Lawn mower noise decibels. How Loud Are Robotic Mowers? An Extensive List

How Loud Are Robotic Mowers? An Extensive List

If you have never experienced a robotic mower in operation, you will naturally ask yourself: “How loud are robotic mowers actually?” Since they are in operation longer than a conventional lawnmower, this is an important question to be answered. In addition, it is good to know when you are allowed to start up the robotic mower without disturbing anyone. I have examined these questions in detail. Due to their design and mode of operation, robotic mowers can be noisy in different ways. In general, however, they are significantly quieter than lawn mowers, reaching between 55 dB and 75 dB. How loud they actually are in the end depends on the model and the associated structural features, such as the mowing unit or the engine, as well as the proper maintenance of the robotic mower. Robotic mowers below 60 dB can sometimes mow under certain circumstances where ordinary lawn mowers are not allowed to do so. I explore this topic in more detail in the article below.

How Loud is Loud? Info About Decibel Levels

The volume of robotic mowers, as with virtually all other devices, is measured in decibels. But what does that actually mean? Unlike meters or grams, for example, this is not a metric unit, but a scale of a metric unit, e.g. the sound pressure in Pascal. The whole thing can get quite complicated if you go deeper into the matter. We will therefore only superficially go into the most important things here. The decibel scale is a logarithmic scale, which in this case means that a change of 10 dB is equivalent to a perceived doubling of the volume. It is therefore very similar to the Richter scale for indicating the strength of an earthquake. This scale is chosen because the human ear can perceive small changes in absolute loudness at low volume, whereas larger changes are necessary at higher volume to perceive a loudness. A robotic mower with 70 decibels therefore appears much louder than one with 60 decibels.

The Decibel Value Always Refers to the Distance from the Noise Source

Data from legal regulations on noise limits, on the other hand, refer to the volume measured at the property boundary with the neighbor). This also makes sense, because if you have a very large property and you let your robotic mower drive at a great distance from the neighbor, it is unlikely to disturb them.

For example, if the legal limit for noise pollution past 8 p.m. is 50 decibels and the robotic mower has a sound level of 68 decibels at a distance of 4 meters, the robotic mower must not be allowed to drive closer than 32 meters to the neighboring property in order not to exceed this limit. This is only an example, however. It actually depends on your state or country, if there is a limit and if so, what the actual allowed number of decibels are.

What is the Quietest Robotic Mower?

The robotic mowers from Husqvarna, MCCULLOCH and GARDENA are among the quietest models. This is mainly due to the fact that they mow with a disc to which three blades are attached. Since these blades are very light – they weigh only about 2 grams – the engine also requires less power, which in turn makes it quieter.

In addition, they use particularly quiet engines and the mower deck is constructed in a particularly intelligent way so that as little noise as possible is generated. Husqvarna, MUCCULLOCH and GARDENA are all part of the Husqvarna Group AB, which is why they all use the same technology at the lowest level.

How Loud is the Loudest Robotic Mower?

Robotic mowers from the competition (e.g. ROBOMOW, AMBROGIO, WIPER) usually mow with a star-shaped blade, which requires much more power and therefore also a stronger engine with higher sound emission.

Among the loudest robotic mowers are the models from ROBOMOW. Some models reach a volume of 74 decibels. This means they are louder on average than robotic mowers from MCCULLOCH and Husqvarna, but they are still just about half as loud as a gas-powered lawnmower, for example.

Volumes of known robotic mower models

• AMBROGIO L200 Carbon Blackline: 65 dB
• AMBROGIO L85 Elite: 65 dB
• Honda Miimo HRM310: 58 dB
• Honda Miimo HRM520: 58 dB
• Husqvarna Automower 115H: 59 dB
• Husqvarna Automower 305: 59 dB
• Husqvarna Automower 310: 58 dB
• Husqvarna Automower 315: 60 dB
• Husqvarna Automower 315X: 60 dB
• Husqvarna Automower 430X: 58 dB
• Husqvarna Automower 430XH: 58 dB
• Husqvarna Automower 435X AWD: 62 dB
• Husqvarna Automower 450X: 58 dB
• Husqvarna Automower 450XH: 58 dB
• Husqvarna Automower 535 AWD: 62 dB
• Husqvarna Automower 550: 61 dB
• Husqvarna Automower 550H: 63 dB
• MCCULLOCH ROB R1000: 59 dB
• MCCULLOCH ROB S400: 57 dB
• MCCULLOCH ROB S600: 57 dB
• REDBACK POWER RM18: 65 dB
• REDBACK POWER RM24: 65 dB
• ROBOMOW RC306: 64 dB
• ROBOMOW RS612: 74 dB
• ROBOMOW RS622: 74 dB
• ROBOMOW RS630: 74 dB
• ROBOMOW RX20: 69 dB
• WORX Landroid L 20V WR150: 63 dB
• WORX Landroid L 20V WR153: 63 dB
• WORX Landroid M 20V WR140: 63 dB
• WORX Landroid M 20V WR143: 63 dB

This is Why Robotic Mowers Vary in Volume

Robotic mowers produce different levels of noise for different reasons. Part of this has to do with their weight. As mentioned above, a lighter mowing unit, such as one using a blade disc, also requires a smaller and therefore lighter motor for the rotation shaft of the blades.

