"....apparently it's the US name for a bog standard old fashioned push
without a cylinder lawn mower...."
Sorry but without the cylinder you don't have a mower.
Cylinder reefers to the Blades be it 3. 4 5 or 6 to the Cylinder.
I think you are thinking of a mower without a back roller.


--
David Hill
Abacus nurseries
www.abacus-nurseries.co.uk