Minnesota to try and ban gas powered equipment

[Hay Dude]

Every state legislature always has a few members who introduce wacky legislation every year. And most of this legislation doesn’t make it out of committee, much less being passed by the full body. I put this in that category.

 

[Torvy]

You need to understand the political dynamics of Minnesota. It, like a few others, is a rural state with a very large city that dominates due to sheer size. Once upon a time, states had protection for the rural areas by having the state senate represent counties. That way there was a balance, just as Congress is balanced. Then along came Reynolds v Sims where the Warren Court decided that the 14th amendment meant "one person - one vote". This, despite the fact that the Constitution clearly set up Congress to eschew that concept. There is a big misperception in this country that it is a democracy. Even if a wiser court overturned the decision, it would be tough to fix because the city populations are not likely to return balance to rural areas.

 

[Jstpssng]

You need to understand the political dynamics of Minnesota. It, like a few others, is a rural state with a very large city that dominates due to sheer size. Once upon a time, states had protection for the rural areas by having the state senate represent counties. That way there was a balance, just as Congress is balanced. Then along came Reynolds v Sims where the Warren Court decided that the 14th amendment meant "one person - one vote". This, despite the fact that the Constitution clearly set up Congress to eschew that concept. There is a big misperception in this country that it is a democracy. Even if a wiser court overturned the decision, it would be tough to fix because the city populations are not likely to return balance to rural areas.

As you know, that's also why we have an electoral college.

 

[tacticalturnip]

Toro is Made in China. Go pick one up and hold it upside down. thats how you can tell the *** of most Animules.

Almost lost the coffee in my mouth, lol.

 

[CobyRupert]

I'd like to see the 26hp leaf blower.

 

[MossRoad]

Funny part is Toro headquarters is in Minnesota. Article I read included diesel power so basically any small tractor would be above 25hp and tier 4. Bad for MN dealers, good for WI, IA, ND and SD dealers business.

Toro owns a lot more than just Toro....

Brands[edit]​

The company's products are marketed under several brands:[14]

• Toro – irrigation systems & supplies, professional and consumer mowers, compact utility equipment, snow blowers, and handheld trimmers and leaf blowers[15]
• Toro Ag – agriculture professional microirrigation systems, such as driplines, driptapes and sprayers for professional agriculture applications
• Boss Snowplow – snow and ice removal
• Charles Machine Works– Includes the following brands
  • Ditch Witch –
  • Radius –
  • American Augers –
  • Subsite –
  • Trencor –
  • HammerHead –
• Dingo – compact heavy duty hydraulic equipment[16]
• eXmark – commercial mowers[17]
• Hayter (United Kingdom) – consumer and professional mowers.[18]
• Intimidator Group – utility vehicles and mowers[19]
• Irritrol Systems – irrigation systems for residential and commercial landscapes[20]
• Lawn-Boy – consumer mowers[21]
• Lawn Genie – consumer irrigation
• Pope Products (Australia) – garden maintenance equipment[22]
• Unique Lighting – low voltage landscape lighting[23]
• Ventrac - tractors for maintenance and lawning

 

[shooterdon]

I hope the bill makes it past committee, is voted on, and passes. IMO we need a lot of little 'wake up calls'.

I call them citiots for good reason. They prove it with every endeavor they focus on.

BTW, did not need to use "words like liberal, left, right, politician names, etc," Anyone with two active brain cells knows where the problems are. Outlawing weedwackers and chainsaws has to be one of the dumbest things a group of politicians can do.

 

[airbiscuit]

Every state legislature always has a few members who introduce wacky legislation every year. And most of this legislation doesn’t make it out of committee, much less being passed by the full body. I put this in that category.

The bill has 2 sponsors. That's about how many votes it will get.

 

[Gee Ray]

You can sit here and mock the idiots for wanting to try to band the small motors, whatever the limit, they choose.

The problem is most of us on this forum understand how to work and get things done. Many many of the people living in the city have no clue. They are used to simply picking up the phone and having someone come and fix or do the chores that they need done. How they get done is of no consequence to them.

They have no understanding of the cost of the machinery, the maintenance is required of the machinery, or the skill to use the machinery. They just want it done.
And many of the city dwellers that might have come from the rural areas are ashamed of being a hick. So they’ll pay no attention to the silly laws being passed either.

I’m sure there’s many of you who have sensed the superiority that many city dwellers exhibit over the rural people.

I’m just saying, I’m proud to be country.

