<P> His machine was the catalyst for the preparation of modern - style sporting ovals, playing fields (pitches), grass courts, etc . This led to the codification of modern rules for many sports, including for football, lawn bowls, lawn tennis and others . </P> <P> It took ten more years and further innovations to create a machine that could be drawn by animals, and sixty years before a steam - powered lawn mower was built . In the 1850s, Thomas Green & Son of Leeds introduced a mower called the Silens Messor (meaning silent cutter), which used a chain drive to transmit power from the rear roller to the cutting cylinder . These machines were lighter and quieter than the gear - driven machines that preceded them, although they were slightly more expensive . The rise in popularity of lawn sports helped prompt the spread of the invention . Lawn mowers became a more efficient alternative to the scythe and domesticated grazing animals . </P> <P> Manufacture of lawn mowers took off in the 1860s . By 1862, Ferrabee's company was making eight models in various roller sizes . He manufactured over 5000 machines until production ceased in 1863 . The first grass boxes were flat trays but took their present shape in the 1860s . James Sumner of Lancashire patented the first steam - powered lawn mower in 1893 . His machine burned petrol and / or paraffin (kerosene) as fuel . These were heavy machines that took several hours to warm up to operating pressure . After numerous advances, these machines were sold by the Stott Fertilizer and Insecticide Company of Manchester and Sumner . The company they both controlled was called the Leyland Steam Motor Company . </P> <P> Around 1900, one of the best known English machines was the Ransomes' Automaton, available in chain - or gear - driven models . Numerous manufacturers entered the field with petrol (gasoline) engine - powered mowers after the start of the 20th century . The first was produced by Ransomes in 1902 . JP Engineering of Leicester, founded after World War I, produced a range of very popular chain - driven mowers . About this time, an operator could ride behind animals that pulled the large machines . These were the first riding mowers . </P>

When was the first motorized lawn mower invented