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Wolseley merry Tiller rotovator. 3 HP briggs and S. Wolseley merry Tiller rotovator. Was working fine two years ago, then went to use it this year and it won't start. Some of the original paint has flaked off (see photos) but this only cosmetic. Rotavator Spares. The Sparex range has expanded considerably since the brand was acquired by AGCO (Massey Ferguson, Fendt etc). This range has parts suitable for a huge number of tractor makes and agricultural machinery manufacturers including Maschio, Howard, Dowdeswell and Sovema.
March 9, 2020 in Articles
This months meanderings is generally about one particular manufacturer, but also crosses the paths of Farmfitters, Kubota, Countax, Husqvarna and Wheel Horse. Initially taking us into the 1960’s on a short trip abroad and then a trip back over to the UK all thanks to Google Earth and Street View. However, having researched this I think I need a real holiday. This article is also partly about looking up places on Earth and Street View and seeing if the location of your machines manufacture is still there. Suprisingly many factories still exist, we have found five relating to one company and they exist on Google Earth, read on to find out more….
An article from 1969 informs us that a new but small enterprise had just been established alongside the King Baudouin Motorway in Belgium and one of the two parties involved was Norsk Lettmetall of Askin, Norway. This new setup (that is at this location) which was employing about 100 people was ‘to assemble lawn-mowers, light agricultural tractors and similar machines’, in fact their trade is listed as ‘Lawn & Garden Tractors & Attaching Tools’. Even more impressive is that Crown Prince Harald and Crown Princess Sonja of Norway participated in the inauguration of this new factory (source).
Who would work out of a factory like this? ((C)2020 Google)
Any idea which manufacturer this small enterprise could be, busy working in the factory as in the picture? It’s a little bit of a trick question as there’s more than one company name associated with this factory. To start it is Amnor with this location being in Oevel, Belgium. One reason you may know this is as an outpost for the American Wheel Horse tractors and equipment with many UK Wheel Horse machines having the ‘Amnor NV B-2431 Oevel, Belgium’ identification attached to them. But there is another important name here….
The main company involved was Norsk Lettmetall, shortened this gives us the name Norlett which we’ve seen on countless machines in the UK. Amongst other machines, coming from the same Oevel assembly plant in Belgium some Wheel Horse tractors were badged as Norlett and painted gold. These were Norsk Lettmetall’s ‘Golden Blades’ range of horticultural and domestic gardening equipment. The three ride-on mowers they made out of Wheel Horses were the Scout, Ranger and Commander, all painted gold.
If you have a Norlett machine then the factory pictured above might be where it came from, or it just might not. The reason is that the Norlett group had manufacturing units in England, Belgium, Denmark and Norway.
Norlett Rotavator Manuals
Norlett Versatiller 1000 and a Norlett tiller.
Perhaps, since the Oevel factory was sandwiched between the motorway and with the 25 mile long navigable Albert canal at the back of the factory, maybe many a Norlett or Wheel Horse made it’s way down the waterway (pictured below) to the great port of Antwerp before heading across the sea to this country? Who knows, but it’s an interesting thought!
The navigable waterway, which can handle vessels up to 9000 tons and servicing a highly industrialized area leads through Oevel to Antwerp. Did the factory use this method of transportation? Or did they just use good old lorries and the motorway? ((C)2020 Google)
A few years later in the 1970’s and over in the UK, Norlett had been working out of a factory and distribution point (perhaps one of many) at Stadhampton Road, Great Milton, Oxford. The factory still exists, image below, although the road layout has changed. It is now home to Countax.
The Norlett, Stadhampton Road premises, until 1975. Now occupied by Countax mowers and tractors. ((C)2020 Google)
In 1972 it’s reported that the Norlett Versatiller (tiller, pictured way above), Bushwacker (wheeled grass scythe) and Rapier (lawnmower) models were being assembled by Farmfitters LTD, their address being the above factory in Stadhampton Road before being taken over by Norlett in 1973. Up to 1973 Norlett owned 50% of Farmfitters. (see source 1973).
