Rotary mower

1927) when queried as to the first rotary mower he knew of - produced a picture of a machine mass produced around 1939 which originally used a Ford Model A or B electric starter motor turned vertically with a steel disc attached to the output shaft having common sickle bar trapezoidal blades riveted upon it.

It had only two steel spoked wheels on a single axle and an adjustable tail skid that caused a limited range of cutting heights to be available.

Due to the high torque and power associated with the implement, shields made of hanging heavy chain or thick vinyl or rubber are often provided around the discharge chute to control flying debris.

French agricultural machinery manufacturer Rousseau SA claims to have invented the mechanical rotary mower in 1962.

[1] In horticulture, a rotary mower is usually an integral machine that is either pushed by hand or driven by a riding operator, and used to cut amenity and sports turf.