Reel and Rotary lawnmower Basics
The basic types of lawnmowers are rotary mowers and reel mowers. Reel mowers were invented in 1830 by Edwin Budding but were slow and awkward to use and heavy. The rotary lawnmower was invented by Power Specialties in 1933. The first lawnmowers were all manually operated. Only gradually were engines added.
Reel Lawnmowers
These types of lawnmowers use blades mounted on a revolving cylinder. As the mower moves forward, the blades contact a stationary bar, called a bed knife, which is parallel to the ground. Grass, held by the bed knife and the grass is cut as the blades form a shearing action against the bed knife. reel mowers can be adjusted for different cutting heights.
The shearing action allows shorter cuts to be made by a reel mower than a rotary mower and they are used on golf courses for this reason. They also give a cleaner cut and leave finer grass clippings than rotary mowers. For the most efficient use the blade must be adjusted correctly. The rotating blades must be at the correct distance from the bed knife. Too close and they will catch the bed knife, too far away and the cut will be ragged.
Rotary Lawnmowers
In a rotary motor a flat blade turns, driven by the engine. The blade is attached to the engine shaft and rotates at the speed of the engine. A deck holds the engine, provides a safety shield for the blade and creates a vacuum to lift the grass to help make a better cut. Rotary mulching mowers have further blades to finely chop the grass after it has been cut to provide a mulch for the lawn.
On long grass rotary mowers are much easier to use than reel mowers but do not give such an even cut. This is because the grass tends to bend as the horizontal blade spins even with a lawnmower with a ‘vacuum chamber’ design. They are easier to maintain however and it is easy to remove and sharpen the horizontal blade.