The Old Lawnmower Club
Collection, Preservation and Display of Old Lawn Mowers

John Ferrabee - Registered Design No 3074

Sometime during 1851, John Ferrabee applied for a registered design entitled "Improved Grass Cutter, Registered By John Ferrabee & Sons". Approved on 2 January 1852 as Registered Design No 3074, this may perhaps be considered the second important step in the development of the lawnmower.

The new design feature introduced small castors in front of the cutting mechanism. This was important for three related reasons: 

  • the castors provided stability for the mower as it moved across the lawn. The main drive roller at the back and the castors in the front ensured the cutting mechanism in between remained at a constant height above the lawn This made it easier to operate and control 
  • this stability ensured the lawnmower was much less prone to the pitching up and down which caused the cutter to dig into the turf, creating scars on the lawn and clogging or damaging the cutter 
  • raising or lowering the castors on their mounting bracket allowed the user to set the cutting height to an accurate and consistent amount

 

  • 1852-01-02 John Ferrabee - Registered Design No 3074

    Improved Grass Cutter, Registered & John Ferrabee & Sons Phoenix Iron Works, near Stroud, Gloucestershire.

    Agreeably to Act of Parliament 637 Vic. c. 65.

    Drawings:- Scale 3 inches to a foot

    The purpose of utility, to which the shape and configuration of the the mowing of. grass-plats, &c.

    Description: Fig. 1 is a side elevation, and Fig. 2 a plan of so much of a grass cutting machine as is necessary to show the form of the new and improved parts there of A B C is the frame, the upper end of which A, being prolonged terminates in a handle. D is one of the travelling wheels, E. E. are gauge rollers mounted in adjustable carriages, F F. G, is a curvilinear fixed blade, H H revolving cutters, the gauge rollers, E. E. being adjustable by means of the carriages, F. F. regulate the height of which the grass will be mown.

    ______________________________________________________________________________________________

    All the parts of this design are old in their shape and configuration, except the several parts marked C E F and G.___

    ______________________________________________________________________________________________

    Jabez Hare. Draughtsmen, No.3. Arundel Street, Strand, London,

    STAMPED:- REGISTERED DESIGN No. 3074 2nd January 1852

     

    Publication
    Patent Document
    Date
    Source
    CG/2025