Fluck, R. C. and P. Busey. 1988. Energy for mowing turfgrass. Trans. ASAE 31:1304-1308.
Abstract
Energy for mowing turfgrass was measured with an electric-motor-powered rotary mower and microprocessor-controlled electric power demand analyzer. Mowing energy increased with increased fertilization, decreased mowing height, and increased moisture on the turfgrass, and varied with genotype. A gasoline-powered mower required more direct and total primary energy for mowing turfgrass than an electric mower.
| In this experiment, a gasoline-powered rotary mower used considerably more energy than an electric mower. | ||||
| Energy consumption per unit area | ||||
| Mower | Total power, Pi (kW) | Gasoline (ml) | Direct, Pit/a (Wh/m2) | Total primary, Ppt/a (Wh/m2) |
| St. Augustinegrass, Stenotaphrum secundatum | ||||
| Electric | 1.153 | -- | 1.380 | 5.374 |
| Gasoline | -- | 58 | 8.720 | 10.601 |
| bahiagrass, Paspalum notatum | ||||
| Electric | 1.223 | -- | 3.9001 | 15.195 |
| Gasoline | -- | 147 | 29.469 | 35.826 |