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Ridiculous mower regulations

#1

M

mois25

I was imagining a situation where a particular country for example has rules regarding how much noise a mower can emit. It would be a real hassle trying to bring in mowers from other countries with different regulations.

I am imagining modification of the machines coming into play, something that would cost both time and money. What are some of the regulations and rules in your country you deem ridiculous?


#2

A

AndyMan

Fortunately, we live out where no one can bother us about our mower. When we were house-hunting near Baltimore we looked into a closed community with covenants stating how often you had to mow your lawn (maximum grass height), how many of what type of tree could/had to be planted, where and what type of playground equipment you could set up for your kids. And heaven forbid if a dandelion threw down roots. We RAN in the other direction!


#3

M

mois25

Haha, that is an interesting encounter. I am imagining you ran really fast before the reality of the awkward regulations could sink.

I cannot picture staying in a place with so many regulations.


#4

K

KennyV

Myself I try not to offend my neighbors (too much) ... I don't think I would care too much for home owner restrictions...

However I do understand the reason that people flock to the neighborhoods that have them...

My brother recently built his house on a golf course, he is very involved in the home owners association and they all love the restrictive covenants, it prevents anyone in the group from deliberately or inadvertently 'offending' their neighbors...
:smile:KennyV


#5

M

macky

I would imagine that home owners associations, especially in exclusive subdivisions, have rigorous covenants. This is to preserve the ambiance of the community, preserve the market value (which benefits everybody), and simply maintain peace and harmony among neighbors. For instance, I would imagine hating to be the next door neighbor of someone who does not mow his lawn. It's hard to explain why, but the feeling isn't pleasant.

This is why living in a land of your own in the mountains is great.

Speaking of ridiculous mower regulations, I couldn't think of any at this point. But God forbid they start imposing traffic signs for lawn mowers. That would be the time I'd laugh my heart out.


#6

pchili4

pchili4

In Ontario Canada we have pollution laws and noise pollution laws, but i really dont care i still love the sound and the smell of small engines:licking:


#7

H

hornet

I suggest the neighbours wear ear plugs, if you want a lawn then the noise is a price you have to pay, maybe the neighbours should co-ordinate the mowing times so you are all mowing at the same time :)


#8

K

KennyV

hornet said:
I suggest ...., maybe the neighbours should co-ordinate the mowing times so you are all mowing at the same time :)
Click to expand...

AND this is how a Home Owners Association is started..... :smile:KennyV


#9

M

Manny

I don't know about any regulations, there may be some, but I am just not sure. I just try to be courteous of my neighbors. I know I want to mow early enough so that it is cooler outside, but I try to make sure that it is after 9 am.....


#10

M

mois25

I agree that there is a price the neighbors have to pay and in any case the need to be mindful to others often comes naturally.

I kinda love the smell from the small engines too, lol!!


#11

lizard

lizard

In Australia you can mow in residential area's from Monday to Saturday, 7.00AM to 7.00PM......Sunday 9.00AM to 7.00AM.......otherwise you can be fined!:rolleyes:


#12

M

macky

lizard said:
In Australia you can mow in residential area's from Monday to Saturday, 7.00AM to 7.00PM......Sunday 9.00AM to 7.00AM.......otherwise you can be fined!:rolleyes:
Click to expand...

If you overlap that with work schedule, it appears to me that you really don't have much time to mow. I don't see much promise in the morning. Leaving the office at 5pm would give you around an hour before 7pm, travel time and preparation included.

So, how do you do it, Lizard?

P.S. For the Sunday schedule, perhaps you meant 9:00AM to 7:00PM?


#13

173abn

173abn

I've only got one neighabor and they are selling[not because of me].all regulations are mine. russ


#14

lizard

lizard

macky said:
If you overlap that with work schedule, it appears to me that you really don't have much time to mow. I don't see much promise in the morning. Leaving the office at 5pm would give you around an hour before 7pm, travel time and preparation included.

So, how do you do it, Lizard?

P.S. For the Sunday schedule, perhaps you meant 9:00AM to 7:00PM?
Click to expand...

I work from 7.00AM to 1.00PM , 3 days per week.......never on a Sunday.


