Lawn mower very loud. Are Robot Lawn Mowers Loud

Why Are Lawn Mowers So Loud? Causes Fixes

Lawnmowers are necessary if you need to maintain a good lawn. Unfortunately, lawnmowers come with a price, especially if you stay in a serene environment – they are notoriously noisy. This limits the time you can use it if you want to be considerate about your neighbors. Many lawnmower owners have wondered if the noise that comes with it is part of the package or if there are things they can do to make the noise more palatable to the ears.

Lawnmowers are loud because of their engines, components, and how they interact with their surroundings. While gas-powered engines are noisier than electric lawnmowers, both are extremely noisy. Several issues could lead to increased noise, and identifying and fixing them can help reduce the noise created.

So Why are Lawn Mowers So Loud?

Combustion Engines

A combustion engine works by converting chemical energy into mechanical energy by creating controlled mini-explosions, and it’s loud. You may be wondering why cars, especially recent ones, aren’t as noisy as lawnmowers.

The reason is that the mufflers used in lawnmowers are essentially cheap ones. This is mainly to make sure the average person can afford to own a lawnmower. The muffler used in lawnmowers is the absorptive type of muffler. It helps with gas flow and allows the lawnmower to save gas effectively at the expense of the noise it allows.

Blades

We understand, from science, that energy is neither created nor destroyed. It’s transformed from one form to another. When surfaces interact, energy is dissipated, but the energy isn’t lost. When the motor moves the blades and causes them to turn, an amount of energy is released. Energy is also dissipated when the blades interact with the grass and cut them. In the energy system, not all the chemical energy gotten is transformed into the rotation of the blades or the cutting of the grass. Some of the energy dissipated has to escape the system, and it does so in the form of sound.

The more work the system does, the higher the amount of energy dissipated and the higher the amount of energy lost as sound in this case. This explains why the noise from lawnmowers reduces when they’re not on the grass.

Metal and Resonance

Metals are sonorous materials, and that means they resonate sound a lot. This is why modern cars aren’t as noisy as older models. Older cars were made of a lot of pure metals. Few alloy parts, if any, almost no plastic or fiber components, and on and on. Even though lawn mowers may not look it when new, lawnmowers are more or less painted metals. It’s like going around with a bell, the slightest movement on the body gets amplified, and lawnmowers vibrate a lot.

The Cooling System

Lawnmowers use fans to cool down the engine, and fans can be loud. It’s one reason why, if you’re observant, the lawnmower may sound louder as you use it. The hotter the engine is, the harder the fan works. The harder the fans work, the louder they get. One good practice is to use the lawnmower intermittently or to pause and allow it to rest for some minutes while using it. It doesn’t only protect your lawnmower from overheating but also reduces the noise, even if it’s negligible.

The Engine

You know how you treat your car well, have it serviced and check the oil regularly, check the O2 sensors, use the suitable gas, and ensure that its engine functions optimally. You should do the same thing with your lawnmower. A bad engine means ineffective gas to air ratio, it means bad combustion, it means overheating, it means increased work, and it means increased noise.

While this isn’t a reason why good lawnmowers tend to be loud, it accounts for why many lawnmowers make a lot of noise. A lot of owners don’t take care of their engines well.

Reasons Why a Lawn Mower May Be Louder Than Normal and What to Do

Now that we’ve established why lawnmowers are a loud appliance, it’s time to discuss reasons why your lawnmower may be louder than it should be:

Clogging

Over time, your lawnmower will get clogged in several places with either grass or debris. It’s only a question of when. Check your lawnmower blades regularly (when they’re switched off, of course!) and remove any debris. Some folks say to do so after each usage. Check the cooling fan for debris. If possible, check the engine compartments too.

When any part of the lawnmower is clogged, the engine has to work harder to overcome the friction caused by the clogging. That means more noise.

Heat

As explained earlier, a hotter engine would trigger increased work by the cooling system, ultimately leading to more noise. A hotter engine doesn’t always mean an overworked engine; the weather also plays a part. Working at times of the day when the weather is cooler is an excellent way to make sure your lawnmower stays as cool as possible, reducing the noise

As a fact, sound travels faster with increased heat. While this may not favor the user, it would reduce the intensity of the noise your neighbors hear, even if it’s just a little bit when you target lower temperatures to mow your lawn with your lawnmower.

