Talk:Lawn mower/Archives/2013

This is an archive of past discussions about Lawn mower. Do not edit the contents of this page. If you wish to start a new discussion or revive an old one, please do so on the current talk page.

Does anyone think that a section should be made on the article page about safety and accidents ?(George-Archer (talk) 15:29, 11 April 2008 (UTC))

Nicely written article but lawnmower already exists. -- Minesweeper 11:39, Oct 18, 2003 (UTC)

I believe the more common term is lawnmower. It may be different overseas, however. Dysprosia 11:53, 18 Oct 2003 (UTC)

Which came first, the lawn based sports or the lawns to play them on? Surely the sports mentioned all post-date the lawn mower. Mintguy 12:18, 18 Oct 2003 (UTC)

Hmmm, good point. This part was from the merged text, so I can't say. What I DO know is that in my experience Rugby (at least as practiced by British schools) does not require a smooth, flat, soft surface - it appears to require a freezing cold, waterlogged, muddy field covered with divots. Grass optional. Or was that just our sadistic PE teacher? ;-) GRAHAMUK 12:31, 18 Oct 2003 (UTC)

Here's my lawnmower (well not that actual one, but I've got the same model [1])quercus robur 12:33, 18 Oct 2003 (UTC)

The person who does the tours at Wilton carpet factory claims the first lawnmowers were an adaptation of a machine used there to finish carpets in the early 1800s. Anyone prove or disprove? --BozMo 19:53, 10 May 2004 (UTC)

Yes, well, sort of! In fact Edwin Budding was an ancestor of mine on my Grandmother's side (and also invented the adjustable spanner). If you look at the Edwin Budding page you'll see (and I quote):

"He got the idea after seeing a machine in a local cloth mill which used a cutting cylinder (or bladed reel) mounted on a bench to trim cloth to make a smoothie finish after weaving. Budding realised that a similar concept would enable the cutting of grass if the mechanism could be mounted in a wheeled frame to make the blades rotate close to the lawn's surface."

This is similar to a story told within our family - although this is the first time I've heard Wilton carpets mentioned, it was apparently in a cloth mill in or near Stroud that Edwin Budding first saw the rotary cutter. I realise that that's hardly conclusive proof but wanted to add my pennyworth! Andywebby (talk) 15:28, 30 June 2008 (UTC)

I think it was important to add Merv Victor Richardson name as the inventor of the Rotary Mower as he really did revoloutionise mowing especially in Australia. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Nengli02 (talk • contribs) 03:39, May 10, 2005 (UTC)

I recently bought a mulching mower (Lawnboy 10545) and I was surprised to see that it uses more of a "fan" than a "blade" to circulate the clippings for the normal-looking blade to chop up. I was surprised because I always heard it referred to a as mulching "blade", but there are no sharp edges, so to me it's a fan. I almost changed the article but I held off because I never heard it referred to as a fan, so something is amiss. Are there any opinions? I'll try a Google test when I get some more time, but for now I just wanted to put this out for comment. I can't really see on the picture if that's a normal blade and the round thing is a fan, or if the blade is actually double-edged - it's in the shadows. But I know my mower definitely uses a fan. Spalding 21:51, May 9, 2005 (UTC)

Most mowers only have a mulching blade: the same blade that cuts has a modified shape to keep the clippings circulating under the mower until they're all chopped up. Apparently Lawnboy as a "fan" in addition to the the blade. I've never seen a fan and I'm curious so can you write it up? The closest description I found is at [2]. Thanks! Samw 00:23, 10 May 2005 (UTC)

Some Lawnboys supposedly achieve mulchng with a small fan attached to the blade. People bring these to me to sharpen, but I don't think they were sharp when new. To some extent mulching blades mulch by creating turbulence that causes cut blades of grass to be re-cut before discharge. This, however, may disrupt the flow of air under the deck that causes the blades to stand up and be cut evenly. I like the "Gator" blades that seem to combine a smooth air flow with the gator tail that shreds the cuttings.M dorothy 05:38, 27 August 2006 (UTC)

this article is missing stuff. lawn mowers are like cars in a way they all have manufacturers but most Manufactureerer's info isn't even on this sight, Toro, John Deere, Lawn-boy, cub cadet, minniapolis moline, In fact most tracter brands arent even on this web sight. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 199.17.198.220 (talk • contribs) 13:14, November 30, 2005 (UTC)

