The Ride On Lawn Mower
As lawns get bigger so does the demand to cut the lawn in the same amount of time or in comfort. In addition, as lawnmowers get past a certain size, it gets harder to push them and the motor needs not only to rotate the blades but drive the mower too. These have lead to the rise of ride on lawn mowers, large lawnmowers you can sit on and drive around. The are bacially the middle ground between the normal lawnmowers and tractors. In fact most of these resemble small agricultural tractors. In the more powerful models they even take it further by enabling other devices to be mounted on the front like: rototillers, snowplows, snowblowers, yard vacuums and sometimes even lifting buckets.
As for when they were 'invented' or the first one was released I have been able to find out the earliest on I can find on record is in 1954 (let me know if you know of any earlier than this).
Ride on mowers are normally designed so the user is seated on top of the motor with the controls in similar locations to cars. Most of these have manual transmissions although there are one or two fancy models out the with automatic and electric transmissions, but you do pay for it. Similar to normal mowers these normally have a rotating multi-blade horizontal cutting system mounted in the center of the lawnmower.
Different Options:
Front-mounted deck: These mowers are generally more maneuverable around tight corners than the tractor type, but are generally more expensive. Most of these machines cut using the horizontal rotating blade system, though usually with multiple blades.
Mow Aerator Riding Lawn Mower Tire Brackets: Mow and aerate your lawn at the same time with new and revolutionary garden product. This set of brackets is easy to install and remove and easy to store for future use. The Mow-Aerator is a simple set of brackets with 1.5 inch spikes made of cold rolled steel, powder coated to prevent rust, that attaches to the rear wheels of your riding lawn mower which fits tire sizes of 20x8 and 18x8. Unlike plug aerators or pull behind aerators, this provides you with a way to mow and aerate at the same time. The benefit of aerating at least once a month is it provides your soil with air, helping water and fertilizer to move into the roots of your grass and providing a stronger and healthier root system. The set of brackets weighs 38 pounds.
Lawn Tractor Cover: I don't know about you but these mowers are getting bigger and my shed isn't so these are becoming a must. If you are buying a new mower push your dealer into throwing one of these in.
Grass Collectors: There is some debate as the best thing to do with grass clippings. I like to leave them there as mulch but if you have a ride on and want to pick up the clippings then you need a bag to catch it in.
Riding Mower Sunshades: Man these are a great idea and on my Christmas list. You are always mowing when it is sunny a bit of sun protection is a great idea.
