A landscaping company might choose to have only one hover mower on hand, but the product does seem to be a good fit for some applications. (Click to enlarge.)Photo: California Trimmer
California Trimmer, which has been around since the mid-1930s and is now based in Auburn, Washington, doesn’t just make reel mowers – machines one doesn’t see very often these days – but also specializes in mowers that hover.
As the name implies, California Trimmer’s RC190 Hover Mower floats on a cushion of air and glides over the grass, mulching as it cuts, according to the manufacturer. The operator may swing the deck back and forth in a pendulum motion on inclines or simply push and pull it like a regular mower on level ground.
The maneuverability of the machine is a key selling point, as is the RC190’s 52-inch handle, which moves so far down that the user can manipulate the cutting deck back and forth on a 45-degree incline.
To see what I mean, check out the manufacturer’s YouTube video here.
The mower is powered by a Briggs & Stratton 550EX (shown) or a Honda GCV160 4-stroke engine.
And as you’d expect with a machine that can be rocked back and forth over the cutting area, the RC190 is equipped with an operator presence control system, or OPC, to ensure the engine will stop instantly if no one is gripping the handle.
California Trimmer says the hover mower is appropriate for a variety of commercial as well as residential applications. For more details, visit the company website here.