Good point! My friend has a two-wheeled weedeater to mow his lawn. It is operated by pressing down on the handle to raise the front end up off the ground. It's very similar to a lawnmower, but for the weedline being rotated in front (as opposed to a metal blade being spun about the bottom). The article could be improved if there were some links at the bottom so we could go to the various manufacturers' sites, and review their specifications there. And speaking of Briggs & Stratton mowers, the one I was using stopped mysteriously, and nothing I could do, could get it going again. Is there an easy way to check the spark that the distributor produces, and the compression inside the cylinder?

The guideline Wikipedia:External links advises against listing individual manufacturers, so I've added a link to the appropriate DMOZ category, which might be OK. -- Beland (talk) 17:16, 19 April 2008 (UTC)

I would agree that the article is missing information. I sort of inherited a 26 hp "lawn mower" (6 foot cut), and trying to find any kind of information is difficult in all the noise of the Internet. Most blades are nominally flat, the ones on my mower have 2 bends on each side, with the tip being offset from the spindle by about 1 inch. They are considerably thicker than a normal blade (the Dremel sharpening tool won't work). If one looks at pictures of blades, you seldom see blades like this, I suspect this is due to recycling of pictures. There are at least 2 difference kinds of mulching blades (Gator and Raptor). Blades meant to used in grass collection are called 2/1 (lift and cut), and terms like hi-lift get used. Mulching blades get called 3/1. Some blades have slots or wings on the trailing edge. One manufacturer has a blade with a significant tungsten carbide content, that otherwise looks like other "flat" blades.

Within the topic of not listing individual manufacturers, it seems like the lawn mower industry is worse than the automotive industry. There are fewer manufacturers of parts than there appears to be. My lawn mower is a Ford (now New Holland). It appears to be the same as a Jacobsen, except for minor sheet metal and styling. There are probably more manufacturers of the "tractor" than there are of the "mower deck". Perhaps consolidation of manufacturers is allowed? Fortran (talk) 17:39, 23 August 2008 (UTC)

I have done lawn work for about 40 years, for money and myself. There are a lot of things missing from this article about blade types. http://www.tractorpartmart.com/us/disc-mower-parts-c27.html shows cutting tips used on disk blades. That type of blade isn't even mentioned in the wikipedia article. They were used decades ago on Black and Decker electric corded models as well as gasoline powered models because they were more efficient at cutting. The electric corded models had less power than gasoline models. Jacobsen used cutting disks on mowers in the 1950's to get a smoother cut. http://books.google.com/books?id=ZKz21Fy2_r8C&pg=PA36&lpg=PA36&dq=1950%27s+jacobsen+disc+mower&source=bl&ots=yW85X9pbCz&sig=9Wq5SM-nfhuO4wduY_Tzmy4iuLk&hl=en&sa=X&ei=6GmnUZfjIozE0AHIs4CoDw&ved=0CDoQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=1950%27s%20jacobsen%20disc%20mower&f=false The Google link pictures a Worthington disc design incorporated into a Jacobsen gasoline mower from the 1950's.

There were and still are line trimmer mowers in use, though they are normally called brush cutters. As the picture in this aricle shows, line trimmer mowers can be used to keep a fence line clean http://www.powerequipmentdirect.com/stories/762-How-To-Pick-The-Perfect-Wheeled-String-Trimmer.html A line trimmer mower won't stall in heavy wet grass and won't throw rocks and hidden debris like a mower with a steel blade will (but it's still not safe to stand in front of one in operation.) David108.132.226.97 (talk) 15:20, 30 May 2013 (UTC)

John Ferrabee is the good fellow who held the patent for Edward Beard Budding's invention and helped him manufacture it <He is reffered to as both Ferrebee and Ferrabee in this article> More info I did find at: www.ferrabee.org —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 134.225.174.252 (talk • contribs) .

one of the images (the victa mower) states that it comes from the national museum...which national museum ?

ahpook 18:50, 4 June 2006 (UTC)

What's the difference between cylinder and reel?

