1862-05-31 Gardeners Chronicle - International Exhibition

THE INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION.

THE lawn mowing machines exhibited are rather numerous, and present some novelty of construction, which it may be interesting to notice, since these implements may now be said to have taken a place amongst the necessities of gardeners. We can only note how- ever what appear to be their merits, in consequence of their being exhibited at rest. With the extensive lawns of the Royal Horticultural Society so near at hand, it would not, one would think, be difficult to have them exhibited in action, and it would be well if the Society's Implement Committee would again submit the whole series, with their recent modifications, to a public competitive examination. The first we find mentioned is-

2081. Mr. James Boyd, Lewisham. This is called a "Patent Brush Lawn-mower, self-cleaning and self- sharpening." It differs principally from other machines in having a horizontal brush so fixed that the cutters are brought in contact with it at each revolution. The same feature occurs in Samuelson's machine.

2113. J. Ferrabee & Co., Stroud, and High Holborn. It appears that more than a quarter of a century ago, mowing machines were introduced by Messrs. Ferrabee, "under whose auspices Budding matured the invention and obtained the original patent," which latter became their property, and for many years they were the sole manufacturers. The experience thus gained has enabled them to introduce from time to time various improvements, among which they call attention to one of recent application, in the use of an iron frame made in one piece," to carry the cutting parts, wheels, and adjustments," by which arrangement the cylinder and fixed blade are maintained parallel to each other under all circumstances, and greater stability is secured. Another of their improvements consists in arrangements by which the Grass box may be readily emptied without the attendant having to move from the handles. The prices of these machines vary from 47. 10s. for the "handy lawn-mower" for ladies, up to 207. for 36-inch ones.

2122. Mr. T. Green, Leeds, and Victoria Street, Holborn. Mr. Green's machines are well known, and have been well tested; they stand, moreover, very high/ in public favour. Green's "Patent Silens Messor," or Noiseless Mower, which is the principal form now shown and advertised, has been contrived to avoid the clatter which is certainly objectionable in the working of ordinary machines. In this, the motion of the cylinder carrying the cutters is produced by means of an endless revolving chain, instead of by agency of cog-wheels as was formerly the case. The noise has indeed been got rid of by this contrivance; but we are not sure that it has not been at the expense of strength, and that the machine may not in consequence be more liable to get out of order, inasmuch as the comparatively slender chain has to bear the working force formerly sustained by the much stronger cog-wheels. As to other points, the fact that Green's machines have carried off all the leading prizes wherever they have been put in competition with others, speaks for itself. They are shown of various sizes, the prices ranging from 31. 10s. for a 10-inch machine "suitable for a lady," to 31. 8. for a 48-inch horse machine.

2141. T. Kennan & Sons, Dublin. This firm exhibits "Lawn Mowers with registered tilt gear," which appear to possess some points of improvement, especially in the mode of delivering the cut Grass, and in the increased number of cutting blades. For the former purpose the machine is provided with two boxes, one in front and one behind between the handles. The Grass is first caught in the smaller box in front, which is hung by two pivots, and by a simple contrivance is lifted when full, and its contents deposited in the larger and hinder box. The latter when filled can be emptied by turning it over, leaving the Grass in large heaps on the part which has been cut, or it may be lifted out and at once emptied into a wheel-barrow or cart if preferred. In this way the stoppages to get rid of the Grass are either avoided or reduced to a minimum. It is found that the back box balances the machines so nicely that large ones can be turned round as readily as small ones. The object of increasing the number of the cutting knives is to reduce the speed at which it is necessary the cylinder should revolve, and the effect of this is that not only is the clatter very much lessened, but there is-so it is held-a great diminution in the force required to work the machine. It is said also to pre- vent clogging, and also the possibility of ribbing the surface, even in the most mossy sward. As far as one can form an opinion without an actual trial, these seem to be real improvements. Other improvements claimed consist in certain self- acting clutches, and in the machines being readily released from action by aid of a single trigger placed on one side; and also in the improved arrangements for adjusting the spiral cutters with reference to the fixed knife, and the front rollers which regulate the height at which the Grass is cut. The prices are stated to be the same as those of former machines, with the addition for the tilt gear of 30s. for 18 inch machines, and 42s. for the larger ones.

2164. Picksley, Sims, & Co., Leigh, near Manchester, exhibit some "Mowing Machines," among other implements.

2178. Mr. B. Samuelson, Banbury, and Cannon Street West. The "Lawn Mowing Machines" exhibited by Mr. Samuelson are furnished with two patented appliances, Mainwaring's silent wheels, and Boyd's self cleaning apparatus, the latter consisting of the horizontally fixed brush already described. Their price varies according to size, from 57. to 151.15.

2182. A. Shanks & Son, Arbroath (London Agents, Brown & Co., Cannon Street) produce a "New Patent Lawn-mowing Machine" for 1862, and also a "New Hand Machine," these being fitted with silent movements if desired. The machines of Messrs. Shanks & Son have long been favourably known, and are very extensively employed. Those they are introducing this season are of a new and ornamented design, and are improved, they say, by strengthening the cutters, and by the reduction of friction in the bearings, so a to facilitate their working. Various sizes are exhibited, the prices varying from 57. 58. to 231.