Today we’re going to talk about how loud the best lawn mowers are compared to other power products and things.
In short, take a look at the above infographic to compare how many decibels a lawn mower is compared to:
- A gunshot (150 dB)
- A revving motorcycle (115 dB)
- Lawn mower (90 – 95 dB)
- Hearing protection headphones required here (85 dB)
- A vacuum (75 dB)
- People talking (60 dB)
Let’s get started.
What Is A Decibel And What Does It Measure?
A decibel (dB) is a unit used to measure the intensity of a sound. The decibel scale is logarithmic, which means that each increase of 10 dB represents a tenfold increase in loudness.
Some quick facts about the decibel scale:
- The human ear can detect sounds ranging from 0 dB to 140 dB.
- Sounds above 85 dB can cause permanent damage to hearing.
- Sounds at or below 70 dB are generally considered safe.
- Between 85 dB and 120 dB can cause temporary discomfort.
- Above 120 dB, sounds can cause pain and physical damage.
- Decibels are often abbreviated as dBA when measuring environmental noise levels. This “A” weighting reflects the way the human ear responds to different frequencies of sound.
How Loud Is A GAS Lawn Mower And How Does It Compare To Other Sounds?
Check out the infographic below showing you how loud a lawn mower is:
On average, a used lawn mower produces around 92 decibels. All mowers are different but that is the average for a normal residential gas powered lawn mower.
There are plenty of other sounds that are much louder than a gas lawn mower. For instance,
- a jet engine taking off produces around 150 decibels (from 100 feet away)
- a gunshot is also 150 decibels but that is at arms length
- a revving motorcycle is 115 dB
- a lawn mower gas powered is 90 – 95 dB
- a battery powered electric lawn mower is 75 – 80 dB
What Are The Health Risks Associated With Exposure To Loud Noises In A Lawn Mower?
Lawn mower safety is no joke. We understand lawn mowers are a necessary part of keeping a neat and tidy lawn. But while they may make the job easier, they also come with some health risks.
One of the most common dangers is exposure to loud noises. Lawn mowers producing noise levels above 85 decibels can cause permanent hearing loss. And since lawn mowers typically produce noise levels between 90 and 95 decibels, it’s important to take precautions when using one.
Tip: Wear earplugs or earmuffs to protect your ears, and take breaks often to avoid overexposure.
Additionally, be sure to keep children well away from the lawn mower as well as pets while it’s in use. By taking these simple steps, you can help reduce your risk of developing noise-induced hearing loss.
Are There Any Steps You Can Take To Make Your Lawn Mower Quieter?
Yes there are a few steps you can take to make your lawn mower quieter.
Make Sure The Blades Are Sharp
First, make sure that the blades are sharp on your lawn mower. Dull blades will cause the engine to work harder, resulting in increased noise.
Make Sure All Of The Bolts & Screws Are Tight
Second, check that all of the bolts and screws are tight. Loose components can also lead to increased noise levels.
Replace Your Muffler With A Quieter Model
Finally, consider replacing your muffler with a quieter model with higher noise reduction rating.
Switch To A Battery Powered Mower
Battery powered mowers are much quieter than gas ones. And the new models out by Greenworks and Ego and Ryobi all have batteries to allow up to an hour+ of mowing time. It’s not like the old days of battery mowers where they last 15 mins before needing a new battery.
So yeah, check one of those out if you have a small lawn and really value the benefits of an electric mower: less noise, less maintenance, no fumes.
By taking these steps, you can enjoy a peaceful Saturday morning while still getting your lawn mowed.
FAQs:
1) How many decibels is a lawn mower?
Lawn mowers typically produce noise levels between 90 and 95 decibels.
2) What are the health risks associated with exposure to loud noises in a lawn mower?
Prolonged exposure to noise levels above 85 decibels can cause permanent hearing loss.
3) How can you protect yourself from noise-related hearing loss in a lawn mower?
Wear earplugs or earmuffs to protect your ears, and take breaks often to avoid overexposure.
4) Are there any steps you can take to make your lawn mower quieter?
Make sure that the blades are sharp and that all of the bolts and screws are tight. You can also consider replacing your muffler with a quieter model.
Related Posts:
- You know those stripes on baseball fields? Learn how to stripe your own lawn in this how to guide.
- A fun little experiment we did called The Constant Groundskeeper takes a look how big of a lawn a single human could keep perfectly mowed if mowing 24 hours per day.
- Did you know mowing the lawn can be good for your health? Yes, it can. Here’s how many calories it can burn in addition to the fresh and sunshine exposure.