The weight saved means that the motor for the wheel drive can also be smaller. Smaller motors not only generate less noise, but also consume less energy and a smaller and lighter battery can be used.

Larger robotic mowers sometimes have two shafts, which doubles the cutting width of the robotic mower and allows more area to be mowed in the same amount of time, but the volume also increases at the same time.

Over Time, Robotic Mowers Can Become Louder

The operating volume of a robotic mower may increase over time. This may be due to, among other things, dried lawn residues having settled on the underside of the robotic mower. In such a case, you should clean your robotic mower thoroughly. Even after longer breaks you should take a look inside the mower to make sure that nothing has gotten in there that could affect the mower.

Over time, a robotic mower may begin to produce a noise some describe as “singing” or “howling”. This can occur especially after a long period of operation.

This problem was reported particularly frequently with the somewhat older models of some manufacturers. This is not due to inadequate maintenance, but rather to a design fault on the part of the manufacturer, as the problem is usually due to one of the engines. In such a case you should contact the manufacturer.

If in doubt, you can record the noise as proof that something is wrong, or use an app for sound measurement (Decibel X for iPhone, Sound Meter for Android) to determine whether the sound emission is still within the manufacturer’s specifications.

Another possibility to at least reduce the noise emission of the mower engine is to install a sliding plate. However, these are not easy to obtain especially in the US. Here is an example of a sliding plate on eBay from a seller in Germany for Husqvarna Automowers 420 430x 440 and 450x (it seems they don’t ship to the US judging from the seller information. Hopefully there will be an offer for the US market in the future).

Can the Robotic Mower Drive Outside the Usual Mowing Times?

Some municipalities or communities have their own regulations on what level of noise is acceptable during certain hours. Generally, these restrict a certain decibel level or above from being produced during nighttime hours.

But is it also possible to let your robotic mower drive at night? Some places prohibit noise over a certain level between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m, for example, but only if these noises surpass a certain decibel level beyond your property line.

In these cases, whether you can operate your robotic mower at night depends on whether your neighbor finds your robotic mower disturbing. If the robotic mower can be heard at night on your neighbor’s property, it is usually considered disturbing, and should not be used during nighttime hours.

If you would like to let your robotic mower drive at night, it is advisable to use it during the day first of all and to find out how loud the robotic mower is perceived at different distances and whether your neighbor is already bothered by it during the day.

If this is not the case and you have the impression that there is no disturbing noise reaching your neighbor’s property, you can try to let your robotic mower drive at night. However, I would only recommend this for the models that produce less than 60 dB.

How Often Does the Robotic Mower Have to Be in Operation for It to Mow Reliably?

How often your robotic mower has to mow your lawn depends on the model, the size of the area, the season and ultimately your own demands for your lawn.

The ratio of the maximum area that a robotic mower can mow to the area of your lawn has a significant influence on how long and often the robotic mower has to be used. If, for example, you have a very large robotic mower for a comparatively small area, it will be able to cope with the area much faster than a comparable smaller model.

Larger robotic mowers have more power and drive faster. They are also usually equipped with two shafts, which doubles the cutting width. However, they are also usually more expensive and generate more noise.

An example: The MCCULLOCH S400, which is designed for a maximum cutting area of 400m², needs about 16 hours to have reached every spot. A model that is designed for 800m² would need about half this time.

Whether you prefer to mow the lawn a little faster and have a little more noise for a shorter time – whereby all robotic mowers are still significantly quieter than lawnmowers – or whether you prefer a very quiet robotic mower, which takes a little longer for the entire area and has to be used more often, is ultimately up to you.

The season also plays a role. In Spring or Autumn, you only need to mow your lawn about half as often because it grows more slowly. Some lawn robots have a calendar function and automatically adjust the mowing frequency according to the season.

In general, however, you should not mow the lawn too rarely. Since robotic mowers mulch the lawn, i.e. the grass cuttings remain on the lawn, it is important that the cut grass blades are not long. Otherwise, there is a risk that the clippings will clump together, rot and no longer allow air and sun to reach the lawn.

Most robotic mower owners use their robotic mower every day. If you would like to know more about how often the robotic mower has to be used, this article will certainly be interesting for you.

If you want to use your robotic mower as seldom as possible, you have to opt for a larger model with more area output. With this area output calculator you can calculate the area output you need. You can also include the working time per week.

By the way, here I have written a complete overview of robotic mowers that I would recommend for different area sizes:

Conclusion

Robotic mowers are significantly quieter than conventional lawnmowers. Especially compared to gas-powered mowers, they offer much more leeway in terms of the times you can mow your lawn.

However, there are also differences in the volume made by robotic mowers, which are influenced by various factors. Some particularly quiet models may be used into the evening. If the neighbors are not disturbed and do not hear any noise, you can even let very quiet robotic mowers drive at night, but only if no one really feels disturbed. The regulations for nighttime noise emissions vary from locality to locality.

