You are correct that GH was a Scientologist but I've never heard that it extended to the tin bashing side of things!
Yes, the guy who worked there said that GH would take on suggestions from workers but only if the lined up with his Scientologist beliefs, even if they were otherwise logical, very interesting.
Certainly similar to that Atco but without researching some catalogues and Parts lists I can’t rememer the distinguishing features that separate the re- badged Dynamarks from the later UK made ones.
No problem, mine is from 1978, and as far as I know it was built in Plympton. I really would love to know more about the early history of these tractors, it sounds very interesting. I have also heard from someone who worked at Westwood that elements of the manufacturing process had to be done in accordance with Scientologist beliefs, since the head of Westwood, Gerry Hazelwood was a Scientologist and wanted to run the company as much as he could in accordance with his beliefs. I know Western lawn tractors were pretty much identical to Dynamarks also.
The early Westwood’s were in fact rebadged US Dynamarks ( as were the first Atco tractors) . One of the distinguishing features was the rounded, pressed deck, whereas the first Westwood made decks were the angular, fabricated “threepenny “ bit ones. But , before that is used to date Westwood production , I’m reliably informed that early home built Westwood tractors used the rounded Dynamark decks.
That is really interesting and I can see some striking similarities between US Dynamarks and Westwoods:
I am sure you're right because their appearances too close to be a coincidence. The chassis and panels seem only very slightly different between Westwood and Dynamark. I would love to know what the closest equivalent Dynamark is (and it'd be cool to own one too ). I take it this is the Atco you mean:
I have finally fixed the wiring issue that was causing the Gazelle's ignition switch to smoke, and I have tidied up the wiring loom, I still have some work to do but it is Ok for now, and I need a replacement front headlight
Here is a picture for WestwoodW8Gazelle of the steering system that seems to be unique to the earliest Westwoods, here's what you see on the top of the chassis below the steering column:
And here is underneath, it is in need of a clean and grease:
And here is the cover that goes over this gear and chain system, there's a couple of marks on it because unfortunately the nuts and bolts holding it on had rusted solid and rounded off, and I had no choice but to get the angle grinder out:
I am thinking of making something of a cross between a documentary and review on some of my mowers, starting with my 1978 Westwood Gazelle W11. However, although I am familiar with some of the stories and history of Westwood, I did have a few questions and I don't know if anyone can help.
1) Does anybody know what year Westwood started production? (I am sure I have seen Lawnbug advertisements from 1975, but I could be wrong)
2) Was Westwood the first mass-produced British lawn tractor? (I know there's fairly old Atco lawn tractors, and hopefully I am not forgetting something really obvious )
3) If anyone has any other general info they think might be helpful, or any advertisement scans, I would love to know/see
I will have to get you a picture of the chain and gear steering, it's pretty cool Haha! Owatrol is great because I hate the idea of things just slowly decaying, and whilst I like normal oil, it will always leave stuff a little sticky, so I find Owatrol perfect because it prevents rust but also dries.
Nice Though yes, I agree originality is king, that's why I didn't paint mine and used Owatrol oil instead (not that I have a real issue with painting as sometimes there's no other choice). Interesting that the guy says the steering is broken, the early ones have a chain and gear steering mechanism as opposed to the later rack and pinion, I find the chain one to be less sloppy.
Thanks! Not feeling too confident to restore. Haha. But will definitely get the mower mechanically sound with new parts if needed. I always thought that the lights were the deluxe model? Maybe, who knows. Won't be until the next season until I get this girl running as well as my other W8 which still needs pulleys. Through winter I probably will be getting other gazelle ready for next summer mechanically. I try to look after the mower as its almost an interest. Haha. But my mate offered to cut the grass to see how the old Gazelle preformed cutting long grass, which was fine as its ok on the highest adjustment especially when its not a routine. So when I was in house watching I noticed he forgot to adjust the deck height, and the deck was on the lowest adjustment, and the poor engine was smoking and slowing down so I ran outside to stop him!! Last time anyone cuts with that mower. Haha. Not to worry tho as engine runs smoothly and is looked after. Couldn't believe it!
Oh dear yes he should have had it on high setting! Still, they're very tough old tractors so she should be fine! Westwoods are so over-engineered and that's one of the reasons I like them so much
Nice, glad he gave you the mower With some TLC the Westwood could be very nice, if you need to weld the seatbox/bulkhead where it's rotted by the rear fenders, when we did my '84 Westwood it was fairly easy to repair, though unfortunately have no pics of that. I don't know if it is a basic model, or if lights were an optional extra, either ways I hope it goes well if you decide to restore.
Hi all, the Wheelhorse is now running very smoothly, and the electrical and charging issues are fixed. I still need to touch up the wheels and sort out the seat, but for now here's some pictures from a nice autumn drive (making the most of a break in the weather after storm Brian! )
Yeah, finding an original Lawnbug is very hard these days. I think the original engines were Tecumsehs and some of them would have been white. One day I will get one though!
