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Posted by Stephen Howard on August 2, 2008, 8:09 am
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On Sat, 02 Aug 2008 08:33:35 +0000, Christopher Tidy
>Stephen Howard wrote:
>
>> I know that all new electric mowers are now required to have such
>> devices, but I haven't heard anything similar pertaining to petrol
>> mowers.
>
>I think electric mowers have always been designed this way, as you can
>stop and start them with a switch. But with a petrol mower it's much
>more of a nuisance because of the extra effort required to start the
>engine again.
>
>> BS EN 836:1997 states that "For pedestrian controlled machines the
>> control handle should automatically stop blade rotation when the
>> operator's hands are removed. " - but that's currently just a
>> standard.
>
>Indeed. So machine built since 1997 must have this feature. But that
>alone doesn't mean that older machines are illegal to use.
Is it a 'must' or a 'should'? I thought it was only applicable if you
wanted to conform to the standard - I'm not sure it's a requirement?
>
<snip>
>>
>> Personally I tend to 'semi-deactivate' the "dead man's handle" with a
>> strip of aluminium bent over the handle in a figure of 9 fashion. It
>> can be flicked off quickly and easily yet still enables the mower to
>> be left running while I empty the grassbox.
>
>For the time being, it is just a matter of curiousity, as we cut the
>grass ourselves. But I'm interested to know if it's true, as I was told
>that it was the reason for many older machines being retired from local
>authorities and cricket clubs, etc.
>
>In some ways, it would seem odd if it was a legal requirement. After
>all, there's no such device on a tractor, which could potentially cause
>much more damage if it went astray.
I'm inclined to think it's more about which bored bureaucrat could be
bothered to do any 'work' on any given day.
>
>Personally I find it annoying having to hold onto that lever.
The better ones have a bar that sits above the handle - at least you
then have the weight of your hands in play.
Where I see models fitted with a dead man's handle at the local tip,
there's nearly always a plant tie attached to the handle - so I think
it's a fairly common annoyance.
Regards,
--
Stephen Howard - Woodwind repairs & period restorations
www.shwoodwind.co.uk
Emails to: showardshwoodwindcouk
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