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Thesis It!!!
Thesis It!!!
Thesis It!!!
TRIMMER
DENICE M. CANTONEROS
MARY JANE S. LUCASAN
ARTHUR M. RAMO JR.
MAY, 2019
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
Once upon a time, lawns were green country pastures kept trim by sheep and
other animals that grazed them. Today , powerful tractors, robots and even hovercraft
keep them neat and tidy, but most have one thing in common – a rotating blades powered
by a motor.
The lawn mower was developed in the 1830s in England. Interest and enthusiasm
for lawn case dates back to the post-World War II boom in sub- urban living when
obsession with the perfect lawn began. Before the middle of the 20h century, lawn
mowers were mostly reel mowers with a cylindrical blade that got all its power from the
person pushing it. British engineer Edwin Bunning invented the first one in 1830, and the
first lawn mower powered by an internal combustion engine became available in 1902.
The history of the lawn mower is a story of innovation and adaptation, and it
certainly shows how far we’ve come in terms of mowing technology. A wide range of
products available for cutting lawns; they vary in terms of power source (manual, electric,
and features. Reel grass mower also cut grass using a clean snipping action thus lawns
economically sound equipment. Although today’s gas mowers are 70 percent less
polluting than those produced 10 years ago, using a walking gas mower for one hour
driving 11 cars for an hour. And a gas – powered riding lawn mower produces as much
Emissions from lawn mowers and similar outdoor power equipment are a
themselves, but electricity needed to power them is often generated in power plants that
burn fossil fuels. Solar-powered electric mowers require no external source of electricity,
but they can only run for limited time on each charge (Schumancher, 2015).
Pedal-powered reel grass trimmer is not a new idea. Since this tool is powered
exclusively by muscles and is much cheaper than solar-powered ones, this is the
equipment of choice if main concerns are about the environment and don’t have a lot of
money to spend.
The proponents of this study aim to improve and redesign the peal-powered grass
rotating blades mounted to produce a greener and healthier alternative to traditional grass
trimmers.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Concerns about global warming, air pollution and fuel depletion have become
central issues around the world and as a result, research in recent years focused on the
The use of pedal-powered grass trimmer for aesthetic lawn purposes and as
support to the cause for environment awareness was locally fabricated by former Central
inappropriate materials & improper assembly of gears and chains, the prototype was
considerably inefficient. The proponents of this study will look into modification of the
framework with strong emphasis on the use of suitable yet cost effective materials in re-
Today's selection of lawn mowers can be overwhelming. From large riding lawn
mow with less work and in less time, problems arising from use of fuel and its
detrimental effects to health and environment have been the top concern. The use of
combustible fuel as means to power up a motor has been widely practiced in the world,
especially countries with advanced technologies. However, gas emission rapidly leads
to one of the most prominent problems in the environment. Furthermore, the surging
inflation rate in the country has caused fuel prices to dramatically increase putting
led by Madrio, Ubaub, and Monteroyo in 2015. However, the prototype was deemed
critically ineffective as the design did not compliment the usability and practicality of the
tool. It is therefore the aim of this study to improve the said prototype that will be a
considerable balance functionality and design. This modified equipment will utilize high
strength and lightweight materials that will make it substantially easier to operate through
a pedal contraption attached to the bicycle framework which will significantly increase its
cutting ability.
General objective:
This study aims to improve the existing design of the pedal-powered grass
Specific objectives:
The scope of this study is to improve the design and functionality of the locally
fabricated pedal-powered grass trimmer that is uniquely assembled using grass trimmer
blade attached into a fabricated bicycle frame with six sprockets (one 40 teeth, one 44
teeth, one 54 teeth, two 16 teeth and one 12 teeth), and one-inch diameter driver shaft.
Performance evaluation of the said grass trimmer in terms of its cutting rate and
only be operated on plain and smooth surfaces; 2) can only be used to trim carabao grass
with height not exceeding 8 inches; 3) operator should not exceed the maximum weight
needed. It is also important to note that since the equipment heavily relies on human
exertion to both run and trim, the frequency of the force exerted by the operator through
the pedal contraption directly affects the motion of the grass trimmer and its cutting rate.
CHAPTER 2
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Introduction
A lawn mower is a device which by means of one or more revolving blades is used
to cut the grass or other plants at even height. Lawn mowers employing a blade that
rotates around about a vertical axis are known as rotary mowers, while those employing
a blade assembly that rotates about the horizontal axis are known as cylindrical or reel
mowers. Many different designs have been made each suited to a particular purpose.
The smallest types, pushed by a human, are suitable for small residential lawns and
garden, while larger self-contained, ride-on mowers are suitable for large lawns, and the
largest, multi speed mower pulled behind a tractor, are designed for high expanses of
grass such as golf courses and municipal parks (Kok Ho Kiet, 2008).
