A Project Report on

ECONOMIC LAWN MOWER

submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements

for the Degree of

Bachelor of Technology
Submitted By

Abhisek Mohanty: 1601109378.

Ashutosh Swain: 1601109393.
Biswadhar Senapati: 1601109399.
Chand Sekhar Marndi: 1601109403.
Debadasa Samal: 1601109405.
Debashis Mohanty: 1601109406.
Gaurav Mahalik: 1601109414.
Niramaya Bishoyi: 1601109427.
P.Dileswar : 1601109428

Under the guidance of

Asst. Prof. Saumes Harichandan

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

PARALA MAHARAJA ENGINEERING COLLEGE
BRAMHAPUR-761003,INDIA
November, 2019
 DECLARATION
I do undersigned solemnly declared that presentation report
on ECONOMIC LAWN MOWER is based on our own work
carried out during the course of our study under the supervi-
sion of Mr. SAUMES HARICHANDAN, assistant professor
Mechanical department.
I assure the statements made and conclusion drawn are an
outcome of my research work.
The work content in the report is original and has been
done by me.

Abhisek Mohanty: 1601109378.

Ashutosh Swain: 1601109393.

Biswadhar Senapati: 1601109399.

Chand Sekhar Marndi: 1601109403.

Debadasa Samal: 1601109405.

Debashis Mohanty: 1601109406.

Gaurav Mahalik: 1601109414.

Niramaya Bishoyi: 1601109427.

P.Dileswar : 1601109428
 CERTIFICATE
This is to certify the project report entitled “ECONOMIC
LAWN MOWER” is a bonafide record of work submitted
the following students under my guidance and supervision. It
is submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the
award of the Degree of Bachelor of Technology in Mechan-
ical Engineering by Biju Pattnaik University of Technology,
Rourkela, and Orissa.

Abhisek Mohanty: 1601109378.

Ashutosh Swain: 1601109393.

Biswadhar Senapati: 1601109399.

Chand Sekhar Marndi: 1601109403.

Debadasa Samal: 1601109405.

Debashis Mohanty: 1601109406.

Gaurav Mahalik: 1601109414.

Niramaya Bishoyi: 1601109427.

P.Dileswar : 1601109428

Mr.Saumes Harichandan Dr. Trilochan Rout

Asst. Professor HOD, Mechanical
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
With immense pleasure We, presenting the project report as
a part of curriculum of B.TECH Mechanical engg. We wish
to thank all the people who gave us unending support.
We express profound thanks to our seminar guide Mr.Saumes
Harichandan, assistant professor of Mechanical department of
PMEC and all those who have indirectly guided and helped
us in preparation of this project report.

Abhisek Mohanty: 1601109378.

Ashutosh Swain: 1601109393.

Biswadhar Senapati: 1601109399.

Chand Sekhar Marndi: 1601109403.

Debadasa Samal: 1601109405.

Debashis Mohanty: 1601109406.

Gaurav Mahalik: 1601109414.

Niramaya Bishoyi: 1601109427.

P.Dileswar : 1601109428
 PREFACE
It is great opportunity for me, pursuing B.TECH degree in
Mechanical engineering in PARALA MAHARAJA ENGI-
NEERING COLLEGE. I am submitting a seminar report
on WAVE ENERGY CONVERTER. Subject to limitation
of time and resources, every possible attempt has been made
to study the topic deeply. The whole seminar has been mea-
sured through questionnaire.

5
 ABSTRACT
This project is to fabricate a grass cutter with helix shaped
blade. At present grass cutter is operated by fuel and electri-
cal energy. The design objective is to come up with a mower
that is portable, durable, easy to operate and maintain. In
our project we fabricate the grass cutting machine for the
use of agricultural field, to cut the crops in the field. This
is a new innovative concept used in agricultural and domes-
tic field. It is simple in construction and its working is easy.
The components that are used are wheel, gear arrangement,
roller, bearing, and base frame. Below the gear arrangement
cutting blade is revolved. As the gear arrangement rotates
the reel mower tends to cut the plants or crops. The reel
consists of several helix shaped blades mounted to a rotating
shaft. The whole set up is placed on a movable base which
has a wheel arrangement. It is used to maintain and upkeep
lawns in gardens, schools, college’s etc
Contents

