The Free Press, Mankato, MN

Editorials

May 7, 2006

Our View-- More than one way to cut a blade

If there’s any doubt spring has fully arrived, stop a minute and take a listen.

Hear that really loud buzzing?

That’s your neighbor’s lawn mower.

Recent rains mean the grass has popped and stretched enough to be cut a couple of times in the last few weeks. Most people are cutting that grass with a gas-powered lawn mower — a pollution-producing machine that spits out more smog-producing chemicals than a motor vehicle.

Because there are no emission controls on a small engines, such as those in lawn mowers, rototillers and trimmers, they burn dirtier than automobiles, according to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.

Federal regulations have meant gas mowers have burned cleaner than they did since 1990, but there is still room for improvement.

For those who already own gas-powered mowers and have no intention of abandoning them for electric counterparts, local mower specialists offer some good advice. Mainly, pay attention to maintenance. Oil should be changed after every 25 hours of use and the air filter after 50 hours. Other maintenance includes replacing spark plugs and sharpening blades.

For those whose gas-powered mowers are dying and they are shopping for a replacement, consider the alternatives. Electric mowers have been on the market for decades and plenty of consumers are satisfied with their performance and relieved about their low maintenance and quietness. That doesn’t mean you have to buy a mower with an impractical cord; there are electric mowers available with rechargeable batteries — just plug in the mowers for about four hours or so, or overnight, and they’re ready to go.

The electric mowers are more expensive. You have to pay the price for making sound environmental (and auditory) decisions. For those with small, flat lawns, the manual reel mowers are a two-for-one deal. Cheap and a free workout.

Although the mower industry hasn’t taken the steps to improving gas-powered mowers by adding catalytic converters to reduce emissions, consumers should be poised to embrace the new technology.

In the meantime, lawn specialists will tell any mower owner that lawns should not be cut too short. It stresses the lawn and increases the demand for precious water. It’s convenient to have a bona fide excuse to keep the mower in the garage for a few extra days.

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