Our Story
Gizmow Inc. was created in 2003 to design, build and market commercial groundcare equipment and is owned by Bert R. Huncilman & Son Inc. Bert R. Huncilman (BRH) was founded in 1913 and although they started out as a boiler repair and tin roof installer, the company has changed its focus significantly over the years. In the mid 1950s, the corporation began fabricating parts for a commercial lawnmower manufacturer in Louisville, Kentucky. This acquaintance spawned relationships with other large groundcare manufacturers and as the knowledge of these products increased, BRH began designing and assembling entire units.
As time went on, Jeff Huncilman, EVP of Bert R. Huncilman and Son, Inc., noticed a problem with the performance of zero-turn mowers on hillsides. Jeff approached his engineering staff and began designing what he hope would become the first zero-turn lawnmower with front wheel steering. After a month of brainstorming, Jeff’s new machine was going nowhere so he decided to drop the project.
A few months later an ex-employee, Mark Bland, met up with Jeff for lunch and was disappointed to learn that BRH were no longer developing their own products for the groundcare market. Jeff mentioned his idea for a zero-turn with a steering wheel and the benefits it could bring, but a solution seemed almost impossible. After lunch, Jeff took Mark to his front garden and demonstrated the handling problems the sloping lawn presented to a typical zero turn mower.
At this point, it should be noted that Mark Bland holds numerous patents and awards and is recognised as a leader in the design and manufacture of commercial groundcare equipment.
Just seventy-two hours after their meeting, Mark contacted Jeff, with the words he was waiting to hear, “I think I’ve got it, you need to come see me.”
Ninety days and over 1000 drawings later, the first prototype front steering commercial zero-turn mower arrived in Jeff’s front garden.
Gizmow Europe
Louisville Expo '04 saw the launch of the Gizmow Formula in the USA. By chance, Chris Gibson, MD of the GGM Group was visiting the show and was amazed to see a zero-turn with a steering wheel! Realising the machine's potential in the European market, Chris began discussions with Jeff Huncilman about the Gizmow's suitability for CE certification and shortly afterwards, Gizmow Europe began to take shape
How does Gizmow work?
The Gizmow is the only ZTR which steers the front wheels. Pressing the forward pedal drives the machine in a straight line with maximum traction and speed control, making easy work of hill sides and soft ground. Turning the wheel regulates the oil flow to the rear drive wheels enabling the machine to move from conventional mode to zero-turn in a progressive manner. Whilst the machine is circling an object the inside tyre continues to rotate, minimising turf tear and allowing the operator to mow at a higher speed. Steering the front castors gives unprecedented hillside performance.
What about the name?
When Mark was creating the drawings for the mower, the title on the drawings was left blank. Jeff asked Mark to give the company a name so it would not be confused with other drawings in the system.
"What do you want to name it?" Mark asked.
"Name it gizmo, or widget, or anything until we can choose a proper name!" Jeff replied.
Mark added the W to Gizmo and the application for t
