POWERHOUSE COLLECTION

The 7 millionth Victa mower

Object No. 2005/75/2

This 'Tornado' lawn mower is the 7 millionth lawn mower produced by the Victa company since in began manufacturing lawn mowers in 1952. It was presented to the Museum as part of a celebratory event for Victa staff and media at the Victa assembly plant in Moorebank, NSW, on 17th November 2004. It is one of a series of new products in the redesigned Victa product range. It represents a contemporary redesign of an iconic Australian product. By redesigning its mower range Victa aimed to reinvigorate its image as an innovative company leading in the lawn care industry. The new design features an improved cutting system and a more ergonomic handle. Enhanced handling and a larger cutting diameter reduce the time and effort required by users when mowing. The mower was designed to improve the efficiency of manufacture and assembly. The 'Tornado' lawn mower is a contemporary example of lawn care technology. The Victa lawn mower and the system of lawns and horticulture of which it is part are facing some social and environmental challenges. Restrictions on water use and government policies of urban consolidation are putting pressure on the very survival of lawns. The 'Tornado' is fitted with a mulching disc which allows the lawn clippings to be returned to the grass, fertilising the lawn and reducing the need for watering. Increasing concern about air pollution has led to the emissions of small engines, including lawn mower engines, to be investigated. In 2004 the NSW Government is investigating measures to encourage the adoption of less polluting small engines by influencing manufacturers and importers to supply cleaner products and informing and influencing consumers to purchase cleaner small engines. Victa plans to develop new two-stroke engine technology in response to emission reduction targets being developed by the NSW Environmental Protection Authority. Thus the technology used in the 'Tornado' may represent the last range of Victa mowers that do not specifically address emission reduction in their design and marketing.

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Summary

Object Statement

Victa 'Tornado Edge Multch or Catch' lawnmower, catcher and rear ejector chute in cardboard box, with Victa SX160 two-stroke petrol engine, 7 millionth Victa mower made, steel / plastic / rubber, designed by Mark Armstrong, Henri Spaile, Martin Handley from Blue Sky Creative and Paul Tonitto, Dominic Tamas, Patrick Doyle from Victa Lawncare, 2003-2004, made by Victa Lawncare Pty Ltd, Moorebank, New South Wales, Australia, 17th November 2004

Physical Description

Victa 'Tornado' lawnmower, catcher and rear ejector chute in cardboard box, with two-stroke petro engine, 7 millionth Victa mower made, steel / plastic / rubber, designed by Mark Armstrong, Henri Spaile, Martin Handley from Blue Sky Creative and Paul Tonitto, Dominic Tamas, Patrick Doyle from Victa Lawncare, 2003-2004, made by Victa Lawncare Pty Ltd, Moorebank, New South Wales, Australia, 17th November 2004 Steel chassis powder coated with high gloss silver paint, grey and blue plastic catcher with grey and black trim. 'VICTA Tornado Edge mulch or catch' is printed on a sticker on the front of the chassis. On the rear of the chassis is a small silver plate engraved with 'Victa Mower No 7,000,000 Presented to Powerhouse Museum Sydney November 17, 2004.' 'VICTA' is printed in black on each side of the catcher. The mower is operated by a Victa VSX160 two-stroke petrol engine. The cutting height can be adjusted using the lever control adjacent to the right rear wheel. The user can change the mode of operation from either mulching lawn clippings and returning them into the lawn or catching the lawn clippings in the catcher. The mower uses Victa's patented mulching disc with four cutting blades. The 'Aerogrip' handle is ergonomically designed, and the mower has a 48cm cutting width from edge to edge. The mower is accompanied by spare parts comprising three screws and two nuts. It is also accompanied by a black plastic mulching plug.

PRODUCTION

Notes

The Tornado was designed by Blue Sky Creative in partnership with Victa Lawncare Pty Ltd. The design team consisted of: Mark Armstrong, Henri Spaile, Martin Handley from Blue Sky Creative and Paul Tonitto, Dominic Tamas, Patrick Doyle from Victa Lawncare. Development of the design concept took twelve months and the Tornado was launched in September 2004. This Tornado lawn mower was assembled at the Victa assembly line at Moorebank, NSW, on 17th November 2004. Approximately 90% of the components were manufactured in Australia, including the pressed steel deck which was manufactured by G.A. & L Harrington Pty Ltd.

HISTORY

Notes

This 'Tornado' lawn mower is the 7 millionth lawn mower produced by the Victa company since it began manufacturing lawn mowers in 1952. This lawn mower was assembled during a celebratory event at the Victa assembly line in Moorebank, NSW, on 17th November 2004. At this informal event for the factory workers and media the lawn mower was handed over to the Powerhouse Museum for donation to the collection. The mower has not been used.

SOURCE

Credit Line

Gift of Victa Lawncare, 2004

Acquisition Date

23 February 2005

Copyright for the above image is held by the Powerhouse and may be subject to third-party copyright restrictions. Please submit an Image Licensing Enquiry for information regarding reproduction, copyright and fees. Text is released under Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivative licence.

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