Paris Universal Exhibition - Shanks
William Dray and Co was a major exhibitor at the Universal Exhibition, held in Paris, France between 15 May and 15 October 1855. In addition to a large - horse drawn mower - made by Shanks, the company sold mowers that it made itself to the familiar "Budding" design.
The "Exposition Universelle" was held some four years after the Great Exhibition in London and is now regarded as the first world trade fair.
SHANK'S LAWN-MOWING MACHINE.
It is 30 inches wide, and is fitted to be drawn by one horse. It performs the operations of mowing and rolling lawn and pleasure grounds to perfection.
Price, £16 10s.
WM. DRAY and Co. manufacture LAWN-MOWING MACHINES of similar construction, to be worked by one man.
The Improved Lawn-Mowing Machine manufactured by WM. DRAY and Co. is most easy of management. It removes all the cut grass; and leaves no seam on the lawn.
WM. DRAY and Co.'s Lawn-Mower is provided with wheels, attached directly over the cutters; by the adjustment of which the length of cut of the grass is regulated. As these wheels, in combination with the large iron roller, give a broad base to the machine, it need only be pushed along before the operator, requiring no care whatever in handling. This substitution for the small wood Roller formerly used greatly reduces friction. A modification is also introduced into the spiral apparatus, which effectually does away with the tendency the cutters had to choke. The wood Roller is now used only in mowing narrow borders; and at that time the wheels are raised clear of the ground.
PRICES:- £. s. Machine 16 inches wide 6 5 " 19 " 6 10 " 25 " fitted to be drawn by a pony 6 15 PublicationExhibitionDateSourceGoogle Books/Paris Universal Exhibition 1885/Catalogue/P24Link