Lehr in Los Angeles, Calif., is doing something to clean up the planet with its propane-driven garden tools.
The Southern California firm was awarded the first-of-its-kind patent for a hand-held eco-trimmer.
"Our true need today is to develop technology to conserve and give people what they want," said company founder and CEO Bernardo Herzer. "Consumers want the performance and the benefits of gas without impacting the environment. We give them the performance and better reliability."
For many years, propane has been recognized as an alternative-energy source that helps cut emissions. In fact, gasoline-powered lawn and garden tools produce up to 30 times more hydrocarbons than a typical automobile emits. LEHR's patented fueling system covers the use of small propane cylinders like the ones used on camping stoves, small barbecues, camping lanterns and other common uses.
Herzer said he saw the damage to the environment firsthand when he was captain and owner of ships that did oceanographic research in the North Sea. His last project was surveying fishing banks off the coast of England to see effects of the commercial fishing industry. He found fishing habitats destroyed and marinas left as ghost towns as a result of overfishing and gasoline residue spillage from ships. He began researching ways to run a ship's small generator on clean-burning propane. This research was the beginning of his company's environmentally friendly technology.
"A garden tool string trimmer is the first in our Eco Series because it's the most appropriate segment of the market," he said. "We could make a difference, and the consumer and the environment could win. For the first time the retailer gets to sell fuel to the customer."
Electric trimmers have limitations just like those that run on batteries. Internal-combustion engines put out more power than a battery-operated tool because the energy density of propane is very high.
"Propane is the third-largest fuel in use behind gasoline and diesel," Herzer said. "It's a very reliable fuel and stores better than alternatives, thus stopping carburetors from 'gumming up.'"
Lehr has two types of trimmers. The straight-shaft model that has a gear for attachments such as a cutter blade, leaf blower, hedger, tree pruner, cleaning brush and tiller. The bent-shaft model has no attachment gear and is used more for residential applications.
These propane-driven tools will be on retail shelves by mid-February and will be priced between $199 and $230, depending on features and the model.
"It's not the ultimate thing, but a step in the right direction," Herzer said. "We feel it's time for change, and that time is now."