First Run With A Vintage Allen Scythe Mowing Machine (1950s Model T)

Рет қаралды 640,886

Жыл бұрын

Allen Scythes stopped being made in 1973. I think this one was made (near Oxford, England) in the late 1950s - it could be 70 years old but it still works extraordinarily well. They stopped making them because they are very dangerous - the blades are running all the time, it jumps forward without notice and it’s default clutch setting is drive - yes, you have to actively stop it moving! But it trundles through thick mud like a tank and it cuts wet grass and rushes with ease. We bought it for just this job - to control weeds in our fields. It was advertised on Donedeal here in Ireland and there seem to be others on there regularly. If you’d like to take on repairing the second machine - get in touch!
Here's our main KZfaq channel.. / wayoutwestx2
And here's my online shop www.ironpig.ie
And here's our Patreon page if you could spare a little to help.. www.patreon.com/user?u=2761318
And here's the Fairtube Union's page - fairtube.info/
If you need to contact me ... rustyironpig @ gmail.com

Пікірлер: 518

@johngraves2755 Жыл бұрын

When a mate of mine left school, 50+ years ago, one of his first jobs was cutting grass with one of these. The grassy bank was bordered by a river..... Anyways during one of the passes he found he couldn't disengage the drive, give him his due he clung on as the Auto Sythe drove into the river finally stopping as the water level rose above the carburettor.....

@gbentley8176 Жыл бұрын

After an instruction course from my school's groundsman, I was put in charge of using one to cut the rough grass along the drives. About half a mile or so. Still remember the clack sounds and the steering..... Also used a villiers Qualcast rear throw mower for the fine cut. Had smaller orange wheels. That was what a 10 year old did at boarding school in the fifties. All part of the outdoor craft course. I still own a working seventies model. Thanks for the memories, wonderful stuff.

@theafro Жыл бұрын

I'm loving this! I earn my living fixing reed-cutting machinery of all types, and these used to be a very common sight here in norfolk. The 2-strokes are my favorite, they're such a sweet little engine and will go on forever if you feed it the right oil in the right quantity (do exactly as it says on the lid!) castrol XL is really good stuff and smells much better than the modern synthetic oils!)

@imakexyz4968 Жыл бұрын

This look like the perfect locomotive for your railway :-)

@TheDemocrab Жыл бұрын

14:30

@davidbradley6448 Жыл бұрын

Hi Tim

@lrrromicronpersei8294 Жыл бұрын

I had one of these about 20 years ago to cut a large area of uneven ground and although mine was the 4stroke engine it just powered through anything and everything that got in its way the fact that the blades run continuously is a bit scary though lol

@richardmorley9851 Жыл бұрын

In the early sixties dad bought an ancient Allen scythe. It was my toy in my teens on out half acre. Brilliant machine, though a little temperamental, but gave me an education for my first motor scooter that had a villiers engine. I was always having to adjust the magneto. (There's word I haven't used for sixty years!) Soon became quite expert.

@chrisfairbrother9197 Жыл бұрын

What a find! My Dad ( a nurseryman) had one of these, and it was my job to cut the long grass for him. It looks so much smaller than I remember. I used to get told off for blunting the teeth when I had hit a stone. It was a long time ago, and I must have been so small as I always had to walk back to find Dad to refuel and start it as I couldn’t. Thank you for bringing back childhood memories 😊

@aking9999 Жыл бұрын

I used one of these as a school boy in Brighton, Sussex, it often hit a bump and got away from me ! But It was a very effective tool and I found that it cut the weeds and tall grass very effectively and quickly. The only Bug bear was having to sharpen the blades so often ! !

@stevept1504 Жыл бұрын

Delightful. Took me back to my childhood. My uncle had one and my cousin and I mowed his paddocks onwards from about 11 and 12 years old. He had the trailer too and we'd drive it with all the kids piled on - and randomly falling off as it jerked into motion, went over bumps and around bends. Uncle took me into the Allen boardroom to meet Mr Allen, very grand, very awesome to a youngster too. Nice to see one in action again, thanks.

@sebbes333 Жыл бұрын

0:04

@tankyd Жыл бұрын

Oh my lord that takes me back sitting with my dad using a file to sharpen the blade and cold riveting on new ones that had been lost when working later in the 80s he had a barford atom with much more attachments …..beautiful old machine you have made my easter thank you ..

@williamhuang8309 Жыл бұрын

Surprised it's in such good condition after 70 years. The paint looks somewhat new.

@coedlan Жыл бұрын

I have been thinking about buying one of these to mow our meadow. What fortune timing! Glad to see such a beautiful old machine still running and in use.

@andersholt4653 Жыл бұрын

It's thoroughly heartwarming to see your endless enthusiasm and problem solving abilities. You've made my Easter, thank you. Greetings from Sweden 🇸🇪.

@viriato8566 Жыл бұрын

Nice! Just brought my early 1980s Gravely 2-wheel tractor out of hibernation yesterday & am rehabbing a rotary plow attachment for my wee smallholding in western Maine, USA. The nymphs, muses & goddesses of Spring are busy goading us forward to our zillion tasks. A good season to all of us farmers-gardners everywhere!

@Baron3D Жыл бұрын

Lovely so see an Allen Scythe. I have two, one 2-stroke and one 4-stroke.

@alanmumford8806 Жыл бұрын

As a teenager, I used one of these for a couple of years or so, cutting an orchard and meadow for an older lady. It was a bit tough to start (didn't know enough back then to improve this!) but that thing was a real handful! An absolute, almost unstoppable, beast. Wish I had one now.

@aoifeone Жыл бұрын

There is a company in Bermingham called Villiers Services who carry all the spares you will need. I used them many years ago for parts for my James motorcycle which had had a Villiers 98 cc engine. They were very helpfull.