Atco Ltd
Encyclopedia
Atco
Limited is a British mower
Mower
A mower is a machine for cutting grass or other plants that grow on the ground. Usually mowing is distinguished from reaping, which uses similar implements, but is the traditional term for harvesting grain crops, e.g...

 company which ran named as "Atco Ltd" from 1981 to 1990, the company made lawn mowers and garden tools. They had a wide range of high quality lawn
Lawn
A lawn is an area of aesthetic and recreational land planted with grasses or other durable plants, which usually are maintained at a low and consistent height. Low ornamental meadows in natural landscaping styles are a contemporary option of a lawn...

 mowers including lawn
Lawn
A lawn is an area of aesthetic and recreational land planted with grasses or other durable plants, which usually are maintained at a low and consistent height. Low ornamental meadows in natural landscaping styles are a contemporary option of a lawn...

 and garden
Garden
A garden is a planned space, usually outdoors, set aside for the display, cultivation, and enjoyment of plants and other forms of nature. The garden can incorporate both natural and man-made materials. The most common form today is known as a residential garden, but the term garden has...

 tractors.

History

Atco Ltd is formerly known as Charles H Pugh Ltd pre 1981 and got re-named in 1981 as Atco Ltd. Charles H Pugh Ltd got re-named due to a incident in the early hours of November 5th a fire destroyed
Destroyed
Destroyed is the first full length studio album by punk band Sloppy Seconds. It was released in 1989 on Toxic Shock records. The album cover is a parody of the Kiss album Destroyer from 1976.-Track listing:#"I Don't Wanna Be A Homosexual"...

 the old Charles H Pugh site and stock, resulting in its complete closure and move to East Anglia
East Anglia
East Anglia is a traditional name for a region of eastern England, named after an ancient Anglo-Saxon kingdom, the Kingdom of the East Angles. The Angles took their name from their homeland Angeln, in northern Germany. East Anglia initially consisted of Norfolk and Suffolk, but upon the marriage of...

 as Atco Ltd.

The former company Charles H Pugh Ltd created motor
Motor
Motor is a device that creates motion. It usually refers to an engine of some kind. It may also specifically refer to:*Electric motor, a machine that converts electricity into a mechanical motion...

 mowers from as early as 1921, the branded name for all the mowers from has always been Atco (Atlas Chain Company) from 1921 - to this date.

In 1991 Atco Ltd got re-named again to Atco-Qualcast Ltd, in 1995 the new Atco-Qualcast Ltd was acquired by Robert Bosch GmbH and ran as Atco-Qualcast Ltd till 2011, then Bosch sold off the Interlectual Property to professional mower manufacturer Allett. The brand name is currently used by Global Garden Products Ltd.

The First Motor Mower

In the 1920s Atco was one of the most successful companies to emerge during the period, at that time a brand name of Charles H Pugh Ltd. The Atco motor mower, launched in 1921 was an immediate success. Just 900 of the 22in cut machines were made in 1921, each costing £75. Within five years, annual production had accelerated to tens of thousands. Prices were cut and a range of sizes was available, making the Standard the first truly mass produced motor mower.

Products (1980-1992)

All the below products from (1980–1992) are now obsolete, parts are also obsolete for these products.

Made In U.S.A (1980-85)

Atco Motor Mowers first started making lawn
Lawn
A lawn is an area of aesthetic and recreational land planted with grasses or other durable plants, which usually are maintained at a low and consistent height. Low ornamental meadows in natural landscaping styles are a contemporary option of a lawn...

 and garden
Garden
A garden is a planned space, usually outdoors, set aside for the display, cultivation, and enjoyment of plants and other forms of nature. The garden can incorporate both natural and man-made materials. The most common form today is known as a residential garden, but the term garden has...

 tractors in 1980, these lawn
Lawn
A lawn is an area of aesthetic and recreational land planted with grasses or other durable plants, which usually are maintained at a low and consistent height. Low ornamental meadows in natural landscaping styles are a contemporary option of a lawn...

 tractors where not made in the Britain
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...

 but where made in the U.S.A by another mower
Mower
A mower is a machine for cutting grass or other plants that grow on the ground. Usually mowing is distinguished from reaping, which uses similar implements, but is the traditional term for harvesting grain crops, e.g...

 company with Atco's designs then imported to the U.K for sale.