Bad Oil

Bad Oil could result from many things, but the most common reason is negligence on the owner’s part. Check the oil of your lawnmower regularly. Instead of only topping the oil every time it runs low, you can as well change the oil when it’s due. This means when the oil has lost most of its viscosity and color (when it’s become darkened). Bad oil means the engine has to work harder. It also increases friction within the engine, translating to more noise.

As simple as checking the oil of your lawnmower every time you use it could significantly reduce the noise an already noisy machine like the lawnmower makes.

Curved Blades

The lawnmower blades are usually bent and should remain bent at a certain angle. With time, that angle may deviate such that the blades begin touching the inner part of their casing. This creates extra noise.

The solution is as simple as using a hammer to get it back into shape. But, before doing this, be sure you know exactly what you’re doing. Blades can be sharp for one, and you could damage the blades if you do this wrongly. Seek professional help if you feel you aren’t up to the task.

Loose Fittings

Several parts of the lawnmower may become loose with time. The blades may not be properly fastened, the belt may have become slack, and some bolts may have become loose. This means increased vibrations (alongside potential risks). If you notice that your lawnmower sounds oddly louder than it used to, or you hear a rattling sound coupled with increased vibrations, it may be a sign that some bolts and nuts are sitting loosely.

If you’re technically inclined, this shouldn’t be a problem. Take it upon yourself to loosen and reassemble your lawnmower parts, taking special attention to fasten bolts, screws, and loose nuts.

Fixing The Noise

Although you’ve tried your best to keep the lawnmower noise to as little as possible, that isn’t enough. There’s an option of getting a different muffler.

The type of muffler lawnmowers use is the absorptive muffler, which allows gas flow, saves fuel, and is appropriate for getting the power your lawnmower needs. But, if you don’t mind the financial cost, a different muffler would see that the noise from your lawnmower reduces drastically.

A reflective muffler is the choice of most lawn mower owners who want to deal with their machine’s noise. It works using destructive interference to cancel out the noise created. It’s like creating a wave to meet an incoming wave so that both get disrupted when they clash.

Final thoughts

Due to the engine design and the body parts of lawnmowers, they tend to be quite noisy (both electrical and gas-powered lawnmowers). Nonetheless, several things could cause lawnmowers to sound louder than they should. With good usage and proper inspection, the noise created can be brought to a bare minimum. Habits like removing grass or debris clogging up spaces, changing the oil regularly, keeping the lawnmower’s engine as cool as possible, and periodically servicing your lawnmower would ensure that the noise produced is reduced to the bare minimum.

Also, if you’re up to the task, consider changing the muffler that was used. A reflective muffler tends to reduce the noise produced quite significantly.

Our East Coast editor Frank focuses on lawn cutting and maintenance. His experience with lawn mower repair and lawn maintenance is second to none.

He is a lawn mower and fertilizer expert with over 30 years of experience in the industry. He has been providing advice to homeowners and businesses on lawn care since 1990 with his lawn maintenance business based in the small town of Waterbury, Connecticut.

Are Robot Lawn Mowers Loud?

Robot Lawn Mowers work best when they are set to cut your grass multiple times per week, and often for several hours each day. Conventional lawn mowers are very loud and disturb the peace of your garden. When people start to think about this, they usually ask the question – Are robot lawn mowers loud?

The short answer is that robot lawn mowers are very quiet, and wont disturb the peace of your garden even when they are working in close proximity to you while you relax in your garden. The noise output varies from from model to model, but most robot lawn mowers range from being almost silent, to about the same volume as two people holding a conversation.

Everyone knows how loud conventional lawn mowers are. When I’m out enjoying my garden on a sunny afternoon, the last thing anyone wants to hear is the sound of a lawn mower blaring away. When I used to have a conventional lawn mower, my wife used to get really irritated by the noise of it in action.

My small kids used to really hate it too. My lawn mower was so loud, that I couldn’t even use it while my two year old daughter was having her nap in the afternoon, as she would wake up crying if I did. This was quite restrictive, and meant that I had to time my lawn mowing activities to certain times.

When I’m out doing some gardening, or relaxing on the patio, the last thing I want to hear is the sound of a neighbour cutting their grass. It really destroys the peace of the garden and means I’d rather sit inside until the noise stops.

Since making the switch to a robot lawn mower, I no longer have to worry about the noise. My robot lawn mower works quietly in the background for several hours each day.

