REO Motors

by Joy of Mowing | Nov 2, 2022

History

The name REO originated from the initials of a man named Ransom Eli Olds, who was involved in many enterprises in and around Lansing, Michigan. He founded the Olds Motor Works and Reo Motors. REO began producing mowers in 1946 with a 17-inch push-type mower and 21-inch engine-powered reel-type mower. Clinton and Briggs & Stratton engines were used until 1949, when the company came out with its own engine, a cast-iron engine with the cylinder head slanted 45 degrees. In a dramatic departure from most other small engines, the REO’s flywheel rotated counter-clockwise.

FUN FACT: Reo also made an item called the Trollabout, which was made for installation in a rowboat. The standard Reo mower engine was mounted on a slightly tilted platform inside the boat, and a power shaft went through the bottom of the boat to drive an aluminum prop – the common man’s inboard-outboard

Sources: reolawnmower, Farm Collector

For more old, vintage, classic mower brand history, check out this page.

Years Manufactured

1946 – approx. 1965

In September, 1954 Reo sold their lawn mower division to Motor Wheel Corporation of Lansing. 1963 Motor Wheel Corporation sold their entire Reo line to Wheel Horse Products in South Bend, Indiana. Wheel Horse continued the Reo line for several years, selling a riding lawn mower, snow blower, and some rotary mowers with the Reo name, then the Reo name was dropped from their line.