Epicyclic Gear on Morton's Patent Lawnmower

Morton's Patent was a short-lived lawnmower introduced in 1863 by Grimmond, Laird & Co of St. Catherine's Engine Works in Arbroath. The novel feature of this machine was the use of epicyclic gearing. 

This type of gearing had been applied on James Watt's 18th century beam engines, in part to avoid conflicting with the patent obtained by Matthew Wasbrough (1753-1781) covering the use of a crank mechanism to produce rotary motion. 

Although this mower was ultimately unsuccessful - the company ceased offering them after little more than a year - use of epicyclic gearing in this context was well ahead of its time. It was not until the 1920s and 30s that the concept was used successfully on mass produced lawnmowers.