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IMPROVEMENT OF A LOCALLY FABRICATED PEDAL POWERED GRASS

TRIMMER

DENICE M. CANTONEROS
MARY JANE S. LUCASAN
ARTHUR M. RAMO JR.

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

MAY, 2019
CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background

Once upon a time, lawns were green country pastures kept trim by sheep and

other animals that grazed them. Today , powerful tractors, robots and even hovercraft

keep them neat and tidy, but most have one thing in common – a rotating blades powered

by a motor.

The lawn mower was developed in the 1830s in England. Interest and enthusiasm

for lawn case dates back to the post-World War II boom in sub- urban living when

obsession with the perfect lawn began. Before the middle of the 20h century, lawn

mowers were mostly reel mowers with a cylindrical blade that got all its power from the

person pushing it. British engineer Edwin Bunning invented the first one in 1830, and the

first lawn mower powered by an internal combustion engine became available in 1902.

An electric version then became available in 1926.

The history of the lawn mower is a story of innovation and adaptation, and it

certainly shows how far we’ve come in terms of mowing technology. A wide range of

products available for cutting lawns; they vary in terms of power source (manual, electric,

gas), operator mode (walking, riding, or automatic/robotic) with additional accessories

and features. Reel grass mower also cut grass using a clean snipping action thus lawns

are left looking neat, tidy and professionally manicured.


Today, the industries is challenged to come up with more environmentally and

economically sound equipment. Although today’s gas mowers are 70 percent less

polluting than those produced 10 years ago, using a walking gas mower for one hour

produces as much hydrocarbon and nitrogen oxide emissions - greenhouse gases – as

driving 11 cars for an hour. And a gas – powered riding lawn mower produces as much

greenhouse gas as driving 34 cars for an hour. (Lamb, 2016)

Emissions from lawn mowers and similar outdoor power equipment are a

significant source of pollution. Electric-powered lawn mowers don’t emit pollutants by

themselves, but electricity needed to power them is often generated in power plants that

burn fossil fuels. Solar-powered electric mowers require no external source of electricity,

but they can only run for limited time on each charge (Schumancher, 2015).

Pedal-powered reel grass trimmer is not a new idea. Since this tool is powered

exclusively by muscles and is much cheaper than solar-powered ones, this is the

equipment of choice if main concerns are about the environment and don’t have a lot of

money to spend.

The proponents of this study aim to improve and redesign the peal-powered grass

trimmer developed by a group of Mechanical Engineering students from Central

Mindanao University in 2015. The conceptual frameworks is based on a tricycle with

rotating blades mounted to produce a greener and healthier alternative to traditional grass

trimmers.
1.2 Statement of the Problem

Concerns about global warming, air pollution and fuel depletion have become

central issues around the world and as a result, research in recent years focused on the

development of eco-friendly machines.

The use of pedal-powered grass trimmer for aesthetic lawn purposes and as

support to the cause for environment awareness was locally fabricated by former Central

Mindanao University – Mechanical Engineering students in 2015. Due to use of

inappropriate materials & improper assembly of gears and chains, the prototype was

considerably inefficient. The proponents of this study will look into modification of the

framework with strong emphasis on the use of suitable yet cost effective materials in re-

fabrication of the said equipment.

1.3 Significance of the Study

Today's selection of lawn mowers can be overwhelming. From large riding lawn

mower and tractors to small push-behind and remote-controlled mowers, there's an

option for everyone. Although advancement of mowing technology has allowed us to

mow with less work and in less time, problems arising from use of fuel and its

detrimental effects to health and environment have been the top concern. The use of

combustible fuel as means to power up a motor has been widely practiced in the world,
especially countries with advanced technologies. However, gas emission rapidly leads

to one of the most prominent problems in the environment. Furthermore, the surging

inflation rate in the country has caused fuel prices to dramatically increase putting

pressure to the consumers.

To address this concern, a locally fabricated pedal-powered grass trimmer was

developed by a group of Central Mindanao University - Mechanical Engineering students

led by Madrio, Ubaub, and Monteroyo in 2015. However, the prototype was deemed

critically ineffective as the design did not compliment the usability and practicality of the

tool. It is therefore the aim of this study to improve the said prototype that will be a

considerable balance functionality and design. This modified equipment will utilize high

strength and lightweight materials that will make it substantially easier to operate through

a pedal contraption attached to the bicycle framework which will significantly increase its

cutting ability.

1.4 Objectives of the Study

General objective:

This study aims to improve the existing design of the pedal-powered grass

trimmer and evaluate its performance.

Specific objectives:

1. Evaluate the performance of pedal-powered grass trimmer that can reduce

carabao grass height to 2.54 centimeters relative to the ground.


