EcoMowing

[Gaspar]

The time is upon us!  This weekend hundreds of thousands of lawn mowers will start up across Oklahoma for the first time since fall.

In 1 hour of operation the average gas mower outputs the same amount of hydrocarbons that a 1992 Ford Explorer emits over 23,000 miles. (Green Seal's Report)

That's about a years worth of driving, so even if you drive a hybrid, and religiously recycle, you are putting out around 15 years or more of SUV driving hydrocarbon every summer that you mow your lawn with the old LawnBoy.

A couple of years ago, I switched from my smokey old Honda rotary mower to a manual powered reel mower on a lark.  

Someone told me they do a better job and are no more difficult to push than a very light gas mower.

What I found was:
They are actually easier to use and transport.
Most only weigh about 20lbs, so you can pick them up and put them where you want!
They cut the grass much finer with that golf course look!
You can use them at 6 am before it gets hot without pissing off your neighbors.
You can have a conversation while mowing the lawn (no noise)!
NO GAS!
Almost no maintenance.
You get funny looks from your neighbors!
Kids in the neighborhood always want to try it ("sure kid! You can mow my lawn for free!")
You get a bit more exercise because they are slightly more narrow than conventional mowers.

Disadvantages:
You can still hear your wife while mowing. []
Most are less than 21 inches across, so you have to walk a few extra strips.
Big sticks will not go through them.

This year, I think I may upgrade to a rechargeable electric model, but we'll see.  

You can purchase them for about $150 from Sears, Home Depot, or Lowe's.  Caution, don't buy the cheapest $99 model, because it will require constant manual blade adjustment and have inferior gears (experience).  

Buy in the $150 to $300 range and you will be happy!  Actually, you will be amazed!

You can find a selection online too, try EcoMowers

[NellieBly]

You can lower your impact by mulching grass clippings rather than bagging them. Cut it high and let it lie! Grass is 80 percent water and should not be landfilled. It also serves as free nitrogen-rich fertilizer. Your lawn will thank you.

[Gaspar]

quote:Originally posted by NellieBly

You can lower your impact by mulching grass clippings rather than bagging them. Cut it high and let it lie! Grass is 80 percent water and should not be landfilled. It also serves as free nitrogen-rich fertilizer. Your lawn will thank you.

Yeah, but if you're spitting out a years worth vehicle hydrocarbon every day that you mow, mulching is kinda like saving a flower by killing a forrest!

[PonderInc]

How did it do on bermuda grass?  When I was a kid, we were always playing with an ancient reel mower (probably from the 1930's).  Even when my dad sharpened the blades, it always got bogged down in the bermuda.

[spoonbill]

quote:Originally posted by Gaspar


In 1 hour of operation the average gas mower outputs the same amount of hydrocarbons that a 1992 Ford Explorer emits over 23,000 miles. (Green Seal's Report)

I seriously doubt that little nugget!
Besides, I love the smell of my lawnmower!  Reminds me of spring!

[Conan71]

I'm calling BS or urban myth.

I find numbers like that to be somewhat suspect.  I fail to see how something between a 125cc to 300cc engine burning a half gallon of gas in one hour will put out as much hydrocarbon as a 4000cc engine ('92 Explorer V-6 is a 4.0 liter) burning 1533 gallons of gas (assuming 15 mpg) over a year's time.

I can see where the lawn mower will have higher emissions for 1/2 gallon of gas over a smog-equipped car or truck- that much makes sense, but not 1/2 gallon of gas generating more emissions than 1533 gallons of gas.  Just doesn't even compute.

Please feel free to straighten me out on this point.

[mrhaskellok]

I have almost bought one of these things a couple times, but there are a few videos online of some in  use and they didn't look as easy as I have heard.  The person was obviously having to work harder.  

Not that the exercise is a bad thing, but I don't really want another excuse to NOT want to mow my lawn.  []

IF you or anyone with one would PM me I would love the opportunity to try one.  

Tulsa should buy a couple and let people "lease" them to give them a shot. If they are that much better, they will catch on quickly.  

Are there any lawn companies who use them?

Sid

[grahambino]

we had one of these around 1991-1995 or so.
my dad dug it out of my grandfather's garage.  as long as the blades are sharp, it was pretty easy.  but we also had 'golf green' grass.  fescue maybe?
it certainly wasn't Bermuda grass.

[inteller]

you are much better off using an electric mower around here since the electric plant burns clean natural gas.  

Only thing you have to worry about is being a dumbass (which considering might be too difficult for some of you) and cutting your cord, but you quickly figure out cord management.

[Conan71]

Another tip, if someone is not inclined to go with a reel mower or electric.  Buy a mower with an OHV (overhead valve) engine.  They burn a lot cleaner than industrial flatheads (the old Briggs & Stratton).

[patric]

quote:Only thing you have to worry about is being a dumbass (which considering might be too difficult for some of you) and cutting your cord, but you quickly figure out cord management.

If you make it a rule to never plug an outdoor extension cord into anything but a GFCI outlet

you wont necessarily avoid cutting your own cord but you will survive the experience.

(P.S. just so everyone knows im not being smug, Im one of those who bought the $99 reel mowers.[V])

[rwarn17588]

I've used reel mowers for about seven years.

I didn't initially do it because of pollution (although the last two areas where I've lived, reducing air pollution was definitely a good thing). I did it because they're lighter, safer and easier to handle. I also liked the fact I didn't have to mess with the engine and buy gas, oil and all the other myriad hassles. When I'm done with the reel mower, I spray the blades with WD-40 and I'm finished until the next mowing.

Gaspar's right about the cheapie models. The gears tend to wear out after about two or three years.

Reel mowers are effective with most types of grass I deal with. There's one (quackgrass, I think) that sends up a small stem that the reel mower seems to miss. But since I do trimming work with a rechargeable Black & Decker, I just buzz over there and zap those shoots in no time at all.

[inteller]

quote:Originally posted by patric

quote:Only thing you have to worry about is being a dumbass (which considering might be too difficult for some of you) and cutting your cord, but you quickly figure out cord management.

If you make it a rule to never plug an outdoor extension cord into anything but a GFCI outlet

you wont necessarily avoid cutting your own cord but you will survive the experience.

(P.S. just so everyone knows im not being smug, Im one of those who bought the $99 reel mowers.[V])

The draw from an electric mower will frequently trip a GFI.  Just be smart and you won't need a GFI.

[tulsa1603]

quote:Originally posted by patric

quote:Only thing you have to worry about is being a dumbass (which considering might be too difficult for some of you) and cutting your cord, but you quickly figure out cord management.

If you make it a rule to never plug an outdoor extension cord into anything but a GFCI outlet

you wont necessarily avoid cutting your own cord but you will survive the experience.

(P.S. just so everyone knows im not being smug, Im one of those who bought the $99 reel mowers.[V])

I hate to admit it, but i once cut clean through a cord for an electric hedge trimmer.  Luckily, I was plugged into a GFCI outlet, and it worked perfectly.  Still a very scary experience. [B)]

[Gaspar]

quote:Originally posted by PonderInc

How did it do on bermuda grass?  When I was a kid, we were always playing with an ancient reel mower (probably from the 1930's).  Even when my dad sharpened the blades, it always got bogged down in the bermuda.

Fescue in the front and Bermuda in the back.  I don't realize a difference.  It really makes Bermuda look nice!  Every blade is exactly the same length and because it's not whacking the grass, it leaves a nice even thatch.