Even when I’m sitting on the patio or enjoying another part of the garden, most of the time I can’t even hear the robot lawn mower in action. Sometimes when it comes to within about 10 feet of me, I can hear a gentle whirring noise, but it certainly isn’t distracting or annoying.

Are Some Robot Lawn Mowers Quieter Than Others?

There is some variation in the noise output of robot lawn mowers. Even so, they are all considerably quieter than a conventional lawnmower. The range in noise output from the quietest robot lawn mower to the loudest is from 58 to 74 decibels. This is roughly equal to the difference between quiet conversation and a vacuum cleaner in operation. In contrast, conventional lawnmowers produce an average of 90 decibels of noise. Bear in mind, that each increase of 10 decibels, equates to a doubling in the perceived noise of a sound. This means that the quietest robot lawn mowers sound approximately eight times quieter than an average conventional lawn mower.

The variation in noise output of robot lawn mowers is less to do with the size of the robot lawn mower, and more to do with the cutting technology that is used in that specific machine. There are two main cutting mechanisms used in robot lawn mowers.

Models from Bosch, Husqvarna and Flymo for example, use small razor blades attached to a spinning disc. The blades rotate freely on their mountings. Due to their small size and low energy, they are very quiet in operation.

If you are looking for a near silent robot lawn mower, I would strongly recommend that you opt for one of these models. This will enable you to have a robot lawn mower which you can barely hear even when it is working away in your garden and you are in close proximity. It is this type of model which I use personally, and I would recommend this type to most people.

The second cutting mechanism used in robot lawn mowers is the fixed blade system. These blades are individually mounted under the robot lawn mower and can be either alone or in groups, depending on the size of the robot lawn mower. This is the cutting mechanism used by Robomow models for example. These fixed blades have a higher energy and increased cutting power and therefore make more noise in operation. There are some benefits to having fixed blades, which offset the increased noise output.

The blades are more durable and need changed less frequently. Models with this cutting system typically have a wider cutting diameter, and are often able to cut closer to the edge of your lawn, leaving a smaller strip of uncut grass.

If I Can’t Hear The Lawn Mower, Is There A Chance Of Injury If I Don’t Pay Attention?

The good news is that the risk of injury from a robot lawnmower is incredibly small. Even if a robot lawn mower was completely silent, the safety features would ensure that no injury is sustained if it were to bump into you inadvertently.

It is very common for people to raise concerns about the safety of autonomous robot mowers, mainly due to their use of sharp spinning cutting blades. Thankfully, safety has been at the forefront of the development of robot lawn mowers for precisely this reason. The safety of robot lawn mowers has been shown to be near perfect, compared to the very poor safety record of conventional lawn mowers. Read more about the safety of robot lawn mowers in this article.

Robot lawn mowers have cutting blades which are tucked well under the body of the robot. Lift and tilt sensors prevent access to the blades without the emergency stop being triggered, which stops the blades in a fraction of a second. Collision sensors mean that when a robot meets an obstruction, it simply backs up and goes in a different direction.

I am more than happy to let my robot lawn mower continue to operate while I am enjoying the garden. Even if I had a hearing impairment, I could rely on the mower to stop when it came into contact with me, without causing any injury.

The Sound Can Help You Know When To Clean Or Change The Blades

I have noticed an interesting point about the noise that my robot lawn mower makes. After I install new blades and clean the underside of the robot lawn mower, the sound that the mower makes will be slightly different than when the blades need changed or when the underside of the mower needs cleaned.

Generally it starts to make a slightly different and louder noise as the blades become less sharp. This results in the blades of grass being cut less cleanly, which requires more cutting force. The sound also changes when there is a build up of grass debris around the cutting system, causing interference to the movement of the blades. This is quite subtle, and I only really turned into this change in the sound after a few months of using my robot lawn mower.

The good news is that this lets me know when I should clean the underside of the robot lawn mower and when I need to change the blades. I normally give the underside of my robot lawn mower a clean with a stiff brush approximately once per month and change the blades every 3 months. I think this change in sound from the robot lawn mower is something that will only be noticed from robot lawn mowers using freely mounted blades on a spinning disc, such as models from Bosch, Husqvarna, and Flymo.

What About The Noise From My Neighbour’s Lawn Mower

Getting a robot lawn mower will leave you with a machine that will cut your grass very quietly and reliably. Unfortunately it won’t do much for the sound of your neighbour’s lawn mower. I would have to admit that there are still times that I’m trying to enjoy my garden, and I hear my neighbour’s lawn mower blaring away.

