Buzz
Achieving a flawless lawn is within reach with the help of a lawn mower.
RL Productions/Getty ImagesMain Points to Remember
- Lawn mowers have progressed from basic manual reel models to sophisticated rotary and robotic designs to cater to different lawn care requirements.
- Contemporary lawn mowers are equipped with safety mechanisms such as blade brakes and engine shutoff features to prevent mishaps.
- Due to environmental concerns surrounding gas-powered mowers, electric and robotic models have gained popularity for being more energy-efficient and eco-friendly.
In the past, lush green lawns were kept in check by grazing animals like sheep. Today, powerful tractors, robots, and even hovercrafts manage them, yet most of them share one thing in common — a rotating blade driven by a motor.
Prior to the mid-20th century, lawn mowers were primarily reel mowers, which featured a cylindrical blade powered solely by the person pushing it. The first reel mower was invented by British engineer Edwin Bunning in 1830, while the first motorized lawn mower with an internal combustion engine appeared in 1902. An electric version followed in 1926.
However, after World War II, a new type of lawn mower was developed, coinciding with the rise of suburban housing and the larger lawns they came with. For these expanded lawns, the push mower was no longer sufficient.
As small engines grew more powerful, a new kind of lawn mower became popular, one that could cut wider and longer strips of grass. Unlike reel mowers, which cut grass like scissors snip paper, rotary mowers feature a fast-spinning horizontal blade that cuts grass as it comes into contact with it.
The blade is housed within a casing known as the deck, which prevents grass and debris from flying in all directions upon impact. Usually, the deck is mounted on four wheels, with a motor positioned on top and a collection bag attached to gather the cut grass.
A basic rotary mower includes a handlebar that the operator pushes to make it move forward. Self-propelled models feature a transmission that powers the wheels using the motor’s energy. Not everyone wants to walk behind a mower, and some have lawns so large they need something more powerful with a larger cutting area. For them, the riding lawn mower is the ideal solution for lawn maintenance.
For something a bit more unconventional, you can find hovercraft lawn mowers that glide on a cushion of air instead of using wheels, or robotic lawn mowers that operate without any human intervention.
Regardless of their type, all of these mowers require the same basic components to function properly: a motor, a rotating blade, a method of moving around, and a way to dispose of the grass clippings. In this article, we'll explore each of these systems and uncover what’s needed to maintain a neat yard.
Rotary Lawn Mowers
No matter the size or complexity, every rotary lawn mower requires a motor to spin the blade at high speeds, ensuring the grass is cut smoothly and cleanly.
Most rotary lawn mowers are powered by an internal combustion engine, either two-cycle or four-cycle. Two-cycle engines burn a mix of gasoline and oil, while four-cycle engines burn gasoline and have a separate lubrication system. However, mowers with electric motors, which can be powered by cords, rechargeable batteries, or even solar energy, are also widely used.
The motor is connected to a throttle, typically found on the handlebar, which regulates the fuel flow to the engine. To ensure safety, the motor cuts off automatically if the throttle is released. Some rotary lawn mowers even allow you to adjust the motor's speed using the throttle.
The motor drives a vertical axle that spins a large blade, usually made from a single piece of steel, which is suspended a few inches above the ground. This blade rotates at around 3,000 revolutions per minute, cutting grass as it passes over it. The blades may be straight or curved, but it's the tip at each end that performs the cutting action.
Some blades are specifically designed to chop grass clippings into small pieces, making them suitable for mulching. The deck of a mulching mower is built to trap the clippings until the blade can shred them. Regardless of whether the clippings are mulched, they are either collected in a side- or rear-mounted bag, or they are returned to the ground.
Some mowers are labeled 2-in-1 mowers, as they offer the flexibility to be used for mulching or bagging the clippings. A 3-in-1 mower gives even more options, allowing for bagging, mulching, or side-discharge of the clippings.
In a self-propelled mower, the motor drives a shaft that is connected to a belt or chain, which then transfers the power to a gearbox attached to an axle. This makes the mower's wheels spin, moving the mower forward.
