About Lawnmowers

Lawnmowers are machines used for cutting grass that are usually hand operated and pushed through a lawn. Normally fueled by gasoline, they are an important tool in gardening and have impacted how we treat our lawns. They have also allowed sports that rely on manicured grass such as tennis, croquet and soccer to grow in popularity. In the United States, more than half of all homeowners possess a lawnmower.

History

In 1827, the lawnmower was invented by an engineer, Edwin Budding, in England. It was first used to care for the grass at the grounds for sporting events and for the gardens of the wealthy. While the first lawnmower was definitely innovative, it was difficult to use, relied on a lot of manpower and wasn't very reliable.

Time Frame

The original lawnmower was a reel mower with a cylindrical base encased with blades that would spin and cut the grass when it was pushed through a lawn. In the 1880s, a steam-powered mower was invented. However, this machine required a lot of power and had a short lifespan. By the early 1930s, the first gas-powered and motor-based lawnmowers were invented and available to the public. In the past decade, riding mowers have begun to see a sharp increase in popularity.

Types

Currently, the most common type of lawnmower in the United States is the gas-powered rotary mower. These machines have a small engine that powers the motors blades and are used for small- and medium-sized lawns. Riding lawnmowers are big mowers which you ride like a golf cart. These are most popular for large lawns and with people who value its easiness of use. The primitive reel mower has decreased in popularity in the U.S. but is still widely used in some Third World countries. New robotic mowers are equipped with sensors that can calculate the area of the lawn. They can operate on their own without any human assistance. This type of lawnmower is still being perfected.

Features

The features of a lawnmower are quite simplistic in nature. Virtually all types of mowers are equipped with chopping blades that cut grass based on an adjustable height limiter. The engine, which is similar to a scaled down car engine, is located underneath a plastic or fiberglass outer shell. Most movers have an attached bag that catches the cut pieces of grass as the mower is being operated. Once full, the bag needs to be emptied.

Identification

John Deere, a United States-based company founded in 1837, is the world's leading lawnmower manufacturer. It is estimated that they sell over 1 million lawnmowers and related equipment per year. Other popular brands of lawnmowers include Ariens, Craftsman, Honda, Remington and White Outdoor. A recent study showed that the average price of a basic lawnmower has been reduced by more than 60% in the last 20 years.

Resources

• Read lawnmower reviews and compare prices.
• Find our more about lawnmowers from Popular Mechanics.