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From: Jeff Liebermann <jeffl@cruzio.com>
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.tech
Subject: Re: rec tech mower
Date: Tue, 15 Apr 2025 10:42:52 -0700
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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