How loud is a robotic mower?

Robotic mowers are in operation every day: sometimes for several hours, sometimes even on Sundays and holidays. With that being said, the noise level can quickly prove annoying for you or even the neighbors. This can lead to serious disputes. Hence, the important question is how loud the robotic mower actually is and what level is still considered reasonable?

Robotic mowers are often the cause of quarrels with neighbors who can be perturbed by the constant sound. Garden owners themselves report time and again that their robotic mower is only used when no one is present due to its sound level. In order to enable an assessment even before the purchase, manufacturers therefore specify the dB that the robot gives off during normal operation. But what does 60 dB or 75 dB actually mean?

Not every robotic mower is equally loud

Overall, it is true to say that robotic mowers are substantially quieter than electric or gasoline mowers. However, there are big differences between individual models. Factors that affect the volume of a robotic mower include:

• engine (the greater the power, the louder most units are)
• compliance with regular maintenance intervals
• cleaning or soiling
• sharpness of the blades
• weight (the heavier, the more powerful the motor must be)
• number of blades (usually louder with two shafts)

What does the dB figure mean?

For almost all devices, the volume is indicated in dB. The decibel represents the scale of a metric unit and is a logarithmic scale. This means that the perceived loudness results from an increase of 10 dB. rather than doubling the dB until the volume feels twice as loud. To better explain, a robotic mower with a volume of 70 dB seems much louder than one with 60 dB.

Examples of volume

It is not always easy to imagine how loud a device with a specified dB is. Therefore, the following table gives some examples:

The distance is also important

Strictly speaking, the distance from a noise source must also be taken into account when specifying the dB. For reasons of simplification, however, this information is usually omitted.

If you move away from a noise source, the perceived volume decreases by 6 dB every time the distance is doubled. A robotic lawnmower with 60 dB at a distance of 5 meters has a noise level of only 54 dB at a distance of 10 meters.

Legal limits that are related to properties or even the night’s rest always applies at the boundary of the property. Therefore, the decisive factor is how loud a noise source appears in the immediate vicinity of the neighbor. After all, a robotic mower in the middle of a 5,000 m² garden will be perceived differently. or not at all. than a robot mowing directly at the fence.

Are robotic mowers allowed to mow at night?

In principle, lawn mowing is prohibited almost everywhere on Sundays and public holidays as well as in the evening between 8 p.m. and 7 a.m. the next morning. Violations can certainly be punishable by severe fines. However, there are special regulations for robotic mowers with a sound emission of less than 60 dB. They may be used until 10 p.m., provided they are marked accordingly on the device. But what about at night?

This question can best be answered. apart from looking at the emission protection laws of the federal states. by asking your neighbor whether he or she feels disturbed. Robotic mowers with an operating noise level of 60 dB or less usually do not cause quarrels in the neighborhood.

Regardless of this, however, the question arises whether it is really necessary to run the robotic mower at night. During this time, nocturnal wild animals such as hedgehogs are out and about, searching for food on the lawn and can suffer serious injuries from the blades. Using convenient mowing times, we recommend programming your device so that the robot works in the morning, for example, when there are no people in the garden.

Reduce the noise of the robotic lawnmower

The largest factor regarding the volume of a device you cannot influence, is simply due to its design. Thus, if the noise increases during operation, it is recommended to take a few measures so that your robotic lawnmower runs quieter again:

• regular cleaning and maintenance
• replace the blades
• use particularly sharp blades
• fix technical problems

In principle, robotic mowers are quieter than any other type of lawn mower. Nevertheless, people may feel disturbed by their operation. To avoid this, it is recommended to purchase a robotic mower with a low dB number.

Should You Wear Ear Protection While Mowing?

Most homeowners have an impression that electric mowers are not too loud. Hence, they do not see the need to protect their ears.

If you happen to share this feeling then you are wrong. The sound of a lawn mower can reach up to 100 decibels – equivalent to the noise level of a chainsaw!

Ear protection keeps you safe from flying debris and the mower’s annoying noise. So, if you are wondering whether should you wear ear protection while mowing? then the answer should be pretty straight.

Should You Wear Ear Protection While Mowing

Yes, you need to wear ear protection while mowing! Although electric mowers have quiet engines, they possess rapidly spinning blades that produce a loud and roaring hum, about 75 to 80 decibels. This noise level is just below the 85-decibel limit set by the Occupational Safety and Heal Administration. Thus, you may lose some of your hearing over time.

Even so, the decision to have ear protection depends on the lawn mowing equipment. For instance, you do not need to cover your ears when using a reel mower.

However, ensure that you confirm that the sound is within the recommended range. Also, please read through this article for more insight on lawn mowing and ear protection.

Can a Lawn Mower Cause Hearing Damage?

Chores like mowing the lawn may appear common and harmless. But the loud sound the lawn mower produces can be harmful to your ears.

And you are safer not taking the chore lightly. We measure sound in decibels, and anything over85 decibels, like heavy traffic, can cause hearing damage after eight hours.