1.1 Mathematical Notation :- . . . . . . . . 1

1.2 List of Figures :- . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
1.3 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1.4 Objective . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
1.5 Litrature Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
1.5.1 Approaches of Grass Cutting . . 7
1.6 Types of Lawn Mower . . . . . . . . . . . 9
1.6.1 Reel Mower . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
1.6.2 Rotary Mower . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
1.7 Parts of Reel Mower . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
1.7.1 Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
1.7.2 Sprial Cutter . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
1.7.3 Spur Gear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
1.7.4 Bed Knife . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
1.7.5 Cycle Frame . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
1.8 Working Principle . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
1.8.1 Reel Mower Clip . . . . . . . . . . 15
1.9 Factors Affacting Clip . . . . . . . . . . . 16
1.10 Design And Calculation . . . . . . . . . . 18
1.10.1 For Blade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
1.10.2 For Gear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
1.10.3 Cutting Force Calculations . . . . 21
1.11 Advantages And Disadvantages . . . . . 22
1.11.1 Advantages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
1.11.2 Disadvantages . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

7
1.12 Things To Be Done . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
1.13 Bibliography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
1.1 Mathematical Notation :-
Z1= Number of teeth on ring gear
Z2= Number of teeth on pinion gear
m= Module
d1= Diameter of the ring gear
d2= Diameter of the pinion gear
D2= Wheel diameter
N1= Speed of cutter
N2= Speed of wheel
T1= Torque
Fc= Cutting force
Pc= Power on cutter cylinder
V= Velocity
mc= Mass of cutter
n= Number of helical blade on cylinder
W= Length of the cylinder

1.2 List of Figures :-

Figure.1-Figure showing mulching
Figure.2-Figure showing spreading
Figure.3-Figure showing bagging
Figure.4-Reel mower
Fgure.5-Rotary mower
Figure.6-Wheel
Figure.7-Spiral cutter
Figure.8-Internal spur gear
Figure.9-Bed knife
Figure.10-Cycle frame
Figure.11-Mechanism

1
Figure.12-Clip
Figure.13,14,15- Relationship between height of cut and clip
Figure.16-Design of spiral blade
Figure.17- Helical geometry of cutting blade
Figure.18- Design of internal sour gear

2
1.3 Introduction

Now a day’s environmental pollution is a main issue for

whole world. Pollution is manmade and can be seen in our
homes and environments. In case of gas powered or engine
powered lawn mowers due to the emission of gases it is re-
sponsible for pollution. Also the cost of fuel is increasing day
by day and hence it is not efficient. So the Pedal operated
lawn cutters are introduced. Pedal operated lawn mowers
can be described as the application of pedal of a bicycle run
by man who in turn rotates a blade which does the mowing of
a lawn. In large size of lawn in the park, schools, colleges, are
maintained manually. The gardener used hand scissors used
to cut and maintain lawn uniformly. It is not easy and also
very difficult to maintain uniform size. Also a motor pow-
ered engine requires periodic maintenance such as changing
the engine oil. Even though electric grass cutters are environ-
mentally friendly, they too can be an inconvenience. Along
with motor powered grass cutter, electric grass cutters are
also hazardous and cannot be easily used by all.

3
1.4 Objective

This work is an autonomous grass cutter that will allow

user to the ability to cut their grass with minimal effort.
Hence this work of design to make a grass cutter without any
power source to reduce the power consumption. Design a
pedal operated domestic lawnmower that utilizes man power
as a power source is mean to address a number of issues
that standard internal combustion engine mower do not. A
pedal operated lawnmower will be easier to use. The major
objectives of this work are indicated in the following

4
1.5 Litrature Review
Everett G, the first lawn mower was invented by Edwin
Budding in 1827 in Thrupp, just outside Stroud, in Glouces-
tershire. Budding’s mower was designed primarily to cut the
grass on sports grounds and extensive gardens, as a superior
alternative to the scythe, and was granted a British patent on
August 31, 1830. Budding’s first machine was 19 inches (480
mm) wide with a frame made of wrought iron. Cast iron gear
wheels transmitted power from the rear roller to the cutting
cylinder, allowing the rear roller to drive the knives on the
cutting cylinder; the ratio was 16:1. Another roller placed be-
tween the cutting cylinder and the main or land roller could
be raised or lowered to alter the height of cut. The grass
clippings were hurled forward into a tray-like box.
Mary Bellis , in the United States, gasoline-powered lawn
mowers were first manufactured in 1914 by Ideal Power Mower
Co. of Lansing, Michigan, based on a patent by Ransom
E. Olds. Ideal Power Mower also introduced the world’s
first self-propelled, riding lawn tractor in 1922, known as the
”Triplex”. The roller-drive lawn mower has changed very
little since around 1930. Gang mowers, those with multiple
sets of blades to cut a wider swath, were built in the United
States in 1919 by the Worthington Mower Company.
Hessayon D G, rotary mowers were not developed until en-
gines were small enough and powerful enough to run the
blades at sufficient speed. Many people experimented with
rotary blade mowers in the late 1920s and early 1930s, and
Power Specialties Ltd. introduced a gasoline-powered rotary
mower. Kut Kwick replaced the saw blade of the ”Pulp Saw”
with a double-edged blade and a cutter deck, converting the
”Pulp Saw” into the first ever out-front rotary mower. One