The good thing about this is that it reminds me how much effort it used to take for me to cut my lawn. I’m now able to spend the extra free time enjoying other activities such as relaxing in the garden. Hopefully, as the adoption of robot lawn mowers increases, I may hear the sound of a conventional lawn mower less and less frequently in the future.

How Loud Is A Lawn Mower?

Unless you’re using a reel lawn mower, your tool is going to kick out some noise. While this is something we’re probably all used to, it doesn’t mean that it’s healthy. When you’re mowing your lawn over the course of spring and summer, you’re constantly exposing yourself to lawn mower noise that could damage your hearing.

So, you may have been wondering how many decibels is a lawn mower? Well, they average between 90 and 95 decibels depending on the type of power. And that far exceeds what is considered healthy for human ears.

Lawn Mower Decibels

The type of lawn mower you are using means that different ones will have different lawn mower decibels. However, on average, the sound of a lawn mower is around 90 to 95 decibels. When you compare this to something like talking, which is just 60 decibels, you can see that it’s quite loud. On the other hand, the sound of a shotgun firing is around 150 decibels, so you might say that it’s quiet in comparison.

The key thing to remember is that medical experts at the CDC advise that hearing protection is required for anything above 85 decibels and that includes your lawn mower!

What Is A Decibel?

Decibels are a unit used to measure sound. Human ears can detect sounds from 0 decibels right up to 140 decibels. However, the lower the number of decibels, the quieter and more difficult a sound is to detect.

The sound scale of decibels is what is known as logarithmic. What this means to us is that something that measures 20 decibels is actually ten times louder than a sound that is 10 decibels.

How Loud Is Too Loud?

There isn’t anything quieter than 0 decibels; this is a very soft sound which humans are just able to pick up. When we talk, we do so at around 60 decibels but once you start exposing your ears to anything over 85 decibels, this is where there is potential for damage.

It won’t happen all at once. According to the CDC, these sounds will cause progressive hearing loss which happens over time. This normally happens if you are exposed to these sounds for more than two hours at a time. However, if you hear sounds above 100 decibels then there is a very real risk of immediate hearing loss.

The reason for this is that the cells in the part of your ear known as the cochlea can be damaged when there is a sudden loud noise. As this noise hits your eardrum, it moves through to the cochlea which is made up of small, fluid-covered hairs. These hairs are called stereocilia and will react differently according to how they are stimulated.

If the noise is too loud, these tiny hairs are easily damaged and overworked. When this happens for long periods of time, the damage can become irreparable.

But that’s not the only issue since sudden loud noises or long term exposure to loud noises can also cause damage to your auditory nerve. This nerve is responsible for sending data between the ear and the brain and can even affect your mood. Think about times that you’ve been exposed to loud noises; you may have felt irritable and annoyed. That’s because of the effect on this nerve which can happen between 70 and 85 decibels.

So, how loud is too loud? Well, the CDC recommends that if you’re having to shout to maintain a conversation then the noise is too loud. There are apps and meters out there that allow you to measure sound so you can ensure that you don’t overexpose yourself. This is especially useful as the loud noises may not affect you right away.

Types Of Lawn Mowers

As you’re probably well aware, there is more than one type of lawn mower and this relates to how the tool is powered. Manual lawn mowers don’t create much sound at all since they have no motor but anything else will put out some sound.

How Many Decibels Is A Gas Lawn Mower?

When we talk about the average lawn mower decibels, we are typically referring to a gas lawn mower which is usually around 85 decibels. If you spend more than two hours at a time being exposed to this noise, then there is a possibility of hearing damage.

How Many Decibels Is An Electric Lawn Mower?

Unlike gas lawn mowers, electric models are a lot quieter. Normally, they won’t be anymore than 75 decibels but that is still enough sound to get your riled up. That said, the potential of hearing damage is not so severe and pretty unlikely in most cases.

How Many Decibels Is A Riding Lawn Mower?

If you have a lawn tractor that is pulling a shredder then this could be as loud as 102 decibels. When using this type of equipment, you run the risk of damaging your hearing after as little as four minutes! The same can be said for a riding lawn mower.

Lawn tractor mowers with a cab typically run at 92 decibels so you’ll get about 90 minutes of use before there’s a risk to your ears.