In addition, continual exposure to such sound will lead to total hearing loss. Worse still, any exposure to sounds over 140 decibels causes immediate hearing damage.

Therefore, it is prudent to always measure the sound before getting comfortable mowing. Also, it is possible to know when the sound is higher than the set limit.

For instance, check whether you need to raise your voice to get another person’s attention. If yes, the surrounding sound totals more than the safe 85 decibels and harms your hearing.

Lawn mowers and hair dryers can go up to 90 decibels. Well, this attribute may appear advantageous as the appliance will do more work.

But the sound can harm your ears in just two hours. This aspect is threatening to landscapers and hairdressers who work with these loud noises all the time.

However, they can deal with the scenario by having ear protection and taking frequent breaks. Also, three minutes are a safe maximum duration for continuous 100-decibel noise.

Interestingly, a rock concert with up to 110 decibels of sound can lead to hearing loss in 45 minutes. In addition, the louder sound gets, the less time they need to inflict damage, regardless of the appliance.

On top of that, let us debunk some of the common myths about protecting your hearing during lawn mowing.

• Mower Adjustments. Believe it or not, there is nothing you can do to the electric or gas mower to negate the need for hearing protection. The noise comes from the spinning blades, not the engine. so, the engine seems rather quiet in comparison to the blades.
• Earbuds and Headphones. It would be best to avoid using earbuds or headphones to drown out the mower’s noise. Unfortunately, you will not block any noise with this equipment. Instead, they add more intensity to the existing damaging noise and cause Rapid hearing loss.
• Cotton Balls Can Work as Ear Plugs. Please note that cotton balls are not a replacement for ear plugs. They do not block noise even if you squeeze them into your year. In addition, cotton balls and other related material’s noise reduction rating is close to zero.
• Ear Plugs are Dangerous! Ear plugs are very spongy and do not harm the eardrum. Thus, do not stress about them pushing the ear wax too far into the ear. In addition, you are safe if you use them correctly.
• Hearing Protection Is Just For Pros. Landscapers take ear protection seriously because they are around professional-style mowers for more than forty hours a week. On the other hand, most weekend mowers think they are not at risk with the mower noise. Thus, they think they do not need ear plugs or muffs. Well, this assumption is false and dangerous.

NB: Hearing damage is cumulative, especially when the noise is steady from a mower. However, it takes some time before it is apparent. But the hearing effects are real and will happen if you ignore ear protection.

Can You Listen to Music While Mowing the Lawn?

Yes. It is possible to listen to music while mowing the lawn. Comfortable ear plugs are safe for your ears, whether in a quiet place or around a noisy mower.

However, it would be best to manage the related risks as listening to music while mowing the yard can be bad and painful for your hearing.

Besides, the primary argument against using headphones to listen to music is that you’ll be less aware of your surroundings.

In addition, operating your gadget to change apps or songs will distract you from the job and even cause an accident.

• You will not hear when the mower hits an obstruction and thus an increased risk of a failed mower. Even worse, it is easy to spit the object out and hit yourself or another nearby person.
• It is possible to turn quickly and hit someone, especially when using a zero-turn ride-on mower that can turn on a dime.
• You could come out into the road or street when mowing on a busy street, try to turn around the mower and head back, and miss a car because you did not hear their engine.

Fortunately, it is possible to control the above hazards. Better still, you can listen to your music while operating loud outdoor appliances and keep safe.

• Assess if you are ready and fit for the lawn mowing project. Are you hungover? Did you have too much coffee? Did you get enough rest? This way, you’ll avoid being absent-minded while working and thus hurt yourself.
• Go to the project area and get a good view of potential hazards. Check for anything different or new and obstructions like chairs, bikes, and toys. Also, confirm with the weather forecast for rains as they make the ground slippery and risky.
• Consider whether the surrounding area is dangerous and needs blocking off. Say, you can put some orange cones to warn drivers and bike riders when mowing a cul-de-sand with a grass island. Likewise, put a warning sign when working in a backyard without a fence.
• Evaluate if you have the correct protective gear. For example, it would be safe to have eye protection, closed-in shoes, and ear protection. In addition, you can add some gloves and long pants for added safety.
• Take a break and have some water when you feel tired and agitated. Also, feel free to come even 30 minutes later after resting.
• Read the user manual if you are a first-time mower. In addition, please do not be in a hurry to complete the work. Just go slow!

NB: The above tips sound like a lot of work. But better safe than sorry! You wouldn’t want to be among the many people who suffer injuries from outdoor power tools at home.

Additionally, it would be safer to go for the best lawn mowing headphones if you must listen to music.

You can consider the 3M WorkTunes Bluetooth hearing protection as it offers excellent noise isolation and good sound quality.

Other traits for excellent lawn mowing headphones are:

• You can hear the podcast, music, or phone call over the mower’s engine noise without blasting the sound volume. This scenario is possible if you have ear plugs and earmuffs with in-built Bluetooth connectivity.
• The headphones are comfortable in your ears and do not fall off when you move your head around during mowing.
• The equipment should be wireless with an ideal battery life of about ten-plus hours.
• Lawn mowing headphones should withstand rough handling as you’ll use them in dusty, dirty, and wet environments.