5
company that produced rotary mowers commercially was the
Australian Victa company, starting in 1952. Its mowers were
lighter and easier to use than similar ones that had come be-
fore. The first Victa mowers were made at Mortlake, an inner
suburb of Sydney, by local resident Mervyn Victor Richard-
son. He made his first model out of scrap in his garage. The
first Victa mowers were then manufactured, going on sale on
20 September 1952. The new company, Victa Mowers Pty
Ltd, was incorporated on 13 February 1953.
Gu Guanhui et al. The venture was so successful that by
1958 the company moved to much larger premises in Parra-
matta Road, Concord, and then to Milperra, by which time
the mower incorporated an engine, designed and manufac-
tured by Victa, which was specially designed for mowing,
rather than employing a general-purpose engine bought from
outside suppliers. Two Victa mowers, from 1958 and 1968 re-
spectively, are held in the collection of the National Museum
of Australia. The Victa mower is regarded as something of
an Australian icon, appearing en masse, in simulated form,
at the opening of the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000.

6
1.5.1 Approaches of Grass Cutting
Mulching
When mulching 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 to cut more often to let
the mower cut the grass correctly.

(Fig.1)

Spreading
Spreading 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 that the cut grass can suffocate the
living grass.

7
 (Fig.2)

Bagging
Bagging 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.

(Fig.3)

8
1.6 Types of Lawn Mower

1.6.1 Reel Mower

A Reel Mower is a mower in which the blades spin verti-

cally (north to south) and use a scissoring action to cut the
blades of grass. A reel mower should have between three and
seven blades, depending on the model type.
• Golf courses are most often cut with reel mowers which are
pulled by a tractor.
• A Reel mower pushed by people does not cut very high
grass as well or as easily.
• However, once the lawn is under control, the scissor-like cut
of a reel mower is healthier for the lawn.

A Reel mower snips the grass, cutting each blade like a pair
of scissors. It’s a precise, clean cut that makes for a healthier
and more attractive lawn.

(Fig.4)

9
1.6.2 Rotary Mower
A Rotary Mower is a mower in which the blade spins hori-
zontally (east to west) and uses a sucking and tearing action
to cut the blades of grass. Rotary mowers usually have one
blade which rotates very fast. The rotary mower design is
simple and adapts very well to small engines. Rotary mowers
can cut a wide variety of grass conditions. Rotary mowers
are usually powered by gas engines or electric engines.

(Fig.5)

1.7 Parts of Reel Mower

1.7.1 Wheels
Wheel is the mother part of all the components. Attached to
the axle and used to move the entire system.The main wheels
are the contact point with the ground. The ring gear having
63 teeth and it is covered by the frame need of protection.
The circular diameter of wheel is 200 mm. Tire is covered
outer side of the wheel which gives the grip on wheel rotation.

10
 (Fig.6)

1.7.2 Sprial Cutter

The spinning blades of the mower do not actually cut the
grass. It manipulates the grass to be cut by the cutter blade
or bed knife. The cutting surface shears the grass as it is
caught between the spinning drum and the cutter blade. A
reel mower cuts grass with a scissors like shearing action, as
the moving helix shaped blades pass over the stationary bed
knife. The cutting action requires that the bed knife and reel
blades matched, and in close relationship with each other.
This weld is then ground to be a perfect cylinder. The reel is
supported by precision bearings held within the side plates.
The side plates are held in place by a frame. This becomes
the reel assembly, and is a precision cutting tool. The reel as-
sembly is supported by rollers, and pulled along the ground
by a carrier frame. Everything comes together, to make a
precision cutting tool.
The spinning blades of the mower do not actually cut the
grass. It manipulates the grass to be cut by the cutter blade
or bed knife. The reel consists of five or six helix shaped
blades, welded to supports and mounted to a shaft. This
weld is then ground to be a perfect cylinder. The reel is sup-

11
ported by precision bearings held within the side plates. The
side plates are held in place by a frame.
This becomes the reel assembly, and is a precision cutting
tool. The reel assembly is supported by rollers, and pulled
along the ground by a carrier frame. Everything comes to-
gether, to make a precision cutting tool.

