From Zero-Power to Zero-Turn - A Brief History of Lawn Mowers
If you are looking for a lawn mower today, the selection can be a bit overwhelming. Advancements in technology allow us to mow larger areas in much less time than it used to. Once society decided that clean cut green grass was the best way to adorn a house or building, a lawn mower was the perfect invention to keep your lawn trim and neat. Here is a brief history of lawn mowers:
The first patented mowing machine was created by Edwin Budding in 1830. Tired of cutting his grass with a scythe, he was inspired by a cloth mill machine used to cut velvet. From that he developed a cylinder (reel) with a series of blades that trimmed the grass as it was pushed along the lawn. This was much easier than swinging a scythe from side-to-side.
In 1859, Thomas Green improved upon this idea by adding a chain to drive the cylinder. With a chain he could reduce the weight of the machine, providing the same cutting power with less effort.
Like most modern conveniences, somewhere along the line we decided they needed more power. Colonel Edwin George was the first to manufacture a mower powered by a gasoline engine. In 1921, Knud and Oscar Jacobsen introduced a mower with a purpose-built gas engine which allowed it to cut 4 acres in one day. This machine was ideal for maintaining golf courses, cemeteries and other large grassy areas.
In 1938 the first power motor intended for the average homeowner was produced by Toro. It was affordable, easy to use and could be stored in any garage. After WW2 in the US, the population boomed and so did the middle class. Families were expected to buy a house in the suburbs, complete with a white picket fence and a perfectly manicured lawn. Gas-powered lawn mower sales boomed as well.
Mowing technology took a major leap in 1948 with the invention of the first zero-turn mower designed for commercial applications. No only was this a “ride-on” lawnmower, it could rotate 180 degrees without having to start a whole new line. This machine could navigate obstacles much easier than previous models, making it a big hit with landscaping companies.
Cub Cadet Mowers started producing ride-on lawn mowers (garden tractors) in 1961. Through decades of development and innovation, they created the industry’s first “syncro-steer” technology in 2009. This resulted in the smallest turning radius available in the industry. By 2011, Cub Cadet had created the most advanced residential zero-turn lawn mower available. Soon after the Pro Series was developed for the serious landscaping professional. If you are looking for a powerful zero-turn mower that is sure to satisfy the most demanding of clients, you need to check out Cub Cadet Zero-Turn Riding Mowers.
After reading a brief history of lawn mowers, if you are interested in viewing some of the latest advances in zero-turn and robotic mowing technology, visit Handlers Equipment today!