Lawn Mower Design - Manoeuvrable mowers

Hi All,
For those that didn�t see a previous thread I posted I�m currently a student studying industrial design, for my major project I am hoping to redesign the lawn mower to make it easier to use and more manoeuvrable.

I am looking to hear the views of landscape gardeners, or anyone that cuts a lawn that doesn�t just have straight edges.

Manoeuvrable lawn mowers are available, generally the design works by having castor wheels at the front, does anyone use one? If so why do you use it, is it any good, what manufacturer and model do you use?

And those that don�t use one, why don�t you use one? Would your job be made easier if you did?

Thanks in advance for any replies.

Tom

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Previous post on lawn mower designs

 

Hi Tom
We had a Black and Decker 4x4 with castor wheels. You could lock them in the straight ahead position or let them swivel.
It was the worst mower I've ever used. Very difficult to steer even with the castors locked.
Rather like a Tesco shopping trolley.
I sold it two months ago!

 

Never used one with castors, but if it gave me as much problem as a supermarket trolley, not sure I'd want to. :D

I have a hand mower with wheels - but it leaves a gap where the wheels are and is less manouverable than the others with none.

 

I've seen the manoeuvrable anes on displays in garden centres, and had the feeling they'd be subject to the same problems as supermarket trolleys - and looks like that's exaactly what happens, as per DaveW's reply.

The easiest mowers to manoeuvre are the flymos, but then they're hard to keep in a straight line..... So basically, if you're after a neat lawn with lines, then the flymo's no good, and if you're after manoeuvrability, wheels are harder, and if you want the best, you need to use both..... At least - that's my experience, and I cut a lot of grass! :D

Swivel wheels look problematic, because they lock and jam, and can get clogged up with long grass. If you have a lawn that is never very long, and kept immaculately it would be fine, I expect, but hen, a standard mower with wheels or roller would also be fine.... :rolleyes:

So, not sure if this is going anywhere useful?