(Fig.7)

1.7.3 Spur Gear

The lawn mower shall be driven from both wheels with suit-
able ratchet action provided on both sides between the drive
wheels and cutting reel. Gears and pinions shall mesh fully
and smoothly. Spur gears or straight-cut gears are the sim-
plest type of gear. They consist of a cylinder or disk with the
teeth projecting radically, and although they are not straight-
sided in form of the edge of each tooth is straight and aligned
parallel to the axis of rotation.
Spur gears or straight-cut gears are the simplest type of gear.
They consist of a cylinder or disk with the teeth projecting
radically, and although they are not straight-sided in form of
the edge of each tooth is straight and aligned parallel to the
axis of rotation.

12
 (Fig.8)

1.7.4 Bed Knife

The bed knife is held rigidly in position on the bed bar by
screws. The bed knife is sharpened to be flat and square
so the sharp edge contacts the reel blades across the entire
length. If the bed knife is not flat, or the reel is not a perfect
cylinder, it is impossible to get the bed knife to contact along
the entire length of the reel. The contact between the blade
reel and cutter blade provides a shearing force which cuts the
grass. It consists of a horizontal knife screwed to bed knife
bar.

(Fig.9)

1.7.5 Cycle Frame

Different products come in different styles. One product cat-
egory where this is a 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
13
aspects but also ergonomics and user interaction. If we see
to the demanded speed and wanted input power the formal
style is the one best suited for our project. An honest ex-
pression with good economically and mechanical possibilities
is the position we choose to work with.Hence after necessary
research a bicycle frame which gives a formal body position
was choosen

(Fig.10)

1.8 Working Principle

Working of the lawnmower is depending on the wheel ro-
tation. Wheel is the main component of this machine. The
rotation is transferred from wheel to the spider by gear en-
gagement. Also the rotation of the spider is controlled in one
direction by the ratchet mechanism. It is placed on the pin-
ion inside.
Rotating spider is strike the bed knife and the grass is sheared
to applied level of cutting height. Maintenance of the height
of cut is done using support rollers.

14
 (Fig.11)
Reel mowers also cut lawns more evenly and much closer.
The cylindrical drum on a reel mower cuts every individual
blade of grass like a pair of scissors. This produces a clean
cut, which will protect the grass from disease and increases
the health of the grass. Optimum clip rate is achieved when
the bed knife and reel blades create small, even gatherings
that are then cut. The result is a small, unnoticeable clip
and an even after cut appearance
If the reel speed is too slow in relation to the groundspeed,
there is too much space between cuts, resulting in visible clip
marks and uncut grass. Visible clip marks in the turf are the
result of an incorrect clip rate.
If the reel speed is too fast, in relation to groundspeed, the
leaves of the grass plants impacted multiple times before be-
ing cut.

1.8.1 Reel Mower Clip

To understand reel cutting theory, you must un-
derstand the concept of clip and the shear point.
A shear point is any single point of contact made
15
between the reel blade and bed-knife. Clip is the
forward distance travelled between successive blade
contacts at one shear point.

(Fig.12)

1.9 Factors Affacting Clip

· The diameter of the reel

· The number of reel blades
· The speed of the reel
· The ground speed.

By following the blade path through two “clips” as the

machine moves forward we can illustrate the actual process
of cutting grass. The bed-knife pushes grass toward the shear
point while the reel blade gathers it in front. Each blade path
has one-half clip in which to cut all the grass.

16
 (Fig.13)

Note that the grass outside of the forward half clip is not
easily gathered. The general rule of thumb concerning height
of cut vs. clip is that both measurements should be within
20

(Fig.14)

Grass extending beyond the forward half clip, yet tall enough
to be within the blade path is less likely to be cut. Reel blades
may contact the grass in this area several times prior to the
actual gathering of the grass. This is the so called “fanning”
process. This process is more a mechanical striking of the
grass that it is of the commonly thought effect of a blowing
action.

