best lawn mower petrol or electric image
winterrule
I know there are some light duty battery and plug in electric mowers but nothing suitable for large lawns. I would like to see a battery powered 48" walk behind mower deck or a zero turn mower. It seems like a good way to promote electric vehicles. Equipment like this could give people enough confidence in batteries to consider electric cars.
So there are some choices for light duty mowers. None of those mentioned work very fast or have much battery life. The best is rated for one acre and needs 12 hours of charging time.That's fine for an urban lawn on a 3/4acre lot but not fo ra more rural estate. Most homeowners want to mow their whole lawn in one session, not spread over 2-3 days.
Answer
I have had the chance to use an electric mower with a cord on a lawn that takes about 2 hours to mow. Tall or short grass the performance seemed similar to a similar petrol powered model. The cutting pattern had to take the cord into consideration. However it was quieter, needed virtually no maintenance, would always "start" never seemed to get old and did I say it was quieter?
In that situation the corded model was preferred to a battery version because it was cheaper, requiring less investment, it would require less maintenance, the particular situation did not require batteries. The lawn was set up with reachable outdoor plugs and the investment in a proper cord would pay dividends as it could be used for other electric yard equipment. Someday roadways may be set up to provide power to electric cars: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Road-powered_electric_vehicle
Other situations would require battery models. Europeans have had to live with their environment longer than most Americans. They have a different approach and appreciation. It is not surprising that battery mowers would be popular in Europe before becoming popular in the US. However from the links below you can see that such mowers are available in the US.
I have a Champion petrol mower which wont start, is there a check list of things I can do before I pay someone?
MrBEanz
I am not brilliant with motors and things so please explain in laymans terms if you are able.
Thanks
Answer
It is basically a matter of spark or fuel.
Spark is checked by removing the plug, grounding it to the block and watching the gap at the end while the starter cord is pulled. to ground the plug wrap the stripped end of an insulated wire around the area where the wrench or socket touches, the other stripped end is held in contact with the engine, It is easier if someone else pulls the cord. if a n electric spark jumps the gap, you have spark, or fire, or juice, depending on the mechanic you talk to. If you have no spark, you have either a break in the wires conducting the electricity, or the coil near the magnets in the flywheel is shot. Oh, one more thing, since you have removed the sparkplug, look at the gap end and see if either side of the gap looks carbed up or burnt, You might try replacing the plug with a new one.(don't drop it! the gap is set at the factory and it is easy to mess it up by say, hitting a hard surface, so be careful from the time you remove the plug from the carton and you install it.check that spark again before you install it, it will rule out the plug as the culprit either way, but if you still have no spark, your problem is likely to be a shop fix problem. But you can sound helpful and knowlegable by saying "it isn't getting any spark." when the mower guy asks you what you need.
Now, lets say you have spark! happy day, your problems are smaller!
The carbouretor is a source of consternation to most folks, including mechanics. so dont feel bad, it is also an exterior feature and easier to get to for adjustment or swapping out. Get a can of lighter fluid, remove the air filter cover and squirt a small amount into the top of the carb, that hole or round opening the cover covered,lets call this the air intake, anywho, pull the cord right after you squirt the small amount of lighter fluid into the intake, If you have spark you should get some sort of near starting cough at least. It may even start and all you have to do is put the air filter back on and mow. I am assuming the fuel tank has gas in it,and it's the right kind of gas,a four cycle engine just takes gas to run on, a two cycle needs a gas/oil mix. How can you tell them apart? A four cycle has an oil dipstick which you should check for the right oil level.
OK , back on track, if you still don't get a spark, one last fix before you go see your mower guy is to tighten the carb onto the fuel tank.
Mowers vibrate when running and this can loosen the screws that hold the carb onto the fuel tang. Get down near the carb(with filter removed and look straight down. past the carb,there should be screws accessible by the right screwdriver(flat, or philips, or, god help you,torx, or allen, They really want to make it hard for you oftentime.)
digressions aside, try to tighten these screws, if only by a small amount, you are trying to seal any air leak past the gasket between the fuel tank and the carb. Too much might twist the head of the screw off and complicate your mower maintenance to no end. So, try to start and if no luck, to the pro you go. Good luck.
I am a strong advocate of lawnscapes that don't require mowing. being green does not pertain to you lawn. Friends don't let friends do turf!
You can get someone else to kneel on the mower deck with their knee against the end of the sparkplug while you pull the cord. It will light them up and answer your question about spark quickly, but it is a dirty trick and could cost you the trust of your helper!
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