The full model range of American built Atco lawn and garden tractors are: 7/32, 8/32E, 8/36E, 11/36E, 16/42E
  • 7/32 - 3 Speed with Reverse
    Reverse
    Reverse may refer to:*The reverse side of currency or a flag; see Obverse and reverse*A change in the direction of:**the movement of a motor or other prime mover; see Transmission **an engineering design: see Reverse engineering...

    , 7 h.p Engine
    Engine
    An engine or motor is a machine designed to convert energy into useful mechanical motion. Heat engines, including internal combustion engines and external combustion engines burn a fuel to create heat which is then used to create motion...

    , 32" Cutter
    Cutter
    A cutter may refer to several types of nautical vessels. When used in the context of sailing vessels, a cutter is a small single-masted boat, fore-and-aft rigged, with two or more headsails and often a bowsprit. The cutter features a mast set farther back than on a sloop...

     Deck
  • 8/32E - 3 Speed with Reverse
    Reverse
    Reverse may refer to:*The reverse side of currency or a flag; see Obverse and reverse*A change in the direction of:**the movement of a motor or other prime mover; see Transmission **an engineering design: see Reverse engineering...

    , 8 h.p Engine
    Engine
    An engine or motor is a machine designed to convert energy into useful mechanical motion. Heat engines, including internal combustion engines and external combustion engines burn a fuel to create heat which is then used to create motion...

    , 32" Cutter
    Cutter
    A cutter may refer to several types of nautical vessels. When used in the context of sailing vessels, a cutter is a small single-masted boat, fore-and-aft rigged, with two or more headsails and often a bowsprit. The cutter features a mast set farther back than on a sloop...

     Deck
  • 8/36E - 3 Speed with Reverse
    Reverse
    Reverse may refer to:*The reverse side of currency or a flag; see Obverse and reverse*A change in the direction of:**the movement of a motor or other prime mover; see Transmission **an engineering design: see Reverse engineering...

    , 8 h.p Engine
    Engine
    An engine or motor is a machine designed to convert energy into useful mechanical motion. Heat engines, including internal combustion engines and external combustion engines burn a fuel to create heat which is then used to create motion...

    , 36" Cutter
    Cutter
    A cutter may refer to several types of nautical vessels. When used in the context of sailing vessels, a cutter is a small single-masted boat, fore-and-aft rigged, with two or more headsails and often a bowsprit. The cutter features a mast set farther back than on a sloop...

     Deck
  • 11/36E - 3 Speed with Reverse
    Reverse
    Reverse may refer to:*The reverse side of currency or a flag; see Obverse and reverse*A change in the direction of:**the movement of a motor or other prime mover; see Transmission **an engineering design: see Reverse engineering...

    , 11 h.p Engine
    Engine
    An engine or motor is a machine designed to convert energy into useful mechanical motion. Heat engines, including internal combustion engines and external combustion engines burn a fuel to create heat which is then used to create motion...

    , 36" Cutter
    Cutter
    A cutter may refer to several types of nautical vessels. When used in the context of sailing vessels, a cutter is a small single-masted boat, fore-and-aft rigged, with two or more headsails and often a bowsprit. The cutter features a mast set farther back than on a sloop...

     Deck
  • 16/42E - 4 Speed with Reverse
    Reverse
    Reverse may refer to:*The reverse side of currency or a flag; see Obverse and reverse*A change in the direction of:**the movement of a motor or other prime mover; see Transmission **an engineering design: see Reverse engineering...

    , 16 h.p Engine
    Engine
    An engine or motor is a machine designed to convert energy into useful mechanical motion. Heat engines, including internal combustion engines and external combustion engines burn a fuel to create heat which is then used to create motion...

    , 42" Cutter
    Cutter
    A cutter may refer to several types of nautical vessels. When used in the context of sailing vessels, a cutter is a small single-masted boat, fore-and-aft rigged, with two or more headsails and often a bowsprit. The cutter features a mast set farther back than on a sloop...