It would be best to forego the music if you cannot follow through with the above instructions.

Otherwise, you will have all the noise exposure from the power tool in addition to full-blast music.

How Long Does it Take to Get Hearing Damage From a Lawn Mower?

Sound ranging from 95 to 100-decibel range can damage your hearing in as little as 15 minutes. Unfortunately, most power tools for lawn mowing produce noise within this range.

Therefore, it is prudent to adhere to the recommended safety tips and embrace ear protection. Otherwise, you’ll soon have noise-induced hearing loss.

Your ears have cilia, tiny hair cells that convert sound waves into electrical energy that moves through the auditory nerve to the brain, which interprets the sound.

Further, loud sounds damage these cells, and since they do not regenerate, you’ll have noise-induced hearing loss.

Noise-induced hearing loss is irreversible and permanent. However, it is possible to avoid this condition by avoiding long exposure to sounds over 85 decibels.

And please get ear protection if you must work with loud equipment.

What are Three Warning Signs of Hearing Loss?

Loss of hearing can be devastating to anyone and might take several years to adjust and to come to terms with the fact that one’s hearing is compromised.

Below are some of the early signs of hearing loss:

You Strain to Listen – and it’s Exhausting!

You are likely to suffer from hearing loss when you strain to listen to conversations, and they are even more exhausted than usual in the evening.

Also, you may have difficulty following through conversations like a bad phone connection or fading radio station.

Believe it or not, hearing is solely a brain activity. Hence, it needs to add more effort to process the sound when you have a compromised auditory system.

Even worse, the brain may not interpret the sound from your inner ear with a broken signal. Hence, listening becomes hectic.

In addition, you will struggle to hear consonant sounds. For instance, did the speaker say throw or show? It is possible to lose your ability to hear high-frequency sounds like S, F, Th, V, K, P, and Sh.

Generally, the above problem is often because of age-related hearing loss or presbycusis. But it is possible to show this symptom if you keep exposing yourself to noise above 85 decibels.

Even worse, you may misunderstand essential parts of a conversation and respond inappropriately.

You Have Ringing in Your Ears

Ringing ears and hearing loss often go hand in hand. Also, the symptom is a result of damage to the auditory system.

So, the brain tries to fill in the missing frequencies it does not receive from the system.

Understanding Conversation in Crowded Places is Increasingly Difficult

Another symptom of hearing loss is the inability to determine speech in noisy environments.

In addition, you may prefer to avoid social situations like impromptu celebrations with friends and family get-togethers where you need to concentrate on the conversation.

Can you remember the last time you heard crickets chirping or birds singing? Also, do you hear when the car’s turn signal blinks? Well, if these queries resonate with you, it is time to check your hearing.

What to Listen to While Mowing?

You can listen to music, podcasts, or audiobooks while mowing your lawn. However, it would be best for you to check a few things when choosing a music playlist.

For instance, the songs should be tolerable, so you won’t want to skip any of them. Besides, the song should have enjoyable quality throughout and must be best to listen to on max volume.

In addition, it would be better to recite most of the words, and the song should be starting fast.

Some music playlists for mowing include: ‘Walkin’ on the Sun by Smash Mouth, The Heat is ON by Glenn Frey, Sunburn by Fuel, Walking on Sunshine by Katrina and the Waves, I Melt With You by Modern English, and Gimme Some Water by Eddie Money.

Alternatively, you can choose to get some audiobooks. However, please ensure that you consider interesting books.

Select authors that you love listening to and stories that keep you alert. This way, you’ll get maximum inspiration, which will translate into your work.

Popular lawn mowing audiobooks include Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins, The Burning Man by Phillip M. Margolin, The Green Mile by Stephen King, Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, The Walking Dead by Robert Kirkman.

Others include Blood, Sweat, and Tears by Winston S. Churchill, Burnt Offerings by Laurell K. Hamilton, Bataan Death March bt Stanley L. Falk, and The Grass is Always Greener Over the Septic Tank by Erma Bombeck.

How Loud Is a Riding Lawn Mower?

A riding lawn mower can produce noise levels of up to 90 decibels, whereas Push mowers are in the high 70s and low 80s range.

Also, this noise level is where the Occupational Health and Safety Administration recommends ear protection. The noise level of normal conversations among individuals is often at 60 decibels.

In addition, the logarithmic formula that calculates decibels doubles sound intercity about every ten decibels.

So, a riding lawn mower is eight times as loud at 90 decibels, while a Push lawn mower is four times as loud at 80 decibels.

Also, this noise is similar to the extremely loud noises of passing cars at a highway speed at ten feet or a blender three feet away.

Worse still, the above levels are just below the 120-decibel rating that works as the threshold of pain. Therefore, it is safe to have earmuffs or ear plugs when operating riding or Push lawn mowers.

Fortunately, it is possible to get electric mowers with a decibel rating below the level of normal conversations.

