This Strange Machine
is a Mower for cutting Reeds and Other Water Plants in or under lakes and Rivers etc.

It was made in England by Rolba Ltd (part of a Swedish Company who make road gritting and snow clearing machinery) of East Grinstead, Sussex in 1972; I found it in a scrap yard about 1983, all in pieces and in very poor condition. As I had never seen anything like it before, I found it quite a "Jigsaw Puzzle" to assemble. There were a few parts missing which didn't help either! About twelve years ago I had it sand-blasted and re-painted it.
I cut the reeds around the entrance to St Mogue's Island and at the Council Boat House every year or two. Last Wednesday I spent about Two hours opening the Pass from the Boathouse, and the entrance to the Jetty at the Island. As you may notice I have not done any special cleaning for this show, it is now as it was when it came out of the water on Wednesday.
You may note that the whole front Finger bar assembly tilts back for Road transport and raises and lowers for cutting at different depths. It can also incline for river-bank mowing. The rudder also folds back for working in shallow water.

3rd August 2003