pmackellow 2,738 #1 Posted May 18, 2014 At the start of a very long day yesterday, we went to Christchurch in Dorset to pick this up before coming back to Eastleigh in Hampshire for the Bill Targett Memorial Rally Its a Ladybird electric mower, made in the late 40's and early 50's by a company named Metalair I saw it on that well known auction website and mine was the only bid, I'm pleased with it as its a bit unusual and almost looks like an electric version of the Nash Boadicea mower of which between Steve D and myself are now three in number... 2 Ian and nigel reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steve d 43 #2 Posted May 18, 2014 Our line up did look good yesterday mate and really like the ladybird. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pmackellow 2,738 #3 Posted May 18, 2014 Our line up did look good yesterday mate and really like the ladybird. It certainly got some interest Steve I googled ladybird mower and found out some information on it, unlike the Nash Boadiceas for which very little information has come to light... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ian 2,417 #4 Posted May 18, 2014 Where do you guy's keep finding these funky mowers? Another great find Paul Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pmackellow 2,738 #5 Posted May 18, 2014 Where do we find them ?? Begins with e and ends in y mate !! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pmackellow 2,738 #6 Posted May 19, 2014 Here's the ladybird in its new home... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jim Beacon 0 #7 Posted May 19, 2014 Be interested to see what the motor looks like - couldn't decide if it has a normaly-ish motor and a right angle drive, or a thin vertical motor. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pmackellow 2,738 #8 Posted May 20, 2014 I'll get the cover off somewhen and post a photo or two... 1 Jim Beacon reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pmackellow 2,738 #9 Posted May 20, 2014 Be interested to see what the motor looks like - couldn't decide if it has a normaly-ish motor and a right angle drive, or a thin vertical motor. Here you are... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jim Beacon 0 #10 Posted May 20, 2014 Very unusual "universal" (AC or DC mains) motor. Very low profile, looks like it eas specially made. I do have a spare "iron" type plug, if you break that one at any time. If the brushes are worn, you'll have to find some of a similar size and file them to fit, unless you are REALLY lucky! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pmackellow 2,738 #11 Posted May 20, 2014 I'll take you upon the offer of the plug please Jim, a spare would always be handy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
meadowfield 1,900 #12 Posted May 20, 2014 That's a very compact motor! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thorn1979 19 #13 Posted May 21, 2014 Newbie here. Well, I just bought one of these from that selfsame auction site! It's a rather sweet, very light little machine. Apparently, they were designed for ladies to use, hence why they were given the cutesy name - it was post-war and men were in short supply, so the ladies were having to take on traditionally male tasks. I think my model is rather earlier than yours Paul, the motor is different and the wiring is not so neat. It does not have the thermal cut out on (apparently later models did) and mine does not have those reddish spots on its dome (air vents I guess). Out of interest can you make out what the decal on the front says? I get "Made in England by" but after that is it A.M.I.? And what's the smaller type under that...? Mine has been painted green at some point, so that's going to be removed. Unfortunately, despite a good clean, rewiring, regreasing the bearings and checking the brushes, there is still something wrong with the motor - it runs (blimey) but after a few moments it starts to smoke and slows down, and it sparks like a demon. I think I'll end up putting a modern motor in there. And the blades aren't original either. I am rather taken with it though, and I plan on getting it running well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pmackellow 2,738 #14 Posted May 21, 2014 Newbie here. Well, I just bought one of these from that selfsame auction site! It's a rather sweet, very light little machine. Apparently, they were designed for ladies to use, hence why they were given the cutesy name - it was post-war and men were in short supply, so the ladies were having to take on traditionally male tasks. I think my model is rather earlier than yours Paul, the motor is different and the wiring is not so neat. It does not have the thermal cut out on (apparently later models did) and mine does not have those reddish spots on its dome (air vents I guess). Out of interest can you make out what the decal on the front says? I get "Made in England by" but after that is it A.M.I.? And what's the smaller type under that...? Mine has been painted green at some point, so that's going to be removed. Unfortunately, despite a good clean, rewiring, regreasing the bearings and checking the brushes, there is still something wrong with the motor - it runs (blimey) but after a few moments it starts to smoke and slows down, and it sparks like a demon. I think I'll end up putting a modern motor in there. And the blades aren't original either. I am rather taken with it though, and I plan on getting it running well. Hi there and welcome to the forum Glad to hear someone else has got one of these machines, the wiring at the handlebar end on mine has got a bit warm at some stage in its life so I will be investigating that a bit further before I get brave and plug it in to try it !! I can't make out the rest of the decal, I googled Ladybird mower and found some references on an Australian site, apparently they were made by a company called Metalair Ltd in the late 1940's and early fifties Paul Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thorn1979 19 #15 Posted May 21, 2014 Here's the motor from our ladybird, after it was rewired. Pretty basic! Made a helluva racket. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pmackellow 2,738 #16 Posted May 25, 2014 Replaced the handlegrip and got brave yesterday,plugged the beast in and switched it on... it runs !!! Cuts the lawn quite well... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Martin77 4 #17 Posted May 26, 2014 Excellent! Any chance of a vid of it running? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pmackellow 2,738 #18 Posted May 26, 2014 Excellent! Any chance of a vid of it running? Video ?? mmm will need to ask someone more techy than I, leave it with me... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