What Are The Health Risks Involved With Exposure To Loud Noises?

We all need our lawn mowers if we want to maintain a nice, neat lawn. But we really need to understand how serious staying safe is. These tools make a lot of noise and even though they’re a part of our daily lives, they come with risks.

The most obvious risk, as we have discovered, is the potential for hearing loss or damage. Anything above 85 decibels, which most lawn mowers are, could cause damage to the tiny hairs inside your ears and your auditory nerve.

This means that, when you are using your lawn mower, it’s vital to take appropriate precautions to protect your hearing.

How To Protect Your Hearing When Mowing

One of the best ways to protect your hearing when mowing the lawn is to stop the sound from even getting to your ears in the first place. Things like earplugs and earmuffs offer excellent defence against sound so let’s take a closer look at your options.

Ear Plugs

There are three main types of earplugs and each will suit different people so it’s worth trying them out and seeing what feels best for you.

For starters, you have rolled ear plugs which you roll into a cylindrical shape and put inside the ear, filling up around half of your ear canal. Once you let the plug go, the foam material begins to expand and will fill in the ear canal, preventing sound from getting through.

One of the main things that people struggle with is getting their rolled ear plugs to fit correctly. They have to be placed just right in order for them to form a seal and this can take some practice.

You can also get reusable ear plugs which are normally on a string. These are great for gardeners as they can be hung around the neck when not in use. Being reusable, you can wash these earplugs so they’re very hygienic.

However, they are preformed and so you’ll need to find the right size. If you don’t, then the plugs won’t be able to form a seal and sound won’t be effectively blocked out.

Finally, there are custom made ear plugs which are created by taking a mold of the ear and customizing the plug to fit. However, if you want these then you have to visit a hearing professional which will likely be more expensive. But you will get the best seal and they’ll be very comfortable.

Earmuffs

Earmuffs are great if you need something that offers a good fit. What’s more, for outdoor work, they’re very easy to keep clean.

The main problem with earmuffs is that they aren’t ideal in hot weather as they can be very heavy. over, if you wear glasses, you may not get the best fit.

Making Your Lawn Mower Quieter

Protecting your hearing is super important but it’s also essential to make sure that your lawn mower is as quiet as possible. The motor is always going to make sounds but these can be exacerbated if the mower isn’t in tip top condition.

Lawn Mower Makes Loud Clicking Sound

If you’re like most people, the sound of a lawn mower brings to mind memories of summertime childhoods spent playing in the backyard.

But if you’re unlucky enough to own one of those old-fashioned mowers that makes a loud clicking sound, you know it can be pretty annoying.

In this blog post, we’ll take a look at the reasons why lawn mower makes loud clicking sound and how to fix it. Read on!

• Lawn Mower Makes Loud Clicking Sound- Causes
• 1. Low Battery Voltage
• 2. Clutch Problems
• 3. Blades Hitting a Foreign Object
• 4. Faulty Solenoid
• 5. Faulty Starter
• 6. Faulty Flywheel
• Lawn Mower Making Rattling Noise
• 1. Faulty Bearings
• 2. Faulty Exhaust
• 3. Loose Head Bolts
• 4. Dirty Air Filter
• FAQs- Lawn Mower Makes Loud Clicking Sound
• What Does a Clicking Solenoid Mean?
• Why Does My Lawn Mower Sound Like a Helicopter?
• How Do I Stop a Lawn Mower from Clicking?
• Author

Lawn Mower Makes Loud Clicking Sound- Causes

Low Battery Voltage

One possible cause of the loud clicking noise on your lawn mower could be low battery voltage. When the battery is weak, it might not provide enough power to the motor, which can cause it to click loudly. Try charging the battery or replacing it with a new one to see if that fixes the problem.

Clutch Problems

Another common cause of lawn mower clicking noise is a loose clutch. The clutch works with the transmission to engage and disengage the blades while you mow, and it can become loose over time.

You might think that a clutch problem would result in your lawn mower not running, but that’s not always the case: if it becomes too loose, the clutch will slip and make a loud clicking noise. The good news is that the clutch is relatively easy to replace.

Blades Hitting a Foreign Object

It’s also possible for blades of grass, sticks, rocks, or other objects to get caught between the blades while you mow, eventually causing them to stop moving properly. The blades might make that loud clicking noise while you mow if this happens.

If the blades are hitting something, they’ll usually slow down or stop completely after a while. The best thing to do is stop the mower and check underneath it for anything that might be in the way.

