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10 Vintage Lawn Mowers You Just Have to See

Mowing the lawn wasn't always as easy as jumping on a rider or following a self-propelled mower.

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While grass lawns are a common feature of American homes, they are a relatively new concept in world history. First made popular in 18th-century France and England, the practice of cultivating lawns eventually made its way to the United States, where it has since become standard-fare on residential properties from coast to coast. Part of the allure of a lawn is its durability, but also its neat appearance and comfortable feel underfoot.

To keep grass looking its best, it’s key to keep it trimmed. In the early days, this was done by hand using scythes, often by hired workers maintaining large English gardens. The process became easier in the 19th century with the invention of mechanical lawn cutters. Since then, lawn mowers have continued to improve, leading to the wide variety of models available today.

Explore the history of lawn mowers—from early push models to large wheeled machines—and see how this everyday tool has changed over time.

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antiquated
donsimon/Shutterstock

Big Wheels

Did you know that, according to Briggs and Stratton, formal lawns with neatly kept grass started appearing in France in the 1700s? While this vintage lawn mower came much later, it’s still not a model you’re likely to see today.

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lawn
Claudio Divizia/Shutterstock

Mega Blade

An early version of the riding lawn mower, this vintage model has a wide blade in front to cut grass. According to Popular Mechanics, in 1921 Knud and Oscar Jacobsen introduced a mower with a purpose-built gas engine that was used to maintain lawns on golf courses, parks and cemeteries.

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old
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Give it Some Gas

Imagine using this walk behind lawn mower to mow your lawn this weekend. In 1919, according to Bradley Mowers, Colonel Edwin George developed the first lawn mower powered by gasoline.

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Rusty
Margo Harrison/Shutterstock

What’s Ergonomics?

While it’s still common to see push mowers, this vintage lawn mower model is very out-of-date. The reel-type spiral-blade cutter made its debut in the United States in 1868, according to Popular Mechanics.

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push
iyd39/Shutterstock

The Reel Deal

While push mowers like this one offered users a chance to get some exercise, that started to change in 1956. According to Bradley Mowers, that’s the year Cecil Pond created the first ride-on lawn mower.

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Vintage
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Back to the Future

Imagine using this walk behind mower to mow an acre or more of lawn. While these mowers are better for the environment (no gas fumes!), they are best for small lawns. Today’s models look much different, such as this version 16-inch mower with grass catcher from GreenWorks.

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power
Rupert Seldon/Shutterstock

More Power, Please

When it comes to vintage lawn mowers, it’s interesting to see how quickly styles progressed. In 1924, Toro introduced its first power mower, the 30-inch Park Special. It was a leading seller through 1961 when it was displaced by demand for rotary mowers.

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hitch
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Riding the Wave

Here’s a look at an early version of the riding mower that we often see today. In 1987, the lawnmower took a staring role in the film, Can’t Buy Me Love. You may remember the nerdy character Ronald woos the popular girl, Cindy, and the two rode off on his riding lawn mower. You can see the famous ending on YouTube.

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rust
THE SING/Shutterstock

Blast from the Past

This vintage lawn mower will take you on a trip down memory lane. In 1982, lawn mower safety standards were established, including a safety label, Bradley Mowers notes. We don’t think this model would pass the test.

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oil
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The Mow Ya Know

Imagine using this vintage lawn mower model today. Here’s a fun fact: According to Popular Mechanics, the world record for fastest speed on a mower was set in 2010 at 87.83-miles per hour. How fast can you mow your lawn?

FAQ

Can I upgrade parts on an old lawn mower?

You can, but there will be a limit to what parts can receive an upgrade. Parts that are easier to upgrade include spark plugs, air filters and blades.

How can I find parts for an old lawn mower?

The best places to find old or discontinued mower parts is Amazon or eBay. For antique or vintage parts, search on eBay, and online parts dealers.

Author
Rachel Brougham
Rachel Brougham has written for home improvement publications since 2017. In 2019, she lived through a major home remodeling project and uses her skills to help readers determine what home improvement trends, gardening practices, decor styles and products can best help them.
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Rachel Brougham