Propane Mowers Increasing

More landscape maintenance companies are choosing propane to power their mowers due to the fuel’s lower cost and lower emissions. Retrofitting gas mowers does involve conversion costs, but more contractors are embracing it.

Propane users can also claim a bit of patriotism as well, as David Guy, of Ohio’s Liapis Landscaping explained: "It's all the exact same. You're just running on a cleaner fuel that is produced 98 percent right here in the United States."

"It makes good economic sense. These companies can really save a lot of money by switching over to propane," said Sam Spofforth, of Clean Fuels Ohio.

Spofforth said that no more gas reduces carbon emissions by 70 percent and that's big savings when you mow 400 yards a week.

"Who wants to be dependent on these foreign oils and everything else? If I can buy a product here in the U.S., then that's what I want to do," Guy said. The company has converted 12 mowers to propane and are in process of converting their entire fleet of trucks.

Rebates For Propane Mowers
A leading association promoting the use of propane mowers, The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC), offers $1,000 to qualified buyers of a new propane-fueled mower who agree to share information about the mower’s performance.
 
The PERC Propane Mower Incentive Program offers eligible contractors an incentive for up to 10 eligible mowers bought from any US mower dealer.

“This is a research initiative that will reward lawn and landscape customers for choosing a lower-emissions mower and help PERC meet its research goals,” said Mark Leitman, PERC Director of Business Development and Marketing.
 
Among the mower manufacturers that offer offering propane-fueled mowers are: Ariens/Gravely, Bobcat, Briggs and Stratton (including Snapper Pro and Ferris brands), Cub Cadet, Dixie Chopper, Exmark, Husqvarna, Kubota, Scag, Toro, and Zipper.
 
propanecouncil.org and/or poweredbypropane.org.