Maypole self propelled mower

A pole is set in the middle of a fairly flat, square yard. A spool the width of the mower blade (simple method) or reel with a timed "draw" calculated to the width of the mower blade(complicated method) will draw the self propelled mower toward the pole as the rope shortens as it wraps around the reel, or as the reel pulls the mower towards the center pole in a calculated manner. This would operate much much like a control line model airplane which has its rudder set to make a turn towards the outside of the circle in order to maintain tension on the control line. The mower would be attached so that it would tend want to travel outside the circle, in order to keep the line taught at all times. Unless the mower were automated with more electronics, it would have be observed in order to switch the mower off when it reaches the end of the rope. An automatic switch could be fashioned to detected a loss of motion when the mower reached the end of the rope, in order to turn the mower off. Obviously this mower will only cut a circle and will not cover the entire yard. Manual mowing and trimming will be needed to manicure the corners and edges after the automaton is finished.

2008 11 6: I had never heard of the Red Green show I just found segments on You Tube; I am an instant fan and would love to see this man at the Science Bar and he is the living breathing incarnation of halfbakery.com. Seldom do I watch TV but this CD will be on my Christmas list. Thanks to jutta for pointing this out.