In 1965, a prototype 36in cylinder mower was built and tested by horticultural engineer, Reg Allett. A year later, he manufactured and sold the very first production Allett mower.

Known as the Allett 36in Mark 1, the mower featured a 29hp water-cooled, four cylinder petrol engine and gearbox from a Reliant three-wheeler car.

Not surprisingly, the new Allett mower generated a huge amount of interest both from prospective customers and the media. Not only was it powerful, smooth running and quiet, but it sold at the same price as the other machines standing in the showroom of the lawnmower sales and service business established by Reg Allett in Stamford, Lincolnshire in 1952.

Within a very short time, the Allett 36in had become the professional groundsman’s mower of choice. Purpose-designed for maintaining sports fields, Allett mowers could be seen in action by the late 1960s at all of England’s Test Match venues and many county cricket grounds as well as major football clubs and sports stadiums throughout the United Kingdom, Ireland and continental Europe.

Over the next 10 to 15 years, the original Allett mower evolved into a range of high quality cylinder-type machines with cutting widths of 20in, 24in, 30in and 36in.

In late 1986, an Allett rotary mower was produced together with a new 30in cylinder model, both aimed at the local authority verge maintenance market for which they proved very successful.

Other new machines soon followed with the original 20in and 24in cylinder mowers being developed into the current Shaver and Tournament models for mowing finer turf areas such as cricket wickets, bowling greens and golf greens. Next came the Buffalo range in 20in, 24in and 27in cutting widths designed primarily for contractors and others with a variety of grass lengths and conditions to maintain.

In 1994, Allett Mowers was sold to Scottish firm, Reekie Engineering, and mower production moved to Arbroath in 1995.

Sadly, Reg Allett passed away that year but the Allett family involvement with the company remained in the shape of Roy and David Allett, both of whom had been with the company since they left school. In fact, Roy had joined the business in 1965, the year that his father had produced the original Allett prototype cylinder mower.

Allett mower development continued under its new owners marked by a number of notable introductions including the 34in Buffalo and improved versions of the 36in and 42in Regal mowers.

Today, Allett Mowers is proud to be part of the Turfmech group of companies following the acquisition by Turfmech of Allett’s assets, trademarks and main product range in August 2007.

Design, development and production of the entire Allett machinery range is now concentrated at Turfmech’s manufacturing centre in Hixon, Staffordshire. Although David Allett is no longer with the business, Roy is helping maintain the established Allett traditions from the position of product consultant, based at his home office in Scotland.

Although the Allett product range has been streamlined since it joined the Turfmech stable (see PRODUCTS), the line-up continues to represent the very best in British design and engineering.

Renowned for their robust build quality, uncomplicated design and ease of use, Allett continues to set the standard for walk-behind cylinder mowers designed to produce a superb finish on all regularly-maintained grass surfaces from the finest golf and bowling greens to sportsfields and stadiums, public parks and gardens, amenity areas and ornamental lawns.

We will be delighted to demonstrate how an Allett mower could be the best choice for your grass. Simply complete and return the form on the CONTACT US page.