I may be the last person that works on these things. I believe "cylinder" is the preferred English name for a "reel" mower: "Cylinder" is the term my English customers use. The blades of the reel describe a cylinder as they rotate.M dorothy 05:35, 23 August 2006 (UTC)

This line about Victa would seem to be incorrect: "One company that produced rotary mowers commercially was the Australian Victa company, starting in 1947" According to the information available on the Victa website [3] Merv Richardson produced his forst mower in his garage in 1952, and the following year ('53), Victa was formed and beagan selling motor mowers. What puzzels me is that in Australia we have this claim of "inventing the motor Mower", starting with the Victa, and this just does not seem to be supported by any facts. Does anyone know anything further? OzoneO 18:32, 22 August 2006 (UTC)

Does anyone else think this link doesn't deserve to be on the lawn mower article? The website provide little useful information and it plays annoying music. I will remove it in a few days if no one objects through this talk page. GerardK 14:42, 6 April 2007 (UTC)

It's a bit touch-and-go. I have modified the link to point to the gallery of historic lawnmowers – photos of machines from their collection – which might be useful. As a museum they do provide archive search facilities, etc, so there is merit in including the link for readers researching old lawnmowers, for whatever reason. I have also 'demoted' the link to reflect the level of information available (although I haven't checked the others).

I was going to send feedback to the museum, mentioning the annoying music, but their feedback form doesn't work!! (Will try to contact them manually some time).

EdJogg 11:27, 17 April 2007 (UTC)

Extract (verbatim) from page at British Lawnmower Museum:

Extract from Ransome Archive

RANSOMES, SIMMS & JEFFRIES OF IPSWICH

Ransomes started in 1789. They commenced producing lawnmowers from 1836, buying the patent off Edwin Budding, who invented the lawnmower (Mr. Budding originally used the 'mower' to remove knots of the top of cloth).

In 1867 they introduced a totally new design of Lawnmower, the Automaton, (remembering that the chain and petrol engine had not been invented yet) which became an instant success with over 1,000 machines being sold in the first season. This design was to put Ransomes above the two other producers Shanks of Arbroath in Scotland and Greens of Leeds & London at that time.

This information is provided here in case it is of use to anyone editing this page.

I have also included this on the "Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies" talk page.

EdJogg 11:48, 17 April 2007 (UTC)

links to the lawnmower man. Wasn't a lawnmower also put to good use in Peter Jackson's Braindead flick? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 61.114.205.146 (talk) 12:14, 6 May 2008 (UTC)

A photo of a hover mower would be really neat. -- Beland (talk) 16:49, 19 April 2008 (UTC)

I have added a hover mower photo to this page, and a differnt one to the Flymo page. Also added text, but maybe this could be expanded.Traveler100 (talk) 10:27, 7 July 2008 (UTC)

This is about an consensus agreement to discuss about cordless and battery mowers. There has being undoing of edits on this topic on the article but no consensus has been talked about it nor any new source links have been provided either. I consensus we leave the topic, use the links sources and if there is some undoing on minor things we discuss it here and arrange some agreement before undoing this topic on the article's main page please.--24.205.234.250 (talk) 22:09, 20 June 2008 (UTC)

I sampled a Craftsman cordless mower this Saturday and found it really good quality. If you put the Neuton mower next to a Craftsman mower, there's a total difference. I called Neuton on instant chat to talk to them about their mower and found them not helpful at all. In fact I found them not willing to assist me where Craftsman, not an issue. I noticed Craftsman has a 48 volt battery which is quite powerful but the body is steel and not made of plastic. I do agree that battery mowers are not meant for long use or mowing business, they just cut for limited sources.--75.15.142.251 (talk) 17:17, 23 June 2008 (UTC)

