<font color=blue>INDUSTRY BUZZ</font> Propane-Powered Mowers: On the Cutting Edge

Propane-powered mowers are becoming increasingly popular as an alternative to gasoline mowers, especially with gasoline prices spiking every spring and Ozone Action Days limiting operations (and profits) during the summer. In these uncertain times, it is prudent to explore efficient, yet economical alternatives. But for an industry so deeply rooted in a gasoline economy, what are the incentives for switching to propane?

The answer is quite simple. Propane-powered mowers offer distinct benefits over gasoline-powered mowers in three key areas:

1. Environment
2. Operations  
3. Economics

Environment

Propane has been approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) as a clean alternative fuel.

Many cities have banned the use of gasoline-powered commercial mowers before 1 p.m. on Ozone Action Days. If landscape companies have to shut down during that time, then their workers will have to find something else to do, putting them at a disadvantage. Understandably, propane mowers are exempt from this ban, allowing businesses to operate normally and keep revenues flowing.

Propane’s environmental benefits:

• Propane is a nontoxic, nonpoisonous fuel. As a result, propane will not contaminate aquifers or soil.
• The low emissions benefits of propane mowers make them ideal for use at airports – which often have high levels of emissions – or municipalities, national and regional parks, and federal and local governments focusing on low emissions alternatives.
• Propane’s octane rating is 104 (compared to premium gasoline at 91-92), allowing for a higher compression ratio in the engine and greater engine efficiency, which ultimately leads to reductions in certain exhaust emissions, such as carbon monoxide.
• Propane is listed as an approved alternative fuel in the 1990 Clean Air Act and the Energy Policy Act of 1992.

Operations

Propane mowers offer two operational advantages: mower performance and refueling infrastructure.

Performance: Propane’s main performance advantage is that it’s an extremely clean fuel and it is delivered to the engine through a clean, closed fuel system. As a result, less burnt hydrocarbons enter the crankcase oil, extending oil life and reducing maintenance needs. And the equipment operates more efficiently – while maintaining ample power and maneuverability. Other benefits of the closed propane fuel system are that you won’t encounter stale fuel, which is commonplace with gasoline and can clog carburetor fuel lines, and you’re less likely to have contaminants, such as grass clippings, dirt and water, enter the fuel system.

Refueling Infrastructure: Propane-powered mowers use larger fuel tanks that enable extended mowing time and cover a greater mowing area in one fueling. Also, in the event that you need to refuel during a big job, the fuel tanks are easy to transport and quick to swap out, thereby increasing productivity. With conventional mowers, more frequent refueling is often required and, because most operators use the “plastic” gasoline jugs, fuel is often spilled and wasted.

• Storage of propane fuel is convenient and flexible, too. One solution is to use a cylinder exchange program. Propane companies typically offer various styles of cylinder storage lockers and cages that allow for safe, secure fuel storage. So cylinders can be conveniently delivered to your business and stored on-site. 
•  As gas prices vary, so do rates of employee fuel theft, or pilferage. It is much more difficult to steal propane and the incentives are far less.

Economics

Richard Blake, owner of McCoy’s Lawn in Austin, Texas, explains that on a 30 HP, 60-inch cut mower, two 7.5 gallon cylinders of propane offers 13 to 14 hours of continuous mowing. Normally, you would need 9 to 10 gallons of gasoline to mow for this long. In terms of fuel cost, propane was $1.59 per gallon in summer 2006 while gasoline was $3.00 per gallon. At those rates, 15 gallons of propane would cost $23.85 and 10 gallons of gasoline would cost $30.00. Right there propane delivers 20 percent fuel savings over gasoline. And while propane and gasoline prices will continue to fluctuate, propane prices normally track about 10 to 20 percent lower than gasoline prices.

Commercial-grade propane-powered mowers sell for about 10 percent more than gasoline mowers. But with the savings on fuel alone, the propane mowers can make up the difference in a matter of months.

Taking a page from the history books, there was a time when skeptics said propane didn’t have much potential as a forklift fuel. Today, propane powers roughly 80 percent of Class 4 and 5 forklifts and accounts for nearly 13 percent of propane sales in the U.S. thanks to its operational, economical and environmental benefits. And propane has the same potential in the commercial mowing market.

For more information, visit www.propanecouncil.org.

The author is managing director of engine fuel programs for the Propane Education & Research Council.