In addition, cordless electric Push lawn mowers produce noise levels as low as 56 decibels, whereas manual push reel mowers have a 55-decibel rating.

Please note that riding lawn mowers are not the worst offenders in your tool shed. Chainsaws and gas-powered string trimmers can go up to 110 decibels, requiring you to have ear protection.

What Is the Primary Purpose of Hearing Protection?

If you wear h earing protection, you prevent noise-induced hearing loss. so, hearing protection devices reduce the noise energy reaching your inner ear.

Therefore, your hearing cells can easily convert sound waves into electrical energy for interpretation.

It is safe to have PPE for hearing protection for employees working in noise levels equal to or greater than 85 decibels.

Also, it would be best for workers to wear hearing protection correctly for maximum safety.

FAQs

Some of the most prevalent questions around this subject include:

What’s The Best Hearing Protection For Mowing?

Earmuffs and ear plugs are the best hearing protection devices for mowing. Earmuffs are mostly professional tools and more effective than plugs. In addition, they are easy to use, and you put them on like headphones.

The average cost of earmuffs is around 15. The price can go higher depending on product quality. But a greater price does not necessarily translate to better protection. The fit is what matters most.

Remember to check the muff’s cushioning. It should cover your ears and cover your head all the way around. Thus, evaluate the customer reviews if you buy these products online. Better still, ensure that the company has a goods return policy.

Feel free to return earmuffs whenever they turn out to be ill-fitting. Avoid using them as they may keep sliding and expose your ear to damaging sound levels. Thus, you end up using even more money for medical help.

Alternatively, you can go for ear plugs that have foam. They are user-friendly and quite cheap. Roll the plugs between your index fingers and thumb until they can fit your ear. Then, insert them and wait till they expand to fill the ear canal.

Pinch the plug ends and pull slowly during removal. In addition, a box with 200 ear plugs costs a little over 20 and can last a few years. Therefore, it is possible to make a one-time purchase for your five-year lawn maintenance routine.

It is okay to get rigid ear plugs if you do not want to keep rolling the plugs to fit them in your ears. These ear plugs are like little fir trees, with the skinnier top part going into the ear first. However, they are a bit more pricey than the foam type. You need approximately 100 for 100 pairs.

Fortunately, the ear plugs are reusable several times. Thus, the average cost will be the same as foam plugs in the long run. Also, you can buy the rigid plugs a pair at a time for 3 per set if you do not mow often.

Moldable plugs are perhaps the most comfortable hearing protection devices. Heat the ear plugs in boiling water to soften them. Then, let them cool for some time and insert them into your ear not too deep into the ear canal.

What Happens If You Don’t Use Hearing Protection While Mowing?

Regular or continuous exposure to noise levels above 85 decibels causes hearing damage, even if minor. Also, remember that mowers make about this much noise and more. Thus, it is always safe to use ear protection.

Hearing protection keeps the noise from reaching your inner ear. over, you may not notice any hearing loss from a few mowing sessions. However, the constant acoustic assault will take its toll eventually.

Besides, ear damage and hearing loss are cumulative. It happens so gradually and slowly until the results are serious. Fortunately, you can consider seeking help when you notice the signs below:

• Frequent complaints that everyone is mumbling.
• You have to turn the television or radio up louder and louder to hear it.
• It is not possible to hear higher-pitched sounds well.
• You avoid social situations because following through with conversations is difficult and frustrating.
• There is a constant ringing in the ears.
• You have a muffled quality to sound.

My advice? Please use hearing protection while mowing before it is too late. so, it would be best to consider devices that fit for a comfortable lawn mowing session.

Sometimes you may be working for more than three hours. Thus, you need to invest in comfortable earmuffs and ear plugs.

Also, it would be better to always go for devices that cancel noise from the surrounding environment. Otherwise, you will be adding more noise to your ear when you listen to music when mowing.

So What’s the Difference Between Noise-Canceling Headphones and Hearing protection?

Noise-canceling headphones feature a microphone that listens to the ambient sound and then produces a negative sound to cancel out this ambient. The devices use internal electronics and block harmful frequencies from entering your ear.

On the other hand, hearing protection blocks harmful noise from coming into your ears. It uses soundproof materials to isolate your eardrums and prevent hearing loss. And even better, the tools have speakers insides the barrier to play music at a regular volume.

How Do I Reduce the Noise on My Lawn Mower?

The best way to keep the mower from making excess noise, likely to lead to hearing loss is by staying on top of your maintenance game, such as changing your lawn mower blades regularly.

Please keep the engine cooler clean, wash or replace the air filter, and check the spark plug frequently. Also, you can pad the mower’s inside with sound-deadening mats as they absorb vibrations.

so, the products even dampen the noise a washing machine would produce. Better still, it is possible to attach the material outside the motor case to muffle some sounds.

Lastly, you can consider getting quiet mowers such as battery-operated, electric, or Push reel mowers. Also, they are lighter and easy to operate compared to gasoline and noisy lawn mowers.

Why are Lawn Mowers so Loud?

