Abstract: A rotary lawn mower comprises a chassis, a prime mover mounted on the chassis, and a rotating member operatively connected with the prime mover for rotation within the chassis and having a peripheral edge. A cutting blade is movably secured to the rotating member for movement between a retracted position in which the cutting blade is positioned inwardly of the peripheral edge and an extended position in which the cutting blade extends outwardly beyond the peripheral edge. A control mechanism is connected to the chassis and movable axially of the axis of rotation of the rotating member for moving the cutting blade between the retracted and extended positions.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a lawn mower comprising a rotatable cutter blade supported on a frame, a prime mover supported on the frame, a selectively operable starter mechanism connected to the prime mover for starting thereof, a drive mechanism for selectively connecting the prime mover in driving engagement with the cutter blade, which drive mechanism is movable between a first or drive position wherein the prime mover is drivingly engaged with the cutter blade and a second or disengaged or neutral position wherein the prime mover is disengaged from the cutter blade, a spring biasing the drive mechanism toward the second or disengaged position, and an interlock operably connected to the drive mechanism and to the starter mechanism for preventing starting of the prime mover when the drive mechanism is in the first or drive position.