The first mechanical mower was patented in England in 1830 by Mr. Edwin
a series of blades arranged around a cylinder with a push handle. The first power was
added in 1842, when a Mr. Shanks of “Shanks’ Mare” fame patented a Budding-type
horse drawn mower, in 1859 a mower using chain drive instead of the Budding gear drive
In 1869, Follows and Bates, of Manchester, England, patented slide wheel lawn
mower, driven by internal teeth in the wheels that engaged pinions on the reel spindle.
This machine was considerably lighter than previous roller types. The electric power
mower made its appearance in the early 1920’s and rapidly gained wide popularity. The
Ransome firm also mass-produced an electric power several years later which featured
headlights for night mowing. Following World War I, mass production and the general
awakening of the American industrial giant brought forth a host of power mower and hand
mower manufacturers. From 1918 to 1925 million of the familiar type hand-push reel
mowers were made by scores of manufactures in the U.S (De Decker, 2011).
By 1925, however, the gasoline powered reel mower began to take a bigger and
bigger share in the market. Toward the middle of the 1930’s the rotary power mower,
featuring a horizontally-mounted cutting blade, began to appear on the American home
scene. This was the first and most significant advance in a century of lawn mowing. Since
World War II there have been great strides in the development of power mowers. The
rotary has become increasingly popular, and in 2958 approximately 90% of the power
mowers sold were rotaries, either self-propelled. Lawn-Roy became the country’s first
production line manufacturers of complete power mowers, including engines, in the early
Power Mower Company of Kansas City, Missouri, one of the very first rotary power
manufactures has the sales of 5,500,000 units and beyond during 1971. The walk-behind
rotary accounted for 4,700,000 or 85% of all power mower sales according to the Outdoor
Power Equipment Institute. About 80% of the 1971 sales were for the replacement of the
38,000,000 power mowers currently in use in the United States. Sales of rider mowers
and lawn tractors have grown to over 800,000 units annually. Lawn and garden business
Through the years Lan-Boy has continued to improve in design and performance
of Lawn-Boy products. This is one reason why Lawn-Boy is one of the world leaders in
the industry. Lawn-Boy is one of the few manufactures that offer a complete choice of
Figure 2.2.2 Walk behind mower (a) Lawn-Boy D-400 series engine, (b) Lawn boy D-600
series engine.
Tests have shown the Lawn-Boy D-400 Series, 2 Cycles Engine, to be one of the
best engines available. The heart of the mower is the engine and the D-400 Series is
designed to offer years of dependable service 1972 Lawn-Boy introduced its first Solid
State (CD) d-600 Series engine. Available with manual or electric start- self-propelled or
push propelled type models. The solid state ignition system has no moving parts, is
points, coil or condenser to replace, offering longer spark plug life. The all new carburetor
used on the D-600 Series engine is completely automatic. No adjustments other than
atmospheric pressure adjustments are required. A new primer system forces compressed
air into the float chamber which forces fuel into the carburetor venture. This method of
priming is effective and consequently, one prime is usually sufficient to start the engine.
The larger muffler design reduces noise and exhaust down into the turf (Service Bulletin,
2000).
There are several classifications of mower namely: the sickle mower,, rotary
Sickle mowers, also called reciprocating mowers, bar mowers, sickle-bar mowers,
or finger-bar mowers, have a long (typically six to seven and a half feet) bar on which are
mounted fingers with stationary guard plates. The bar rides on the ground, supported on
a skid at the inner end, and it can be tilted to adjust the height of the cut. A spring-loaded
board at the outer end of the bar guides the cut hay away from the uncut hay. The so-
formed channel, between cut and uncut material, allows the mower skid to ride in the
According to Wellington et. al., 2007, the grasses common in the Philippines are
as follows.
Table 1. Common grasses in the Philippines
A tough warm
Bermuda Grass season grass. It has
great drought and 1 to 2 inches
wear resistance and
under the right
conditions spreads
aggressively, at
times to the point of
being invasive and
nuisance.
A perennial, rather
Alabang X low growing grass 15 cm
(Dicanthium that is naturalized in
aristatum) the Philippines.
Each weekend, about 54 million Americans mow their lawns, using 3 billion liters
of gas per year and producing tons of air pollutants. Gardens equipment engines, mostly
consisting of lawnmowers, let out high levels of carbon monoxide, volatile organic
compounds and nitrogen oxides, producing up to 5% of the US air pollution and a good
A traditional gas powered lawn mower produces as much air pollution as 43 new
cars each being driven 19 000 kilometers. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also
states that more than 64 million liters of fuel, mostly gasoline, are spilled each year while
evaporates into the air and volatile organic compounds spit out by small engines make
smog-forming ozone when cooked by heat and sunlight (Gary Burchfield, 2012).