Lawn mowers are so loud because of their internal parts. For instance, the appliances have mufflers that restrict the airflow needed for power. However, these parts make a lot of noise and can cause hearing loss.

Mufflers get hot very fast and easily suffer from cracking and corrosion. so, they feature baffles that sometimes break free and produce a metallic sound. No wonder the too much noise from your lawn mower.

At the same time, the noise may be coming from muffler gaskets. These are metallic pieces between the muffler and the engine. And you will hear sounds and notice gas coming out if they break.

Fortunately, it is possible to manage harmful noise from the mower by checking these parts occasionally. Also, please examine them to confirm that they are in good shape and their correct positions.

Conclusion

The hearing loss association of America shows that one in every five Americans suffers hearing loss. Unfortunately, these numbers increase up to one in every three by 65.

And even worse, over 60 percent of those who experience the conditions get it from work-related tasks like lawn mowing.

So, let’s check out the available safety measures by answering the question:

Should You Wear Ear Protection While Mowing?

A reel mower may not require these devices as it does not produce harmful sound. But it is prudent to wear hearing protection for all your other lawn mowing devices.

Further, please get comfortable devices, especially if you’ll be on your feet for about three to four hours.

The longer you expose yourself to lawn mowing noise, the higher the risk of getting hearing loss. So, always store a pair of earmuffs or ear plugs near the mower to avoid forgetting them.

Rhys Charles

Rhys is a passionate landscaper, a self-proclaimed barbecue expert and the author of this site. He combines his lawnmowing expertise with his engineering background to teach you about how to not just take care of grass, but also the equipment you use.

Why Are Lawn Mowers So Loud? Causes solutions

Yea, I hear ya, the sound of a mower at full tilt, especially early in the morning can feel like an attack on the senses. Surely if they can make a truck quiet, they can make a mower quiet, right?

So why are their lawnmowers so loud? Mowers are loud because mufflers fitted to most engines are a cheap basic type known as – Absorptive type mufflers, they create very little gas flow restriction which is great for power but bad for noise.

Manufacturers could make a mower less noisy, but they don’t because they don’t want to sacrifice cost and engine power.

The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) which is the association of outdoor equipment makers, decided voluntarily back in 1974 to set a noise level target of 95dcb for mowers.

Noise Source and Solutions

Although the engine makes most of the noise you associate with a mower, a surprising amount comes from a spinning blade, much like the blades of a helicopter cutting through the air. Next time you see an electric mower stop and listen, most of the noise you hear is the blade cutting through air and grass. Electric mowers are not as quiet as you might think.

Anyhow mower noise comes from four main sources, listed below are possible solutions for excessive noise. If looking to go below 20 decibels, I suggest a donkey.

Exhaust/Muffler – Exhaust heatshields become loose and baffle inside become loose also. To test, give the muffler a tap with the handle of a screwdriver and listen for the tell-tale rattle.

Check your Muffler for damage, these guys get very hot and are prone to cracking and corrosion.

You already know mowers cause lots of vibration, and stuff just comes loose, that’s why it’s a good idea to check over your mower regularly looking for loose stuff. The baffles live inside the muffler and sometimes break free causing a thin metallic-sounding rattle. Mufflers get really hot and vibration can cause them to crack. They can be repaired by your local muffler shop.

Gaskets – Gaskets are used to mate the muffler to the engine. They create a seal, and as you can imagine when it breaks down you get lots of noise and fumes. Gaskets are easy to replace.

Blade Noise – Blades make a surprising amount of noise. Blade tips cut through the air at over 200 mph and most lawn tractors will have 2 and maybe 3 blades.

Bare Metal – The underside of mower decks is just painted. Debris thrown against the deck resonates like a bell.

You can DIY this one, at the auto parts store you can buy spray-on bed liner which adds sound deadening and metal protection to your deck.

Just make sure the deck is clean and dry before painting outdoors. You can check out a video on that subject right here.

Also, try sticking sheets of self-adhesive bitumen car sound deadening material in a few places on the deck topside. You can pick these up in an auto parts store. Sure it might look a little odd, but it does help.

Engine – Obviously the engine is a major contributor to noise levels. Valves, rockers, camshaft, crankshaft, and especially the fan (located on top of the engine) can be considerable. There are things you can do to help minimize the noise. Valve lash should be checked and adjusted every year, it doesn’t take long. Not only will it cut down on noise, but it’ll also give you more power and better gas mileage.

Engine Fan – Most small engines don’t have coolant they are air-cooled and so they need a fan to pull cool air across the engine, and fans are noisy.

Check out “Valve lash adjustment”, it’s for a walk-behind mower, but the process is the same for any OHV engine. Engine oil is another opportunity to help reduce noise. When oil gets old it gets thin which causes engine ratel. Your mower needs a tune-up at the beginning of every season. Check out “Tractor mower tune-up”.

Valve Lash – Valvetrain will be noisy if there’s excessive lash.