Once you remove whatever is stuck, the blades should normally work again.

Faulty Solenoid

The solenoid is a part that can fail and cause the lawn mower to make a loud clicking noise. The solenoid essentially acts as a switch, allowing current to flow through it and to the starter motor.

If your solenoid is damaged or defective in any way, it could be making a loud clicking noise when the lawn mower is running. Try checking it for loose wiring or debris that might have gotten stuck in it, and replace it with a new one if necessary.

Faulty Starter

If the starter is faulty, it might not provide enough power to the engine, which can cause the lawn mower to click loudly. Try replacing the starter with a new one to see if that fixes the problem.

Faulty Flywheel

The flywheel is another part that can make the mower click loudly. It works with the starter to turn over the engine, and if it fails or becomes damaged, you could hear a loud clicking noise when the mower is running. Try checking for debris that might have gotten stuck in it, and replace the flywheel if necessary.

Lawn Mower Making Rattling Noise

If your lawn mower is making a rattling noise, several possible causes are. Here is a look at some of the most common ones:

Faulty Bearings

The bearings in your lawn mower can also make a rattling noise, which will result in the lawn mower not running. If the bearings get too hot, they could warp and start rattling while the mower runs.

This is a common issue in mowers left out in the rain, but it can also occur under normal operating conditions. If this happens to you, replace the bearings.

Faulty Exhaust

Another common problem that can cause a lawn mower to rattle while running is a loose or damaged exhaust.

The exhaust pipe attaches to the engine, and vents used combustion gases out of the mower. If it becomes loose or is damaged in some way, you’ll hear a rattling noise when you run the mower.

Loose Head Bolts

The head bolts of your engine are another potential cause of a rattling noise while your lawn mower is running. The head bolts hold the engine’s cylinder head in place, so if they become loose, you’ll hear a clattering noise coming from the engine.

This is an issue that’s common in mowers that have been through accidents or have had their engines rebuilt, but it can also occur in perfectly normal situations. If the head bolts become loose, you’ll need to tighten them before your lawn mower runs properly.

Dirty Air Filter

A dirty air filter can also cause a lawn mower to make a rattling noise while running. This can occur in two ways.

• First, the engine will be hard to run if the filter becomes dirty enough to restrict airflow
• Second, if the filter is worn out and no longer properly filters out particles, you’ll hear a rattling noise coming from the engine compartment

If your lawn mower is making a rattling noise, the best thing that you can do is clean or replace the air filter. If the problem persists after replacing the filter, it might be time to get your engine’s head bolts checked or replace your exhaust.

FAQs- Lawn Mower Makes Loud Clicking Sound

What Does a Clicking Solenoid Mean?

A clicking solenoid means one of two things. Either the starter has become faulty, or there is something stuck in between the blades of the mower.

If the sound is made only when the mower is turned on, your starter is most likely faulty. A new starter can be easily installed by yourself or a repair shop.

Why Does My Lawn Mower Sound Like a Helicopter?

If your lawnmower sounds like a helicopter when you turn it on, the blades are likely hitting something and need to be adjusted.

Loosen the bolts on top of the mower deck with a wrench and blade screwdriver2. Carefully lift up the mower housing and turn the blades until they are even3. Tighten the bolts securely and replace the housing

How Do I Stop a Lawn Mower from Clicking?

If your mower is making an intermittent clicking noise, it could be due to debris stuck in the blade or starter.

Turn off the mower and remove the spark plug wire2. Rotate the blades by hand and check for any objects that may be stuck in between the blades3. If you find something, remove it and turn on the mower to see if the noise has stopped

If your lawn mower is making a rattling noise, it will need to be fixed before you can use it again.

In most cases, this simply means replacing the air filter, but if this does not resolve the noise issue, you may need to have your engine’s head bolts checked or replace your exhaust.

