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From: jerry@oliveb.UUCP (Jerry Aguirre)
Newsgroups: net.consumers
Subject: Re: Lawnmowers
Message-ID: <344@oliveb.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 14-May-84 16:49:06 EDT
Article-I.D.: oliveb.344
Posted: Mon May 14 16:49:06 1984
Date-Received: Wed, 16-May-84 07:55:48 EDT
References: <233@whuxj.UUCP> <198@iwu1d.UUCP>
Organization: Olivetti ATC, Cupertino, Ca
Lines: 46

I have, over the years, used a ride on gas, push gas, electic, and
currently a reel (manual) mower.

With regard to the efficiency (cost?) of mowing with an electric mower
I would like to see some figures before I believed that.  Generally an
electric motor is more efficient to run and maintain than a gasoline
one given that you have electic power available.  I have discussed
opperating costs with a friend that has an electric car and the
difference is dramatic even including the cost of batteries.

With regard to gas motors stopping when striking an object, I found
that stalling was the biggist problem with ELECTRICS.  Of the several I
used, none could handle heavy grass.  I had to make several narrow cuts
if there were weeds or the grass was particularly tall or thick.  I
also would be hesitant to buy any mower that used gear belts.  My
expirence is that these will break the first time you hit something so
if you have a rough lawn buy extra belts.  Also be aware of the new
safety standards that require that the blade stop if the handle is
released.  Thats cheap and easy to do on an electric, it just restarts
when you squeeze the handle.  The cheaper gas mowers just kill the
engine, requiring you to restart it.  The more expensive ones unclutch
the blade from the engine allowing instant restart.  I have read that
the reliability of the clutch mechanism can be a problem though.

I would rate an electric as much safer than a gas mower.  I have run
over the cord several times and never received a shock.  I believe
there are recharchable battery mowers but I don't know any brands.  If
you are worried about shock consider getting a "ground fault
interupter" on the electric circuit you plug into.  Code currently
requires these on all outside outlets (also garage, bathroom, and
kitchen).  Old houses don't have them but they are easy to add.

I currently use a manual reel mower.  My lawn area is small and level
so the quiet, safety, and ease of startup outweigh any additional
effort at pushing.  I got mine second hand for $12 (cheap) plus another
$10 or so for a new bag.  Be aware that the maintenance is not that
much less than a gas as sharpening is much more important and difficult
to do.  Anyone can take a file to a rotary gas blade, keeping the
meshing blades of a reel mower sharp and aligned is somewhat like
sharpening a pair of scissors with 8 blades.  When sharpened correctly
it should be able to cleanly cut a piece of newspaper for the full
width.  Most people have it done each season by a professional, I hack
my own.

					    Jerry Aguirre
    {hplabs|fortune|ios|tolerant|allegra|tymix}!oliveb!jerry