Electric Mower

 I've finally gone and done it. Reserving my riding mower for the larger
expanse of my back yard, I'm replacing my old gas-powered
semi-effectively self-propelled walk behind mower with a spanking new
electric model for the smaller front yard.

I am a glutton for punishment. Even with COPD, I still push a mower just
for the hell of it AND because it's easier in small areas. It's feels
like Hell's own work to do it, but it's ultimately good for me. It'll be
even better for me when I'm not blasting my rotator cuff with a pull
start or tanking up on engine fumes with every step. It's also quieter,
easier to adjust cutting height, and makes infinitely less noise than
Ol' Shaky.

It's corded. I don't mind. My trimmer extension cord reaches the length
and breadth of both the front and back yards, so I know the mower will
get out there on the same cord. And I'm not worried about tangling the
cord or running it over. I learned to operate a vacuum cleaner eons ago
and can thread its cord cunningly through the house during various
death-defying maneuvers, and I haven't severed it nor electrocuted,
tripped, garroted, snared or hung myself with it even once. My
confidence level re an electric lawn mower is high!

How nice it will be to mow without that gas engine racket!

Now if they would just get to work on an electric riding mower.

 

It's called the Electric Ox, get out your checkbook!
http://green.thefuntimesguide.com/2007/03/electric_riding_mower.php

Val

 Pennyaline wrote:

They've been around since the '70s--plan on spending about $12,000.
http://www.econogics.com/ev/evtools.htm  lists a number of models with
links to some of the manufacturers (scroll down to get to the riders).
Most of the ones currently available seem to be general purpose small
tractors with mower attachments being only one capability.

--
--
--John
to email, dial "usenet" and validate
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

 
I second this they do exist. I have a John Deere E90 from 1974. It still
runs great and I actually have stopped traffic while I mowed, becuase
it looks different than normal riding mowers and its quiet. People stop and
ask what it is. They really should go back to making these.

-Margaret
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|/\     /         Let it snow!!       http://www.silverthorn.org/mstjohn  
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 :

Electric mowers typically operate at higher decibels than petrol
models, also at higher pitch so much more annoying and ear damaging...
be sure to wear quality ear protection... shooter's muffs are hot but
they work.  If your petrol mower is excessively loud ask yourself when
you last replaced the muffler, few people ever spend the $3,99 for a
new muffler each season.

And the cord will be much more of a hassle in smaller more crowded
areas... you'd be better off using the electric for your larger area
and get a small light weight gas push mower for your front yard, and
don't even think about self propelled for a small area, serves no real
purpose over short distances and just adds a lot of extra weight and
maintenance.

Many years ago I bought a Black & Decker electric mower (cost like $50
back then), used it once and relegated it to the shed, eventually gave
it away... mowing with a wire is a lot different from hedge trimming
with a wire... with mowing you move along a lot faster than with hedge
trimming, the wire is one big PIA.  They do make rechargeable battery
operated electric mowers but I never looked into those.  Electric
mowers are also a lot more dangerous, be absolutely certain to disable
it from the power source before even looking underneath.  Maybe now
they have better safety features but my B & D had an ordinary toggle
switch, very easy to brush against and turn the unit on, for safety it
had to be unplugged manually every time it was turned off... and make
sure the switch was off before plugging in.  I really see no advantage
to an electric mower... won't save on fuel either, electric ain't
free.  The *only* advantage I can think of is not having to store
gasolene, but you will be using that rider so...