Lawn Mower Record Holder Cuts Through Fort Worth

Hatter’s journey, which started June 1, 2000, in Portland, Maine, was meant as a way to raise money for a third back operation, following two failed operations to remedy the spinal disk degeneration he suffers from. He has raised money through donations and selling autographed checkered flags.

As reported by Paul Bourgeois in the Fort Worth, Texas, Star-Telegram, Jan. 9, 2001, was day 224 of Hatter’s trip on which he reached Fort Worth. One of Hatter’s goals was to break the Guinness Book of Records record for the longest lawn mower trip in the United States. With more than 13,000 miles and 224 days under his belt, Hatter has shattered both the mileage record of 4,039 miles and time record of 51 days of straight driving on a lawn mower.

Hatter’s journey is nearing completion as he plans to hit all 48 of the contiguous United States, with only the Southeastern states remaining. The destination is Jacksonville, Fla., he told Bourgeois, “That will be all 48 states, and that's the end of the trip.” The final destination will also register at approximately 14,000 miles for the entire trip.

Hatter is driving a large orange Kubota lawn mower, model BX-2200, complete with a plastic roof to protect him from the elements. His top speed is about 9 miles an hour, and he averages about 60 miles a day, according to Bourgeois.

The journey has truly been an adventure for Hatter and spectators that have cheered him on. He told Bourgeois, “At first, people were saying, ‘You're a nut!’ but now it's changed to, ‘Hey, this is cool!’”

For an earlier report about Hatter’s journey click here: Cross-country Lawn Mower Man Not Out To Cut Grass.