Loud noises are annoying, so if you are wondering why are lawn mowers so loud, you are in the right place! However, to understand why lawn mowers are loud, you first need to understand what causes the sound since sounds are air vibrations.
Lawn mowers are loud because of the low-quality absorptive type mufflers attached to the engine, and most people like choosing affordable and power-saving lawn mowers, which are great, but they have the worst noise. Manufacturers could make lawn mowers with less noise, but they avoid doing this to avoid sacrificing engine power and manufacturing cost.
Notably, the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI), an association of outdoor equipment, voluntarily decided in 1974 to set a noise level target of 95dcb for lawn mowers. Below are some of the main reasons a lawn mower could be so loud.
What are the Reasons Lawn Mowers are Loud?
There are various reasons why lawn mowers are so loud and unbearable, and this is not a complete list; as you can imagine, there are many possibilities.
1. Clogged Fuel Lines
The lawn mower fuel line is a way to get gasoline from the fuel tank and direct it to the combustion area, so if the fuel line is clogged and dirty, then the adequate gasoline supply will break. Normally, we think that a dirty or blocked air filter produces noise, while the real problem is in the fuel line.
Therefore, it’s necessary to check the fuel line quality and replace it since it’s easy. After all, the fuel lines are budget-friendly.
2. Overworked Engine
Engines are another source of mower’s loudness in where valves, crankshaft and the fan could make a noticeable noise so ensure you check and adjust the valve lash every year to ensure optimum performance. Overworked lawnmower engines are among the big reasons for noise and so, if you use a lawn mower often, ensure you give it a break to allow the mower engine to cool down and hence make less noise.
In addition, check the engine oil and fuel filters since they will help reduce overheating during working hours. Allowing your lawn mower to rest helps to reduce noise and improve performance. The valve lash will provide more power and better gas mileage and minimize engine noise.
3. Blades
Blades are another source of excess noise. Most mowers have two or three blades that cut air at more than 200 mph, effective for a mower’s functionality. However, these blades become a noise source and to
Blade noise is a loud sound from blade tips cutting through the air at over 200 mph, and most tractors will have two or three blades.
4. Cracked Muffler
Mufflers are a way to reduce an engine’s noise output. So if your lawn mower’s muffler is in great condition, it will comfortably handle extreme hot and cold temperatures without cracking, warping or breaking.
When exhaust heatshields loosen, the baffle inside also becomes loose and to test. You should tap the muffler using a screw driver’s handle and listen for a rattle if it has a loose muffler. Since mowers already cause plenty of vibration, which loosens stuff, it’s best to check your mower to look for loose stuff regularly.
5. Loose Parts of lawn mowers
The loose parts usually create loud sounds, and noise like the failing connection can start producing vibrating noises. If your gas mower suddenly makes more noise, you can also check any open decks, rattling screws or wobbling blades. Always confirm that you check all screws to ensure they have been securely fixed, and if you find any loose part, tighten it or replace the screws with new metal screws.
6. Bare Metal
Another reason your lawn mower may be that pebbles are hitting your mower deck, which you can solve by padding the area or using automotive sound deadening mats. After cleaning your lawn mower, cut the mats into manageable strips and line your mower deck inside to dampen the pebble kickback.
In addition, you can DIY by spraying methods which will add to deadening of the sounds and offer metal protection to your deck. First, however, ensure your deck is dry and clean before you paint.
How Can You Make Lawn Mowers Quiet?
Most lawn mowers will have absorptive mufflers, which have so much noise and are basic in their functioning. This muffler comes with a spark plug, and it represents a mesh screen that holds sparks that will go out from the engine.
There are two types of exhaust mufflers:
a). Absorptive mufflers
Absorptive mufflers are fitted in most lawn mower’s engines, and these mufflers have a gas flow restriction, which is why noise is huge when you come to the mowers. They don’t use any clever engineering, and it does a terrible job of noise reduction, but it’s great for power. That’s why race cars are super noisy.
b). Reflective mufflers
These mufflers use engineering to reduce noise and push sound waves through baffles in chambers where the mower noise is reduced. However, the downside of these mufflers is they have a gas flow restriction which creates back pressure and, as a result, reduces the engine’s performance.
The easiest alternative for a quiet lawn mower is to purchase a battery-powered reel mower, push mower or an electric mower but keep in mind that even electric mowers produce some sound level.