     Deck


The "E" at the end of model number for American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 tractors stands for electric start; the 7/32 never had electric start but did have recoil start
Recoil start
Recoil start refers to a method of starting an internal combustion engine, usually to that of small machines, such as lawn mowers, chainsaws, ultralight aircraft and portable engine-generators. As seen today, many of these are used on these machines...

.

Made In Britain (1986-92)

In 1986 Atco stopped production
Manufacturing
Manufacturing is the use of machines, tools and labor to produce goods for use or sale. The term may refer to a range of human activity, from handicraft to high tech, but is most commonly applied to industrial production, in which raw materials are transformed into finished goods on a large scale...

 for the American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 built lawn
Lawn
A lawn is an area of aesthetic and recreational land planted with grasses or other durable plants, which usually are maintained at a low and consistent height. Low ornamental meadows in natural landscaping styles are a contemporary option of a lawn...

 and garden
Garden
A garden is a planned space, usually outdoors, set aside for the display, cultivation, and enjoyment of plants and other forms of nature. The garden can incorporate both natural and man-made materials. The most common form today is known as a residential garden, but the term garden has...

 tractors and started producing their own in Stowmarket
Stowmarket
-See also:* Stowmarket Town F.C.* Stowmarket High School-External links:* * * * *...

 in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...

. The first new model introduced in 1986 was the 11/36, the 11/36 was so complex it won the "Best Grass Cutting Machine of The Year" in 1986. Since the introduction in 1986, the stylish range of Atco Lawn Tractors set the new standards of performance, reliability, comfort and ease of handling for ride on mowers.
The full model range of British Atco lawn and garden tractors are: 6/30, 8/30, 8/36, 11/36, 12/36
  • 6/30 - 3 Speed with Reverse
    Reverse
    Reverse may refer to:*The reverse side of currency or a flag; see Obverse and reverse*A change in the direction of:**the movement of a motor or other prime mover; see Transmission **an engineering design: see Reverse engineering...

    , 6 h.p Engine
    Engine
    An engine or motor is a machine designed to convert energy into useful mechanical motion. Heat engines, including internal combustion engines and external combustion engines burn a fuel to create heat which is then used to create motion...

    , 30" Cutter
    Cutter
    A cutter may refer to several types of nautical vessels. When used in the context of sailing vessels, a cutter is a small single-masted boat, fore-and-aft rigged, with two or more headsails and often a bowsprit. The cutter features a mast set farther back than on a sloop...

     Deck
  • 8/30 - 3 Speed with Reverse
    Reverse
    Reverse may refer to:*The reverse side of currency or a flag; see Obverse and reverse*A change in the direction of:**the movement of a motor or other prime mover; see Transmission **an engineering design: see Reverse engineering...

    , 8 h.p Engine
    Engine
    An engine or motor is a machine designed to convert energy into useful mechanical motion. Heat engines, including internal combustion engines and external combustion engines burn a fuel to create heat which is then used to create motion...

    , 30" Cutter
    Cutter
    A cutter may refer to several types of nautical vessels. When used in the context of sailing vessels, a cutter is a small single-masted boat, fore-and-aft rigged, with two or more headsails and often a bowsprit. The cutter features a mast set farther back than on a sloop...

     Deck
  • 8/36 - 5 Speed with Reverse
    Reverse
    Reverse may refer to:*The reverse side of currency or a flag; see Obverse and reverse*A change in the direction of:**the movement of a motor or other prime mover; see Transmission **an engineering design: see Reverse engineering...

    , 8 h.p Engine
    Engine
    An engine or motor is a machine designed to convert energy into useful mechanical motion. Heat engines, including internal combustion engines and external combustion engines burn a fuel to create heat which is then used to create motion...

    , 36" Cutter
    Cutter
    A cutter may refer to several types of nautical vessels. When used in the context of sailing vessels, a cutter is a small single-masted boat, fore-and-aft rigged, with two or more headsails and often a bowsprit. The cutter features a mast set farther back than on a sloop...

