Lawn-Boy Automower (Yardwork the Reto way!!)

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Lawn boy

I had a Lawn boy like Tom's at one time. Do any of You remember back in the 60's maybe early 70's there was a lawnmower if I remember right it was the vintage green and red like Rick's but was called a turtle and it floated it had no wheels on it whatsoever and at the very front of it it had a gold turtle on it. it was so neat looking boy would I love to have one

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Rick, awesome vintage Lawn-Boy, it looks just MINT! Congratulations! Great ads too; have you seen the one with the flip-up cover for the engine that is supposed to quiet it down? It's really a shame 2-cycle engines in lawnmowers didn't catch on because of emissions since they have so many other advantages, especially the fact that they can be used on almost any grade or incline without stalling.

Skip, I think you were referring to the Flymo; it would definitely be fun! I see those on eBay, both vintage and modern, all the time but they go for outrageous prices. Husqvarna makes a "hovering trimmer" as well that uses line instead of a blade, but is basically the same.
 
wrong it has back wheels

I was totally wrong it has 3 rear wheels on it but as a kid I really thought it floated

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Quiet Flyt

Hi Austin, You must be thinking about the Lawn-Boy Quiet-Flite. Those were a 2& 1/2 HP mower that was built from 1958-1962, it was a 19" cut.

The Fly-Mo (SP??) was built by Toro for awhile in the 1960's. It did not have wheels, it semi floated. It was built for mowing steep hills, etc. It could not be used as a regular mower. One could not push it straight. P.O.S. I might add....

Great old Lawn-Boy Tom! Love to see the old ones still in use. The Lawn-Boy mower was always the most expensive. And most who owned any other brand, then a LB would say the LB was the best. Your model is a 19" also.

Here is a copy of the LB line for 1962. A Quiet-flite is pictured.

My mower is the "grass catcher" model with 4 HP. (only mine was a 1963 model, not 1962) I do have the chute,and bag for it. May try it out this Fall. <:

The man that rebuilt my LB has a 1958 Quiet-flite. It is the original gold colour, and I am sure he would rebuild it for someone if they wanted it.

BTW_ People do collect old lawn mowers, just like some people collect washers. I watched the ebay auctions on the nice old LB models just for an education before locating mine. The nice older ones are worth some $$$ The old self propelled models are even more sought after. At $250.00, mine was a deal!

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Thanks Robert, may as well have some fun while mowing, if you are able. As we all know, vintage items alway make everyday chores FUN!!
 
That early "Snapper" mower reminds me of Kee mowers made today.I used to have one.They are great for cutting tall grass and rough areas.They can also act as a regular finish mower as well.The very early Kee mowers had a blade rotor that you bolted sickle mower blade "teeth" onto its ends.As the first edges of the teeth get dull-you removed them and flipped them-a fresh set of razor sharp cutting edges.And you could run the engine at just above idle speed and that mower would cut thru 3 ft tall grass with ease.Bet that old Snapper could do the same.Surprized there aren't a lot of those old Snappers around here-there is a Snapper factory on the West side of NC.You see a lot of Snapper walk and rider mowers here-I used to have a Sanpper rider-replaced the belt and blade-and it cut thru almost anything-and mulched it as well.That big 33" blade was VERY effective.Esp the "Gator" mulch blades.
I saw Flymos at a Florida mower shop about 20 years ago-they demoed them behind the store-the salesman would take the mower and start it-he would spin in a circle and cut the grass-Or he would swing it side-to side like a scythe to mow.Those mowers were pretty effective-again think they were victims of newer mower safety regulations.Those little "Flymowers"would make quick work of tall grass.
 
From the Flymo website-they must still be available.Looks like they have the "deadman" engine-motor kill bar on the handles.They have both gas and electric ones on the website-and some with grass catchers.Would think the weight of the bag would spoil the hover action.Whats intesting unlike wheeled mowers-Flymows don't have rear toeguards and appears like objects could be thrown from any direction.You would have to use some caution in using the Flymo-but they do look like they would be fun to use-imagine mowing "circles" in your yard-could these be useful tools to make "Crop Circles" with?
 
Hoover Constellation mowers

All I can say is WOW! I didn't think those ever would have existed but it makes sense. Stuff that floats on air are cool.
 
Fly-Mows sucked!!!

I mowed a lawn for some older people down the street when I was in junior high school. (along with many other lawns) The older couple had a double city lot, with a steep terraced landscape. The only way to mow the terraced area was with a Fly-mow mower. The mower did not really "float" When the mower was running, you were able to move it, but it never "floated" on the lawn, nor was there ever a gap between the mower deck and the lawn.It was not easy to use, in any way. When the mower was shut off, I had to drag it back to the shed. The mower was made of fiberglass, and had the heavy Briggs & Stratton engine. There was a small turbine like thing mounted above the blade, that helped to make the mower mobile when the engine was running. You could NOT mow straight with this mower. It would either go right or left when you pushed it through the lawn. I only could use the Fly-Mow for the terrace. When I first saw the Fly-Mow I thought, WAY COOL!! A mower that floats! That will be so easy to use!! I was very disappointed after the first time I had to use it.
 
Reggie's Link

I bet those lawn mowers from Reggie link must be a pretty good penny to get one.

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My guess is the Flymo's are better suited to putting green style short grass than longer grass. Used to be a family down the street from us growing up where the husband still used his trusty old wooden manual reel mower. He kept that lawn like a putting green. We'd always say Sid was out shaving his lawn.
 
This thread has caused Me........

Yes after reading this thread I have started another collection of Lawn mowers now, like I need another collection already with my vac collection oh well something to keep me happy. That snapper turtle lawnmower above in my link well I won it today from ebay and there's another I'm going after in a few hours from now. I do already have 2 vintage lawnmowers already. I have a Mckane Reel mower and A Kee Big Wheel Lawn mower with the front swivel wheel on it. Now I have the snapper turtle to look forward to. But I think I will try to get mostly Lawnboy lawnmowers as I do really like them. Lord I can just see my back yard filling up with Lawn mowers LOL

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