A blade brake and clutch assembly for a lawnmower comprising an engine output member (11) a blade holder (12) a coupling (20) having a first position and a second position, the coupling comprising a friction member (21) including a brake surface and a clutch surface separate from the brake surface, the friction member being connected to one of the engine output member and the blade holder a first spring (22) located between the friction member and the one of the engine output member and the blade holder a brake member (23) proximate to the brake surface the brake member mounted relative to the friction member to permit relative rotation and a brake actuator connected to the brake member the clutch surface being disengaged from the other one of the engine output member and the blade holder and the brake member being engaged with the brake surface when the coupling is in the first position and the clutch surface is engaged with the other one of the engine output member and the blade holder and the brake member is disengaged from the brake surface when the coupling is in the second position.
