Electric Mower Collections

[classictvman81x]

I was inspired to join this group - and thus this particular topic - after I saw a thread posted here called "Mastercut Collection?". It was this link:
http://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?40079_9

As a new member, until I make a few "new" posts here, I'd rather not respond to "ancient" threads for the sake of my posting privileges. So I will post my picture of my 1983 Sears Craftsman dual-blade electric mower right here.

Does anyone here have any collections of vintage (pre-1990) electric lawn mowers to share here? Yes, I am talking about the likes of Sunbeam (and later Aircap/Mastercut), Black & Decker, MTD, Simplicity, Sears (Craftsman, Companion), J. C. Penney (Penncraft) and Montgomery Ward (PowrKraft).

I am also reaching out to all the Canadian members of this board as to seeing whether or not any of them have any CGE (Canadian GE) electric mowers and retail equivalents sold by Canadian Tire (Mastercraft) and Sears (Craftsman). Why? My neighbor who lives up the street, his family once had a circa 1978 Sears Craftsman 18" electric mower w/ Power Boost (2-speed motor), and that one was obviously made in Canada, by CGE. The original Canadian owner must've taken that with him when he made the trip down here to OR.

~Ben Edge (ClassicTVMan81X)

 

[alr2903]

Welcome.

Ben welcome to the site. It is true we have threads about almost everything collectible. Spring was so late this year. We had a thread about "I finally mowed the yard". IIRC, some members here have vintage "Lawnboy Mowers". There may be some with electrics. Most all of us have more mowers, vacuum cleaners and washing machines than we need. We have members here that collect small electric appliances also Television and radio and electronic microwave ovens. I think I speak for all by saying we are like "Las Vegas" everyone is welcome @ AW.org.
Arthur/alr2903

 

[tolivac]

I have a small collection of newer cordless rechargeable mowers-no vintage ones.Vintage mowers in my area are VERY rare-corrosion and the sandy soil.

 

[philr]

I used to have Sumbeam Twin Blade mowers, one of them was pretty old green colored and it belonged to my father's great aunt! I gave it to my cousin years ago and he no longer has it (he couldn't find replacement belts for it!). 

 

Now, I mostly have Lawn Boys.   Here's my latest acquisition. After replacing the coil and the belt, it's working fine. I'd like to get a set of original red plastic rear wheels for it as one has been replaced and the other one would need to!

 

[philr]

Here'a an ad for a GE lawnmower. 

http://montreal.kijiji.ca/c-acheter-et-vendre-maison-exterieur-tondeuses-souffleuses-Tondeuse-electrique-W0QQAdIdZ530495608

 

[philr]

Another one, not in too good shape either!

http://ottawa.kijiji.ca/c-acheter-et-vendre-maison-exterieur-tondeuses-souffleuses-GE-Electric-Lawnmower-W0QQAdIdZ489435634

 

[classictvman81x]

Here are two videos of CGE electric lawn mowers in action:


(CGE)


(Sears Craftsman)

~Ben

 

[tolivac]

Battery GE mower-the location of the batteries looks awkward-would have tried to put them on the deck-front and back.
The chipper---NO THANKS!!!!Will use my electric chipper for small branches he is shredding-or hire out the large machine for tghe big stuff.One chipper I hired had a Chrysler slant 6 motor spinning a drum type cutter.That thing could eat 8" thick logs without stalling!!!YES-----DANGEROUS---LET GO OF THE LOG WHEN THE BLADES GRAB IT!!!!!Or YOU will get "chipped"don't let loose clothes get caught,either!And don't stand directly behind the feed table-hopper.

 

[classictvman81x]

Uh oh. . . another Canadian who turned his CGE mower into a chipper/shredder!

Video 1:


Video 2:


~Ben

 

[tolivac]

SCARY device!!!!What would happen if that modified "mower" fell off the plastic bin????For peices that small---Just put them on the ground and run over them with an unmodified mower-works just fine!!!Esp if you have a mulch blade in the mower.And a lot safer!And--you have to unplug that modified machine to stop it-would rather have a switch you could hold-and simply release if things go wrong.-Deadman control.

 

[philr]

I have watched a few similar videos with homemade chippers and I also wondered about the safety!  

 

[tolivac]

If I need to chip or shred the stuff-buying a Chipper shredder would be worth it-safer,and more efective.

 

[classictvman81x]

Here's my 1983 Sears Craftsman Mower in Action!

But neither the front nor back yards were green enough for me to do any real testing, and as this machine draws 12 amps at 120 volts, then this machine may not be suited for the back yard as for the sake of motor protection only a 100-ft cord with a 14/3 or 12/3 AWG rating is recommended.



I recently bought a Sunbeam Outdoor Products service manual, which would cover machines like this one.

~Ben

 

[tolivac]

Lets see it cutting grass rather than just running.I have several cordless electric mowers-like them better than corded.Actually more power.Battery right at the motor rather than feeding power thru a long cord-causing power loss.Greenworks 19" 40V,B&D 19"36V,Toro 20"36V,Homelite 20" 24V.All work well.If they do cut heavy grass the battery runs down faster.Love the freedom-no cord,no noisey,stinky,hot gas motor.Greenworks is supposed to come up with a cordless electric rider sometime next spring-maybe interested in this!The water pipe guys were fascinated with the Greework mower.Was using it to do the lawn yesterday-probably will finish tomorrow.My cordless mowers replaced a miserable JD gas one.Sold the JD rider in hopes for the cordless rider.