Are you tired of jerking a blankedy-blank cord over and over trying to get your yard equipment powered up and ready to run? If so, then consider buying electric powered tools. There are a number of advantages to going electric, and electric power is better for the environment.
You roll the lawnmower out of the garage, tank it up with a very exact mixture of gas and oil, pull the crank cord . . . and NOTHING. The engine turns but doesn’t catch. You jerk and jerk. You feel a hernia coming on, and your head is pounding. There go the best laid plans to groom the yard.
If you’re tired of dealing with gas powered yard tools, then consider electric.
Any tool that comes in (or can be converted to) a gas version can be purchased as an electric model. Hedge trimmers seem to be the most popular electric-start items, but lawnmowers, string trimmers, pruners, chain saws and even tillers come in electric versions.
In the past, electric yard tools were often shunned due to a lack of power. Today, the juice has been turned up. A typical electric lawnmower now boasts equivalent power to a 5-horsepower gas mower. That's pretty decent push, though electric models still tend to be a bit less "Mac truck" than gas. If you need to bush hog your yard, then you probably want to go with gas.
If you have typical yard chores to complete, then the chief downside to using electric is the cord. With bigger yards, the cord won’t reach to the far edges. Most models recommend a 50 foot cord or less. It's possible to join long cords, but piggbacking is not recommended for safety reasons.
Even in small yards, it takes some time to work out a pattern that keeps the cord behind the work area and not in front where the cord can be cut by blades. After a few runs, most users adjust to the constraints and learn how to section out the work area and to pattern the space for the least amount of irritation. There are drop cord holders on the marekt which may be attractive. Those roll and lift the cord preventing tangles and also keeping the cord up in view.
On the plus side, there are a number of attractive advantages to using electric:
1. Electric tools require no effort on start up. Simply plug in, push the start button, and you’re ready to go. If you don’t have much upper body strength, are small in size, or if you have arthritis or other joint problems, electric tools are a blessing. The elderly can extend yard work years by going with electric.
2. You’ll do much less maintenance when using electric. There is nothing to drain at the end of the season. Simply clean and store electric items after each use. Even when an electric tool sits for months, electric power provides instant start up.
*Note--Most electric start yard tools have some type of safety start. A few have key inserts. Others have a combination of a start and safety button. Check the user manual to determine the exact procedure needed for start up.
3. Generally, electric tools weigh less than gas powered tools. Electric does not require a heavy battery, so you’re not carrying the power source around. Hoisting and holding hedge trimmers or chain saws can be very tiring. The lighter load with electric is most appealing. You can work longer when your shoulders and arms aren't aching from holding up extra weight.
4. Unless gas engine roars hold some sort of nostalgic appeal, being able to mow the yard or trim the shrubbery and to think at the same time will be a real plus. Certainly, the neighbors will appreciate the quiet, especially if you’re an early morning yard person. As noise pollution becomes a bigger concern, some communities are banning early morning mowing, but it's very unlikely anyone would notice if you're an early bird and using electric.
5. It’s hard to smell the roses when yard tending with gas. Electric does not produce odors or fumes. You can work all day and still not have that gassy smell that in part of the package with gas/oil. A shower is still a good idea, but you'll only be washing off honest sweat and not chemical smells.
6. Though electric tools do drain some energy, electric is much more earth friendly than gas/oil. Electric engines cut pollution. A gas powered lawnmower can put out as much air pollution as a car according to a recent Swedish study. Mowers are “non-road” engine propelled devises and were not typically subject to regulation in generations past, though that is changing.
New Regulations on Gas Engines
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) called for a 32% reduction in emissions for small engines including home yard tools in 1998. This was Phase I of an effort to deal with the gas engine problems. By 2007, small engines (under 25 horse power) will be subject to more stringent regulations. The estimated reduction per year of ozone pollution is 350,000 tons.
Though gas powered engines are and will be “greener,” electric will still be a better investment in the environmental future. Many countries have comfortably accepted or adapted to electric powered yard engines. In England, approximately 70% of homeowners use electric rather than gas for yard chores.
Safety Precautions When Using Electric Outdoor Tools
1. Do not use electric tools when the grass or hedges are wet or when it’s raining. You could get get a big shock if playing with electricity and water.
2. Use outdoor drop cords. They are heavier and have more insulation than indoor-use cords. If you can't figure out the label, then ask.
3. Be sure plugs are grounded three-prong models. The third prong is a ground and will help prevent shocks.
4. Check and replace frayed or damaged cords or plugs.
5. Don’t run over or clip your power cord. Start from the power supply and work away with the cord behind rather than in front.
Cost of Going Electric
Electric models tend to run a bit more than gas in terms of price. For example, a good gas push mower costs on average $200 while the electric model will set you back about $300. Do consider the offset. Gas engines require gas/oil and also maintenance. Over time, the extra cost of going with electric will be covered by the savings.
Very likely prices on electric yard tools will drop as more customers purchase electric powered models. While your local hardware store may carry only one option in electric today, as more customers ask about and buy electric, the selection will improve and the prices will go down.
Electric models are improving every year. If you tried to go electric a few years back, there were some kinks. Mantis came out with an electric version of the very popular home tiller. They pulled it, went back to the drawing board, and now they are (re)marketing the electric model for home use. Such early pioneers and the users willing to gamble on a new way of doing yard and garden business have helped set the new standard. Now is the time to go electric.