The cordless mowers we have here in Europe are much more effective; especially the new Bosch Rotak Lithium-Ion models utilising their 36 Volt hammer drill batteries. (Oscjww103 (talk) 11:57, 10 August 2008 (UTC))

Using the word "good" in the line: "These are all good mowers except for the Neuton mower" would seem to be a subjective opinion of a particular person. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 198.169.119.200 (talk) 20:59, 25 June 2008 (UTC)

I have reviewed the section, and find it extremely problematic. For one it appears to have extreme bias against certain manufacturers, while promoting others. Both by the actual text of the section, and with references. Weasel words are used, and many claims are uncited. Either because they lack citation, or because the references don't back up the material. =Species8473= ^(talk) 17:06, 27 June 2008 (UTC)

Eliminating it either does solve the problematic issue, prehaps a cite or two more but undoing is not the answer when this section is needed. I looked at the section sources and did see they relate some what to the sources as they follow. Don't just come in once, eliminate something and go, respect the source by adding or fix it Species8473. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Barbieone (talk • contribs) 03:59, 28 June 2008 (UTC)

I may later rewrite the section, but I really find the current one not acceptable. I have requested a third opinion for this disagreement. =Species8473= ^(talk) 09:47, 28 June 2008 (UTC)

Barbieone blocked for likely being a Versace11 sockpuppet. =Species8473= ^(talk) 20:01, 28 June 2008 (UTC)

I don't believe there is need for a new section on cordless mowers, the subject is already covered with enough weight at rotary and mulching mowers. One good source from the cordless mowers section has there been added. Also did some work om other references, removed promotional ones and some external links. As well as something that was tagged as dubious by User:Omegatron a month ago. =Species8473= ^(talk) 21:05, 28 June 2008 (UTC)

The several websites and blogs that mention this name seem to have one common source (though I haven't identified it yet). Can anyone find any believable references to this inventor, or is he merely someone's invention? Dbfirs 08:30, 10 July 2008 (UTC)

(later) I have tracked down this information to a false edit in this article by 82.32.181.110.

Amazingly, it seems to have escaped anti-vandal editors, and I think it has been copied from this article to six other websites. I have removed the reference to this imaginary inventor whom I believe to be 82.32.181.110 himself, but perhaps someone else can check my analysis. This is the sort of mis-information that gives Wikipedia a bad name! Dbfirs 08:49, 10 July 2008 (UTC)

I notice that many of the Google hits for C C Stacy's invention have a common source (- omission of a full stop/period confirms that they are mere copies). Is he another Richard Meleady or is he genuine? It would be reassuring to find a reference from a reliable source, not just recent blogs, answers copied from this article, and advertising material. Dbfirs 06:41, 19 August 2008 (UTC)

(later) The story of C C Stacy was added by anonymous user:72.204.81.158 on July 31st 2006. This has been the only edit by this I P address. Google books has no mention of Stacy, and other Google hits seem to be copies of this edit (Wikipedia evidently has influence in the world of lawnmowers.)

I have no reason to believe the information to be false, but Stacy was just one of many people who experimented with rotary blades. The story seems to have a "ring of truth", and I found it interesting, so I have not deleted it, but left it as an example of the experimentation common at that time. I will leave it to more experienced editors to decide whether the original research should remain, or for someone to find a genuine reference to Stacy (not just one of the many copies of the Wikipedia edit). Dbfirs 07:29, 19 August 2008 (UTC)

Atco-Qualcast Ltd in its various forms has been manufacturing some of the finest cylinder lawnmowers for over 80 years. Having previously worked there I have a full history available if anyone wants it. (Oscjww103 (talk) 12:02, 10 August 2008 (UTC))

Would you be able to create a Qualcast page? Given how well-known the brand is (in the UK, anyway) I'm sure it's notable enough - we have Flymo, after all - and it seems bizarre that it's still a redlink. Loganberry (Talk) 23:31, 10 June 2009 (UTC)

