Kirk tells me he’s not been able to learn much about this mower. I’m inclined to agree. A search for “hurricane lawn mower” turns up results like, “Dad attacks son with chainsaw, son runs over dad with lawn mower.” I like this kind of post. We’re in uncharted territory here. Let’s get started with what little I have been able to glean.
The most striking feature is the mow deck with N.M.P. Co. Hurricane Jr. boldly cast across the front. The fact that its aluminum is interesting and makes you wonder why? Not nearly as durable as steel and any savings of weight would be negligible.
Next take a look at the friction wheel blade drive. No belt to replace but you have to wonder how well it would work when the grass gets tall and thick. In the original photo file size you can make out just to the left of the blade drive wheels, “National Metal Products Co. , K.C. Mo.” . Who were they? What did they do? Did they operate a foundry? I’ve found zero information about this company online.
Power is supplied by a Clinton model B 700 - 22 four stroke gas engine. Not the ubiquitous Briggs & Stratton, but not completely unknown either. The data plate reads, “ Clinton Machine Company Inc. Clinton Michigan. According to Wikipedia, Clinton moved to Maquoketa, Iowa around 1950 , so it might be fair to speculate that the engine and mower predate the move, sometime in the mid-to-late 40’s. The serial number of this motor is 97832A. If you had access to a list of Clinton serial numbers you might be able to approximate the date of the mower’s manufacture that way.
There are at least two other surviving examples of this mower, judging by comments posted on smokstak.com. You can read the brief thread and see a couple of photos of one of them by paying a visit to that website.
Well that’s about all I’ve found on the Hurricane Jr. Maybe there’s someone out there in Muleland who’s sitting on a treasure trove of catalogs, owner’s manuals and other assorted goodies they would be willing to share. If so, I’d love to hear from you. Add a comment below or send an email and I’ll add an update to this post. On the subject of comments, don’t expect to see them appear immediately. The internet being what it is, I have to screen them first, but anything that’s of value or fit to print will get there eventually. In the meantime enjoy these photos or pay a visit to the Steam Expo. 2019 at Cumming, Ga. Most likely Kirk will be there again with his collection.
Resources:
www.smokstak.com
https://en.wikipedia.org
I have this exact mower thanks for the info. Do you have an idea what the value is? Mower i believe will work with a little tlc. Email Rondude409@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteWe just been hit by hurricane Ida here in south Louisiana . In cleaning a shed that was destroyed I found the exact same mower . Everything seems to be there . The motor isn't frozen and turns over . I was looking for information on it but no luck . Was wondering if it had any value
ReplyDeleteMy grandfather had this model mower and I used it throughout the 70s to mow his lawn and a those of a bunch of his rental properties in st Pete FL. It was bright orange with the raised embossed letters painted a contrasting silver. I chalked that up to my grandfathers tendency to paint all his tools odd colors so they wouldn’t wander off on the job site but it looks like orange was a standard color. I found this to be his most robust mower in a pretty big collection.
ReplyDeleteMy uncle apparently used this same mower throughout the 50s towing it around town behind his bicycle to earn money mowing lawns. Thanks for posting these pictures. Any idea what material was used for the mating surfaces of the friction drive. I kinda think it was a very hard rubber or even possibly leather. Oddest drive I’ve ever seen but never ever once was it problematic.
I have a and MP company, hurricane junior mower, wondering the value
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