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Pedal-Powered Lawn Mower
"I can cut about 1/2 acre of grass per hour on level ground, about the same as with a medium-size gas-powered push mower. But it costs almost nothing to operate, doesn't pollute, and you get a better work-out," says Richard Ehrlich about his pedal-powered lawn mower.
The Caledon East, Ontario, inventor built the
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Pedal-Powered Lawn Mower HAY & FORAGE HARVESTING Mowers (38) 19-4-1 "I can cut about 1/2 acre of grass per hour on level ground, about the same as with a medium-size gas-powered push mower. But it costs almost nothing to operate, doesn't pollute, and you get a better work-out," says Richard Ehrlich about his pedal-powered lawn mower.
The Caledon East, Ontario, inventor built the front wheel drive, rear wheel steer mower out of an assortment of bike parts, steel tubing, and a Toro Starlawn reel-type mower.
The 3 by 5-ft. mower cuts a 26-in. swath. it weighs 110 lbs. It could be built much lighter by making the frame out of alumihum instead of steel, Ehrlich notes.
He replaced the drive belts and shafts on the Tom reel mower with a single 3/4 in. dia. off-the-shelf drive shaft. That drives both the front axle and cutter reel via a chain and sprocket drive off an old snow-blower. Bike pedals and a 10-speed bike "transmission" are used to power the mower.
"It's geared extremely low so almost anyone can power it," Ehrlich says.
The mower's 16 in. dia. rear wheel came off a kid's bike. It steers via cables connected to modified bicycle handlebars mounted under the seat. Rear steering lets the mower turn in its tracks, notes Ehrlich.
A hand brake on the left handlebar connects to the drive shaft. Cutting height can be adjusted from 1 to 5 in. by adjusting a turnbuckle on a chain that supports the" cutter reel.
Ehrlich says he still needs to improve the mower's performance on steep hills. The wheels spin on steep grades and the mower is front-heavy for going downhill. A spring loaded front roller would help keep it from tipping forward, he says.
Still, the mower has its place, he adds.
"It's excellent for medium-sired flat lawns," he says. "It's quiet, turns on a dime, and does a good job cutting."
Ehrlich says he'd like to license his concept to a manufacture. He could also make hand-drawn plans and further construction details available.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Richard Ehrlich, Rt. 3, Caledon East, Ontario, Canada IAN 1E0 (ph 905 880-2223);
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