Archive for the ‘Lawn Mower Facts’ Category
Fans of EcoMowers.com tell us they love their new Momentum reel mower, and to top that, Consumer Reports gives Fiskars the best ratings! Consumer Reports selected the Momentum reel mower over the Scotts Classic and EASUN Classic HD reel mowers. A well deserved congratulations is in order for the entire Fiskars team who diligently worked on this fantastic green machine – way to go!
 Consumer Reports 2010 Eco-Friendly Mower Reviews The three mowers tested are best suited for longer, thicker grasses (we still have a place in our heart for the Brill and EASUN Ideal mowers for a shorter professional look). According to Consumer Reports, the Momentum mower was selected for its single-lever height adjustment and the front-throw cutting design (we also like the new 4″ cutting height). If you can afford $250 – this is a great mower!
Consumer Reports reviewed 3 of the top reel mowers (Fiskars being their pick), so let’s take a quick look at the Scotts Classic and the EASUN Classic as both are good mowers with different price points. The Scotts Classic is generally $150 or less and is a push mower you can trust. It cuts most grasses well and will last for years (pending annual sharpening). The EASUN Classic is just over $200 and uses modern “contact-free” cutting technology which both eliminates sharpening and makes pushing easier.
EcoMowers.com Special Prices:
Fiskars Momentum $245.99 + Free Shipping
Easun Classic HD $219 + Free Shipping
Scotts Classic $129 + $18 Shipping
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Get a reel mower! I have a Reel Mower! These mowers Reely work! Reel men push mow!
The list is long for these clever and popular puns. Huh? What is a “reel” mower anyway? For many green industry “professionals”, namely landscape contractors, golf course superintendents, turfgrass managers, etc., the term “reel mower” is common. But your average everyday American has absolutely no idea.
Let me explain (in brief):
 Reel Mower Concept Reel mowers have curved blades that produce a cutting action alongside a stationary steel plate (like a can of Pringles chips rolling across a table). The blades form a spiral around the reel axis, and as they spin, the spiral of blades forces grass past the stationary plate. Reel mowers leave behind clean-cut grass, as if the grass had been cut with sharp scissors.
New reel mower technology has advanced since the days of Grandpa’s old clunker. Unlike the cutting action of scissors, it is not necessary for the blades of the spinning reel to contact the stationary plate. A clean cut is possible if the gap between the blades and the plate is less than the thickness of the grass. This modern reel mower technology is referred to as “contact-free”, “non-contact”, “silent-cut”, and many other terms. The benefit is a mower that is easier to push, and a mower that does not require sharpening. What, no sharpening? Nope. Think about it, there is no metal-on-metal contact to cause the reel blades to become dull. The blades only come in contact with grass, wood, and the occasional pebble or two – non of which will cause the blades to lose its edge.
There is a ton to talk about so feel free search around our learning center and read more more about reel mower technology, and how your lawn may benefit by using a reel mower.
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Reel lawn mowers used to be very very popular – remember? For many of you and especially those of you ages 12 to 40, you may know manual push reel mowers as, “that old mower my grandfather used have”. We recently discovered a fantastic and informative old magazine advertisement for The Genuine “PHILADELPHIA” Lawn Mowers. You can tell by reading the ad that reel lawn mowers once had a passionate following.
The advertisement reads:
Lawns or Links – Sun or Shade
That Grass thrives best which receives the best care and no factor plays a greater part in the development of fine lawns than does the Lawn Mower. Now, to the casual observer, all Lawn Mowers look pretty much alike. Paint and varnish, gilt lettering and fancy designs cover a multitude of Lawn Mower sins. That is why it pays to buy Mowers of known reputation. That is the reason why experienced buyers ask for The Genuine “PHILADELPHIA” Lawn Mowers.
They stand for fifty-five years of undivided efforts in one field. We originated, developed and improved, until to-day every “PHILADELPHIA” Mower is sold under the unqualified guarantee that they are of the highest standards in workmanship and materials.
Progressive Dealers the world over will show you any models. There are twenty-five styles all told, in Hand-Horse- and Motor-Mowers.
