Project Proposal:

Remote Control Grass Trimmer

By:

Pesales, Jieian Loyd

Arneo, Angel Kate

Baguioso, Devine Jin

Ocay, Princess Hannah

In partnership with

Lo-ok National High School

Caltex Road

Submitted to:

Mr. Edchel O. Sorianosos

1- INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background

The inherent dangers of traditional lawn mowing, stemming primarily from the use of rapidly
rotating blades, coupled with the significant time investment required, present a compelling need
for improved technology. This project directly addresses these shortcomings by developing a
remotely operated lawnmower controlled via a radio control system. This system enhances safety
by allowing the operator to maintain a safe distance from the machine, mitigating the risk of
injury should any malfunction occur. The increasing popularity and decreasing cost of pre-tuned
radio modules make this a viable and economically sound alternative to other control systems,
offering a reliable control range of approximately 100 feet. The design prioritizes user-
friendliness; operation is intuitive, requiring only the remote control and a brief review of the
provided instructions. The project’s development is divided into two distinct phases: the
mechanical design and construction, and the integration and testing of the electronic control
system. This two-pronged approach ensures a comprehensive and robust final product.
Grass, a common ground-covering plant from the Poaceae or Gramineae family, is often seen as
a challenge in crop cultivation, home gardening, or landscaping. In the Philippines, grass is
locally known as "damo." Originally, grass serves a functional purpose, covering the soil and
offering several benefits. Lawn grass is commonly planted in sports fields and around buildings,
often supported by chemicals and water to encourage growth. Various grass species are also vital
food sources, such as corn, wheat, barley, oats, rice, and millet, all of which are cereals or grains
consumed for food or used to produce alcohol like beer.
Additionally, sugarcane, another grass, is a significant source of sugar. For over 4,000 years,
grasses have been cultivated as livestock feed. Bamboo, a type of grass, is used in construction,
for making furniture, and for weaving items like baskets. Grass can also be used as fuel or
roofing material. Interestingly, while many people assume grass should be regularly cut, this can
actually harm it by causing brown patches. When grass grows to around 9 inches, it naturally
cuts itself from the base.
Despite its utility, grass is often considered a weed, a term defined by Oxford as any herbaceous
plant that is unwanted or invasive, hindering the growth of more desirable plants (Zimdahl,
2013)labor.
Inventors experimented with adding power to mowers, first by using horses to pull them.
However, horses damaged gardens, upsetting many women. Next, steam engines were tried, but
they were impractical, as setting up the boiler took more time than mowing by hand.
Consequently, steam-powered mowers never became widely adopted...

As innovation continues to improve the performance and environmental impact of lawn care
equipment, it's clear that the story of the lawnmower—from its invention in the 19th century to
the advanced models of today—is far from finished. With the growing emphasis on green
technologies and cleaner alternatives, it's likely that future mowers will continue to evolve,
offering even more efficient, quieter, and eco-friendly solutions for homeowners across the
globe. The ongoing evolution of lawnmowers shows how even the most basic household tools
can be transformed by ingenuity and a commitment to improving both convenience and
sustainability.

Currently, there are no mass-produced remote control platforms for lawnmowers. Alternatively,
customers can purchase a do-it-yourself kit, which requires significant modifications to an
existing mower. This kit also involves replacing the mower’s wheels, making it permanently
dedicated to remote control use.

1.2- Purpose of Project

A platform system designed for remote-controlled mowing can address both needs for
convenience and efficiency. This platform can easily be attached to or detached from a push
mower. Once connected, the mower can be controlled remotely via a handheld device.
Alternatively, the mower can be removed from the platform and used in the traditional way, with
only minor adjustments needed, such as changing the wheel height and removing the emergency
stop plug. While full automation is possible with further modifications, it is not included in the
current project scope.
A remote control grass trimmer allows users to operate the mower from a distance, saving time
and effort, especially in large or hard-to-reach areas. It offers precise control, enabling users to
maneuver around obstacles, edges, and narrow spaces with ease, potentially reducing overall
lawn care time. For those with physical limitations or who find traditional mowing difficult, a
remote-controlled mower provides greater independence in yard maintenance. The ability to
control the mower remotely also reduces the risk of accidents or injuries, especially in uneven
terrain or around obstacles where manual operation may be hazardous. Some remote control
mowers also feature autonomous capabilities, allowing for hands-free operation after the initial
setup.
Overall, the remote control grass trimmer is designed to simplify lawn maintenance, making it
more flexible, safer, and less physically demanding compared to traditional methods.

1.3 - Previous Work done by others

Mechanical lawn mowing became a reality in the early 19 th century, thanks to the ingenuity of
English engineer Edwin Budding. While working in a textile mill, Budding observed a machine
used to shear the nap of velvet. This machine, with its rotating blades, caught his attention
because it seemed similar to the overgrown grass in his own yard, which he struggled to mow
with a scythe every weekend. Instead of spending his Saturdays enjoying time at the pub and
catching up on soccer scores, Budding found himself battling thick, unruly grass. Inspired by the
velvet shearer, he imagined a way to make lawn mowing easier and less laborious.

