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Lawn mower

technology Maturity 7-9 Next article →

A lawn mower is a mechanical device used to maintain grass at a uniform height.

Pushmower1
Pushmower1

These machines are essential for managing gardens, residential lawns, and large public spaces. By using revolving blades or a reel, mowers transform uneven turf into a smooth surface. Operators can often adjust the cutting height using a master lever or by changing the wheel positions. This ability to control the cut allows for different styles of lawn care. Modern mowers range from small manual tools to advanced autonomous robots.

Robomow 110 City 2012-06-05
Robomow 110 City 2012-06-05

There are two primary mechanical methods used to cut grass. The first is the rotary mower, which uses a single blade rotating around a vertical axis. This design became popular once engines were small and powerful enough to spin blades at high speeds. The second type is the cylinder mower, also known as a reel mower.

ReelMower
ReelMower

This machine features a fast-spinning reel of blades that move past a fixed, horizontal cutting bar. The blades on the reel are shaped like a helix, or a spiral, around the central axis. This mechanism functions much like a pair of scissors to create a very clean cut. Because the cut is so precise, the grass can heal more quickly and resist disease or weeds.

Walzenmäher 002
Walzenmäher 002

Lawn mowers are categorized by their size and how they are powered. Small, non-powered push mowers are ideal for tiny residential gardens. Larger residential lawns might require electric or piston engine-powered push mowers. For massive areas, ride-on mowers allow the operator to sit while they work.

John Deere lawn mower
John Deere lawn mower

Some commercial models are called zero-turn mowers, designed for high speed and agility. The largest machines are multi-gang mowers, which use multiple sets of blades at once. These are mounted on tractors to cover huge expanses like golf courses or municipal parks.

TORO Z Master Commercial Zero-Turn Riders mower at Construct Expo Utilaje 2010
TORO Z Master Commercial Zero-Turn Riders mower at Construct Expo Utilaje 2010

The history of the lawn mower began in 1830 in Stroud, England. Edwin Beard Budding invented the first machine to provide a better alternative to the manual scythe.

ReelMower
ReelMower

His original design was made of wrought iron and required a person to push it from behind. It used cast-iron gear wheels to transmit power from a rear roller to the cutting cylinder. This specific machine had a gear ratio of 16:1. Budding's invention was a catalyst for modern sports. It helped lead to the creation of organized rules for football, lawn tennis, and lawn bowls.

Innovation continued throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. In the 1850s, Thomas Green & Son introduced the Silens Messor, which used a chain drive to be quieter and lighter. James Sumner patented the first steam-powered mower in 1893. These machines were very heavy and required several hours to reach operating pressure. By 1902, Ransomes produced the first gasoline-powered mower.

Ransomes00
Ransomes00

In the United States, the Ideal Power Mower Co. manufactured gasoline mowers in 1914. They also introduced the "Triplex" in 1922, which was the first self-propelled riding lawn tractor.

In Australia, the mower became a cultural icon through the company Victa. Mervyn Victor Richardson built his first model from scrap in his garage.

SLNSW 8483 The horsedrawn mower makes a vignette of a player putting
SLNSW 8483 The horsedrawn mower makes a vignette of a player putting

His company, Victa Mowers Pty Ltd, was incorporated in 1953 after his successful launch in 1952. By 1958, the company had grown enough to move to much larger premises. They eventually began designing and manufacturing their own specialized engines. This move helped them move away from using general-purpose engines from outside suppliers.

Today, the technology behind grass cutting connects to many different engineering fields. We see the evolution from manual gears to internal combustion engines and even electric motors. Some modern versions, like the Flymo hover mower introduced in 1964, use an air cushion based on the hovercraft principle. Robotic mowers now use battery power to operate autonomously.

Robomow 110 City 2012-06-05
Robomow 110 City 2012-06-05

From Budding's iron frame to modern robotics, the goal remains the same: maintaining a healthy, even landscape.

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🖼️ Images & Media (14)
File:Lawn Mowing DVIDS119604.jpg
Lawn Mowing DVIDS119604.jpg
File:John Deere lawn mower.JPG
John Deere lawn mower.JPG
File:Robomow 110 City 2012-06-05.jpg
Robomow 110 City 2012-06-05.jpg
File:TORO Z Master Commercial Zero-Turn Riders mower at Construct Expo Utilaje 2010.JPG
TORO Z Master Commercial Zero-Turn Riders...
File:ReelMower.png
ReelMower.png
File:SLNSW 8483 The horsedrawn mower makes a vignette of a player putting.jpg
SLNSW 8483 The horsedrawn mower makes a...
File:Ransomes00.gif
Ransomes00.gif
File:Bundesarchiv Bild 102-09651, Elektrische Grasmähmaschine.jpg
Bundesarchiv Bild 102-09651, Elektrische...
File:Pushmower1.JPG
Pushmower1.JPG
File:Walzenmäher 002.jpg
Walzenmäher 002.jpg
File:Electric mower underside.jpg
Electric mower underside.jpg
File:Kosoř, silnice od rozcestí, traktor se sekačkou.jpg
Kosoř, silnice od rozcestí, traktor se...

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