Wire Installation Machine, Used with a Mowtron Mower, 1974

01

Artifact Overview

Hubert Wenzel, a licensed dealer of the "Mowtron" automated lawn mowing system, modified this Bantam Sod-Master to cut a trench for wire. Laid in a predetermined pattern under Wenzel's suburban lawn and linked to an isolation transformer, the wire operated as a closed electrical circuit. It was part of the transistorized system that guided the self-propelled, gasoline powered Mowtron mower.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Sod cutter

Date Made

1974

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

2020.131.8

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Metal
Rubber (Material)

Color

Reddish orange
Cream (Color)
Black (Color)
Red

Dimensions

Height: 43.5 in
Width: 26.5 in
Length: 52 in

Inscriptions

on proper left side of engine: 8 HP / 3600 R P M / "EASY SPIN" STARTING / 4 / CYCLE / BRIGGS & STRATTON / MILWAUKEE, WIS. U.S.A. / GASOLINE / ENGINE / MADE IN / U.S.A. / (R) / BRIGGS & STRATTON CORP. / MILWAUKEE WIS., U.S.A. / SEE YOUR INSTRUCTION BOOK / CRANKCASE OIL INSTRUCTIONS / USE OIL LABELED "FOR SERVICE MS, SC OR SD" / WINTER--USE S.A.E. 5W-20 OIL / SUMMER--USE S.A.E. 30 OIL / MODEL 190432 / TYPE 0679-01 / CODE 74061310 on vent on proper left side: EASY-SPIN / BRIGGS & STRATTON / PATIENT NO / 2999491 / STARTING on left and right sides: SOD MASTER / BANTAM / LUBRICATION / (SEE IPERATION MANUAL) / ENGINE: / Maintain all level in crankcase and replace in accordance / with ENGINE MANUFACTURERS' INSTRUCTIONS (SAE / 30 MM or MS above 32) / UPPER GEAR CASE: / One and one half pints MOBIL MULTIPURPOSE EP 140 / (No substitutes). CHECK LEVEL DAILY with combination / filler plug and dip stick and add if necessary. Replace for / every 25 hours of operation. / ECCENTRIC BEARINGS, ECCENTRIC / BARS, BELT CLUTCH, IDLER PULLEY / and DOG CLUTCH: / LUBRICATE ONCE A DAY with SOD-MASTER GBL-1 / lubricant. / LOWER GEAR CASE: / One pound SOD-MASTER GBL-1 special gear and bearing / lubricant temperature stabilized and especially com- / pounded for proper lubrication of the BANTAM. Check / once a season. / JACOBSEN MANUFACTURING CO. / SOD MASTER DIVISION / MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. 55412 / IMPORTANT! Swing Cover For Access / To Eccentric Bearing Grease Fitting