Author

Hi, I’m Ricky. I’ve been involved in lawn care and landscaping from when I was 15. To be honest, I didn’t like the idea of pushing mowers, collecting grass clippings, and maintaining flowerbeds at the time. But having seem the passion my parents had for gardening and outdoors and the effort they put in maintaining the health and beauty of our landscape, I couldn’t help but not only admire their hard work but also I became a part of it. As someone who loves to spend time with nature’s best, I find myself learning a lot more about gardening and outdoors on a daily basis. Not to mention I love to share the knowledge I’ve gathered over the years with my readers at We Mow Dallas. To be clear, I don’t have a Master’s degree in gardening or anything like that. Everything I’ve learned about gardening, landscaping, and lawn care spring from passion and engagement with my parents. And with a ton of free information out there, plus the ability to run tests and determine what works best for lawn care and landscaping, every day is an opportunity to learn and implement something new. My goal with We Mow Dallas is to teach you exactly how to maintain your lawn and landscape. And since I walk the talk in reality, you shouldn’t hesitate to join me in this wonderful world of landscaping and lawn care. View all posts

Why Are Lawn Mowers So Loud

Occasionally, we’ve all faced neighbors who wake early on weekends to spend hours mowing their lawn. Unfortunately, their lawnmowers are the noisiest examples known to man for unknown reasons.

If you have a lawnmower that throws out lots of lawnmower noise, you may be the neighbor they hate. In our guide, you can learn more about lawnmower engines and the lawnmower noise that comes out of them.

By the end, you’ll see why is your lawnmower louder than usual and what you can do to fix the issue with lawnmower mufflers. (Read Milwaukee String Trimmer Problems)

Why Are Lawn Mowers So Annoying?

Mowers make so much noise because most engines use cheap primary absorptive mufflers on the exhaust system, which creates little gas flow restriction. Such a design is wonderful for powerful lawn mowing but terrible for noise.

Manufacturers in the lawn care industry could make a mower quieter, but they don’t want to compromise on pricing or engine power.

A voluntary noise target of 95dcb for mowers was established by the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) in 1974.

Mower Noise and Solutions

The engine creates most of the noise, but a spinning blade makes a startling amount like a helicopter’s rotors.

When you see an electric lawn mower, stop and listen. The blade cutting through air and grass is the primary source of the noise.

Mower noise arises from four primary causes; various treatments for excessive lawn mower noise are described below.

Mower Muffler

Exhaust/Muffler – Exhaust heat shields come loose, as does the baffle inside. To test, tap the muffler with a screwdriver handle and listen for the rattle.

Damaged Muffler

Check your muffler for damage; mower exhaust systems get hot and fracture and corrode, as well as make lots of sound.

Mowers cause a lot of vibration, so it’s a good idea to inspect your mower for loose parts frequently. Unfortunately, they also lack the noise reduction silencers of a car exhaust system.

Exhaust Gasket

Gaskets join the muffler and the engine. They form a seal, which breaks down, causing noise and smells. Gaskets are replaceable and can be done in a few minutes, reducing a mower’s loudness considerably. (Learn Why Does Grass Turn Yellow)

Blade

The blade noise generated by spinning blades compared to size is extremely loud. Blade tips cut through the air at speeds of over 200 miles per hour, and most lawn tractors feature two or three blades.

Bare Deck

Mower decks are freshly painted on the underside. The sound of debris flung against the deck echoes and creates a high noise level.

You may do this yourself by purchasing a spray-on bed liner from an auto parts store, which adds sound deadening and metal protection to your deck.

Also, try fastening sheets of self-adhesive bitumen car sound deadening material to the deck’s topside in a few areas. You can find these in the auto parts store, and they are effective in your mower, producing less noise.

Mower Engine

The engine makes a lot of noise. Besides the fan on top of the engine, you could have valves and rockers that are damaged.

You can help reduce noise by checking for valve lash. Fix this annually, and it will do a better job of keeping the noise level down and improving gas consumption.

Mower Engine Fan

Because most small engines are air-cooled, they require a fan to move cool air over the engine, and fans are noisy.

Another way to assist minimize noise is to use engine oil. Oil becomes thin as it ages, causing engine rattling. Your mower requires a tune-up at the start of each season and yard work.

Mower Body Rattles

The engine and blades will cause the body panels and deck connections to rattle and creak. Greasing all-metal deck arm contact areas with WD40 also helps minimize noise.

Check your hood and seat rubber stops and replace them as needed. Use a blade to cut old rubber hose for rattling hoods. (Read Fastest Growing Grass Seed for a Great Lawn)

Is There Such a Thing As A Quiet Lawn Mower?

There are two types of exhaust mufflers: absorptive and reflective. Most mowers have absorptive mufflers. Here’s the difference between muffler types.

Absorptive Mufflers

A simple absorptive muffler is not cleverly engineered and does not reduce noise well. Spark arresters are a mesh screen that collects sparks that may exit the engine.