Those are the fundamentals. Now, let's explore how the evolution of rotary lawn mowers has given rise to a more powerful breed — the riding mower.
Two-cycle engines are commonly used in lawn tools like trimmers, while four-cycle engines are the standard for lawn mowers. Two-cycle engines are affordable, simple, and provide more power relative to their size than four-cycle engines. They also perform well when held at various angles, which is essential for handheld lawn equipment.
However, four-cycle engines offer greater torque for their size, helping to power through taller grass without slowing down the blade. They are also more fuel-efficient, burn less oil, and produce fewer emissions than two-cycle engines.
Riding Mowers
For small, flat lawns of about a quarter-acre, a push rotary lawn mower will do the trick. For sloped lawns up to half an acre, a self-propelled walk-behind mower is the right choice. However, for lawns larger than half an acre, a riding mower can make the task significantly easier.
Riding mowers are available in various sizes and configurations, with engines of differing horsepower and blade sizes. On the smaller side, a riding mower with an engine around 14 horsepower, capable of cutting up to an acre, can start at approximately $1,000.
For expansive lawns, a garden tractor is a heavy-duty version of a riding mower capable of pulling attachments to plow, disc, or till a garden, in addition to cutting grass. With an 18 to 24 horsepower engine, garden tractors can range from $2,500 to $4,500, with high-end models reaching up to $9,000. Lawns spanning 5 acres or more may require a full-size farm tractor to tow a mowing unit.
Another variation of the riding lawn mower is the zero-radius mower. Favored by commercial landscapers and professional lawn care services, these mowers use four-wheel steering to maneuver around trees and other obstacles with precision.
Operating a riding mower is akin to driving a regular motor vehicle. The operator rides atop the mower’s deck, guiding it along. Some models feature pedals for acceleration and braking, along with a steering wheel, while others use levers to control the throttle and steering.
The engine powers both the wheels and the blade, much like a walk-behind self-propelled mower. However, unlike direct axle connections, most riding mowers have the blade powered via a belt linked to the engine. In addition to other controls, the operator can adjust the blade's height, speed, and intensity.
Before purchasing a riding mower, carefully consider its intended use. While most walk-behind rotary mowers cost under $500, entry-level riding mowers start at around $1,000 and can quickly escalate in price from there.
Operating a lawn mower comes with additional costs. In the next section, we will explore the safety concerns and maintenance requirements that are part of maintaining a well-kept lawn.
Ever curious about speed, people in the U.S. have been racing riding lawn mowers since 1992. Every year, 20 races are held nationwide under the United States Lawn Mower Racing Association, where mowers chase each other around a track. To boost performance, racers remove blades and fine-tune everything from motors to suspensions. However, the sport started in England back in 1973.
In the U.S., competitors must wear helmets and safety gear, and participants must be at least 18 years old, unless they’re in the junior league for 10-15-year-olds. The mowers used must be commercially available self-propelled models, modified only for racing while still maintaining their original functionality.
Lawn Mower Safety and Maintenance
Each year, 75,000 people in the U.S. are injured while mowing their lawns. Around 10,000 of those injured are children [source: University of Michigan]. The majority of these injuries occur when rocks and debris are launched into the air, striking unprotected faces and legs.
Another 22% of these injuries involve the hands, fingers, and arms, typically occurring when people interact with a mower blade that is still spinning. The most severe accidents tend to involve riding mowers, which combine speed, weight, and power into a potentially hazardous combination.
To prevent injuries to children, a few simple safety precautions should be followed. First, ensure that children are not in the vicinity of a running lawn mower, whether it is a push mower or a riding model. Second, children under the age of 16 should never operate a riding mower, and they should not ride as passengers either.
Before starting a lawn mower, it's essential to check the area for loose objects such as sticks, stones, and other debris. For added safety, always wear long pants and closed shoes while mowing. Some experts suggest wearing steel-toed work boots and safety goggles for extra protection.
To avoid injury, always ensure that the engine and blade are completely stopped before making any adjustments or inserting your hands or tools into the mower.