(Fig.15)

17
1.10 Design And Calculation

1.10.1 For Blade

Design

Fig.16 - Design of Spiral Blade

Calculation

It may be shown that k for a cylinder having n partial

helices is given by

18
 (Fig.17)

(Helical geometry of cutting blades in cylinder lawnmower.)

19
1.10.2 For Gear
Calculations

20
Design

(Fig.18 - Design of internal spur gear)

1.10.3 Cutting Force Calculations

21
1.11 Advantages And Disadvantages

1.11.1 Advantages
The pedal operated grass cutter has some useful
advantages. They are as follows:
1) The basic advantage of the grass cutter is that
it reduces the pollution. So it is eco- friendly .
2) By operating this machine the peddler can be-
come health cautious and maintain respective phys-
ical fitness.
3) The blade height can be varied accordingly to
the required clearance.
4) The system does not require any power source to
drive the machine. So zero Carbon emission (CO2)
occurs.
5) The initial and the maintenance costs are com-
paratively less than the normal grass cutters.
6) It is durable and easy to operate.
7) Higher grass cutting efficiency can also be ob-
tained when the lawn is dry.
8) They are less dangerous than rotary mowers.
9) It can be used by both rural and urban dwellers.
10) It is affordable since cost of production is low.

22
1.11.2 Disadvantages
1)The main disadvantage of the lawn mower is that
it is not suitable for uneven grounds.
2) We need more effort to operate on sloppy grounds.
(e.g. Golf coast)

1.12 Things To Be Done

Till date, we have calculated and designed about the follow-

ing parameters like the helix angle, cutting force, gear ratio
required RPM and brougjht the cycle frame and bed knife.
In the further coming period, we are going to fabricate the
required parts as per the design specifications previously cal-
culated.
Also if possible then we will try to implement back pedal
mechanism to it.
we are also trying to use solar energy for running the mower
and implement the blade height adjustment mechanism if it
is feasible.
It is can useful to reduce the cost of grass cutting and main-
tainance of feilds and lawns with zero carbon emmision

23
1.13 Bibliography
[1] D.Satwik , Mr.N.Ramalingeswara Rao , Sreeram Reddy
, “Design and Fabrication of Lever Operated Solar Lawn
Mower and Contact Stress Analysis of Spur Gears”, Inter-
national Journal of Science, Engineering and Technology Re-
search (IJSETR) , Volume 4, Issue 8, Augest-2015.

[2] Everett G, Improvement in Lawn-Mowers, United State

Patent Office, Vol. 6, 1869, Pp. 305-306.

[3] Gu Guanhui, Crane Johne, Hornberger George, Caricco

Amanda, The effects of household management practices on
the global warming potential of urban lawns, Journal of En-
vironmental Management, Vol. 151, 2015, Pp. 233–242.

[4] G.Shanmugasundar, R.Yokesh, S.Yuvaranjith, R. Barath,

S.Bala “ Design and Fabrication of Eco Friendly Pedal Oper-
ated Lawn Mower for Agricultural application” , IOSR Jour-
nal of Engineering (IOSRJEN), ISSN (e): 2250- 3021, ISSN
(p): 2278-8719 Vol. 08, Issue 6 (June. 2018), ——V (V) ——
PP 12-17.

[5] Hessayon D G, the Lawn Expert, Tran’s world Publish-

ers, London, 2007.

[6] Mary Bellis, Greener Pastures – History of the Lawn

Mower, Inventors.about.com, 2011.

24
 [7] Mr. A R Deepak, Kiran Kunwar, Daneesh E, Rabin Ka-
dayat, Punith C N , “ Design and Fabrication of Solar Grass
Cutter “ , International Journal of Latest Engineering Re-
search and Applications (IJLERA) ISSN: 2455-7137Volume
– 03, Issue – 05, May 2018, PP – 08-12.

[8] N.Nagarajan1, N.S.Sivakumar2 and R.Saravanan3, “De-

sign and Fabrication of Lawn Mower “ , Asian Journal of
Applied Science and Technology (AJAST) Volume 1, Issue
4, Pages 50-54, May 2017.

[9] Tony Atkins , “Optimum blade configurations for the

cutting of soft solids “, Engineering Fracture Mechanics 73
(2006) 2523–2531 (www.scienedirect .com)

[10] Toro Commercial Products, Fundamentals of reel mow-

ers ,

[11] Design of Machine Elements, V.B.Bhandari.

Principles of Farm Machinary, Kepner,

25