Electric-Powered Riding Mower

Electric-Powered Riding Mower FARM HOME Lawn Mowers (31h,38) 18-6-4 "The first-ever battery-powered electric riding mower is new from Ardisam, Inc., Cumberland, Wis. The Turf Star 2000 "Electra" uses six 6-volt deep cycle batteries to power three direct-drive motors mounted on top of a 3-blade, 44-in. deck. It combines near zero-turn capability with the convenience of in-finitely variable speed control. "It runs very quiet, is pollution-free, and requires almost no maintenance," says Maas. "There's no gas or oil to mess with, no noxious fumes, and no belts or pulleys to replace or adjust. You can mow about two acres of lawn before the batteries have to be recharged, depending on terrain, depth of cut, and type of battery used. It takes about 13 hours to recharge the batteries. "It costs less to operate than a conventional riding mower. At 6 1/2 cents per kilo-watt hour of electricity, it costs about $1 to $1.25 to completely recharge the battery. A 16 hp conventional riding mower uses $3 to $4 of gas to mow the same amount of lawn. "The mower comes with rack-and-pinion steering, disc brakes, large 20-in. drive wheels, and a `quick-tach' deck mount system." Sells for $5,795 to $6,295 depending on type of batteries used. Price includes battery recharger and optional electric deck lift. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Ardisam, Inc., Rt. 4, Box 666, Cumberland, Wis. 54829 (ph 715 822-2415).

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