     Deck
  • 11/36 - 5 Speed with Reverse
    Reverse
    Reverse may refer to:*The reverse side of currency or a flag; see Obverse and reverse*A change in the direction of:**the movement of a motor or other prime mover; see Transmission **an engineering design: see Reverse engineering...

    , 11 h.p Engine
    Engine
    An engine or motor is a machine designed to convert energy into useful mechanical motion. Heat engines, including internal combustion engines and external combustion engines burn a fuel to create heat which is then used to create motion...

    , 36" Cutter
    Cutter
    A cutter may refer to several types of nautical vessels. When used in the context of sailing vessels, a cutter is a small single-masted boat, fore-and-aft rigged, with two or more headsails and often a bowsprit. The cutter features a mast set farther back than on a sloop...

     Deck
  • 12/36 - 5 Speed with Reverse
    Reverse
    Reverse may refer to:*The reverse side of currency or a flag; see Obverse and reverse*A change in the direction of:**the movement of a motor or other prime mover; see Transmission **an engineering design: see Reverse engineering...

    , 12 h.p Engine
    Engine
    An engine or motor is a machine designed to convert energy into useful mechanical motion. Heat engines, including internal combustion engines and external combustion engines burn a fuel to create heat which is then used to create motion...

    , 36" Cutter
    Cutter
    A cutter may refer to several types of nautical vessels. When used in the context of sailing vessels, a cutter is a small single-masted boat, fore-and-aft rigged, with two or more headsails and often a bowsprit. The cutter features a mast set farther back than on a sloop...

     Deck


The following lawn tractors were sold with a option of a powered grass collector: 8/30, 8/36. The Atco 12/36 lawn tractor was only sold with a powered grass collector.
Atco Lawn Tractors where ideal for cutting rough areas of longer grass such as orchards and paddocks as well as large domestic lawns. Indeed, they make short work of all those jobs which take the fun out of gardening.

Atco also made a trailer
Trailer
A trailer may refer to:In transportation:* Trailer , an unpowered vehicle pulled by a powered vehicle** Bicycle trailer, a wheeled frame for hitching to a bicycle to tow cargo or passengers...

 to fit all models and had a tipping feature to empty it. The Atco trailer was robustly constructed from galvanised steel; the paint is powder-coated then baked on for long term durability. The full 10 cu. ft. hopper with a tipping action made it ideal for moving logs compost or any other material from one part of a grounds to another with more speed and less effort.
  • Cutting efficiency

There was a choice of 30" or 36" cutting widths, both decks having the extra cutting power of twin blades. The unique 'V' channelling in the deck ensures that grass cut by one blade is not thrown in the path of the other blade. This reduced the work-load on the blades and their bearings leading to a longer life. Grass is ejected not from the side as with many other tractors but from he rear. This means that the non-collecting models can be hitched to a towed sweeper to collect grass cuttings, leaves and other debris.
  • Performance and power

The Atco Lawn Tractors where powered by either 8 h.p., 11 h.p., or 12 h.p. engines, synchro-balanced to keep vibrations to a minimum. The 7.25 pint fuel tank provides approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes of continuous mowing. Two notable features are sturdy front axles which stand up to the roughest treatment and wide pneumatic tyres to give all round stability without damaging the lawn surface.

Atco also was the first ride-on lawn tractor to have a powered grass sweeper, it had power take off (PTO) which powered a belt driven sweeper at the rear of the machine. The Atco PTO worked independently of the blades, so you can cut the lawn without collecting the clippings or vice-versa. The complete system was easy to operate. The collector unit could be quickly fitted and removed without the need for tools. Furthermore, you could adjust the height of the sweeper brush and empty the grass collection completely without having to leave the tractor seat.

Atco stopped making lawn tractors in 1992 and has only made mowers since.

Commodore - Domestic Petrol Cylinder Mower (1986-92)

Available in four different size cuts: 12", 14", 17", 20" so there is a model for every size of domestic lawn.

