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The UK firm of Tarpen were distributors of the Turbair sprayer with O&R power during the 1960's. The firm also produced a Mini engine setup with O&R power that could be used on some of their tools. I have two in my collection at the moment, one on a Tarpen 33 hedge trimmer, the other on a cultivator...

Slow progress, but now have a finished rolling chassis that I can assemble the important bits on. Engine was the first bit to go on- Still working on the chain drive and guards on the pump side, with the 'idler'- tensioner set up being the current challenge to design and fit- Clutch Lever has been a problem, but have now finalised the handle shape and will be cut from 10mm thick block of brass. Will also have a lock lever fitted- Lots going on with other things, but will try and improve update regularity. Regards

Hi, just resurrecting an old thread to get some information and advice. im just sorting out my late Dad’s shed. He was an engineer, garage owner and tinkerer! i came across the chainsaw and presumably a flexible drive. i haven’t (yet) found a motor to drive it. Could the drive clamp and belt have been hooked up to the rusty old cultivator that I also found in the garden? i have no use or desire to keep any of these things, but would rather see them going to another enthusiast, rather than the dump. Any advice on where to get rid of them would be useful too. The tools are near Yeovil in Somerset, UK. Many thanks Paul.

Here's my one in the display shed with the other O&R powered machines (amongst other things)... Paul

That's what I thought you meant, just wanted to clarify for others that may read this thread in the future and start searching for a non-existent attachment. Here are some pictures of the inside of the clutch unit for the O&R Tarpen Mini Engine power-head, the rear housing & clutch drum are the OEM parts for this... ... and the rest of the clutch & engine mounting are standard O&R parts. This threaded adaptor fits in the end on the clutch unit, if you have one of these and it's not seized, add some fresh grease to it to prevent this. David

The Tarpen Flex attachments aren't too hard to find, apart from certain ones. Tarpen made PTO units to fit a lot of machinery that used the flexible drive to the attachments, the O&R engine & an electric power head are the only handheld versions. This is how I acquired the Tarpen O&R, it was in this Keil Kraft boat. When I told the previous owner I was interested in O&R tools he said he still had some of the parts that were removed to put it in the boat, he originally bought it from a surplus shop (which had two of them) in the 1970's. The only part it needs is a replacement clutch bearing assembly, if you have a look at the propshaft coupling you'll see the bronze bearing got brazed together along with part of the clutch. I'm also not 100% sure the clutch shoe assembly I fitted is correct but that was all I had. David

I was looking for one for ages and now have three with different tools, there was also a rotary pruning saw and a rotary grass cutter (both of which I have) Heres a period Tarpen advert for them...

Those Tarpen tools are definitely cool and they look very well built. I'd like to find some for my collection but doubt there are very many out there.

Latest O&R/Tarpen addition arrived today courtesy of David (factory) This Tarpen Mini engine has been fitted with the chainsaw, and is seen here with another unit I have with the long hedge cutter fitted.

It was donated a while ago by a friend in Wales, it was up in the roof until the other day I've not tried to clean it up, as you say it would do more harm than good !

Is the Turbair box something you bought recently, or found while searching in the shed? I have a similar box but it's so mouldy it's kept inside another box, I did clean up the spare bottle that came with it & sent that to Wallfish to complete his sprayer. I've got no idea if the box can be cleaned without destroying it. David

Found this box and extra bottles whilst looking for something else (as you do) Now with the display

Thanks for adding that Paul, Tarpen must have briefly marketed the Turbair in 1967, as both of my 1968 Turbair Tot 2S sprayers are branded Turbair Ltd (Waltham Abbey/Cross), as is the 1974 Series 13B engine I have from a later Turbair Tot 2S. All the literature I have is from Turbair Ltd too. As for Edwards Bals, there was this Turbair Tot sold a few years ago and another NOS boxed one with the Edwards Bals address on the box (made £245). Of course it would be nice to see a Tarpen branded one too or even a catalogue with it in from Tarpen. David

Nice! I've grown to like these O&R machines! Wish I could find one

Oh yeah the giant Champion plug arrived Friday, thought that would look good in the Wheelhorse shed !