Quiet OPE

[JTK]

It depends on the specific piece of equipment. In terms of riding mowers, old ones, say pre 1980, a lot of them had very quiet cutting decks compared to those today.

My 1999 steel decked Honda HRX push mower is so quiet I don't feel as I need hearing protection with it. OTOH, my 2011 Snapper Ninja commercial 21" is so flipping loud it's obnoxious. Ear plugs needed.

Like said, a high dollar JD or similar will have provisions to reduce engine noise, where cheaper riders will have little.

 

[ragtoplvr]

Lawnboy Quietflight. Quietest mower ever. About all you heard was the blade hitting the grass.

See video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxUhS-vFLWA

Rod

 

[Cujet]

I repowered my Snapper commercial mower with a Honda 190 non commercial engine. Previously had a smooth running, and quiet Kawasaki 150 engine on it.

The Honda has a much louder exhaust. However, for what ever reason, the Honda runs quite a bit slower, even with the governor at max. The Ninja blade howls at the Kawasaki's 3600 RPM. But at the Honda's 2800 or so, it's far more pleasant.

I have been thinking about running the exhaust down through the deck. I am not sure if that will actually make it quieter, but it would be an easy task. At least the exhaust would not be aimed at my ear!

The slower Honda engine has a lot more grass cutting power than the smaller Kawasaki, even at lower RPM.

 

[jeepman3071]

Originally Posted By: motor_oil_madman
I have a toro time master which has the same looking engine as what is on the mower on the left. That engine is not quiet, in fact it's louder than the flat head style engine it replaced. Other than that I guess it's okay.


My neighbor has a Time master. The engine isn't all that loud but the deck sounds like a helicopter taking off. It does mulch leaves pretty well though.

 

[IndyIan]

I just use ear plugs. My old tiller has no muffler at all anymore but its a 15hp/L flat head briggs so its mostly wheezing loudly...
For chainsaws atleast, the new ones with a catalyst in the exhaust seem to be quieter, but again I use ear plugs so they are all quiet enough.