Norlett Rotavator Manual Free
Gold-painted Norlett Scout, it’s a Wheel Horse in disguise. (Image: VHGMC)
One of the 1975 machines that Norlett was distributing from it’s Stadhampton Road address was the Norlett Scout electric-start rider mower with 5hp Tecumseh engine, pictured right, this became a discontinued model by late 1975 and was not a big seller. The Scout retailed at £299 + vat, was ex-stock and dealers were being sought in some areas to sell this machine. Can we assume that the gold-painted ‘Golden Blades’ ride-on machines were therefore brought in to the Stadhampton Road premises from Oevel in Belgium before distribution or were they assembled at the Stadhampton Road premises? It’s often assumed that they were all built in Oevel in Belgium purely because they have an Oevel label attached. Anyone?
From 1975, bigger works, warehousing and assembly line were required for Norlett. It’s interesting that there is mention of an ‘assembly line’. These new premises were at Dormer Road, Thame, Oxfordshire, which is now home to Kubota, image below. In 1979 they were detailed as being ‘Distribution & assembly of horticultural machinery’ with their company as ‘Norlett (Norway)’. Two years later in 1981 Norlett was again expanding by creating new assembly lines in England (Dormer Road), Belgium, Denmark and Norway and had a total workforce of 340 employees. Lawnmowers were Norlett’s main machine and 90,000 units were being assembled each year across all plants.
Amazingly in 1980 it was reported that an order had been placed with Norlett of Dormer Road, Thame for 3000 rotary lawnmowers worth £250,000 to be exported to France. One thing I have found is that a lot more Norlett machines such as mowers and tillers were actually built in this country rather than being imported, in fact Norlett appeared to be exporting from here!
Amazingly in 1980 it was reported that an order had been placed with Norlett of Dormer Road, Thame for 3000 rotary lawnmowers worth £250,000 to be exported to France. One thing I have found is that a lot more Norlett machines such as mowers and tillers were actually built in this country rather than being imported, in fact Norlett appeared to be exporting from here!
The site of the Norlett factory and distribution depot. Dormer Road, Thame, Oxfordshire. ((C)2020 Google)
Norlett Professional Range Advert. A presumably original design but with input from Yazoo. (Image: VHGMC)
Advertised in 1974 with the Norlett Professional logo as in the image,right, was an out-front mower created with input from Yazoo ZTR mowers.
We also end up with Flymo being involved with Norlett, this is after being acquired by the Electrolux Group in 1981. This created the company of ‘Flymo-Norlett Commercial Products LTD’ in the UK.
This was headed by a Norlett Sales Team and the division formed at Flymo’s Newton Aycliffe, County Durham premises. The image below shows the 1990’s Flymo factory location today which is now Husqvarna, an earlier address gives a factory up the road at Redworth Way.
We also end up with Flymo being involved with Norlett, this is after being acquired by the Electrolux Group in 1981. This created the company of ‘Flymo-Norlett Commercial Products LTD’ in the UK.
This was headed by a Norlett Sales Team and the division formed at Flymo’s Newton Aycliffe, County Durham premises. The image below shows the 1990’s Flymo factory location today which is now Husqvarna, an earlier address gives a factory up the road at Redworth Way.
The 1990s Flymo factory location, now Husqvarna, later incorporating in 1981 Flymo-Norlett Commercial products Ltd with the ‘Professional’ range of equipment. Note there is an earlier location detailed as Redworth Way a short distance away. ((C)2020 Google)
There we have it a trip abroad and then through a few counties to find where Norlett worked from. And all from the comfort of ones own home.
It is surprising how many locations can be found online, either through maps, old photograph or archives. Do you have any images of old factories or locations?
Additional: There’s an advert from Murdochs in ‘The Wicklow People’ May 14, 1960. This advertises newly introduced Norlett Rotary mowers; 2 stoke at £25; 4 stroke at £33. Norlett machines existed in the UK (and Ireland) from at least 1960. Reports state such as ‘tremendous sales’ for the mowers due to them being economical as well as their robust build quality.
