cwc@mhuxd.UUCP (Chip Christ) (05/11/84)
- The only place I have seen such equipment is at the EPCOT Center in Florida. At first glance, they look neat; upon some reflection some potential draw- backs occur, e.g. what if you aren't lucky enough to have a nice, flat, even lawn surface, what keeps it from slipping down an incline? Maybe that's why we haven't seen consumer versions. Chip
stanwyck@ihuxr.UUCP (Don Stanwyck) (05/11/84)
The hover-mowers have ben available for several years on the west-coast. They were made by a fairly well-known company, but I can't remember the name right now. I knew several people who used them, and had no real problem with them. I did not, however, ever use one myself, or see them used in more difficult places. -- ________ ( ) Don Stanwyck @( o o )@ 312-979-3062 ( || ) Cornet-367-3062 ( \__/ ) ihnp4!ihuxr!stanwyck (______) Bell Labs @ Naperville, IL
ksh@cbosgd.UUCP (Karen Summers-Horton) (05/11/84)
There is a consumer product of 'hover mowers'. I recall last spring seeing ads for a company putting out one called 'Flymo'. Sorry, thats all I remember except them showing this guy mowing this steep hill by holding the mower in one hand and moving it back and forth. I should mention, we have one of these hover vacuum cleaners (same principal - it hovers on a cushion of air). The major disadvantage is that when its not turned on, it doesn't hover and doesn't have wheels, so you have to drag it or carry it around. Karen Summers-Horton
nxn@ihuxm.UUCP (Dave Nixon) (05/12/84)
- Hover-mowers have been commonly used in Britain for about 15 years. The main brand is Flymo. They are very light and easy to push/pull. They are ideal for mowing steep slopes with more level ground at the top, as they can be dangled from a rope and swung like a pendulum. There are safety problems if you happen to slip - I have heard of two people who have mown their own feet. Wearing spiked shoes should reduce the danger (golf shoes are ideal). As I understand it, to be legal here in the USA (IL?), some kind of blade-stopping device is necessary in case the user releases the handle. This might be too heavy for a hover design, or might otherwise interfere with the hover effect. Dave Nixon AT&T Bell Laboratories, Naperville, IL ..!ihnp4!ihuxm!nxn
rh@mit-eddie.UUCP (Randy Haskins) (05/12/84)
When in doubt, listen to the "professional." (I worked for a yard maintainance outfit back when I was just of working age...) We indeed had a mower that floated on air. I believe the brand name was "FlyMo." It had a light B&S 2-stroke on it, and the chasis (I guess that's the term) was made of plastic. There was a spiral blower on it that was attached to the blade-shaft (scooped in the air to put under the mower). Now, how did it work? Not so great. We used it occasionally on steep slopes (like at shopping malls. Those people do some pretty impractical things when it comes to landscaping.) I didn't cut too well (okay, I guess), and if the grass was thick, it would slow the blade down which would slow the blower action down, and it would sink into the grass, making the blade slow down more... (you get the picture). I wouldn't recommend them unless you had a lot of steeply sloped ground. Then the approved method is to use two people and a rope (or you could rope the mower. Did I mention that I didn't think the idea was terribly safe?) Another thing to consider is that they don't have anything to guide them in a straight path. A nice gimmick, but not terribly practical (I don't think my boss was terribly happy that he bought it.) -- Randwulf (Randy Haskins); Path= genrad!mit-eddie!rh
spoo@utcsrgv.UUCP (Suk Lee) (05/12/84)
<>
A commercial hover-mover exists. It's called the Fly-Mo (whut else?),
is electrically powered, and comes from the land of the croissants
(I believe). I've never seen one work, but it doesn't seem to be that
great an idea--can't bag clipping, can't adjust cutting height, etc.
--
From the pooped paws of:
Suk Lee
..!{decvax,linus,allegra,ihnp4}!utcsrgv!spoognome@olivee.UUCP (05/15/84)
I've seen those hovering lawn mowers, not up close, though. They call 'em Flymows (Fly-moe). ???????? ?????? ???? ? Gary