Clean Alternatives to Everyday Machines: The Gas Powered Lawn Mower VS. The Push Reel Mower
Which is better for you and your lawn–the traditional gas-powered lawnmower or the human-powered push reel mower?
Pros and Cons of the traditional gas-powered lawnmower
Pros:
* Consistently cuts everything growing in your lawn, be it grass, weeds, vines, etc…
* Easy to push for long periods of time (ie large lawns)
Cons:
* Air pollution. According to the EPA the average gas-powered lawn mower emits as much pollution per hour as 11 automobiles do during that same time span. Why? The lawn mower engine is a two-cycle engine which pumps out over 90 times more pollution per gallon of gas than any car or truck.
* Noise pollution.
* Recurring gas costs. In case you were unaware–we’re over $4/gallon!
* Maintenance costs.
Pros and Cons of the human-powered push reel mower
Pros:
* Only pollution during mowing is the CO2 that you exhale.
* Quiet.
* The new models have sharp blades and will outperform and outlast the reel mowers your parents pushed around as kids.
* Inexpensive.
* Better exercise considering you aren’t inhaling engine exhaust while mowing.
Cons:
* Does not cut all tall grasses and weeds. After using one for 3 years now. I’d say (as I’ve said to my neighbors) it cuts at about a 93% success rate.
* Not reasonable for large lawns.
The (Unexpected) Outcome
And the winner is…
…The electric lawn mower!!!
If we consider all the variables; pollution, cutting ability, size of lawn, level of ease to own and operate, this non-contestant has to be the winner (sorry John Henry). As much as I love my push reel mower (which is still the most environmentally friendly mower available), I understand that if I had a larger lawn it may not be the best choice–although, it would still be my choice, but I’m a fanatic. The electric lawnmower is quiet, easy to start, easy to maintain, and costs approximately $5/year for electricity. And I haven’t used one, but I’ve read that the mowing skills rival that of the gas-powered mower.
For what it’s worth, the loser is…
…the riding lawn mower.
The bigger brother of the gas-powered mower sells well in a society full of folks who drive a few blocks to and from various stores each day instead of actually walking or biking.
Pros:
It has a cup holder…
…but I’m thinking of adding one to my push reel mower anyway.
Stay tuned next week for the battle of The Washing Machine vs. a trio of human-powered rivals. You may be surprised when No Impact Man shares his thoughts on this one…
Image credits: Amazon.com
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June 24th, 2008 at 8:03 am
Great post, Joe! I love my reel mower, too, but I’d agree with the “93% success rate” — if I let a few tall weeds get away from me, got to pull them…
June 24th, 2008 at 8:22 am
Sorry, but the vast majority of gasoline-powered walk behind mowers have four-cycle engines. Besides, today’s two-stroke engines burn much cleaner than their predecessors because virtually all OPE companies now add catalytic converters and/or other technologies such as Husqvarna’s X-Torq(TM) which cuts emissions by up to 60%. How about using relevant data, redo your homework and present an unbiased view?
Purchase the mower that best suits your lawn and visit the gym for exercise.
Thank you
Dave
June 24th, 2008 at 8:36 am
While I appreciate the advantages of the reel mower having used one myself for about 3 years, I have returned to conventional gasoline-engine powered mower now that I have a larger lawn. As a note of correction, there are no 2-cycle lawn mowers sold in the US anymore due to EPA restrictions on emissions – they are all 4-cycle engines, many of which are moving to OHV (overhead valve) designs. The advantage to OHV engines is they are quieter, pollute less than older side-valve design engines and are more fuel efficient. While cutting a 1/3 of an acre with a reel mower is not something I will do anytime soon, I also don’t like electric mowers. Don’t foget that you can only use 100-ft heavy-duty extension cords with these mowers. Using a longer cord causes loss of voltage the further you are from the outlet and ultimately could burn up the electric motor if used beyond 100 ft or with light duty extension cords. Not to mention that I don’t want to hassle with an extension cord while operating a machine with a metal blade that could cut through the cord in an instant if you were run over it while mowing. Additionally, no one ever mentions that when you use electric products, the power you use to run these tools/appliances is produced primarily by coal-fired power plants that emit more pollution today than any other source – so I don’t know what the math is, but you can’t simply consider that using electric mowers pollutes less without considering the method of producing that power and it’s effect on the environment. I’ll stick with my fuel-efficient, OHV, easy-starting (really easy starting!) Briggs & Stratton powered mower. But if I move back to a home with a postage stamp lawn, I will gladly return to the reel mower.