Well good luck with the search for a very early Westwood Gazelle, they are certainly out there, I see them come up on auction sites once in a while. I even saw a super rare 10 horsepower one once, I will have to see if I saved a picture of it on my old computer...
Also if you haven't seen it already, this restoration of a Westwood Lawnbug is pretty interesting if you get a chance to watch it:
Hi, my last digits of my engine serial number is 790206. So my gazelle would be made on 6th February 1979 if that's correct. But then I thought my gazelle was a 1978 as on the badge with chassis no. it said W8 78.
What Stormin says is a possibility, also I wonder if Westwood might have had a stock of chassis to "use up" left over from 1978, given that your engine is from so early in 1979 I could imagine them fitting a new engine from a chassis from 1978 that might only be a few months old. So you may possibly have a Westwood from 1978 that was given an engine and sold in 1979?
Looking good! Your machine looks very tidy One thing I also enjoy about the early Westwoods is the ribbed front tyres, the look really good. And I will never say no to more pics or a video!
My seat could certainly do with re-covering, in fact I am in the process of fixing the seat for my Wheelhorse (the seats are the exact same except the Wheelhorse one has a Wheelhorse logo). I also have a wiring issue, the ignition switch seems to be smoking, but only when I turn it off, and only when it has been used for a decent length of time
Hi, yeah, i will be sure to show you some pictures of my W8 Westwood Gazelle and perhaps a video of it running if you would like. I am currently going away for a couple of days but will try to remember to send the pictures when i return. My Gazelle is a 1978 model W8 and was manufactured at Bell Close, Plympton, Plymouth. It has the column gear change 1-5 inc reverse. 8hp Briggs engine which has been on the mower all of its life! White grill 'pale face.' Done some work to it when purchased last year on Ebay. I have changed air filter for the first time in 39 long years! I have also changed the oil and fitted new points and condenser as after a few minutes of running the mower it used to cut out completely!! Now starts on key. Engine runs great. I also done a little restoration on deck but i think i went a little over board with what i had done. Sadly the clutch pulley has given up all life and had fallen off the mower so i lost control over the clutch!! Happened two weeks back when cutting. I have ordered a new drive belt and have also tried to order two new pulleys. Pulleys arrived a couple of days ago with belt, but was not convinced that they were the right ones so sent them back. Kept the belt. Thats the life story so far. Ha ha. Gazelle has now lost the use of her legs for now!! She will soon be fixed once i find parts. Thanks for reading.
A video would be great to see if you can get one Do you know what your serial number is? Mine is 252707 1062 01 78061411, you can work out the date from the last part- 78061411. 78(year)06(month)14(date)11(horsepower, I believe?). So mine is stamped from 14th June 1978.
Sounds like you did a good job on the engine! Mine starts on the key too, although I fitted a separate choke. Hope all goes well sorting out the pulley.
You think there is alot of plastic on garden tractors, take a good look at some of the farm tractors made today, all the "sheet metal" is plastic.
Yes, it does not give the impression that these machines are built to last. I think there should be more of a focus on keeping good machines going, encouraging an industry of aftermarket parts like that of classic cars, rather than this idea of "just buy a new one".
Interesting to read how well the hot air treatment works. I have tried to brighten up faded Flymo decks with all the usual cutting compounds and polishes but other than putting a shine on the faded plastic, no improvement. If it comes to a repaint you will need to roughen it up with 400 wet or dry and then apply a plastic specific primer as used by car bumper repairers and probably available at Halfrauds.
Al-ko, beside being a major manufacturer of caravan, motorhome and trailer chassis, make some decent garden machinery.
Way back in the 80s they made a grass collecting ride on where the deck exited to a rectangular tube with a conveyor belt inside it carrying the grass to a big upright bin at the rear.
That is interesting, I never knew that about Al-Ko. Even their own website doesn't seem to say much about them. I love the conveyor belt idea!
But this is Grandad's new lawn tractor. It is an AL-KO, and I have to admit I don't know anything about them really It looks OK and it has a 12hm Briggs & Stratton with quite a bit of oomph. It seems like a decent machine and should be fine for Grandad's purposes. I think it's a shame they had to use plastic for the bonnet, I think there's way too much plastic used on lawn tractors these days, especially the kind that fades at a different rate to the painted metal, not sure if there is a way to fix that other than a complete repaint of everything.
On 06/08/2017 at 10:03 AM, WestwoodW8Gazelle said:
Hi, I am really in to these Westwood Gazelle white grills, I have a Westwood W8 1978 Gazelle and I have never seen this early model of Gazelle!? Would love to see and read more about it. Thanks.
Hi there, good to see another fan of these tractors. I think they have a really nice look to them, and they are very sturdy and easy to work on. I would love to see pictures of your W8!
). I take it this is the Atco you mean:
One of the first Westwood Gazelles
in Ride On's
Posted
Yes, the guy who worked there said that GH would take on suggestions from workers but only if the lined up with his Scientologist beliefs, even if they were otherwise logical, very interesting.