The Philadelphia Lawn Mower Company
31st and Chestnut Streets, Philadelphia, Pa., U.S.A.
 1924 Philadelphia Lawn Mower Advertisement VN:F [1.3.4_676] Rating: 10.0/10 (2 votes cast)
So, you’re ready to purchase a new ecomower but you still have your old gasoline powered rotary mower sitting in your garage, the shed, your basement, or yard. What in the world should you do with it? Do you sell it? Should you give it away? Maybe you should take it to the dump or the transfer station? Letting your old lawn mower take the long journey to a landfill – or for that matter allowing it to be shipped overseas to some other landfill is a BAD idea. You’re buying an ecomower to help the environment, right? Why would you throw your old one away? If your gasoline powered lawn mower is ready to die and you can’t donate it, sell it, or give it to a friend, why not just recycle it!!
Recycling old lawn mowers is not an easy task and it can be difficult to find a local recycling center. For this reason, we have teamed up with Earth911.com to provide you with an extensive database of lawn mower recycling centers across the United States. Simply use the widget below and it will point you towards your nearest lawn mower recycling center. It is that easy!!
Lawn Mower Recycling Tool:
More About Earth911.com
Earth911 delivers actionable local information on recycling and product stewardship that empowers consumers to act locally, live responsibly and contribute to sustainability.
Reduce
Waste reduction is the process and the policy of reducing the amount of waste produced and ultimately disposed. Waste reduction or waste minimization, also known as source reduction, is simply reducing waste at its source. In the waste management hierarchy the most effective policies and processes are mentioned first. Waste minimization is also strongly related to efforts to minimize resource and energy use. The fewer materials used for the same production output means that less waste is produced. Waste minimization may require knowledge of the production process, product life cycle analysis (the tracking of products and their environmental impact from material extraction to their return to earth) and detailed knowledge of the composition of the waste stream. In waste management, product life cycle analysis is often referred to as a cradle-to-grave analysis.
The main sources of waste vary from country to country. Household waste constitutes a relatively small proportion of all waste in any country.
Reuse
When you use an item more than once, it is called reuse. Conventional reuse is where an item is used again for the same function, like when you refill a coffee cup instead of throwing it in the trash. It is also reuse when an item is reused for a different purpose, like when you use a 2-liter soda bottle as a seed-starter greenhouse.
Reuse helps the planet, but it also saves money. In many countries, this savings was not considered beneficial enough to forego the convenience of disposable products. Today’s consumer is becoming more aware of environmental concerns and this awareness is gradually changing business and government policies, and consumer attitudes about what the convenience of a disposable society is really costing us.
Recycle
Recycling is the processing of making used items into new raw material. Recycling conserves our natural raw material resources, and typically uses much less energy. Saving energy means that smokestack emissions of greenhouse gas and other pollutants like mercury are reduced at the power plant, and our energy sources are not depleted as quickly. Recycling is critical to today’s waste management programs.
Recyclable materials can be generated anywhere, and nearly anything is recyclable. They include paper, aluminum, glass, road surfaces, scrap metals, and all forms of plastics. Even food and lawn waste can be recycled. Fryer oil can be made into bio-diesel fuel, some plant products can be fermented into ethanol fuels, and some can be composted into fertilizer, or reduced in size to be used as mulch.
Recyclables need to be sorted and separated into material types before processing into new raw materials. Contamination with other materials affects the value and usefulness of the material to be recycled. This sorting can be performed either by the waste generator or the recycling facility.
The same is true of household recycling programs, and these can be broken down into two basic groups. 1) Curbside collection: where consumers leave recycling containers they place outside their property to be collected by a recycling vehicle. The materials can be either “source-separated” by the consumer into separate containers or commingled in one container to be separated at a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) and 2) A “drop-off” program, where the consumer takes the recyclable materials to facilities where they are separated based on material type for further processing.
React
The “Three R’s” above outline what you can do to help preserve natural resources and protect the environment. With climate change and going green in the news daily, the list of steps everyone of us can take to help our planet is continually growing. React, obviously, is the next step. Conscientious Earth citizens have the ability to learn about the right things to do. After you learn, get out of your chair and actually do something about it: React! Make today the day YOU start to do something about it.
