Article: Electric Lawn Mower

THIS IS NOT YOU FATHERS LAWNMOWER:

The Port of Friday Harbor has acquired its first all-electric mowing machine to take over the daunting job of keeping the grass short at the Friday Harbor Airport. Airport operations recently purchased a lithium battery powered EVO 96 mowing machine manufactured by Mean Green Electric Mowers. This mower is typically used at golf courses, athletic fields, and parks. It has a 96” cutting span or can be folded to 72” for storage. It can also mulch 80% of the clippings if desired. The lithium powered mower has a 5-8 hour run time depending on speed and load and can travel up to 13 mph. The Port also added an optional solar panel to help keep pace with the demands placed upon it.

Keeping the Airport grounds trimmed to meet FAA regulations is close to a full-time job according to airport manager, Mike Otis. Mowing machines have a significant carbon footprint and this is one step closer to obtaining environmentally safe infrastructures including maintenance support vessels and equipment. The mower was purchased through a grant from the Washington State Climate Control Act (CCA).

The Friday Harbor Airport is owned and operated by the Port of Friday Harbor.