Have you ever been "shot" by your lawnmower?

[Greenblades]

I was looking up mower mods and came across this article:
http://www.scienceagogo.com/news/19980508173109data_trunc_sys.shtml

It describes how mowers can propel an item as fast as a gun can. It also gives a case study of a four year old shot by a mower with a piece of chain link. This is one of the reasons I would be nervous about letting my nine year old mow. At least not without a bullet proof vest. :wink:

 

[essasmallengines]

When I was a kid (sometime in the 60's) My grandfather was mowing the lawn and he hit a dog bone with the mower, well it flew out and hit me on the ankle, and cut me in two places on the ankle

 

[noma]

Hi

I think that's why, when you are mowing you don't want any one around to get hurt for the safety of every one around.The person on the mower should be ok if they are operation in a safely mater.I think it's how big of a hurry a person get to get the mowing job done need safety first

 

[mamaA]

We had someone locally (about 15 years ago) who was killed by his neighbor's lawn mower. I remember hearing about the story when it happened. Crazy stuff and crazy to think it really does happen.

 

[gator6x4]

A high velocity .22 caliber bullet travels at 1215 FPS. A modern day lawn mower usually has a blade tip speed of 19,000 - 20,000FPM. I personally do not want to be in front of the discharge of a lawn mower when it is running. A lawn mower can hurl small rocks and sticks at a velocity greater than or equal to that of a .22 caliber rifle. This is what bring the thought of "What Is He/She Thinking" when I see someone mowing with a small child in the yard.

For information on the velocity of a .22 caliber bullet visit this Web site.

http://http://www.chuckhawks.com/history_rimfire_ammo.htm

 

[KennyV]

A high velocity .22 caliber bullet travels at 1215 FPS. A modern day lawn mower usually has a blade tip speed of 19,000-20,000FPM. A lawn mower can hurl small rocks and sticks at a velocity greater than or equal to that of a .22 caliber rifle. [/URL]

Oops... Not nearly the same velocity. Not even close... feet per Min vs. feet per Sec. have a difference factor of 60.
The blade tip speed is normally below 18000 fpM. ... BUT even at 20,000 fpM that is only 333 fpS. (Much slower than most BB guns.) Tho it is still unpleasant to get pecked by a BB gun.

I only bring this up because shooting guns is much too maligned as it is... I have spent a lot of years working with exterior ballistics.

Another thing to consider is the reason bullets are made of lead, it is harder to get a dense heavy object moving fast... BUT it will not shed the velocity as quickly as a lighter projectile ( like for instance a rock, wire or twig)... Stay safe, use common (or not so common ) sense... keep your kids, pets and fine crystal at a reasonable distance when mowing, all should be fine. KennyV

 

[Rip]

I've been hit so hard by stuff that a mower slung and I was scared to look where it hit.

rip

 

[KennyV]

I was scared to look where it hit.

rip

Ha ha... Me too :biggrin: KennyV

 

[Greenblades]

That just put an image in my head that made me actually cover my eyes. I can only imagine the stories that some people have to tell!!

 

[bret]

When I have ever mowed I walked away from it because I always found if I hit something it was flying back to hit me, like others have said, it hurts when you get hit by something.