Lawn mower is a machine that trims grass to an even length. Lawn mowers vary from simple, hand-powered devices to large, gasoline-powered riding vehicles.
Types.
The simplest type of lawn mower is called a reel-type mower. A single person pushes this type of mower using a long handle. The mower’s wheels are connected to gears that spin a horizontal reel with sharpened blades. As the wheels rotate, the blades spin around and slide over a fixed bar, chopping off the tops of grass blades much as scissors would.
Engine-powered rotary mowers spin a horizontal blade just above the ground. They may leave the cut grass on the ground or collect it in a bag attached to the mower. Some rotary mowers have engines that also power the wheels, making them easier to push. Many rotary mowers have gasoline-powered internal combustion engines. These mowers are commonly started with a pull cord. Other rotary mowers operate by electric power from rechargeable batteries or cords connected to electric outlets.
Ride-on mowers have larger engines than do rotary mowers and a seat for the user. They are used for mowing large lawns, athletic or agricultural fields, golf courses and parks. The largest mowers are pulled by tractors.
History.
For centuries, people cut grass with scythes or kept it short by pasturing animals on it. Until the early 1800’s, only the wealthy could afford to keep evenly cut lawns. In 1830, an English engineer named Edwin Budding patented the reel-type lawn mower. Budding took his inspiration from a fabric trimming machine used in factory. Motorized lawn mowers first appeared in the late 1800’s. By the early 1900’s, gasoline-powered mowers became the most popular type. Concerns involving air pollution have led to the development of cleaner, more efficient engined-powered mowers.
See also Lawn .