This muffler restricts gas flow very little, which is why racing cars are extremely loud. Most lawnmower engines have this type of muffler.

Reflective Mufflers

Compared to the above, reflective mufflers would be super quiet lawn mower muffler. Their clever engineering kills noise. Sound waves are channeled via perforated baffles into resonating chambers where destructive interference eliminates some noise.

A particular acoustic suppression temperature resistant material (like rock-wool) is sandwiched between the chambers and the outer exhaust casing to suppress noise further.

Small mufflers don’t kill noise as much as a more oversized muffler. Hence the reason big cars have large mufflers.

Unfortunately, there is a downside, and that is flow restriction. Baffles and chambers cause restriction to gas flow, leading to back pressure, which reduces engine power.

Quiet Lawn Mower Mufflers

Some companies offer a modified muffler that should reduce exhaust noise even further. However, fitting a new muffler hoping you can kill all the noise doesn’t make it appear worthwhile, as it won’t reduce sound waves from the cutting blades.

Go Electric

You can also get an electric mower instead of a gas-powered mower. Unfortunately, even though an electric motor is quieter than a gas engine, an electric mower is still rather loud.

Electric mowers can still be loud because the engine creates not all sounds.

The blades moving quickly provide a lot of the sounds a mower makes. The engine’s whirling blades operate as a blower pushes grass clippings in a bag.

Buy a Push Mower

You can acquire a push mower to solve the noise problem. The push mower blades are driven solely by your muscles and make very little noticeable noise.

Downsides are effort as the amount of energy required to turn the blades on this mower depends on the grass thickness.

Why Are Small Motors So Loud?

You may now wonder why lawn mower manufacturers do not make larger mufflers for their engines to reduce the loud roar. For starters, larger mufflers cost more. And manufacturers have understood that most people expect the noise of a lawn mower.

As a result, manufacturers do not invest in larger mufflers to reduce noise in lawn mowers because they would have to charge more than competitors for their lawnmowers.

Although the technology exists to reduce lawn mower noise, lawn mowers remain loud because of safety.

An extremely silent lawn mower may fool the user or a passer-by into believing it is not running. With blades capable of severing fingers and toes, everyone surrounding should be attentive when a lawn mower is running.

How Can I Make My Lawn Mower Quieter?

Here are other ways to ensure your mower is as quiet as possible.

Tighten Nuts Bolts and Screws

Loose components rattle more than they should, increasing noise coming from your mower. Before reassembling the body, check for any loose screws.

Fix or Replace Muffler

A muffler is a device attached to an exhaust pipe to reduce noise. Multiple chambers and insulation decrease noise while increasing engine pressure for efficiency.

Your lawn mower’s muffler will eventually fail because of normal wear and tear. In addition, sound can escape through fractures or crevices, reducing its efficacy.

The gasket seal between the exhaust and the muffler may also be damaged, allowing sound to escape.

Here’s some steps to check your muffler:

• When the lawn mower is entirely cool, unscrew the exhaust pipe.
• Remove the exhaust to access the muffler, which may be concealed within the lawn mower’s body.
• Remove the muffler totally by undoing the mounting bolts.
• Inspect it both inside and out for signs of damage. Cracks may only be visible on one side, so check both sides.
• Minor cracks can be filled with a product made expressly for this purpose.
• Replace it if there is any evidence of rust or cracks that appear deep.
• It’s also an excellent opportunity to replace the gasket.
• Before repairing the exhaust pipe, check it for damage.

If you need to replace the muffler, remember longer mufflers reduce noise levels more than shorter ones, so if you want a quiet lawn mower, this could be a Smart option, yet you’ll lose power.

Change Engine Oil

To keep lawn mowers running smoothly, change the oil regularly. In the long run, engine oil can become clogged with particles. (Read Lawnmower Wont Stay Running – What To Do)

Change the oil every spring and potentially fall, depending on how often you mow.

Oil changes should be done soon after use as warm oil flows better.

• Place the lawnmower on a raised surface and tilt it.
• Put a pan beneath the oil fill cap.
• Remove the lid and drain the oil.
• Refill with fresh engine oil. Car brands are typically acceptable, but the owner’s manual will provide you with the correct information.

It is advisable to disconnect the spark plug before doing any work on your mower. Even when adding sound deadening material, you need to ensure your mower can’t start.

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