2. Evaluate the cutting rate efficiency of the pedal-powered grass trimmer in

cutting the different heights of carabao grass.

1.5 Scope and Limitation

The scope of this study is to improve the design and functionality of the locally

fabricated pedal-powered grass trimmer that is uniquely assembled using grass trimmer

blade attached into a fabricated bicycle frame with six sprockets (one 40 teeth, one 44

teeth, one 54 teeth, two 16 teeth and one 12 teeth), and one-inch diameter driver shaft.

Performance evaluation of the said grass trimmer in terms of its cutting rate and

effectiveness will then be assessed.

The pedal-powered grass trimmer is limited to these following features: 1) it can

only be operated on plain and smooth surfaces; 2) can only be used to trim carabao grass

with height not exceeding 8 inches; 3) operator should not exceed the maximum weight

of 80 kilograms; and 4) in case of children driving the machine, adult supervision is

needed. It is also important to note that since the equipment heavily relies on human

exertion to both run and trim, the frequency of the force exerted by the operator through

the pedal contraption directly affects the motion of the grass trimmer and its cutting rate.
CHAPTER 2

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Introduction

A lawn mower is a device which by means of one or more revolving blades is used

to cut the grass or other plants at even height. Lawn mowers employing a blade that

rotates around about a vertical axis are known as rotary mowers, while those employing

a blade assembly that rotates about the horizontal axis are known as cylindrical or reel

mowers. Many different designs have been made each suited to a particular purpose.

The smallest types, pushed by a human, are suitable for small residential lawns and

garden, while larger self-contained, ride-on mowers are suitable for large lawns, and the

largest, multi speed mower pulled behind a tractor, are designed for high expanses of

grass such as golf courses and municipal parks (Kok Ho Kiet, 2008).

2.2 History of Lawnmowers

The first mechanical mower was patented in England in 1830 by Mr. Edwin

Budding of Stroud, Gloucestershire. He developed a cylinder or reel-type mower. It was

a series of blades arranged around a cylinder with a push handle. The first power was

added in 1842, when a Mr. Shanks of “Shanks’ Mare” fame patented a Budding-type
horse drawn mower, in 1859 a mower using chain drive instead of the Budding gear drive

was patented – the Silens Messer mower.

Figure2.1.1 Budding-type horse-drawn mower

In 1869, Follows and Bates, of Manchester, England, patented slide wheel lawn

mower, driven by internal teeth in the wheels that engaged pinions on the reel spindle.

This machine was considerably lighter than previous roller types. The electric power

mower made its appearance in the early 1920’s and rapidly gained wide popularity. The

Ransome firm also mass-produced an electric power several years later which featured

headlights for night mowing. Following World War I, mass production and the general

awakening of the American industrial giant brought forth a host of power mower and hand

mower manufacturers. From 1918 to 1925 million of the familiar type hand-push reel

mowers were made by scores of manufactures in the U.S (De Decker, 2011).

By 1925, however, the gasoline powered reel mower began to take a bigger and

bigger share in the market. Toward the middle of the 1930’s the rotary power mower,
featuring a horizontally-mounted cutting blade, began to appear on the American home

scene. This was the first and most significant advance in a century of lawn mowing. Since

World War II there have been great strides in the development of power mowers. The

rotary has become increasingly popular, and in 2958 approximately 90% of the power

mowers sold were rotaries, either self-propelled. Lawn-Roy became the country’s first

production line manufacturers of complete power mowers, including engines, in the early

1950’s. (De Decker, 2011).

Power Mower Company of Kansas City, Missouri, one of the very first rotary power

manufactures has the sales of 5,500,000 units and beyond during 1971. The walk-behind

rotary accounted for 4,700,000 or 85% of all power mower sales according to the Outdoor

Power Equipment Institute. About 80% of the 1971 sales were for the replacement of the

38,000,000 power mowers currently in use in the United States. Sales of rider mowers

and lawn tractors have grown to over 800,000 units annually. Lawn and garden business

is booming and will continue to boom (De Decker, 2011).

Through the years Lan-Boy has continued to improve in design and performance

of Lawn-Boy products. This is one reason why Lawn-Boy is one of the world leaders in

the industry. Lawn-Boy is one of the few manufactures that offer a complete choice of

models designed to fit all mowing requirements (De Decker, 2011).


(a) (b)

Figure 2.2.2 Walk behind mower (a) Lawn-Boy D-400 series engine, (b) Lawn boy D-600

series engine.

