SOLAR BASED GRASS CUTTER MACHINE

Due to the continuous increase in the cost of fuel and the effect of emission of
gases from the burnt fuel into the atmosphere, this necessitate d the use of the abundant solar
energy from the sun as a source of power to drive a lawn mower. A solar powered lawn
mower was designed and developed, based on the general principle of mowing. The designed
solar powered lawnmower comprises of direct current (D.C) motor, a rechargeable battery,
solar panel, a stainless steel blade and control switch . Mowing is achieved by the D.C
motor which provides the required torque needed to drive the stainless steel blade which is
directly coupled to the shaft of the D.C motor. The solar powered lawnmower is operated by
the switch on the board which closes the circuit and allows the flow of current to the motor
which in turn drive the blade used for mowing. The battery recharges through the solar
charging controller. Performance evaluation of the developed machine was carried out with
different types of grasses. The machine Was foun d to have an efficiency of 93% and a field
capacity of 1.11 × 10-4 ha/hr. No significant difference was observed with the height of
grasses at 5% confidence level.
The system will have some automation work for guidance and other obstacle
detection. The system will have a power source that is battery and a solar panel will be
attached on the top of the robot. Moving the grass cutters with a standard motor powered
grass cutters is an inconvenience, and no one takes pleasure in it. Cutting grass cannot be
easily accomplished by elderly, younger, grass cutter moving with engine create noise
pollution due to the loud engine, and local air pollution due to the combustion in the
engine. Also, a motor powered engine requires periodic maintenance such as changing the
engine oil. Even though electric solar grass are environmentally friendly, they too can be
an inconvenience. Along with motor powered grass cutter, electric grass cutters are also
hazardous and cannot be easily used by all. Also, if the electric grass cutter is corded,
mowing could prove to be problematic and dangerous. The prototype will also be will be
charged from sun by using solar panels.