Posted by Mike Field on July 10, 2006 at 13:16:11 from 203.129.60.24 user mikefield.
In Reply to: Re: Beckfoot's Mowing Machine posted by Dave Thewlis on July 09, 2006 at 16:43:28:
Dave, what you described originally was exactly the type of mower I learnt to cut grass with here in Oz. The one we had was a Qualcast brand.
The axle joining the (only) pair of wheels drove the helix-shaped cutters between them, which in turn threw the clippings to the rear, where they were caught in a canvas-and-tin bag, the front of which clipped to the frame just behind the wheels and the rear of which was suspended from the handle.
From memory, there was a small wooden roller at the front, but its only purpose was to keep the machine from cutting something unwanted. There was no roller at the rear to smoothe the lawn down.
The main wheels (steel, about 9" diameter) were ribbed to aid traction, and the mower cut on the push stoke but idled when you pulled it back.
It was a b****r to use at the best of times, and impossible after rain.