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Collection, Preservation and Display of Old Lawn Mowers

Introducing 1925 Dennis

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Just a post to say Hi! I'm new to the Old Lawnmower Club but have owned my 1925 Dennis since 1981. It has been in regular use over most of the intervening years, the only major repairs have been to renew the rear roller and differential, the replacement being obtained off the shelf from Howardsons near Derby. Also, the magneto drive - damaged when accidentally grazing a wall whilst mowing - it's a hard life! Have occasionally exhibited the machine at the Klondyke Mill at Draycott in the Clay where the Dennis was demonstrated by mowing part of the meadow. I would love to hear from any members with similar machines. Cheers, Tim. 

wristpin Tue, 27/10/2020

Welcome,

An image or two will be nice!

Messorestore Tue, 27/10/2020

What a wonderful machine. Not that common and yours works perfectly. It's a credit to you keeping it in good working order and being used, not just an exhibit. I can send you photos of my four, large, very old petrol mowers if you like Thanks for sharing yours.

tim_stubbs Wed, 28/10/2020

Thanks Messorestore. I would love to see your pictures. I was lucky with my machine, it was working well when I got it. The previous owner said in his view it wasn't suitable for everyday use but I went ahead and used it anyway! It has worked well. Tim

 

olcadmin Wed, 28/10/2020

Here's a shot from our annual rally at Milton Keynes in 2016 showing some of our other members with their Dennises.

tim_stubbs Wed, 28/10/2020

Thank you admin. Very nice selection. Would love to compare notes, especially with the guy on the right with the pre-1928 machine. I only have 2 old mowers but in just a couple of days membership I have already met a member with 90 machines! Perhaps this deserves a new thread "Largest private collection?!" Best wishes,

Tim

olcadmin Wed, 28/10/2020

Tim

Those are the famous Concrete Cows of Milton Keynes. 

The chap second from left is Alec Hillyar, our club secretary. He also has a "square tank".

If you download the directory of members from the website you can find details of how to contact them.

tim_stubbs Wed, 28/10/2020

Thank you. Is it ok to approach direct? I have looked at the membership list and noted 8 members who list 'exclusive' Dennis interest. Though no doubt many others have shared interests with Dennis amongst them. Thanks for your support.

Clive1997 Wed, 28/10/2020

Hello Tim

Welcome, you asked for others with similar machines, we have a 1924 Dennis in our museum collection, some images below, you will note it only has one handle start position (FE Engine) whereas yours has two, the high speed cranking point through the oil tank being introduced with the FEA engine in 1925.

 

olcadmin Wed, 28/10/2020

Tim

By all means contact them. Bear in mind they might not have seen the online exchanges.

tim_stubbs Wed, 28/10/2020

Thank you Clive. Very interesting to see 1924 machine, first I have seen with only one starter position. The decompressor looks similar. Does it also have a lub sight glass? You refer to your museum and as I cannot find reference to a 'club' museum, presume this must be your own? Thanks Tim

Seb Thu, 29/10/2020

Here's my Dennis, with a bradbury engine which makes it 1923 I believe
I used to have a similar one with a blackburn engine, and also have photos of a few others which I can share by email.