In a corner of one of my sheds is a machine which I keep as a rusting reminder of the fallibility of professional engineers and designers. What my object demonstrates is that failure as well as success has changed the way we do things. For me the Allen Scythe is quite simply the worst horticultural machine ever made. OK, a quarter of a million of them were sold between 1935 and 1973 but that just goes to prove that one is born every minute.
I can, of course, feel the vibes already. In the furthest corners of the land men with missing fingers and dodgy backs are muttering and attempting to leap from their bed of pain to the Allen Scythe's defence. Like the Reliant Robin and the earth closet it has its aficionados. But you wouldn't want to let your daughter marry one.
Eric Robson's Allen Scythe
Contributed by Gardeners Question Time
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Comments
I'll give the Allen scythe a defence! The machine is primitive, but will start easily when properly maintained. It cuts long dry grass well, but will struggle with damp grass over about six inches. On the downside, the noise and vibration are terrible, and it does have a habit of running away (especially if you don't oil the clutch mechanism - back to the properly maintained bit). The Villiers two stroke engine needs a little careful consideration - if you follow the instructions in the book, it will last for decades, if you don't, you will curse it forever more! How do I know this? I've just cut two acres of long grass with an Allen scythe purchased in 1945 for the very job it is still performing admirably over 60 years later!
As demonstrated on "Wartime Farm"; it seemed to cut and start ok, but tried to runaway with the operator who was dodging gravestones in a cemetery- they were trying to use previously unharvested ground to harvest hay!