#15

Two-Stroke

Two-Stroke

Here's a link to a US EPA pamphlet discussing emissions standards for small engines. It's geared toward retail dealers of lawnmowers etc. but contains a lot of information that applies to the consumer, particularly if you service your mower. Reader"s Digest Version: you can't modify these engines (under 25hp) or you'll face criminal sanctions.

One little bit of good news: it appears that pre-1997 small engines are "grandfathered" so you can modify those all you want.

The pamphlet doesn't talk about two-stroke engines (an interest of mine:smile:) specifically but I have to guess that the two-strokes have suffered under these EPA regulations. I don't know of any new two-stroke mowers available for sale in the USA. However, almost all hand-held, gas-powered devices (chainsaws, trimmers, etc) are two-stroke -- since they're so light -- which is one of the things I like about them. So two-stroke engines can still be sold but, for some reason, they aren't available on mowers. Does anybody know more about this? I did some searching via Bing and couldn't find anything better than the pamphlet.

Anyway, I have a wonderful two-stroke Lawn Boy mower that runs great at age 30+ and I'm always in the market for another good used two-stroke mower.


#16

lizard

lizard

Two-Stroke said:
Here's a link to a US EPA pamphlet discussing emissions standards for small engines. It's geared toward retail dealers of lawnmowers etc. but contains a lot of information that applies to the consumer, particularly if you service your mower. Reader"s Digest Version: you can't modify these engines (under 25hp) or you'll face criminal sanctions.

One little bit of good news: it appears that pre-1997 small engines are "grandfathered" so you can modify those all you want.

The pamphlet doesn't talk about two-stroke engines (an interest of mine:smile:) specifically but I have to guess that the two-strokes have suffered under these EPA regulations. I don't know of any new two-stroke mowers available for sale in the USA. However, almost all hand-held, gas-powered devices (chainsaws, trimmers, etc) are two-stroke -- since they're so light -- which is one of the things I like about them. So two-stroke engines can still be sold but, for some reason, they aren't available on mowers. Does anybody know more about this? I did some searching via Bing and couldn't find anything better than the pamphlet.

Anyway, I have a wonderful two-stroke Lawn Boy mower that runs great at age 30+ and I'm always in the market for another good used two-stroke mower.
Click to expand...

Two Stroke lawn mowers are mainly 'Rotary' types.......not many 4 Strokes, They are better than a 4 Stroke anyday.........Light and Powerfull.


#17

Two-Stroke

Two-Stroke

lizard said:
Two Stroke lawn mowers are mainly 'Rotary' types.......not many 4 Strokes, They are better than a 4 Stroke anyday.........Light and Powerfull.
Click to expand...

Can one still buy a two-stroke mower in Australia?

Do you have one? If so, please post a photo.


#18

lizard

lizard

Two-Stroke said:
Can one still buy a two-stroke mower in Australia?

Do you have one? If so, please post a photo.
Click to expand...

Yes you can still buy 2 Stroke new mower in Australia......sorry no scanner to send pics:biggrin:


#19

T

Twinkle

I've never heard of any local regulations about when we can mow the lawn. I would say that 7am is a bit early as a starting point anyhow, I'd rather any rules started a bit later and ended later, especially on the light nights. I wouldn't be happy about being woken so early on a weekend morning!


#20

lizard

lizard

Twinkle said:
I've never heard of any local regulations about when we can mow the lawn. I would say that 7am is a bit early as a starting point anyhow, I'd rather any rules started a bit later and ended later, especially on the light nights. I wouldn't be happy about being woken so early on a weekend morning!
Click to expand...

Australia is a Hot country in Summer......so 7.00Am...........the sun has been up for a few hours, I start at 7.30AM in Winter.....you can see what you are doing.......lol:wink:


#21

K

KennyV

Twinkle said:
especially on the light nights. I wouldn't be happy about being woken so early on a weekend morning!
Click to expand...

In most all the states we switch to daylight savings time in the spring and back to regular time in the fall...
Is it like that where you are???
We are about to switch back soon...:smile:KennyV


#22

lizard

lizard

KennyV said:
In most all the states we switch to daylight savings time in the spring and back to regular time in the fall...
Is it like that where you are???
We are about to switch back soon...:smile:KennyV
Click to expand...

We do not have Day Light Saving, which is good as I get up a t 5.00AM everyday nearly........so that 7.00 AM start is Law......so that is the story....:biggrin:


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