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Tags: engine, gas, landfill, lawnmower, mower information, oil, old, pollution, recycle, rotary mower, waste
Reel Mowers versus Rotary Mowers: Safety Precautions
The reel mower was the original form of mechanical mower for lawns, and the mechanism has changed little over the years; reel mowers have curved blades that produce a cutting action alongside a stationary steel plate. Rotary mowers, on the other hand, cut grass with a horizontal blade that moves at high speed. Although rotary mowers are popular with homeowners, they may pose a safety risk. The spinning blade of a rotary mower can throw debris hidden in the grass at very high speed or cut off a hand or foot if proper safety measures are not respected. The danger of rotary mowers can be demonstrated by placing on object in the grass chute:
Simply tie an uncooked chicken wing to the end of a broom handle. The wing, which looks a little like a human finger, is then placed in the grass chute as though it is being used to free clippings that have built up and are blocking the release of grass. The blade quickly shreds the bones and skin and shows the spectator what will happen if their hand or food gets too close to the blade . . . (Be sure to wear eye protection when conducting this demonstration.)Christians, Nick, Fundamentals of Turfgrass Management: Ann Arbor Press, Chelsea, Michigan: 1998, page 146.
Between the two mower types, Reel mowers are the safer choice, but all mowers must be operated with caution.
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Although grasses are better equipped than other species to deal with cutting, even grasses have difficulty tolerating mowing. Mowing removes plant tissue that would otherwise perform photosynthesis and provide energy for the grass. Bottom line: mowing is always a stress on your grass.
As a rule, not more than 33 to 40% of the aboveground tissue should be removed in a single mowing (Christians, Nick, Fundamentals of Turfgrass Management: Ann Arbor Press, Chelsea, Michigan: 1998, page 148). In addition, grass should be cut at an even higher setting during periods of stress (high temperatures, frequent compression, etc.).
For more information on particular turf species and cutting recommendations, see Fundamentals of Turfgrass Management, by Nick Christians: Ann Arbor Press, Chelsea, Michigan: 1998, (chapter 8, in particular).
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Your lawn will also respond to how frequently or infrequently it is mowed. Mowing too often places additional stress on the grass from water loss and soil compaction. Infrequent mowing, on the other hand, may result in scalping and a buildup of clippings on the surface that can contribute to disease and other problems (Christians, Nick, Fundamentals of Turfgrass Management: Ann Arbor Press, Chelsea, Michigan: 1998, page 150). If you stick to the guide of removing not more than 33 to 40% of the above ground plant tissue (and less during periods of stress), you will find the proper balance in mowing frequency for your lawn.
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Managing Your Grass Clippings
Grass clippings will always be a part of lawn care. Because lawns grow at different rates depending on environmental conditions and management practices, it is important to tailor mowing, fertilizing, and watering to meet plant needs, yet avoid excessive growth. Grass clippings an inch or less in length filter down to the soil surface and decompose relatively quickly. Longer clippings have a tendency to remain above the lawn where they appear unsightly and can shade or smother grass beneath. Long clippings need to be removed to avoid both unsightliness and lawn damage.
Bagging clippings did not become commonplace until the 1950s when bagging attachments were designed for rotary motors. In nearly every instance, proper lawn care can greatly reduce or eliminate the need to collect clippings. In fact, clippings are a valuable source of nutrients. University of Minnesota soil test recommendations call for less nitrogen fertilizer if clippings are returned to the lawn. Also, the addition of organic matter in the form of clippings may help to improve the status of your soil if it is sandy or low in organic matter.
Contrary to popular belief, returning clippings to the lawn does not normally contribute to increased thatch formation. Thatch is a layer of undecomposed organic matter that builds up between the soil surface and the actively growing green vegetation. A thatch layer will develop if organic matter is produced faster than it is decomposed by microorganisms. The major factors contributing to thatch development are vigorous grass varieties, excessive nitrogen fertilization, infrequent mowing, and low soil oxygen levels. Small clippings are composed primarily of easily degradable compounds which break down rapidly and do not accumulate. Long clippings may contain wiry stem material that is slow to decompose.
