Ergonomics 101: Mowing Smart, Not Hard

If mowing the lawn is a pain in the neck-or your shoulder or wrist-consider the ergonomic design of your lawnmower.

Garden gurus hold that working smart, not hard, stems from what's called the ergonomic design of their tools.

Increasingly, ergonomic industrial designers are creating functional, comfortable and easy-to-use products. Ergonomic design tries to help reduce physical stress, maintain energy and allow the gardener to enjoy more time outdoors.

According to the experts at Honda Power Equipment, attaining the right cut for that coveted yard of the month starts with an easy-to-use mower.

"Lawn mowing should be as productive and effortless as possible. When the operator has to constantly grip the handlebars to increase speed, adjust a jerking mower on an incline, or wrestle to fit it in the garage, mowing becomes a chore," said Kristen Delaney of Honda product planning. At Honda Power Equipment, manufacturers of a complete line of lawn care equipment, part of technological innovation is designing equipment that adjusts the job to the worker.

Recent news stories document that baby boomers are generally healthier and more active than generations before, demanding products that fit their lifestyles.

For example, the all-new Honda HRR Series lawn mower that delivers an ergonomic and affordable mowing experience is one example of a lawn care product designed to meet these needs.

The HRR Series, developed and tested by Honda R&D and an ergonomic specialist, incorporates unique design elements that make easy work of mowing.

One ergonomic feature is the HRR216K3VXA model's SMART Drive™ transmission, allowing users to easily control the mower's speed simply by resting their hands on the handlebars. By placing either one or both thumbs on the lever, the operator can easily control the mower's speed and even mow with one hand.

The HRR also incorporates an EZ Grip ErgoActive™ handle that relieves stress on the hands; the quick-release folding handlebars also make storage simple and easy, even in confined spaces.

Ergonomic design tries to help reduce physical stress, maintain energy and allow the gardener to enjoy more time outdoors.