Of course, your engine may rattle because it’s worn, if you think that may be possible, try using a thicker oil or try Lucas oil treatment, it’s great stuff, you will notice a quieter engine, I promise. The engine fan is needed to cool the engine, so it’s got to stay. But try putting self-adhesive bitumen on the underside of the hood, really does help reduce noise.

Body – Body panels, deck linkages levers, etc. will rattle and squeak as the engine and blades cause them to vibrate. Greasing all-metal deck arm contact points will reduce noise, spraying with WD40 will help also.

Check your hood and seat rubber stops, replace them with a DIY fix if needed. Run a blade down some old rubber hosing, great for pushing onto the edge of a rattling hood, MacGyver style.

Linkages – Keep all the metal-to-metal links well-greased, it helps dampen rattling and squeaks. Check that the rubber hood and seat stops are in place.

Muffler Types

The two main types of exhaust mufflers are – Absorptive mufflers and Reflective mufflers. Most mowers are fitted with the less expensive absorptive type muffler. So what is the difference between the cheap one and the more expensive one? Design, materials used, and execution.

Absorptive Mufflers

An absorptive muffler is a very basic muffler, probably the one fitted to your mower. It doesn’t use any clever engineering, it does a poor job of noise reducing. It will usually incorporate a spark arrester, which is a mesh screen that catches any sparks that might exit the engine.

This muffler causes a very little restriction to gas flow which is great for power, that’s why racing cars are so noisy. This type of muffler is fitted to most lawnmower engines.

Reflective Mufflers

Reflective mufflers or resonators – Engineered to kill noise using clever acoustic engineering. Sound waves are pushed through perforated baffles in resonating chambers where some noise is canceled out, known as Destructive interference. Special acoustic suppression temperature resistant material (not unlike rock-wool) is sandwiched between the chambers and the exhaust outer casing, this further suppresses noise.

The larger the muffler the quieter the motor, that’s why high-end luxury cars have very large mufflers. The downside to this type of muffler is flow restriction – the baffles and chambers cause restriction to the flow of gases which in turn causes backpressure, and backpressure reduces the power of the engine.

Super Quiet Lawn Mower Mufflers

Here’s a possible solution it’s the Super Trapp Quiet Muffler, I haven’t used it so I can’t comment first hand, but doing some research, it seems to do the business. Check out the YouTube video below. The Super Trapp is a Reflective muffler type, it uses witchcraft and wizardry to make an engine as quiet as a cricket.

Mufflers – Some makers do a better job than others, John Deere mufflers do a first-class job.

Lawn Mower Louder Than Usual

Mowers create a lot of noise and vibration, the engine and spinning blades set up vibrations that over time will start to pull your mower apart. A lawnmower can make many different types of noises, they can be squeals, squeaks, constant howls, cyclical noise, or just a general harsh roughness. Some noises are just impossible to describe and I know describing noises may not be useful to some.

What is useful, is to see when the noise is present, is it present as soon as you start the mower, or only when you are driving, or maybe only when the blades are engaged. This kind of detective work will help you find and fix the problem quickly.

If you need a new muffler check out the Amazon link below.

Check

If you feel your mower is louder than normal, you can check a few of the more common noise sources. Some of these won’t apply to walk behind mowers but most will.

• Oil level ok?
• Blade(s) loose (cyclical noise)
• Muffler or brackets loose (loud roar/rattling)
• Muffler gasket leaks (loud roar)
• Muffler cracked or broken (loud roar)
• Hood loose or contacting the body (rattling)
• Seat brackets loose or rubber bushing worn/missing (rattling)
• Debris caught in the drive line (cyclical noise)
• Belt pulley bearings worn (harshness/howl)
• Blade spindle bearings worn (harshness/howl)
• Belt worn/damaged (cyclical noise)
• PTO clutch worn (harshness/howl) (Tractor/Ride-on)
• Deck carrying arms loose/dry (rattling)
• Wheel bearings dry (squeal/Squeak)
• Steering dry (squeal/Squeak)
• Transmission worn (harshness/howl)

This isn’t a complete list, and as you can imagine there are many possibilities, but these are the more usual causes of noise.

Blade Spindle

Blade spindles transfer the power to the blades. They are bolted to the deck and have bearings on top and bottom to provide smooth spinning.

The bearings wear out and can cause a howling roar when the blades are on. The bearings can be replaced, but often replacing the whole spindle makes more sense.

Pulleys

Pulleys are used to drive and route belts around the chassis. Most will have bearings and they’re the ones that cause trouble. They’re a common source of noise.

Generally, if you have a worn-out belt, then chances are one or more pulleys are also worn, and vice versa. Pulleys are fitted to the driving belt and also to the cutting deck belt system.

Most pulleys employ integrated bearings but some are replaceable.

Belt Wear

Belt wear or damage will cause a cyclical noise as the damaged area contacts the pulleys. Damaged cutting deck belts will also cause lots of vibration.

Hey, I’m John, and I’m a Red Seal Qualified Service Technician with over twenty-five years experience.

I’ve worked on all types of mechanical equipment, from cars to grass machinery, and this site is where I share fluff-free hacks, tips, and insider know-how.

And the best part. it’s free!