MYGREENSUIT

UPDATE #2

The problem part was the handle unit, which I replaced failry easily once I received it from Neuton. I do appreciate that the machine is pretty simple. Not much to it, battery, handle, one circuit board to connect all switches etc, and the blade.

I finally used it this weekend on my 1/3 of an acre and it work quite well. No issues with ability to cut the grass, which was fairly long. I used the bagger and it worked fine, although it is smaller than a normal bagger, which meant I had to empty it more. It did not clog up with grass at any point.

I was impressed with the cut. I don’t know if I had a dull blade on my other mower or this mower does something different but the clippings were short and small and the grass looks more even. Overall I was pleased with the results of the new mower. It certainly was quieter, and yes I did have neighbors stopping by to make comments. They all mentioned how light it looked (it is), and how quiet it was.

UPDATE

I finally received the new lawnmower, setup was easy, charging the battery was as expected. I was excited to use it for the first cut of the year, I was sure the neighbors would be curious and come to see the new gadget. Unfortunately, once the unit was setup, it didn’t start. After relooking at all the instructions, having my daughter reread the instructions (Dad is not known for his patience in reading those stupid things), it still would not start.

I got on the phone with Tech support, who determined it was a problem with my handle, which has the switches to activate the mower inside. They will be sending me a new handle. They were responsive and helpful but I have to drag out the old, loud, mower for now. Hopefully, I can get this going.

UPDATE END

My next investment is a battery powered lawnmower from a company in Vermont, called Neuton Power Equipment. I am awaiting arrival of the 19″ mower. This is a new model, most to date, have been smaller in width, 16″ and under powered. This makes it more work to mow the lawn, more passes across the lawn, even more frequent cutting because it can not handle the longer grass. I hope this model can fill the bill.

http://www.neutonpower.com/

Some intersting comparisons from their site between my current lawn mower and this unit

Fact: A gas mower spews 87 lbs. of the greenhouse gas CO2, and 54 lbs. of other pollutants into your air every year.

Fact: Over 17 million gallons of gas are spilled each year refueling lawn and garden equipment – more petroleum than was spilled by the Exxon Valdez.

Fact: Gas-powered mowers send over 1,800 times the hydrocarbons into the atmosphere when compared to the environmentally-sound choice of battery-powered mowers.

Well over 5 million of these machines are still sold in the U.S. every year.

But these machines have barely evolved in over half a century, and in today’s world that’s really behind the times. According to the EPA, gas mowers are reponsible for nearly 5% of our nation’s total air pollution. Over 800 million gallons of gasoline are used mowing our nation’s lawns every year. And if you operate one for more than 15 minutes, experts advise you to wear hearing protection.

When you mow with the Battery-Powered Neuton Mower, you are helping to:

• Eliminate accidental fuel spillage (a major contaminate to our underground water tables)

• Eliminate pollutants and carbon emissions (mowing 1 hour with a gas mower produces the equivalent pollution as driving a car 50 miles)

• Eliminate ear-damaging noise (gas mowers can damage your hearing and the peace & quiet of your neighborhood!)

I am focused mostly on the carbon emission reduction but the noise reduction will be an added benefit.

I will update you later on how this works out.