Until 1995, lawnmower emissions ere unregulated. Older more powerful, less
efficient two-cycle engines release 25-30% of their oil and gas unburned into the air. This
is a clear issue as many lawnmowers can and are used for several years, sometimes
several decades. There are still a lot of old lawnmowers being use each year (Gary
Burchfield, 2012).
There is a lot of health issues involved in the air pollutions let out by mowers. Gas
mowers can cause cancer and damage to lungs and heart. Electric mowers don’t totally
eliminate pollution, but emissions from the electric industry are more regulated, mostly be
concentrated source of energy. Most fuels are burned in order to release some of their
All fossil fuels are formed in the same way. Dead animals and plants are gradually
covered over to become sedimentary rocks. Immense pressure and heat applied to these
rocks, over millions of years, results in these organic remains being turned into coal, oil
or natural gas.
Fossil fuels, such as coal, oil and natural gas, are non-renewable energy sources
The main effect of energy from fossil fuel on health id related to the ambient air
pollution to the combustion. Many professional people are involved in this complex field
association found during episode of acute air pollution (Helena Ribeiro, 1987).
2.8 Solution to this study
Ever since the arrival of fossil fuels and electricity, human powered tools and
machines have been viewed as an obsolete technology. These make it easy to forget that
there has been a great deal of progress in their design, largely improving their productivity.
The most efficient mechanism to harvest human energy appeared in the late 19th century
is pedaling, stationary pedal powered machines went through a boom during the 20 th
century, but the arrival of the cheap electricity and fossil fuel abruptly stopped all further
development. Pedals and cranks could make an important contribution to running a post
– carbon society that maintains many of the comforts of a modern life. The possibilities of
pedal power therefore largely exceed the use of the bicycle (Kris De Decker, 2011).
Rotary motion has been the fundamental mechanism of the most machines
throughout human history. There have been several important innovations in applying
human power to rotary motion, many of which already in antiquity, example of this is the
bow, the hand crank, the capstan and the tread wheel (human powered cranes).
the factor by which the mechanism multiplied the human (or sometimes animal) input
There are different approaches to cutting the grass all with advantages and
disadvantages.
When mulching, as shown in figure 2.9.1, you cut the grass in to small pieces that you
leave on the ground to work as a natural fertilizer. The negative side is that you will have
Spreading also shown in figure 2.9.1, means that the mower spread the cut grass directly
on to the lawn. Depending on the amount of cut grass you might have to rake it together.
The downside is the extra work but on the other hand you will have grass to make fresh
soil to use in your garden. If you cut the grass when it’s long another downside can be
Bagging also shown in figure 2.9.1, involves a container that directly collects the
grass for you to later empty at a pleasant spot. The downside is that it claims more energy
from the mower or you to carry it around until you have emptied it.
Figure 2.9.1 Methods of cutting grasses (a) Mulching, (b) Spreading, (c) Bagging
(a) (b)
Figure 2.10.1 Lawn mower blades. (a) Lawn mower rotary blade. (b) Lawn mower reel
blade.
information that could be useful for later decision making when it comes to choosing type
of blades. A mower blade has the corresponding advantages and disadvantages. In the
reel blade side as shown in the figure 2.10.1 (b), it has the advantage of mechanical
simplicity, long lifespan and produces clean cuts but has the disadvantage of high friction,
hard to navigate and cutting noise. In the rotary blade type as shown in figure 2.10.1 (a),
it has the advantage of long-span, low friction and low mulching but has the disadvantage
like ripping the grasses needs motor since it require high rotational speed (Herslow et. l,
2002).
2.11 The reel blade
There are three main structural members in a reel blade cutting unit as shown in
the figure 2.11.1. The reel which is consists of several helixes shaped blades, mounted
to a rotating shaft. The bedknife in which it is attached to the bedbar and the assembly is
mounted to the main frame in manner that allows for paralleling and adjustment to the
reel and the frame which supports the rollers, the bedbar assembly and reel with its drive
mechanism, which can be hydraulic, belt driven, or ground driven (TORO University, Reel
mower basics, undated). A reel mower cuts grass with a scissors like action, as the
moving helix shaped blades pass over the stationary bedknife. The cutting action requires
that the bedknife and reel blades, be sharp, matched, and in close relationship with each
Different products come in different styles. One product category where this is the
fact is the bicycle category. Getting the right impression of the product as well as
considering the way it is being used is important, both when it comes to emotional aspects
The speed of a lawnmower is not that high so the aggressive style presented below
is a bit too much even if it is effective considering the amount of energy that you can
provide from that position. If we see to the demanded speed and wanted input power the
formal style is the one best suited for our projected. It is not in any way expressing a non-
active solution but does not frighten the ones that afraid off leaving the “safe zone” nor