"Bob Hobden" wrote in message
...
"Simon Foster" wrote


Hello everyone.

I am a student currently studying in the Mechanical Engineering
department at the University of Sheffield. For my dissertation an
engineering company has asked me to review their lawn mower handling
system design, and part of the preliminary research is to find out what
difficulties people face when performing tasks in the garden.

If you have a spare 5 minutes (that's all it will take max), please have
a look at my online survey and help me out. In order to make the design
as ergonomic as possible, we're looking to focus on people over the age
of 50.

The survey is at: www.kwiksurveys.com/?u=gardening

I look forward to reading your opinions. Thanks very much,


The only thing I would say Simon is most on this newsgroup are keen
gardeners, we know more about Lawnmowers than the great unwashed, is that
the sort of people you want to take notice of, the sort of people that the
design is to be marketed too?
As for design, a rear roller is better than 4 wheels as you can cut over
the edge of the lawn instead of getting on your knees with a pair of
shears.
--
Regards. Bob Hobden.
Posted to this Newsgroup from the W of London, UK


Seconded but perhaps to add, rear roller yes but if its powered it should be
front wheel drive.

And young man when you get there you will find little difference between 30,
40 or 50 except at 50 you eyes start to go so I suppose it would be fair to
say they ought to print the manuals in a larger font!!!


--
Charlie, Gardening in Cornwall
Holders of National Collections of Clematis viticella
and Lapageria rosea cvs
http://www.roselandhouse.co.uk