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Mowing energy and fertilization
Fluck, R. C. and P. Busey.  1988.  Energy for mowing turfgrass.  Trans. ASAE 31:1304-1308.

Abstract

Energy for mowing turfgrass was measured with an electric-motor-powered rotary mower and microprocessor-controlled electric power demand analyzer.  Mowing energy increased with increased fertilization, decreased mowing height, and increased moisture on the turfgrass, and varied with genotype.  A gasoline-powered mower required more direct and total primary energy for mowing turfgrass than an electric mower.

In this experiment, a gasoline-powered rotary mower used considerably more energy than an electric mower.
Energy consumption per unit area
Mower Total power, Pi (kW) Gasoline (ml) Direct, Pit/a (Wh/m2) Total primary, Ppt/a (Wh/m2)
St. Augustinegrass, Stenotaphrum secundatum
Electric 1.153 --   1.380   5.374
Gasoline -- 58   8.720 10.601
bahiagrass, Paspalum notatum
Electric 1.223 --   3.9001 15.195
Gasoline -- 147 29.469 35.826