segment style was gaining popularity.

By about 1963, Rover had the winning formula to take them forward, had the
first self-propelled walk-behind AUS rotary, and would shortly enter the ride-on
and slasher markets. It was a more complete lawnmower company than Victa was
in the 1960s - with Victa specialising in residential lawnmowers.

Kye, that is new info - seeing the development of that first 'Rover' chassis
to take the handwheel adjuster, and the handle (from fixed to folding).
Brilliant!

All very interesting.
-------------------------
Jack

Norm, I got about $250 from selling very happy!

Jack that is awesome! Obviously lots of redesigns, improvements and changed in the first couple of years for Rover. Some massive changes, Wizard was scrapped, the offset wheels were scrapped, base fully redone and colour change, another base change then finally base change, badge change and colour change. At least it stuck until the mid 80s.

I was thinking about using this Rover as a parts mower but I am thinking now that I might try to get a Simplex for it, would look good all done up like the 1957.

Cheers everyone!

Well done Kye, you are a real little wheeler and dealer, very savvy with this stuff. I was given an old rover, I guess early eighties, looks a bit ratty, obviously hasn't been used for years, fuel tank empty and dry. I thought I would see if it would start, hooked up my fuel bottle to it and one pull and it started. I was going to just dump it but now I have to rethink it.

Cheers Norm! Always have a go at buying and selling.
I had a 74 and 75 Rover here but one went to the scrap and one I sold for $2 with my Falcon at Nambour, still trying to sell my 73 Rover, can't even get $10...

Might just get it running and use it as my every day mower...

Cheers Norm.

Hi ODK members,

Just to keep this thread going, this anniversary poster has recently come to light showing the Rover timeline. I am not sold on this having the first 1956 Rover being a conventional four wheel model and then the next model being offset wheel. It just doesn’t make sense to me as to why would you start with the four wheeler then introduce 2 offset wheel models being the Major and Cadet then return to four wheelers forever more ? Any thoughts.

G'day Paul and all Rover lovers
I know it seem unusual and unconventional but I think this is
exactly how Rover designs played out in the 1950s.

It was open-plan in the 1950s for pioneer rotary lawnmower makers
and there was much experimentation and many influences.

For example, our first AUS rotary mower, the little Tecnico, had clear
North American influence.

I hope to address this interesting topic shortly in an article I have
been working on-and-off for some time.

Thanks for prompting me!

------------------------------
Jack

Hi Jack,

Very confusing their way of thinking back then but I guess if they thought there was a trend for offset wheels then you would have to go with that. I have sent a message to Rover asking for confirmation of the timeline.

I traded Fellow member Kye for this example so if all is correct this is the first model Rover Mower.

Hi Paul
Indeed - it was just one USA styling trend and a few AUS makers
adopted that style for a period.

The offset-wheel design was North American inspired but
it would not be correct to described that style as being typically USA.
I would describe it as typical Lawnboy, the most influential, domestic, North
American mower maker of the period.

However, many other USA designs of that period were 4-square base designs
but with primitive single point height adjusters.

Australian rotary makers were very much experimenting in the 1950s.

I will make this observation about Rover...

Rover Mowers was never a story like Victa.
It was never a backyard garage battler story. It started with wealth.

I will argue, shortly, that even the Wizard, looked to America for
inspiration. Even the name 'Wizard' appears to have taken its name
from North American culture. I understand why the name was used ...
and why it was changed ...

Cheers
-------------------------
Jack

p.s. a final point on Rover's timeline... pathetic!
Of course the current owners will have scant records of the brand's long history.
The 1960s defined Rover's future designs - but where do they appear?
Quite a pathetic attempt of Rover's history by the current owners ... in my view.

Gidday Jack and Paul

I agree with Jack on the time lines.

Checked a few Rover patents for the application lodged date.

Cheers
Max.

Hello Max, Jack and Kye,

That’s great work Max, would there be a patent on the 1956 Rover?

Hi Paul ,Jack and Kye

Haven't seen a patent for the 1956 Rover, can't find it.

Whirlwind did a similar thing starting with the conventional four wheel model .

Cheers
Max.