Are most lawn mowers using 4 or two strokes..? And do some lawn mowers use direct injection? Jørgen88 (talk) 18:39, 17 December 2008 (UTC)

Most modern lawn mowers are 4 stroke due to lower emissions and higher reliability; however, depending on the model and the time period, 2 stroke lawn mowers have been readily available also. In the case of direct injection, it is not used on any current or past lawn mowers due to its high price, complexity, and required computer control. Coopman86 (talk) 02:39, 3 July 2010 (UTC)

Conversion to a hydrogen internal combustion mower (by using hydrogen or oxyhydrogen as a fuel) can be easily done using a kit. Can this type of mower be included. It woul allow many mowers to be made emissionless. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 81.246.140.217 (talk) 11:29, 19 April 2009 (UTC)

Wikipedia is not the place for speculation. As soon as this engine is maufactured, you can add it. Dbfirs 12:31, 24 January 2010 (UTC)

Having created History of the lawn from lawn mower#history of the lawn mower iam reducing the size of the latter for quick reading. You can help.

Username 1 (talk) 20:50, 10 May 2009 (UTC)

"Did you know?" on the main page today quotes Thrupp, but this page has Stroud. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 217.33.111.66 (talk) 15:03, 14 September 2009 (UTC)

Lawn mower#Reel mowers says: "The first lawn mower was invented by Edwin Budding in 1827 in Stroud, Gloucestershire."

Thrupp and Brimscombe "are two small linked villages situated in the narrow Frome Valley just outside Stroud, Gloucestershire" and Thrupp and Brimscombe#Phoenix iron works says: "This resulted in the world's first lawn mower being invented at Thrupp."

I checked some of the external links, but I was unable to resolve this apparent contradiction between two Wikipedia articles.
-- Wavelength (talk) 17:42, 14 September 2009 (UTC)

The history part dives into who where why when and how the reel mower was, but it sort of skips the part where it says WHAT it is. Add a description away from the picture's caption. Doubledragons (talk) 11:03, 24 January 2010 (UTC)

The term is defined in the introduction. Dbfirs 12:29, 24 January 2010 (UTC)

Over a period, this article seems to have become a link-spam nest. As we have with other articles, where multiple "helpful" sites have been added over a period, I have added a warning notice, and point the links section to the appropriate DMOZ section, per WP:External Links. Rgds, --Trident13 (talk) 14:51, 8 February 2010 (UTC)

The link to the website http://www.landscapemanagement.net/landscape/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=325225 gives an error, I find that figure very hard to believe.. there may be some few thousand a year, if that, but you can't have that on there unless there's some verifiable statistic backing it. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Bradenripple (talk • contribs) 07:55, 9 August 2010 (UTC)

All the references for the Safety issues section are no longer functioning. I did a quick Google search and came up with this link (Lawn Mower Accidents Are the Leading Cause of Major Amputations for Children Under 10), this source states "more than 200,000 people – around 16,000 of them under age 19 – were treated for lawn mower-related injuries in 2007." The 80,000 figure appears to be a little low; however, this article can be used to update and clarify this section. Coopman86 (talk) 01:06, 21 August 2010 (UTC)

As for injuries, yes 80,000 is low. But the article said 80,000 hospitalizations, which was incorrect. The cited article said 12,000 hospitalizations per year. I corrected the article accordingly.--Aflafla1 (talk) 02:31, 14 February 2012 (UTC)

We cover the various types of mowers but is there info on the effort required by the human operator to mow using:

- a human-propelled reel mower, vs

- gasoline engine powered rotary.

On one hand, the reel mower is lighter and therefore easier to push; on the other, the human pushing the reel mower must exert additional effort to cause the reel to spin. Overall, which is the greater effect?

It would be useful if this sort of info was available to include in the article. Thanks, Wanderer57 (talk) 04:13, 28 May 2011 (UTC)

Answering my own question, the human-propelled reel mower requires more effort, especially in thick grass. Wanderer57 (talk) 02:32, 29 May 2011 (UTC)