Note: Images/media are used for research/illustration purposes for non-profit only with copyright held by respective publishers where and as applicable.
It is surprising how many locations can be found online, either through maps, old photograph or archives. Do you have any images of old factories or locations?
Additional: There’s an advert from Murdochs in ‘The Wicklow People’ May 14, 1960. This advertises newly introduced Norlett Rotary mowers; 2 stoke at £25; 4 stroke at £33. Norlett machines existed in the UK (and Ireland) from at least 1960. Reports state such as ‘tremendous sales’ for the mowers due to them being economical as well as their robust build quality.
Note: Images/media are used for research/illustration purposes for non-profit only with copyright held by respective publishers where and as applicable.
What does a rotavator do?
A rotavator also called a cultivator or tiller is a machine that breaks up, stirs, churns, and aerates the soil before planting to ensure a balanced seedbed. It can also be used to kill weeds by uprooting them. For instance, rotavating an allotment, field, vegetable path, or garden will bury leaves from a weed to disturb its ability to make energy through photosynthesis so that it is practically dead.
Furthermore, rotavating warms the soil to promote plant growth and clears up the area to expose insects to birds.
Other things rotavators are useful for include:
- Digging unused land ready for cultivation
- Digging space for fruit trees
- Digging trenches for potatoes
- Ploughing/tilling the plot to turn over the soil
- Cultivation of the ground by getting rid of weeds on the surface
- Mixing mulches into the soil to fertilise it.
What is the difference between a rotavator, cultivator, and garden tiller?
When assessing the different types of rotavators, you will come across terms such as rotavator, cultivator, or garden tiller. Essentially, all three terms are the same and refer to a machine that mechanises the process for crops to be planted into, churn the soil to increase water, add nutrients to the soil, to control weeds, and to warm the soil before planting. Adobe lightroom 6 mac serial number.
Nowadays, large agricultural commercial cultivating tasks are performed by tractors that are equipped with hydraulic wings, but for the purposes of this article, we will only discuss rotavators that are made for the gardener who handles small to medium tillage jobs.
The main difference between cultivators and rotavators lies in their tine blade positioning.
More affordable, smaller rotavators are called cultivators because their front-tine is slightly smaller and is located in the front. The tines which dig into the soil propel the cultivator forward.
Higher end models have tines located at the rear side mounted behind the drive wheels. The engine on these rotavtors is mounted on the front of the machine which gives the machine better control and traction. Because of their wheel, they are easier to handle and work more smoothly than front-tine cultivators. These models are best for maintaining larger gardens.
Best rotavators for sale
When purchasing, keep these buying criteria in mind:
- Avoid buying second-hand rotavators because minor damage can pose serious health risks. Making an extra 10% investment can ensure you have a solid product that will last for years
- Choose a rotavator size depending on how often you use it and the size of your garden or allotment
- Make sure your cultivator has a good engine that has at least 3.5 BHP (brake horsepower).
- Check to make sure if there are extra accessories that are available to purchase because added accessories can transform you rotavator into a machine that can handle far more other tasks.
- Read product reviews
Here is a list of the best rotavators for sale analysed by Weedicide.:
Best Manual Rotavator
Wolf Garten Multi Change Soil Miller
If you do not find a machine cultivator suitable for your garden related tilling tasks, then you may be interested in using a manual rotavator. The manual rotavator is the Wolf-Garten multi-change soil miller. It has a 10-year guarantee and is manufactured with cold-rolled steel with a silver finish.
Many small allotment owners have used this product and have garnered close to 150 5 star review on Amazon.co.uk.
The Wolf Garten Multi Change Soil Miller has an oscillating hoe at the rear and sharp tines to cut through soil effectively. It not only breaks up the soil, but it also mixes it to get a nice blend of nutrients. One thing you need to take a note of is that this Wolf-Garten manual tiller requires you to purchase the handle separately which costs about 10 GBP.