Budding’s invention was the reel-type mower, a groundbreaking design that featured a rotating
cylinder of blades arranged to trim grass efficiently as the mower was pushed across the yard.
This new type of mower also included a push handle, making it much easier to maneuver
compared to previous tools. Budding’s mower was simple, non-powered, and highly effective. It
became the foundation for the classic reel mower that many people still use today. Although
modern versions have seen various improvements, the basic design of the reel mower has
remained remarkably similar to Budding’s original creation.

In 1870, American inventor Elwood McGuire from Richmond, Indiana, made further
improvements to Budding’s design. McGuire’s version of the mower was lighter, easier to push,
and had fewer moving parts. These changes made the mower more accessible and practical for
everyday use. As a result, lawnmowers became more popular, and by 1885, the United States
was producing around 50,000 mowers a year, many of which were exported internationally.
Despite the mower’s growing popularity, many people—particularly men—still found the
manual reel mower too much of a chore. The physical effort required to push these mowers week
after week led to a desire for something more efficient, with less manual.

2 - Project Description

2.1- Objective

The purpose of this remote-control grass trimmer is to empower individuals with severe upper
limb mobility limitations, providing them with the ability to independently manage tasks that
would otherwise require assistance. Designed to accommodate users with physical disabilities,
the device offers a practical solution for maintaining outdoor spaces, such as lawns and gardens,
without the need for physical exertion or direct manual operation. This innovative tool will
enhance the user’s autonomy and quality of life, particularly in environments where accessibility
is essential.

The remote-control grass trimmer will be equipped with advanced control systems, including a
joystick and keypad interface, enabling precise maneuvering and operation. Its ergonomic design
ensures compatibility with the user’s specific abilities, accommodating various levels of motor
control and visual perception. The device will feature a stable base and a multi-jointed trimming
arm, allowing for dynamic motion and access to difficult-to-reach areas, such as steep slopes,
edges, or corners. These joints will provide 360-degree rotation and a range of anatomical
motions, including extension, flexion, abduction, and circumduction, ensuring versatility in
trimming different types of vegetation.

Interchangeable attachments, such as specialized blades for grass trimming and edging, will
enhance functionality and adaptability to various landscaping needs. The remote-control
interface will allow users to adjust the device’s speed and cutting height, ensuring precision and
customization based on the specific task. With these features, the grass trimmer will enable users
to independently perform tasks such as cutting grass, clearing debris, and maintaining aesthetic
quality in their surroundings.

Beyond its primary function, this device promotes independence and self-confidence by enabling
users to take ownership of tasks they may have previously relied on others to perform. It
represents a transformative tool for individuals with disabilities, breaking barriers and fostering
inclusion in everyday activities. The remote-control grass trimmer will not only provide practical
 assistance but also contribute to the user’s physical and emotional well-being, allowing them to
engage with the world in a meaningful and empowered way.

2.2 - Methods

Design Layout Of
Remote Control Design
Grass Trimmer

Obtain
Obtain
Materials
Make
Assemble pieces
Build the Give the remote
Programming base of the control to the client
Using The grass to practice on
Arduino Uno trimmer

Safety Teach the client

testing how to operate the
grass trimmer

Give the product

to client On site testing in a
lawn trimming a grass
The fundamental element of this design is a grass trimmer featuring four wheels,
(shown in Figure 1). This particular grass trimmer is engineered for grass cutting and utilizes a
novel approach: a rotating nylon string serves as the cutting mechanism. The grass is cut
through the centrifugal force generated by the spinning nylon string. This choice of cutting
mechanism offers several potential advantages, including [mention potential advantages if
known, reduced noise, lower maintenance, etc.

As illustrated in Figure 2, a clear view of the grass trimmer base is presented, allowing for a
detailed examination of its underside. This perspective offers a particularly useful vantage point
for understanding the operational mechanics of the cutting mechanism. The nylon cutting string,
crucial to the machine's function, is readily apparent in this image. The activation process is
straightforward: once the battery is engaged, electrical current flows to the DC motor. This
motor, directly connected to the nylon string, begins to rotate the string, setting the cutting
mechanism in motion and preparing the lawnmower for its primary function of grass trimming.
This direct mechanical connection ensures efficient power transfer and reliable operation of the
cutting string.

Figure 3 presents a detailed illustration of the remote control unit used to operate the grass
trimmer. This remote control provides the operator with the ability to direct the movement of the
the grass trimmer itself, offering a convenient and safe method of operation from a distance. The
design of the remote control, as shown in Figure 3, suggests an ergonomic and user-friendly
interface, likely incorporating intuitive controls for maneuvering the machine. The specific
functionalities of the buttons and controls on the remote are not explicitly detailed in Figure 3,
but the illustration clearly demonstrates its role as the primary interface for controlling the
lawnmower’s movement, enhancing both safety and ease of use for the operator.
 FIGURE 3

FIGURE 4
The diagram in Figure 4 details the complete operational sequence of the remote-controlled grass
trimmer. All components are connected to a power source. The system's control begins with the
transmitter, which sends signals to the receiver. This receiver acts as an intermediary, translating
the signals into a format understandable by the Arduino Uno microcontroller. Upon receiving
these translated commands, the Arduino Uno then issues instructions to the motor drive circuit.
Finally, the motor drive circuit activates the DC motors, allowing for precise control of the grass
trimmer via the remote control panel. This chain of command ensures that the user's input from
the remote control is accurately and efficiently translated into the physical movement of the
cutting mechanism.