June 24th, 2008 at 8:41 am
“The lawn mower engine is a two-cycle engine which pumps out over 90 times more pollution per gallon of gas than any car or truck.”
Get your facts straight. The EPA’s emmissions regulations have made 2-cycle lawn mowers obsolete for some time now. Take a look at current data and make your comparison.
Your point has validity, but your fact are not current.
June 24th, 2008 at 8:41 am
Air pollution. According to the EPA the average gas-powered lawn mower emits as much pollution per hour as 11 automobiles do during that same time span. Why? The lawn mower engine is a two-cycle engine which pumps out over 90 times more pollution per gallon of gas than any car or truck.
Joe where do you get your info from man. A 2-cycle engine has not been used on a lawnmower since at least 2004 and that was only select few. Most mowers today use Overhead Valve 4- stroke engines that pollute at least 70% less than a 2 cycle machine. Learn your facts before you start posting this false info.
Also a green healthy lawn does much more good for the enviroment than does a lawn that is allowed to dry out over the summer.
June 24th, 2008 at 9:10 am
Nice post!
It would also be interesting to see a comparison with the solar hybrid robotic mower which seems to be a fantastic innovation.
Please see the link:
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/03/solar-hybrid-mower.php
June 24th, 2008 at 10:14 am
Apologies for the old info. I was unaware of the mandatory change. However, there are still plenty of 2 strokes out there. Regardless, a 4 stroke may be better than a 2 stroke, but a no stroke is better than both.
If you have a small lawn a reel is the only REAL choice. The technology on this clean machine has greatly improved–yet, as Jeff points out, you just might have to pull a few weeds when you’re finished. But pulling them as opposed to cutting them is better for your lawn anyway.
Thanks for keeping me on my toes. No more outdated info from me. (ie–better fact checking, as I did not realize the source was outdated–it was actually an article on my state’s senator and how he consistently blocked legislation to get rid of the 2-stroke.)
June 24th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
Very interesting; It brought a smile to my face being a little smug about the mower that runs 8/9 mph on patented propane powered fuel system (vapors, not liquid), cuts at 19,000 rpm, reduces toxic emissions by 80/90%,60% particulate emissions,less expensive than gas, less maintenace (see http://www.mow-green.com). Clean and green mowing machine! In many sizes -up to 72′! Check it out!
June 24th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
The electric reel mower is definitely the choice to go with. It cuts really well, has no fuel or emissions, and is perfect for small to mid-size lawns. More of these lawn companies like Honda, Toro, Husqvarna, John Deere, and others need to take a step to the Green side. Check out some mor eof my thoughts at http://www.lawnmowersworld.com
June 24th, 2008 at 6:23 pm
From what I’ve read we just need to get the gov. off their drug trip and grow hemp.
Hemp is 4 times more efficient than corn as biofuel. Hemp pellets can be used to produce clean electricity.
… so powerful it could replace every type of fossil fuel energy product (oil, coal, and natural gas).
… This plant is the earth’s number one biomass resource or fastest growing annual plant for agriculture on a worldwide basis, producing up to 14 tons per acre. This is the only biomass source available that is capable of producing all the energy needs of the U.S. and the world…
Hemp will produce cleaner air and reduce greenhouse gases. When biomass fuel burns, it produces CO2 (the major cause of the greenhouse effect), the same as fossil fuel; but during the growth cycle of the plant, photosynthesis removes as much CO2 from the air as burning the biomass adds, so hemp actually cleans the atmosphere. After the first cycle there is no further loading to the atmosphere…
Source: USA Hemp Museum
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June 24th, 2008 at 9:01 pm
I have to disagree with the earlier comment that a green lawn is healthier for the environment than a dried out lawn. Keeping a green, weed-free lawn all summer takes huge amounts of energy, water, and time and pollutes local bodies of water. If you have a lawn that is too large to handle with a reel mower you might consider whether you are really using all of that lawn. If not, you could plant a low maintenance garden with native plants in some of that space. Some people do make use of their large lawns and in that case I agree that an electric mower is the best alternative.