Tests have shown the Lawn-Boy D-400 Series, 2 Cycles Engine, to be one of the

best engines available. The heart of the mower is the engine and the D-400 Series is

designed to offer years of dependable service 1972 Lawn-Boy introduced its first Solid

State (CD) d-600 Series engine. Available with manual or electric start- self-propelled or

push propelled type models. The solid state ignition system has no moving parts, is

completely enclosed reducing ignition failure while producing up to 30,000 volts. No

points, coil or condenser to replace, offering longer spark plug life. The all new carburetor

used on the D-600 Series engine is completely automatic. No adjustments other than

atmospheric pressure adjustments are required. A new primer system forces compressed

air into the float chamber which forces fuel into the carburetor venture. This method of

priming is effective and consequently, one prime is usually sufficient to start the engine.
The larger muffler design reduces noise and exhaust down into the turf (Service Bulletin,

2000).

2.3 Lawnmower classifications

There are several classifications of mower namely: the sickle mower,, rotary

mower, reel mower and frail mower.

Sickle mowers, also called reciprocating mowers, bar mowers, sickle-bar mowers,

or finger-bar mowers, have a long (typically six to seven and a half feet) bar on which are

mounted fingers with stationary guard plates. The bar rides on the ground, supported on

a skid at the inner end, and it can be tilted to adjust the height of the cut. A spring-loaded

board at the outer end of the bar guides the cut hay away from the uncut hay. The so-

formed channel, between cut and uncut material, allows the mower skid to ride in the

channel and cut only uncut grass (Ola Nystedt, 2005).

2.4 Common grasses growing in the Philippines

According to Wellington et. al., 2007, the grasses common in the Philippines are
as follows.
Table 1. Common grasses in the Philippines

Types of grasses Descriptions


Height Picture

Carabao Grass A vigorous, creeping


perennial with long 2 to 20 cm
stolons, rooting at
nodes, with culms
solid, slightly
compressed. Leaf-
sheath strongly
compressed.

A tough warm
Bermuda Grass season grass. It has
great drought and 1 to 2 inches
wear resistance and
under the right
conditions spreads
aggressively, at
times to the point of
being invasive and
nuisance.

Para Grass Para grass is a


[Brachiaria mutica creeping perennial 20-70 cm
(Forssk.) Stapf.] with stout above the
ground runners
which root fully at the
nodes.

African Star Grass It is a spreading


(Cynodon perennial with stout, 2-8 cm
plestostachyus) rapidly growing
stolons forming
dense sward.
Pangola Grass A low growing
[Digitaria creeping perennial 10 cm
decumbens (Stent.)] which is similar in
appearance to
couch grass but has
thicker stems and
longer leaves.

Kikuya (Pennisetum Low growing, deep


clandestinum) rooted perennial. 9 cm

A perennial, rather
Alabang X low growing grass 15 cm
(Dicanthium that is naturalized in
aristatum) the Philippines.

2.5 The Adverse Effect of Gas Powered Lawnmower

Each weekend, about 54 million Americans mow their lawns, using 3 billion liters

of gas per year and producing tons of air pollutants. Gardens equipment engines, mostly

consisting of lawnmowers, let out high levels of carbon monoxide, volatile organic
compounds and nitrogen oxides, producing up to 5% of the US air pollution and a good

deal more in urban areas (Gary Burchfield, 2012).

A traditional gas powered lawn mower produces as much air pollution as 43 new

cars each being driven 19 000 kilometers. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also

states that more than 64 million liters of fuel, mostly gasoline, are spilled each year while

refueling lawn equipment. In addition to groundwater contamination, spilled fuel that

evaporates into the air and volatile organic compounds spit out by small engines make

smog-forming ozone when cooked by heat and sunlight (Gary Burchfield, 2012).

Until 1995, lawnmower emissions ere unregulated. Older more powerful, less

efficient two-cycle engines release 25-30% of their oil and gas unburned into the air. This

is a clear issue as many lawnmowers can and are used for several years, sometimes

several decades. There are still a lot of old lawnmowers being use each year (Gary

Burchfield, 2012).

There is a lot of health issues involved in the air pollutions let out by mowers. Gas

mowers can cause cancer and damage to lungs and heart. Electric mowers don’t totally

eliminate pollution, but emissions from the electric industry are more regulated, mostly be

the companies who provide the energy (Gary Burchfield, 2012).


2.6 Fuel

Fuel energy sources are either renewable or non-renewable. A fuel is a

concentrated source of energy. Most fuels are burned in order to release some of their

chemical energy as heat.

All fossil fuels are formed in the same way. Dead animals and plants are gradually

covered over to become sedimentary rocks. Immense pressure and heat applied to these

rocks, over millions of years, results in these organic remains being turned into coal, oil

or natural gas.

Fossil fuels, such as coal, oil and natural gas, are non-renewable energy sources

and take so long to be replaced they can effectively run out.

