Description of the Lawn Mower Exchange Program

The South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) is conducting a lawn mower exchange program for residents living within its 4-county jurisdiction, which includes all of Orange County, most of Los Angeles County (excluding the Antelope Valley), almost all of Riverside County, and the non-desert portion of San Bernardino County.   This program allows residents to turn in their working gas-powered lawn mower and purchase a new cordless rechargeable electric mower at a discounted price.  The 14” Neuton® which has a retail value of $400 can be purchased for only $100.  The 19” Neuton® which has a retail value of $500 can be purchased for only $160.  The 19” Black & Decker which has a retail value of $450 can also be purchased for only $160.   These mowers operate for 45-60 minutes on a single charge of the battery, and they come with a rear-mounted bag as well as a mulching kit.

 Who Is Eligible for the Lawn Mower Exchange?

• You must be a resident living within AQMD’s 4-county jurisdiction, which includes all of Orange County, most of Los Angeles County (excluding the Antelope Valley), almost all of Riverside County, and the non-desert portion of San Bernardino County.  You will be asked to show proof of residency (driver’s license, utility bill, etc.) when you come to exchange your mower.
• You must turn in a working gas mower.
• You must be at least 18 years of age.
• You must pre-register for one of the exchange events and have the reservation form showing your reservation number for that event.
• At the exchange event, you must pay $100 or $160 depending on the model you choose. (Cash, Check, or Major Credit Cards Accepted).
• There is a limit of one mower per residence.

How Do I Register?

Registration for the 2009 Lawn Mower Exchange Program begins April 22, 2009 at 8 am.  On that morning, there will be a link on this web page to take you to the registration page. You will also be able to register by phone during AQMD’s working hours (Tuesday through Friday, 7 am to 5:30 pm) by calling the toll-free number (888) 425-6247.

How Does the Exchange Event Work?

A total of five exchange events will be held at sites in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties on different Saturdays in May and June, 2009. See Event Flyer:  English PDF - 1.42MB and Spanish PDF - 1.42MB.  To participate, residents must pre-register for one of the events.  When you register, you will be allowed to select the date/location of the event to which you would like to come, and the time that you would like to arrive.  You will be given a registration number, and a half-hour time slot during which we would like you to arrive.  This reduces traffic congestion, and allows for a quick orderly flow through the exchange process.  You must arrive no later than noon to be eligible to exchange.  Your reservation is only good for the day and location of the event for which you registered.

There will be staff at the event to unload your old mower and load your new mower into your vehicle.  You will not have to get out of your car.  It is a drive-thru event.  The whole process from when you arrive to when you leave typically takes less than 15 minutes.

What Are The Air Quality Benefits of Exchanging Your Gas Mower

Using a typical gas mower for one year can pollute as much as a car driven for 22,000 miles.  All the gas mowers that are turned in for this program will be scrapped and the metal recycled.

Neuton 14” Cut, 24 volt cordless rechargeable electric mower:

• Comes with rear mounted bag.
• Comes with a mulching kit.
• Comes with a side discharge chute.
• Roughly equivalent power to a 3.5 hp gas mower.
• Plugs into standard electrical outlet.
• Motor: 500 Watts; 24 Volt/32 Amp
• Operating time: 45 to 60 minutes of mowing on a single charge.
• Recommended for lawns up to 1/4 acre on a single charge
• Charge time: 12 hours to fully recharge battery.
• Mower Weight:  48 pounds including battery.
• Blade Width:  14 inches.
• Cutting Height:  Adjustable from 1.2" to 3" with a single lever.
• Warranty:  Four years.
• Noise Level:  Less than 80 decibels (about half the noise of the average gas mower.)
• Additional mower information: call Neuton Information Line at
  (877) 560-8898, or go to Neuton web site at www.NeutonPower.com/AQMD.

Neuton 19” Cut, 36 volt cordless rechargeable electric mower:

• Comes with rear mounted bag.
• Comes with a mulching kit.
• Comes with a side discharge chute.
• Roughly equivalent power to a 3.5 hp gas mower.
• Plugs into standard electrical outlet.
• Motor: 750 Watts; 36 Volt/50 Amp
• Operating time: 45 to 60 minutes of mowing on a single charge.
• Recommended for lawns up to 1/3 acre on a single charge
• Charge time: 12 hours to fully recharge battery.
• Mower Weight:  69 pounds including battery.
• Blade Width:  19 inches.
• Cutting Height:  Adjustable from 1.2" to 3" with a single lever.
• Warranty:  Four years.
• Noise Level:  Less than 80 decibels (about half the noise of the average gas mower.)
• Additional mower information: call Neuton Information Line at
  (877) 560-8898, or go to Neuton web site at www.NeutonPower.com/AQMD.

Black & Decker 19” Cut, 24 volt cordless rechargeable electric mower:

• Comes with rear mounted bag.
• Comes with a mulching kit.
• Plugs into standard electrical outlet.
• Motor: 24 Volt, 17-amp hour
• Operating time: Mow up to one third acre home lot on a single charge.
• Charge time: 10-12 hours to fully recharge battery.
• Mower Weight:  76 pounds including battery.
• Blade Width:  19 inches.
• Cutting Height:  One touch adjustment from 1-1/4" to 3-1/2".
• Warranty:  Two years against defective parts and workmanship for the entire mower and life time for the cutting deck.
• Noise Level:  Reduced noise
• For additional information go to Black & Decker web site at
  http://www.blackanddecker.com/CordlessMower/FeaturesAndBenefits.aspx.