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Collection, Preservation and Display of Old Lawn Mowers

Horse Mowers Spotted In Essex

Thurrock Council in Essex came up with a novel solution to cutting the grass at one of its sites of special scientific interest (SSSI) recently. The council called in local heavy horse experts Hawthorn Heavy Horses who used a specially adapted Dennis gang mower.

 Holly the Suffolk Punch at work with the Dennis mower.

The mower is fitted with a set of jockey wheels to make it easier to control and steer. According to Liz Wood, trees officer at Thurrock, Holly the Suffolk Punch (that's another lawn mower name, by the way) will be helping cut the grass throughout 2010. Collectors and enthusiasts will be familiar with the old fashioned pony and horse drawn lawn mowers from period up to World War Two but it's very unusual to see horses with modern mowers. What a great way to manage grassland in a natural setting without disturbing wildlife.

The mower has a special bogey at the front to make it easier to control.