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Last Updated: 10/13/04
Bruce Van Duyne Programs In Cooperation With The Passaic County and Passaic County/Office of Recycling and Solid Waste
Programs
For more information, we encourage you to check current copies of Consumer Reports Magazine and other similar consumer product testing publications. |
  Using Electric, Battery Operated Or Solar Powered Lawn Mowers Electric, battery-operated and solar powered mowers are in our future! The California Air Resources Board has estimated that mowing a lawn for just one half hour with a gasoline powered lawnmower can produce as much smog as driving a car 172 miles. Many people are concerned about reducing emissions. The United States Environmental Protection Agency is also concerned, and in 1994 proposed federal admission limits for lawn mowers that would take effect in 1996. To comply with this group of regulations, only small adjustments will have to be made in the fuel mixture and ignition and valve timing of conventional mowers. The cost effect should be minimal. But, the EPA has also proposed much tougher emission limits set to take effect by 1999. In order to comply with these stricter standards, mower manufacturers may have to adopt some of the pollution control devices used in cars - catalytic converters and sophisticated carburation. This will cause a significant rise in prices.1 This, in addition to the general concern for the environment, has stimulated interest in electric, battery operated and solar powered lawn mowers. The concern over hydrocarbon emissions has even focused attention the old standby - the reel mower. The push mower has been brought up to date with lightweight alloys and plastic parts. The grass is cut in a scissors-like manner in a 14-18 inch width. The maximum size lawn that can be mowed with a push reel mower is about 5,000 sq. ft. on flat land. Beyond hat, this type of mower may not be practical. Most push mower units cost $100.00 or less. Electric mowers use a motor ranging from 6.5 to 12 amps. Low engine power makes electric mowers less effective in tall grass. Also the power cord limits the range and mobility. Costs of electric units range from $110.00 to $300.00. The most recent introduction have been the battery operated and solar powered mowers. Both mowers could completely eliminate combustion and evaporating emissions from lawn mowing in the immediate breathing zone. The California Air Resources Board has documented net emissions and energy benefits using data they’ve collected on extensive measurements of new mowers. Energy consumption and emissions from gasoline mowers can be directly compared to the fuel requirements and emissions from power plants generating electricity for an electric mower. Electric cordless mowers consume about 1 Kwhr.2 A summary of their results show: NET ENERGY AND EMISSIONS IMPACT OF SWITCHING TO ELECTRIC LAWN MOWERS3
There is a limiting factor, however. The average run times for walk behind mowers, depending on the height of the grass, the slope and several other factors average between 50 to 75 minutes before recharging. This amounts to about 10,000 square feet of actual lawn surface. The cost is in the four hundred dollar range. Electric riding mowers are also beginning to appear. They have an approximate run time of two hours and can do about an acre an hour. These types of mowers are probably best suited for homeowners with a large lawn area. Professional landscapers would need equipment which could run all day without recharging. Additionally, more and more testing is being done on solar powered mowers. So, as you can see, it’s not just about cutting it and leaving it on the lawn. . . it’s how you’re doing it ! |
