What Are the Back Decks of Push Mowers?

Lawn Mower Components

• Powered rotary push lawn mowers come in a variety of styles and sizes but all have the same basic components. The engine is the component that drives the blade in a rotary motion. Engines are usually powered by either gasoline or electricity. The blade is the cutting instrument that comes into contact with the grass and produces the cut. The deck is the protective metal casing that shields the operator from the spinning blades and flying grass clippings and debris. The wheels and the handle are attached to the deck.

Safety

• The back deck of a push mower, commonly referred to as the rear deck, is designed to prevent the operator's feet from coming into contact with the mower blades while his hands are on the lawn mower's controls. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission rules require the rear deck of powered push lawn mowers to include a shield that protects the operator's foot from coming into contact with the blade, either from under the deck or from the discharge chute.

Discharge Chute

• There are two primary types of discharge designs for powered push lawn mowers, including side discharge and rear discharge designs. Mowers that utilize a rear discharge design include a bag that attaches to the rear deck to collect grass clippings and lawn debris as the mower cuts. These designs also include an automatic retractable discharge shield that seals the rear opening when the bag is not in place to prevent access to the blade while the mower is in operation.

Warning Labels

• The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission requires manufacturers to include a warning label on the decks of powered push lawn mowers. The label must be as close as possible to the discharge opening or in a location easily visible while the mower is in operation. Reel-type mowers must also carry a warning label, which must be affixed on the deck near the center of the cutting width.