July 11th, 2008 at 9:32 am
Love all of the feed back for this post. As being an owner of a Newton electric lawn mower, I have purges the need for long extension cords. Two rechargeable batteries are included for use, and one battery typically lasts through 1.5 months of use, i.e. mowing 1 time per week. Also included is a fine and dandy edger so it cuts out the need for two separate machines. My bias, living in an upscale suburb of Chicago, many of my neighbors use electric and push mowers, but recently traveling through what I call the “Meat” of America, I have seen may 2 cycle mowers up for sale on yards, and these are the ones that keep being passed on to other consumers because they don’t cast much to buy, and they are the easiest to fix. Just drive through central Illinois or Michigan and see how lawns are being mowed. Just because the EPA and new technology are out there, not everyone is using it. My dad still had a hulking 2 cycle snow blower up until 5 years ago. I remember having to run from the blue exhaust that came out of it.
July 14th, 2008 at 8:46 am
Well now, reel mowers are real hard to push, gas is very expensive and polluting, so what is better than these? PROPANE. This innovational, cleaner alternative (US patented EnviroGard mower) is prudent overall – propane is ~30% cheaper than gas, has 10% better fuel efficiency, runs up to 10MPH, cuts at 19,000 FPM AND has no exhaust polluting waste! Our mowing solution to pollution is available in sit-down or walk behind models and can be seen at http://www.mow-green.com.
July 21st, 2008 at 6:27 pm
[...] it for one year now and the average increase on my monthly bill is $5. 30. Mow your lawn with a reel mower. It’s human powered and good for your lawn. I highly recommend one for lawns less than a half [...]
August 3rd, 2008 at 12:53 am
actually, i’m pretty sure that most gas powered lawn mowers are 4-stroke engines like in a car. if they were two stroke, like a weed-wacker motor, then you would have to use a special kind of oil-gas mixture for a two stroke engine.
August 28th, 2008 at 10:17 am
I am looking for a gas operated reel lawnmower. My father had one when I was growing up, but now I can’t seem to find any on the market.
May 30th, 2009 at 4:23 pm
What a misinformed BS article. I bet this guy drives a prius and watches queer eye for the straight guy. Probably never even mowed a lawn.
July 9th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
here in S. FLORIDA WE HAVE EVERY ILLEGAL INTHE LANDSCAPING BUSINESS AND I ‘LL GURANTEE YOU THERE USING 2 STROKE VERY,VERY POLLUTING LAWN EQUIP.
August 5th, 2009 at 10:25 pm
Please check out the Rowbomow. I got one over 1 year ago and fell in love. Now I am an authorized Robomow dealer and service center. There is no comparision to a gas mower. the Robomow uses no gas, no oil, makes no noise, no emmisions, no clippings to haul to the curb and best of all no work. You don’t even need to be home because it mowes by it self!
August 30th, 2009 at 4:00 am
I recently acquired a 14-year old, 2-cycle Lawn Boy mower. I cleaned and repaired it just today. Yeah, it smokes a little more than a 4-cycle engine but it is not without its merits. First, it is lighter than a comparable 4-cycle engine, which is attributed to it having fewer moving parts in its aluminum block. Have any of the greens considered how much less energy and resources are needed to fabricate the heavier 4-cycle, cast iron engine? Second, its fuel delivery system is primarily plastic, so when you forget to drain the fuel during the off season it doesn’t rust! Yeah, I know you guys think that plastic is evil, but isn’t it great that there is something out there that is easy to clean and built to last; not throw away? Third, this mower exhausts below the deck and that muffles the sound so much more than the traditional above deck mufflers. Just think of the money and batteries that I will save by preserving my hearing and not needing hearing aids.
I plan to use it to cut the areas of my yard that are too small for the lawn tractor, but a bit large and somewhat time consuming for the weed whacker. Reducing my weed whacking time from 3 hours to 1 or less should help save my back, which should also postpone my meeting with the health care death panel when I’m declared too old for back surgery. So, even though it ain’t green, the green machine will contribute to the greater good. Right?