A Well-known Mower Now Power-driven.
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A N INTERESTING schemafor the production of an .tlefficient power-driven mower has been evolved by F. Mitchell iNottingham,I Ltd. They considered that it would be preferable to adapt a well-known design of machine for use with a petrol engine, rather than to launch out into building a comp1etel3 new mower in which the points, so far as the mower part itself was concerned, might not have been thoroughly tested. By arrangement with the manufacturers, the new machine, which is known as the Automo, embodies the 16-in. model of the J.P. Super lawn mower, and in carrying out the design special care has been taken to retain all the advantages of this machine, plus those presented by the use of power. The unit employed for the drive is a Mitchell air-cooled h.p. two-stroke, engine, with a single cylinder provided with a h.-t. magneto and lubricated on the petroil system, the tank holding half a gallon of petrol, to which is added a quarter of a pint of air-cooled engine oil. An automatic carburetter is provided, and this is equipped with a Bowden hand control mounted on the bar to which the handle at the right side is secured.
The engine is mounted with its cylinder horizontal and the head pointing forwards so that it obtains the benefit of the air draught. The rounded tank is securely mounted above this on a cradle carried on four pillars. Thetransmission is by gear-driven countershaft with a hand-controlled clutch, the control lever taking the form of a long rod which passes up between the two handles and works in a slotted plate in the upper cross-bar.
From the countershaft the power is conveyed by chain to the mower, this chain being enclosed in an aluminium case and running in oil. The mower itself has pressed-steer land rollers in three sections for cornering, epicyclic speed-up gears, and enclosed chain drive to the rotary cutter.
The average cost of petrol and oil for 2,000 sq. yds. is said to be 3d., and the price of the complete outfit is 39 guinease which seems to be a most reasonable figure.