• Indeed, in the second half of the 1980s the Honda polymer decks hit the market in the UK.

    I’ve done more research this evening and found some March 1986 adverts and an editorial report about the new decks – but nothing advertised earlier in 1985. You are correct that it was a smaller model first, it was the 17″ HR173 and available in both…[Read more]

  • I’ve been doing some research on Honda lawnmowers that were sold in the UK. It’s not the easiest company to follow due to several manufacturing locations worldwide.

    The first Honda mowers in the UK were in 1978 with the model HR21 with a cast alloy deck. Then there are multiple model numbers over the following decades – so many model numbers…[Read more]

  • alan posted a new activity comment 1 week, 5 days ago

    In reply to: mike-berry posted an update how do I pay the subscription as tried payments can be made here,,nothing comes up..mike View

    If you are paying a single membership subscription via Paypal then that can be done here:

    VHGMC Single Membership

  • alan posted a new activity comment 2 weeks, 2 days ago

    In reply to: mayfield-9991 posted an update Is the Vintage horticultural machinery Facebook page the same group as vhgmc.co.7k group View

    The ‘vintage horticultural machinery’ Facebook page is not related to the VHGMC club although members do post on it.

    The VHGMC does have a Facebook page with nearly a thousand followers:

    https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057470018690

  • alan wrote a new post 4 weeks, 1 day ago

    Quiz: Guess the company… From the eight clues can you name this famous company? Since the December quizzes are always popular, here are some clues to pass a few minutes and work […]

  • alan wrote a new post 2 months ago

    VHGMC Machinery Log Sheet – Download Here we are at the beginning of a new year and it won’t be that many weeks until the shows and events start. The first main event is Tractor World at the […]

  • alan replied to the topic Warning email in the forum General talk and discussion 2 months ago

    Hello

    Thanks for letting us know, it’s much appreciated, and I’ve had a look at this.

    I’ve checked the club email and there’s been no emails sent out to members from there.

    Indeed, unwanted emails are an unnecessary aggravation, but as said it’s advisable to just delete such emails.

    I will add that the club never sends out global emails or…[Read more]

  • Thanks for posting a picture of your Bernard tractor.

    I had a look to see if I had any adverts for Bernard tractors but couldn’t see any. There is a 1983 advert for Bernard pedestrian mowers and a 1985 list of the mower models with an interesting list of engines that were used.

    I haven’t seen a Bernard mower in the UK but one would be nice…[Read more]

  • Hello Oli

    It’s good to see a Bernard tractor.

    The USA-made Bernard machines were imported into the UK in the 1980s by Hyett Adams Ltd, Stonehouse, Gloucestershire. There were three tractor models and said to all have 6 hp Bernard 4-stroke engines, and three forward plus reverse gearboxes.

    According to a 1985 pricelist, the model BM749 had a…[Read more]

  • I hope everyone has a good Christmas and New Year.

    Indeed, let’s hope for good weather at shows and events next year.

    Attached are a couple of photos from Malvern Autumn show. An excellent turn-out from members with a varied range of machines, good company, and great weather on the Saturday!

  • I’ve looked through my photos and cannot see anything similar from the big manufacturers (but might be wrong) such as Ransomes, Mountfield, Victa etc and the ones you have also mentioned.

    I can see why you mentioned Norlett as some models had the sticking-out wheel supports at the front as shown on the attached 1976 image.

    Do the handlebars…[Read more]

  • Thank you Trusty220.

    As you know, I aim to get a range of questions, so hand tools, mowers, etc. And I like the questions and answers to be informative and sometimes offbeat.

    I come across some really weird facts that include garden tools or machines and would make great questions but I cannot include them all. These include a gardener who used…[Read more]

  • The 2023 VHGMC December Quiz is now on the homepage.

    Twelve very random questions with multiple-choice answers about horticultural equipment. No technical knowledge is required.

    As always, the answers and any further information is at the bottom of the quiz page.

    The quiz can be found on the homepage or at:

    Quiz 2023

  • alan wrote a new post 3 months, 3 weeks ago

    Quiz 2023 Here are twelve questions for a short quiz. These very random questions relate to horticultural items; technical knowledge is not required but a bit of […]

  • The cutaway engines sound interesting and must have taken a while to complete.

    Regarding the Pioneer P12 chainsaw…I have very little knowledge of chainsaws but I have a bit of printed info that briefly mentions Pioneer. Unfortunately, I cannot tell if it’s a rare model or not, but does it run and work or is it past repair?

    Advertising…[Read more]

  • alan wrote a new post 6 months ago

    Briggs & Stratton powered… Imagine going back thirty years to 1993 (yes thirty whole years) and, quite randomly, you are allowed to put a small Briggs & Stratton engine on absolutely […]

  • alan replied to the topic Bartrop Greenfield HD-8 in the forum Ride-on machines 6 months ago

    Bartrop was advertising the Australian HD8 and the M8 models in the mid-1970s. They were certainly shown at the Royal Show and also the Institute of Groundsmanship Exhibition, both shows in 1975.

    Trade reports state Bartrop saying that they imported the ride-on machines in kit form and then assembled them in the UK.

    Bartrop detailed that the…[Read more]

  • alan started the topic Test2 in the forum Help and information 6 months, 1 week ago

    Test2 – just for a reference

  • alan replied to the topic Forum access in the forum Help and information 6 months, 1 week ago

    Thanks for bringing this to our attention, much appreciated. Your account certainly looks fine, so the issue is probably software related. We will have a look.

  • Hello Jamie

    Excellent that you have a Stoic in running condition and plan on keeping it going for the foreseeable future.

    I have been playing around with a Stoic this weekend, it had been languishing under rubbish in a building for many years and I decided to bring it home and get it running. It has obviously been a council owned mowing…[Read more]

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