[King Kong]

Push mower??  You probably don't remember the original push mower.  The blades were somehow connected to the wheels, so when the wheels moved, so did the blades.  The power was supplied by whatever human was pushing it.  Now, THAT'S a push mower!!!

I never have seen one in person.  Just on The Andy Griffith Show.  Opie was mowing the lawn with one like you mentioned.  Believe Gomer mighta come over once and used it to mow Andy's lawn with 

When I was younger I helped plow a garden once with a plow with no moter. I forgot exactly what it's called, Dad still has one.

He used to plow with a team of mules when he was younger, talks about that alot.

Don't remember hearing him talk about mowing grass when he was younger.  Believe they put a garden and grew vegetables anywhere they could.