Hello all.

So, does this mean that walk behind lawnmower users might be required to get the yearly state emissions testing permit or be required to display a current state emissions decal on their lawnmowers ?

Good day.

'Engines under 50 horsepower, which are mostly used to power walk-behind and riding mowers, account for up to 10 percent of summertime smog emissions from mobile sources in some parts of the country.'
Where did they get this figure from?

Probably their imagination.

I have a very hard time beleiving that small engines contribute anything significantly to smog. Just compare how much you use and spend on fuel for your equipment vs. how much gas is consumed by every single car/driver on the road sitting in traffic. Yeah, theres a lot of mowers out there, but theres a LOT of cars that use much more fuel than mowers. I think I might fire up the ole' Lawnboy with an extra oily fuel mix just to piss off DiFi. Also great for getting rid of mosquitos.

I hate to associate myself with tree huggers, but I have to disagree blacknumber1.

The usage of one new walk mower engine for one year's usage (approx 25 hrs) pollutes the same as 20 new cars driving 12,000 miles each.

The reason for that is the catalytic converter. The converter in an auto removes most particulate matter prior to getting into the atmosphere, therefore polluting less. Without a catalyst, these smog-producing chemicals get into our air in ridiculous numbers with a walk behind engine - and moreso with an L-head (B&S). OHV's are slightly better, but still not within the 2007 standards set by CARB (at least not without extra components).

The CARB tier III regulations are in effect for small offroad engines between 80 & 225cc's. Just so you're aware.

Now I'll gladly jump in my SUV and ride into the (smog-hidden) sunset - :)

jim

Jim, I'm a liberal guy in generaly, but I'd need to see some real research results that back up the statement about 20 cars X 12k miles, etc, before I believe it. I have no doubt that a new car runs many times cleaner than any mower engine. But just based on the power levels involved and the shear hours of use involved in your comparison, this sounds way overstated. I'll say this - if you can back this up with real test results, then I would endorse major emissions programs for all lawn equipment, because that would be terrible!

As a matter technical correctness, catalytic converters have no effect on particulate emissions. To my knowledge, gasoline engines in good tune don't have major particulate emissions, whereas diesels often do (but that is rapidly changing with low-sulphur fuels that allow particulate filters on their exhausts). Catalytic converters use a chemical substrate to catalyze a conversion of very harmful greenhouse gases to unharmful gases (largely water), hence the name "catalytic converter." Actually, I predict that with direct injection and other big advances in gasoline engines, we may well see these things disappear on many cars in the future, because they actually force some tuning that causes emissions and economy to be worse than it has to be in other ways. But they are very effective at reducing CO, NOx, and HC emissions (I think I got those correct).

FWIW, there are actually some 2-cycle apps that have them already on trimmers. They aren't adding _that_ much to the cost, and as a side-benefit they help muffle the sound and/or allow cheaper, lighter mufflers to be used. So I also disagree with those who think we can't seriously improve emissions on lawn mowers with cost effectiveness. Realistically, we are in an age where really good mowers are cheap in adjusted dollars, and mediocre mowers and engines are not much more expensive than one tankful of gas in a Suburban or Expedition. I think the world will keep spinning if the price of all mowers goes up $20-30 to meet tighter emissions regs. And in fact, by not having to be run so lean as they are now, we might actually extend the life of most mower engines and recoup the cost.

Liberals sure are experts on finding new ways to spend Other People's Money.

In my opinion, this is long overdue. I can almost taste the exhaust from any of my small engines (lawn tractor or push mowers) when I'm operating them.

My 98 windstar was recently emission tested and it registered single-digit Hydro-carbon emmisions. I can start the van in my garage and it doesn't stink. Start the riding- or push-mower in the garage, and somehow the smell gets into my entire house and lingers.

I appreciate clean air and water, and am willing to fork over a few bucks for it.

Hey, maybe they could offset the cost of a cat converter by removing some of those annoying safety features on the tractor....like stalling the motor when reverse is selected with the blades turning. Who needs or wants that.

Wonderful news!!!

And about time.