Mowing-machine

Mowing-machine, a machine for mowing lawns and bowling-greens, instead of the scythe. The mowing-machine differs from the reaping-machine in principle, chiefly in having revolving instead of horizontal cutters. The first successful mowing-machines in use in Britain were those invented by Shanks of Arbroath and by Green of Leeds about 1850, whose improved machines are yet the best where the wear and tear are heavy. There are now many rivals to these, chiefly of American manufacture, which are preferable to them on the score of lightness of draught, and consequently ease and speed in the performance of the work.