Re: rec tech mower

On Mon, 14 Apr 2025 22:48:59 -0400, Frank Krygowski
<frkrygow@sbcglobal.net> wrote:

On 4/14/2025 1:58 PM, Jeff Liebermann wrote:

 
For a while, there were attempts to meet California CARB requirements
for lawn equipment:
<https://www.lawnstarter.com/blog/lawn-care-2/faq-california-green-lawn-care-law/>
The 2 cycle engines were too dirty to pass the requirements.  4 cycle
would pass, but needed computer controlled ignition and possibly fuel
injection.  They've been largely replaced by battery powered lawn care
equipment.

For many years, my mower has been an old 4 stroke Lawn Boy that I
inherited. It's self propelled, but the walk-behind speed is not fast
enough enough for me, and I hate the noise.
>
I've generally solved the problem by hiring teenagers to cut my lawn.
But the last available one, who's done it the past few years has
graduated college. I'm afraid I'm going to have to do the mowing myself.
>
I'd love to have an electric mower, largely because they are so quiet
and can be stored very compactly in my overcrowded garage. But our lot
is about 0.6 acres, with tons of creative landcaping (by my wife) that
is beautiful, but requires detailed mowing. For a few years I was half
owner of a riding mower but I sold it. It was very inappropriate due to
the large number of obstacles. It took almost as long as a walk behind
mower.
>
Again, I'd love an electric mower, but I'm not aware of one with
sufficient run time to do this lawn. Also, I've read some complaints
that the (rather expensive) batteries last only a few years (like 3
years in some cases) before needing replacement.
>
Advice is welcome, especially from those who actually have first hand
knowledge.

Sorry, but I can't provide any authoritative advice on battery powered
lawn mowers.  I've never worked on one and don't have a lawn on my
property that requires one.  The area where I live is mountainous.
There are very few almost flat areas suitable for growing a lawn.  We
are still officially in a drought and there are water use regulations
that are intended to discourage having a lawn.  Most of the existing
lawns were converted to "water wise landscapes" which means a rock or
AstroTurf garden.  The Peoples Republic of California bribes lawn
owners into converting to rock gardens:

"Lawn-to-garden program overview"
<https://conservation.calwater.com/program/turf/overview>

Battery powered lawn mowers usually required two LiIon batteries at
$150 or more each.  For example:
<https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-FLEXVOLT-2x60V-MAX-21-in-Cordless-Battery-Powered-Self-Propelled-Lawn-Mower-Kit-with-2-4-0-Ah-Batteries-and-Chargers-DCMWSP700Y2/331940103>
(Scroll down for battery prices).  Besides the high prices, I don't
like LiIon for high power tools.  They should be using LiFePO4
chemistry batteries, but those are currently scarce.

I'm not sure, but I don't think the local hardware stores stock any
electric lawnmowers. 

If you don't like the engine noise from gasoline powered lawn mowing,
I suggest hearing protection:
<https://www.homedepot.com/b/Safety-Equipment-Ear-Protection-Ear-Muffs/N-5yc1vZclh9>
Or, my might switch to a utility powered mower and a long 100ft
extension cord (#10 or #12 AWG).
<https://www.harborfreight.com/generators-engines/generator-accessories/heavy-guage-extension-cords.html>
I'm told that the problem is to avoid running over the extension cord
with the mower.  I have a collection of heavy duty extension cords
that I used for distributing generator power during power during
regularly unscheduled power outages that I would probably use if I had
a lawn instead of a hillside.

Trivia:  I couldn't resist buying an almost new Craftsman lawn vacuum
cleaner and small branch chipper:
<https://photos.app.goo.gl/Avq5jzpaZGW2xomYA>
Like a mower, it won't work on a hillside, but I have some ideas for
converting it into a larger chipper.


--
Jeff Liebermann                 jeffl@cruzio.com
PO Box 272      http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Ben Lomond CA 95005-0272
Skype: JeffLiebermann      AE6KS    831-336-2558