Finally, keeping your lawn mower in optimal working condition not only ensures safety but also saves money by prolonging the life of the machine. Here are some key maintenance tips:
- Keep the mower clean. After each use, remove any debris from the engine screen and clean the mower deck. Replace air filters after every 25 hours of use, change the oil every 50 hours, and replace spark plugs after 100 hours.
- Use the proper fuel. Always use fresh gasoline, and ensure you use two-cycle gas for a two-cycle engine and four-cycle gas for a four-cycle engine.
- Maintain the blade. Check that the blade is securely fastened, keep the cutting edges sharp, and ensure the blade is properly balanced.
Impact of Mowing on the Environment
Gas-powered mowers lack the same pollution control systems as cars, and according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), one of these mowers can produce as much air pollution in a single year as 43 new cars driving 12,000 miles each [source: Environmental Protection Agency].
While electric lawn mowers don't emit pollutants directly, the electricity used to power them is often generated from fossil fuels burned in power plants. Solar-powered electric mowers don’t require external electricity but are limited in how long they can run per charge. For those concerned about the environment but on a budget, push reel mowers—powered solely by the person pushing them—are the eco-friendly and more affordable option compared to solar-powered mowers.
At the other end of the spectrum, two-cycle gas lawn mowers are inefficient, releasing 25-30 percent of their oil and gas mixture unburned into the air [source: People Powered Machines]. Four-cycle lawn mowers are more fuel-efficient but still produce pollutants like hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide, and other emissions that contribute to global climate change.
Mulching mowers are a more environmentally friendly option because their blades chop the grass into fine pieces that break down quickly, releasing important nutrients back into the soil. This process reduces the need for additional fertilizers and helps decrease the amount of yard waste in landfills. Alternatively, bagged grass clippings can be diverted to municipal composting sites instead of being thrown away.
Another factor to consider is the impact a rotary mower has on the grass it cuts. Reel mowers use a scissor-like motion that helps grass retain moisture, whereas rotary mowers can tear the grass if the blade isn't sharp. This tearing effect makes the grass more vulnerable to disease.
What about the latest lawnmower technologies? Have there been any significant innovations in recent years?
Technological Advances in Mowing
Robotic lawn mowers might just be the ones trimming the grass at your local golf course.
Medioimages/Photodisc/Getty ImagesRecent developments in rotary lawn mowers have brought significant improvements, particularly when it comes to safety features.
Modern mowers are equipped with a blade brake control on the handlebar that halts the blade if the operator lets go of the control, or a kill switch that completely shuts off the motor. Additionally, they come with a foot shield at the rear to keep debris from being thrown out and to protect feet or other objects from entering the blade area. Riding mowers feature safety mechanisms that turn off the engine if the mower tips over, and commercial models are now commonly outfitted with roll bars to prevent the operator from being crushed or pinned.
Riding mowers are also available with a variety of luxury features, such as automatic transmissions, adjustable seats, cruise control, stereo systems, and even cup holders for your beverages.
Many riding mowers can be equipped with attachments that enable them to perform multiple tasks, such as plowing snow, tilling the soil, spreading fertilizer, and more, turning them into versatile machines.
Walk-behind mowers offer plenty of options as well. Newer models feature large rear wheels that make turning easier, and some come with push-button electric starters that eliminate the hassle of pulling a recoil line to start the mower.
The latest innovation in lawn care isn't about adding features, but removing the need for an operator altogether. Robotic lawn mowers are now available to take care of your lawn while you relax on your hammock with a refreshing drink. Most of these mowers run on rechargeable, cordless batteries, with some models even using solar power, so you can feel eco-friendly while enjoying your downtime.
A number of futuristic lawn care solutions are already a reality today, simplifying the task of keeping your lawn neat and green. Robots can already mow your lawn, and in the near future, larger, more powerful robotic mowers could be used for large-scale tasks like mowing fields or maintaining golf courses, bringing convenience to commercial landscaping.
These futuristic mowers could run on solar-powered electricity, should the technology advance. Alternatively, they may operate using biodiesel or hydrogen fuel cell technology, which are currently being developed for such applications.