Alternatives to Leaving Clippings
While leaving clippings on the lawn is recommended, certain instances make the practice inadvisable. The following are some exceptions to the rule:
If the lawn is heavily infested with certain leaf diseases, removing clippings may help reduce disease severity. If the lawn must be mowed when wet, clippings can mat together and smother the grass. If the grass has become too tall, clippings can mat together and smother the grass.
When clippings must be collected, using them as mulch in the garden or composting them are two good alternative disposal methods. Grass clippings can provide an effective mulch around garden plants. Mulching helps reduce weeds, conserve moisture, and modify soil temperatures. However, do not apply more than one or two inches of grass clippings as a mulch at one time. Wet grass clippings can mat down and prevent oxygen and moisture from getting down into the soil. When oxygen is limited, anaerobic decomposition of the clippings may take place, leading to the production of offensive odors. Do not use grassclippings as mulch if the lawn was recently treated with an herbicide for dandelions or other broadleaf types of weeds. If clippings are to be used as a mulch, then wait until its been mowed at least twice.
Composting involves mixing grass clippings and other plant materials with a small amount of soil containing microorganisms which decompose organic matter. Grass clippings are excellent additions to a compost pile because of their high nitrogen content. However, they should not be the only compost component. As with mulches, a thick layer of grass clippings in a compost pile will lead to bad odors from anaerobic decomposition. Mix them with dry materials such as leaves or straw. Clippings can be composted in the backyard or hauled to municipal composting sites.
Source:
“Managing Grass Clippings,” University of Minnesota, Sustainable Urban Landscape Information Series: http://www.sustland.umn.edu/maint/mowing.htm[accessed on May 6, 2008].
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Most people do not associate air pollution with mowing the lawn. Yet emissions from lawn mowers, snow blowers, chain saws, leaf vacuums, and similar outdoor power equipment are a significant source of pollution. Today’s small engines emit high levels of carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless, poisonous gas. They also emit hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides, pollutants that contribute to the formation of ozone. While ozone occurs naturally in the upper atmosphere and shields the earth from harmful radiation, ozone at ground level is a noxious pollutant.
Ground-level ozone impairs lung function, inhibits plant growth, and is a key ingredient of smog.
Emission control for small gasoline engines has not been a crucial design consideration until now. Consequently, small engines are big polluters. And power equipment users inadvertently contribute to the problem by carelessly handling fuel and by improperly maintaining their equipment.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the power equipment industry are working to investigate and bring to market cleaner technology for small engines.
Pollution Prevention in Your Own Backyard
EPA anticipates that regulations now being developed will bring cleaner lawn and garden equipment to market within a few years. Meanwhile, consumers can make a difference by adopting practices that will help protect the environment now and in the future:
Avoid spilling gasoline.
Preventing spills and overfills is an easy and effective way for power equipment owners to prevent pollution. Even small gasoline spills evaporate and pollute the air.
Use a gasoline container you can handle easily and hold securely. Pour slowly and smoothly. Use a funnel, or a spout with an automatic stop device to prevent overfilling the gas tank. Keep the cap or spout and the vent hole on gasoline containers closed tightly. Transport and store gasoline and power equipment out of direct sunlight in a cool, dry place. Use caution when pumping gasoline into a container at the gas station.
Maintain your equipment.
Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for maintenance. Change oil and clean or
replace air filters regularly. Use the proper fuel/oil mixture in two-stroke equipment. Get periodic tune-ups, maintain sharp mower blades, and keep the underside of the deck clean. Take time to winterize equipment each fall.
Consider cleaner options.
Ask your dealer about the new, cleaner gasoline equipment entering the marketplace. Propane and solar options are also available for some types of equipment. Electric equipment is cleaner than equipment powered by gasoline engines. Electrically-powered lawn and garden tools produce essentially no pollution from exhaust emissions or through fuel evaporation. However, generating the power to run electric equipment does produce pollution.
Use manual tools.
Tools that don’t require electric or gasoline engines are especially handy for small yards or small jobs. Hand tools are available to meet a wide variety of lawn and garden needs, like lightweight, quiet, easy-to-use reel push mowers that generate no emissions.