Models Numbers for the Atco Commodore are:
  • Commodore B12 - Recoil Start
  • Commodore B14 - Recoil Start
  • Commodore B17 - Recoil Start
  • Commodore B20 - Recoil Start

  • Commodore B14 - Electric Start
  • Commodore B17 - Electric Start
  • Commodore B20 - Electric Start

(Electric Start Models Available from April 1988)

Ensign - Domestic Petrol Cylinder Mower (1990-92)

The Ensign had many of the advanced features demanded for high performance and effortless operation:

A comfortable, cushion grip handlebar that can be easily adjusted to suit your height; an adjustable comb which lifts flattened stems which might not otherwise be cut. Polished beechwood front rollers which allow mowing right up to the lawn edge and which can be replaced quickly with sidewheels for cutting long or wet grass. The Ensign is the ideal choice for the owner of average-sized lawns who is looking for the ease and power of a self-propelled cylinder mower and who also appreciates economy.

The Ensign cominded the traditional Atco virtues of precision cutting and reliability whilst also providing outstanding value. Fitted with the strong and robust Atco 144cc engine, the Ensign was available in a choice of three cutting widths - 12", 14" and 17" - to suit most domestic lawns.

For added convenience key start was available on the 14" and 17" models. Simply turn the key and the high performance Atco 114cc engine purrs quickly and quietly into action.

Imperial - Domestic Petrol Cylinder Mower (1990-92)

Take the Atco Commodore and improve the specifications still further and you have a top class cylinder mower with all the specialist features of a professional machine. Every inch of the magnificent 17" Imperial displayed its pre-eminence. It's cutting performance was astonishing. The precision-ground cutting cylinder had not six, but 10 blades delivering a remarkable 128 cuts per yard. Both front and rear rollers could be individually levelled to maintain a perfect alignment between the mower and the lawn. This means that every blade of grass is evenly cut across the full width of the mower. As well as a comb for raising flattened grass, the Imperial even had a scraper which prevented the build up of grass on the steel front roller. As a finishing touch, the high performance Mitsubishi
Mitsubishi
The Mitsubishi Group , Mitsubishi Group of Companies, or Mitsubishi Companies is a Japanese multinational conglomerate company that consists of a range of autonomous businesses which share the Mitsubishi brand, trademark and legacy...

 key start start engine was fitted as standard.

Royale - Heavy Duty Petrol Cylinder Mower (1964-2011)

Top of Atco's cylinder mower range, the Royale is designed for large areas of fine lawn. It embodies the highest qualities in the design and manufacture of cylinder mowers. The traditional 6-bladed steel
Steel
Steel is an alloy that consists mostly of iron and has a carbon content between 0.2% and 2.1% by weight, depending on the grade. Carbon is the most common alloying material for iron, but various other alloying elements are used, such as manganese, chromium, vanadium, and tungsten...

 cutting
Cutting
Cutting is the separation of a physical object, or a portion of a physical object, into two portions, through the application of an acutely directed force. An implement commonly used for cutting is the knife or in medical cases the scalpel...

cylinder gives 70 cuts per yard. The large capacity grassbox collects the cuttings. At the same time, the heavy duty rollers help to produce a perfect striped finish for lawns of immaculate appearance.
Early models of the Royale featured a Tecumseh built horizontal shaft engine with recoil start, however as the time went by the engines in the subsequent models were Briggs and Statton made, with an electric start option introduced during the 1980s. Since it was introduced Atco have added small features and fine tuned this mower over the years, the Recommended Retail Price of the machine just before it was discontinued in 2011 was way over £2000, making it by far the most expensive mower in the Atco range.

Every aspect of the range is was precision-engineered. All 3 models - 20", 24" and 30" - where largely hand-built by a small team of skilled craftsmen with a fine eye for detail. Since careful attention is paid to weight distribution, the Royale is well balanced and very easy to handle. As a result, operator fatigue is kept to a minimum and it is the ideal pedestrian machine.

(1986-1994) Models:

Model Range for the 1986-1994 Atco Royale were:
  • Royale B20 - Electric Start
  • Royale B24 - Electric Start
  • Royale B30 - Electric Start
  • Royale B24 - Recoil Start
  • Autosteer Seat for all Models Available

External Sources

  • http://www.atco.co.uk/our_history.html
  • http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Charles_H._Pugh
  • http://www.oldlawnmowerclub.co.uk/mowinfo/mowhist.htm
The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
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