 

[Eagle1]

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[etpm]

Maybe we will see a proliferation of small diesel engines. That would be neat. I mean, I would like a 3 or 4 HP diesel engine that was priced the same as a gasoline engine. I just think it would be cool. Not gonna happen though. What is way more likely is battery powered equipment that rivals gasoline powered equipment. Stuff that has the same power to weight ratio, same time per battery as gas tank, and a battery that charges as fast as the electric motor drains a battery. Then swapping a battery instead of filling a tank means a person won't be slowed down waiting for a charge. And same cost. If that tool existed I would buy one. Two of my brothers have battery powered chainsaws and they both really like them. And their experience is common. The little saws get used a lot. My next saw with a 16 or 14 inch bar will be battery powered. Forcing companies to go electric will make the above scenario happen faster. Folks can, and will, argue about whether it is the best way go.
Eric

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

Another lifetime ago I worked as a repair technician at a large appliance store. My mentor was a much older tech who was really sharp. All of us as we worked talked about all sorts of things. One day it was who are the most intelligent people? Finally I said farmers, because they have to know at least a little bit about everything: mechanics, plumbing, wiring, veterinary, soils, of course gardening, plants (botany, biology), construction, marksmanship and hunting, medicine...the list goes on and on.
Of course before I said that guys were saying college graduates in different areas...but a farmer is it.

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

Maybe we will see a proliferation of small diesel engines. That would be neat. I mean, I would like a 3 or 4 HP diesel engine that was priced the same as a gasoline engine. I just think it would be cool. Not gonna happen though. What is way more likely is battery powered equipment that rivals gasoline powered equipment. Stuff that has the same power to weight ratio, same time per battery as gas tank, and a battery that charges as fast as the electric motor drains a battery. Then swapping a battery instead of filling a tank means a person won't be slowed down waiting for a charge. And same cost. If that tool existed I would buy one. Two of my brothers have battery powered chainsaws and they both really like them. And their experience is common. The little saws get used a lot. My next saw with a 16 or 14 inch bar will be battery powered. Forcing companies to go electric will make the above scenario happen faster. Folks can, and will, argue about whether it is the best way go.
Eric

How can you fell a 36"+ tree with a 16" saw?
Choices is what it should be. Those trying to pass legislation need to understand the purpose in it's entirety. Stihl for example is set up making 2 stroke saws. Do they change or bankrupt? How does this affect the environment? How does charging electric affect environment with coal/nat.gas burning electric plants? What's impact of manufacturing wind or solar?

 

[Jstpssng]

How can you fell a 36"+ tree with a 16" saw?
Choices is what it should be. Those trying to pass legislation need to understand the purpose in it's entirety. Stihl for example is set up making 2 stroke saws. Do they change or bankrupt? How does this affect the environment? How does charging electric affect environment with coal/nat.gas burning electric plants? What's impact of manufacturing wind or solar?

Manufacturers have spent many years finding ways to shave weight without sacrificing performance or safety. Changing to a 4 stroke engine would throw all of that out the window. Homeowners could get by with electric saws, but imagine trying to use one to fell, limb, and cut a 36 inch oak.

 

[Metalburner]

This is why I'm glad I moved out of Minnesota, almost 6 years ago. It had been going down hill for the last 10 years+. People moving from California to other states, trying to turn them all into California.

 

[3Ts]

I can just see it now: lugging a 20Kw generator (20kw = ~26hp) out into the field to charge a battery so you can run a chainsaw all day.

 

[airbiscuit]

My money's on Toro's corporate lobbyists.

 

[etpm]

How can you fell a 36"+ tree with a 16" saw?
Choices is what it should be. Those trying to pass legislation need to understand the purpose in it's entirety. Stihl for example is set up making 2 stroke saws. Do they change or bankrupt? How does this affect the environment? How does charging electric affect environment with coal/nat.gas burning electric plants? What's impact of manufacturing wind or solar?

Who said anything about falling 36" trees? And guess what? Stihl is now making electric saws. Or at least putting their name on ones they sell. A friend of mine has one and he likes it. He cuts down and cuts up LOTS of trees, lots of big trees and has all sorts of saws, almost all Stihls. Stihl won't go bankrupt, they will start making battery powered saws in all sizes as soon as the technology is available. Of course there are all sorts of questions that need to be answered. And legislating the use of products that don't exist yet won't make those products magically appear. Legislation is messy. Lotsa folks don't realize what they are trying to pass into law. Oftentimes legislation is proposed just to get the issue talked about. To get folks to really think about goals. I am pretty sure these two in Minnesota don't expect the bill to pass but instead want the issue to be thought seriously about. And a question for you: If you could buy a battery powered saw that weighed the same, ran the same length of time, performed the same, and had batteries that charged as fast as the saw drained batteries, and it cost the same as a gasoline powered saw, would you? I certainly would. When it came time to buy a new saw. Actually, I would consider buying one anyway, even though I don't need a new saw.
Eric

 

[Joel/ak]

If I want something electric, I'll buy it. Don't force me to.

 

[tacticalturnip]

If I want something electric, I'll buy it. Don't force me to.