OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Collectors Corner Rotary Grasshopper and Lawn King - ormiston Swap

Hi everyone.

I went to the Ormiston swap meet yesterday and I was very happy to drag these 2 home with me. I have wanted both mowers for a long time so I was very happy to find them for a very nice price too.

I just need some help working out either how to find a height adjustment setup for the Lawn King, or finding enough pictures to design and make my own reproduction setup.

Hi Kye and all,

That's a great find,I was looking at the image of the Lawn King and thinking it looked like the engine lifted up and down for height adjustment,
I should have read Model Histories here https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/59132/clancy-engineering-lawn-king.html

I'm sure you would have seen this info before ,there aren't a lot of images for the Lawn King around ,hopefully
you can get some diementions of the missing parts if you can't buy them.

Cheers
Max

Hi Kye and Max

I must say that these machines are really important when one
considers the 'Golden Age' of pioneer AUS rotaries.

I love each one - the Grasshopper and the Lawn King - but for different reasons.

The Grasshopper is a novel design for a domestic rotary, but
it also predates Victa with their electric models.

The Lawn King is magic - with its most unusual height system.

I feel more information will be forthcoming on both of these mowers.

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

Thanks everyone! These 2 are going straight into the collection. I am heading to Imbil on Wednesday to pickup a Villiers engine to go on the Lawn King.

I would be very interested to know the date on the Grasshopper. I have been looking for both of these mowers to add to my collection since I started, I love the unique designs. It even looks like the grasshopper is just made out of scrap metal sitting around the factory.. the cuts are ugly and rough and the design is extremely simple. It makes me love it more though :p

Thanks everyone

oh no ,i missed the Ormiston swap meet. Guys, this swap meet is a real goodie if you like old crap like i do.

Hi everyone.

I have managed to source an engine for my Lawn King and I have an exhaust and reproduction height adjustment setup on their way. I was just wondering if anyone knew where I could find some rubber boots similar to the ones originally used on the Lawn King below the engine. I am sure there must be some very similar modern alternatives.

Thanks in advance.

Hi Kye
Great to hear the project is progressing.

The key words are 'round rubber bellows' or 'dust boots'...
A good start might be here:-

https://www.google.com.au/search?q=...ICSgA&biw=1920&bih=916&dpr=1

IN AUS: -

https://www.statewidebearings.com.au/linear-bearings/protective-bellows-dust-boots/

I attach an order form.

Hope this helps
-----------------------------------
Jack

Hi Kye and all,

Once you have the measurements that will tell you what will work and what won't.

A self serve car wreckers is usually cheap for shift or clutch cable boots, clutch master/slave cylinder boots.

The 12 volt central locking actuator has a boot.

Sometimes you can buy one longer boot and make 4 smaller boots.

Some steering rack boots are tapered down on the tie rod end side so you might be able to cut the smaller end off
if you can find one made in this way.

Cutting one end off the boot will give you the right length.as it may be difficult finding one exactly the right size.

Just a few ideas.

Cheers

Max.

Thanks Max and Jack! The repro parts arrived yesterday, and hopefully the base will be painted up and ready to go soon. I have been given the measurements to the boots, so I will be able to use that to get as close to original as I can. A resto is underway :p The base needs a bit of work, so once thats done I will get right into the other things.

Hi Kye and Max
There is no substitute for Max's experience in the mechanical world.
Brilliant!

It was rewarding for me when I researched the Lawn King.

https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/59132/clancy-engineering-lawn-king.html

We look forward to seeing progress on this one.

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

G'day Kye and Jack,

I think the Lawn King will look exceptional when completed.

There's no substitute for Jack's knowledge and recording all these great mowers etc on Outdoorking.

Cheers
Max.