Reduce mowing time.
Use low-maintenance turf grasses or grass/flower seed mixtures that grow slowly and require less mowing. Check with your local agricultural extension service or lawn and garden center about what is appropriate for your region.
Decrease lawn area.
Plant additional trees and shrubs to reduce the energy costs of heating and cooling your house and to provide landscaping for wildlife. Native wildflowers and plants require little to no maintenance after planting.
Recycle old equipment.
Instead of selling or giving away your old lawn and garden power tools, take them to a recycling center where they can be converted into raw material for use in cleaner equipment and other products.
By combining these strategies, you can reduce your personal contribution to pollution. In addition, your yard equipment will last longer and you will save money.
Source:
“Your Yard and Clean Air,” U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Mobile Sources: EPA 420-F-94-002, May 1996: http://www.p2pays.org/ref%5C05/04460.pdf [accessed on May 6, 2008].
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The two principal types of mowers available for use on home lawns include “reel” and “rotary” mowers. Regardless which type is chosen, it is very important to keep the mower blades as sharp as possible. Dull mowers tear grass blades rather than cutting them. This results in injured plants.
Reel mowers have a series of revolving blades that cut against a stationary bedknife, much like a scissors. While reel mowers provide the finest quality of cut available, they are expensive, not easily adjusted, and require specialized equipment for sharpening. Also, they can’t be used where stones, twigs, or other debris are a problem because of potential damage to the cutting units.
Rotary mowers have a whirling horizontal blade. Rotating blades have the potential for throwing stones or other small objects in the path of the mower. Therefore, rotary mowers are more dangerous than the reel mowers. They cut the grass by impact, similar to the way a machete works. This causes a rougher, more uneven cut than reel mowers. However, rotary mowers do an acceptable job on virtually any lawn. In addition, they are easier to maintain then reel mowers and can cut taller grass.
Mulching or recycling mowers are now available. A mulching mower recuts grass clippings into smaller pieces and redistributes them uniformly back into the lawn for rapid decay. When the turf is wet, clumping is common with mulching mowers because of the excess water present.
Modern mowers are equipped with certain safety devices which should not be removed or tampered with. One safety feature is a blade that stops turning when the operator’s hands are removed from the controls. Another is a rear-mounted rope pull for starting the mower. This reduces the chance of getting one’s foot caught in the blades during starting. Many rotary motors have bagging attachments which affect mower safety. The manufacturer may have a special attachment which is required for safe mowing without a bag. Similarly, discharge chute shields on nonbagging mowers should not be removed. All mowing equipment should be kept in good working condition. Mowers should be sharpened and adjusted frequently to assure a clean cut. A dull rotary mower frays the ends of grass blades and results in brown tips, which are unsightly and increase the plants’ susceptibility to certain plant diseases. Slopes greater than about four to one are both difficult and dangerous to mow. These slopes are good candidates for alternative ground covers that will stabilize the bank and eliminate the need for routine maintenance such as mowing. Pick up rocks, wires, and sticks before mowing to prevent them from becoming dangerous projectiles. Keep all spectators away from the mower while it is in operation. Young children should not be allowed to operate mowers until they can handle them easily. Use earplugs when operating noisy power mowers. Wear sturdy shoes that protect the feet. Always push the mower forward. Never pull it backward in a motion where a slip will allow your foot under the mower deck. Mow across a slope, not up and down for the same reason.Another safety tip is to delay mowing grass when it is wet. Dry grass is less apt to plug mowers. Footing is better on dry grass, and good footing is important in steep slopes.
Finally, there is a growing movement among people with small, easily managed yards, back to “old-fashioned” push-type reel mowers. Newer versions are smaller, lighter-weight, and easier to push than the old clunkers you may have used as a youngster. They have the advantage of quiet, fuel-free operation, and can provide good exercise at the same time. If your property isn’t too large, consider these mowers when shopping for a new one.
Source:
“Mowers and Mowing Safety,” University of Minnesota, Sustainable Urban Landscape Information Series: http://www.sustland.umn.edu/maint/mowing.htm[accessed on May 6, 2008].
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