Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
adjusted reel mowers are recommended for cutting high-quality sport or
recreational areas. They provide a clean, even cut and leave the turf
looking the most attractive. Rotary mowers should be used where perfect
appearance is not necessary and where ease of operation, maintenance
and price are of significant concern. Home lawns are predominantly
mowed with rotary mowers. Sickle-bar mowers are the simplest and
roughest. They are used mainly along roadsides and in other areas
where turf appearance is of secondary concern.
Hand-pushed mowers are still available, but most turf mowers are
powered by internal-combustion engines. They are usually efficient,
strong and the most reliable. Electric mowers are popular in some coun-
tries, particularly in large cities. They are fairly effective, especially when
a battery with enough power to cut a lawn on a single charge replaces the
inconvenient electrical cord. Tractor-pull mowers are used on large areas,
such as parks and golf course fairways.
Reel mowers
A reel mower consists of a horizontal rotating cylinder, the reel, with
attached blades and stationary bed knife, which is parallel to the ground
(Fig. 6.5). The reel spins around its long axis, and the scissoring action of
its blades against the bed knife cuts the grass leaves. The reel usually
bears between three and seven blades, and the width of the mower
usually ranges from 50 to 80 cm, depending on the model. Reel mowers
are powered by engines, pulled by tractor or sometimes pushed by hand.
Small single-unit reel mowers cut short grasses well and are used mainly
Spinning reel
Blade
Bed knife
Fig. 6.5. A reel mower. The spinning reel sweeps across the bed knife and cuts the
grass leaves like scissors.