Best Electric rotavator
VonHaus Electronic 1050W Cultivator
This garden tiller is equipped with four strong blades and can turn soil up to 22cm in depth. It is a very easy to use machine suitable for small to medium sized gardens or allotments. It extended 10-metre power cord allows give you a farther reach. It includes a 2-year warranty.
Vonhaus electric rotavator has a full control ergonomic grip and an overload protection system that prevents you from damaging the tiller.
Best Petrol Rotavator
Hyundai HYT140 4-Stroke Petrol Garden Tiller & Cultivator
The Hyundai HYT140 is a top of the line petrol rotavator that has a cutting width of 37 centimetres and is suitable for any soil. It is self-propelled with its 4HP 139CC 4-stroke engine with a robust gearbox that drives the four steel blades mounted behind the wheels. It is perfect for garden use where aerating is required before plant cultivation. The product currently ships for free within the UK and is at a discounted price. It includes a 1-year warranty
Best Heavy Duty Rotavator
Titan TP1000 9HP Diesel Tiller
The Titan Pro TP1100B rotavator is a top of the line product suitable for heavy duty gardening tasks. Although it runs on a 9HP diesel engine, it has an entirely electronic starting system. Also, it has a fully adjustable handle which lets you adjust to your height/size. Similarly, it even has adjustable blade tines that can be changed from 8 centimetres to 13 centimetres
This a heavy-duty rotavator with 3-speed options through a gearbox.
How to use: Instructions
When we are using a rotavator on the soil, it is called tilling. A rotavator helps to break up the soil for planting, and at the same time, you can blend in nutrients for a well-cultivated garden. We’ll show you what you need to start a good planting bed such as evaluating your soil, adding amendments and operating the rotavator. Now, if your planting bed is small, you can use an electric cultivator.
Norlett Rotavator Manual Pdf
- If you are not tilling on bare ground and starting a new garden in turf, you should first remove the sod. Also take some time to remove the weeds or apply a weed killer a couple of weeks before using the rotavator. Use the best brush cutter to clear the area of excess vegetation.
- For existing gardens, pull up any thick weeds but don’t bother with pulling smaller weeds. The tiller will chop them up.
- Make sure you check with your municipality to make sure you are not digging near any utility lines.
- Before you start tilling you will need to evaluate the soil. If the ground is usually wet or has high clay content, you can add sand or gypsum. This helps to stir and allow moisture and nutrients to travel through the soil. You can test the soil for other conditions with a soil testing kit that will check things such as pH levels, and nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium content
- If the soil test gives a low pH reading, the soil is acidic. Add lime or wood ash to balance it. If the test reveals a high pH reading, the soil is alkaline. To balance it, add some peat moss, composted leaves, or sawdust.
- After you have added the amendments, it’s time to mix them into the soil with a rotavator. It will blend organic material deep into the earth where it is needed the most. The optimal time to till is a day or two after it rains, so the soil is somewhat dry.
- Get your rotavator and set the depth at a shallow setting if your soil is hard and compacted. If your soil is soft, adjust to a medium setting.
- Start the cultivator after following the manufacturer’s instructions
- Work the tines in slow strips across the garden.
- After you have tilled the entire allotment, adjust the cultivator to its highest setting and make perpendicular passes while walking slowly. Keep tilling until the organic material is mixed thoroughly to a depth of 10 inches.
- Now you need to leave the soil alone for a few days or if possible, several weeks. The materials will begin to decompose and enrich the soil with nutrients.
- Once the land has rested, it is time to till it again to aerate it to make sure the nutrients are well-mixed. Therefore, adjust the rotavator to medium setting and make passes across the garden. By now the soil will be loose, soft, and adequately textured, ideal for planting.
Conclusion
Norlett Rotavator Manual
Rotavators can help your garden or allotment when it is in need of soil therapy. The tilling effects of a cultivator are appreciated gardeners see their effort pay off in the form of positive plant growth. The right rotavator can be a great investment not only for yourself but your garden where a thriving ecosystem has the potential to exist. Remember to follow all safety precautions outlined in your rotavator’s user manual. All things considered, rotavators continue to be helpful machines used to ensure soil quality.