2.7 Adverse effect of fuel

The main effect of energy from fossil fuel on health id related to the ambient air

pollution to the combustion. Many professional people are involved in this complex field

of studies. Scientific researches focus only in the respiratory diseases of strong

association found during episode of acute air pollution (Helena Ribeiro, 1987).
2.8 Solution to this study

Ever since the arrival of fossil fuels and electricity, human powered tools and

machines have been viewed as an obsolete technology. These make it easy to forget that

there has been a great deal of progress in their design, largely improving their productivity.

The most efficient mechanism to harvest human energy appeared in the late 19th century

is pedaling, stationary pedal powered machines went through a boom during the 20 th

century, but the arrival of the cheap electricity and fossil fuel abruptly stopped all further

development. Pedals and cranks could make an important contribution to running a post

– carbon society that maintains many of the comforts of a modern life. The possibilities of

pedal power therefore largely exceed the use of the bicycle (Kris De Decker, 2011).

Rotary motion has been the fundamental mechanism of the most machines

throughout human history. There have been several important innovations in applying

human power to rotary motion, many of which already in antiquity, example of this is the

bow, the hand crank, the capstan and the tread wheel (human powered cranes).

Successively, each of these brought an improvement to the mechanical advantage, being

the factor by which the mechanism multiplied the human (or sometimes animal) input

force into a higher output force (Ullman, David., 1992).


2.9 Different approaches to cut the grass

There are different approaches to cutting the grass all with advantages and

disadvantages.

When mulching, as shown in figure 2.9.1, you cut the grass in to small pieces that you

leave on the ground to work as a natural fertilizer. The negative side is that you will have

to cut more often to let he mower cut the grass correctly.

Spreading also shown in figure 2.9.1, means that the mower spread the cut grass directly

on to the lawn. Depending on the amount of cut grass you might have to rake it together.

The downside is the extra work but on the other hand you will have grass to make fresh

soil to use in your garden. If you cut the grass when it’s long another downside can be

that the cut grass can suffocate the living grass.

Bagging also shown in figure 2.9.1, involves a container that directly collects the

grass for you to later empty at a pleasant spot. The downside is that it claims more energy

from the mower or you to carry it around until you have emptied it.

(a) (b) (c)

Figure 2.9.1 Methods of cutting grasses (a) Mulching, (b) Spreading, (c) Bagging
(a) (b)

Figure 2.10.1 Lawn mower blades. (a) Lawn mower rotary blade. (b) Lawn mower reel
blade.

2.10 Cutting Methods

By putting up comparative properties of two common cutting methods we gathered

information that could be useful for later decision making when it comes to choosing type

of blades. A mower blade has the corresponding advantages and disadvantages. In the

reel blade side as shown in the figure 2.10.1 (b), it has the advantage of mechanical

simplicity, long lifespan and produces clean cuts but has the disadvantage of high friction,

hard to navigate and cutting noise. In the rotary blade type as shown in figure 2.10.1 (a),

it has the advantage of long-span, low friction and low mulching but has the disadvantage

like ripping the grasses needs motor since it require high rotational speed (Herslow et. l,

2002).
2.11 The reel blade

There are three main structural members in a reel blade cutting unit as shown in

the figure 2.11.1. The reel which is consists of several helixes shaped blades, mounted

to a rotating shaft. The bedknife in which it is attached to the bedbar and the assembly is

mounted to the main frame in manner that allows for paralleling and adjustment to the

reel and the frame which supports the rollers, the bedbar assembly and reel with its drive

mechanism, which can be hydraulic, belt driven, or ground driven (TORO University, Reel

mower basics, undated). A reel mower cuts grass with a scissors like action, as the

moving helix shaped blades pass over the stationary bedknife. The cutting action requires

that the bedknife and reel blades, be sharp, matched, and in close relationship with each

other (TORO University, Reel mower basics, undated).

Figure 2.11.1 Components or the reel blade


2.11 Ergonomics

Different products come in different styles. One product category where this is the

fact is the bicycle category. Getting the right impression of the product as well as

considering the way it is being used is important, both when it comes to emotional aspects

but also ergonomics and user interaction.

The speed of a lawnmower is not that high so the aggressive style presented below

is a bit too much even if it is effective considering the amount of energy that you can

provide from that position. If we see to the demanded speed and wanted input power the

formal style is the one best suited for our projected. It is not in any way expressing a non-

active solution but does not frighten the ones that afraid off leaving the “safe zone” nor

does it express a complex solution.

An honest expression with good ergonomically and mechanical possibilities is the

position we chose to work with. (Joel Herslow, 2007).

Relaxed Formal Leisure Sport Aggressive

Figure 2.12.1 Body in riding a bike

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