Catalytic Converters for Small engines

[willing]

Given the extraordinary amount of pollution produced by small engines, you'd think that cat converters would be more common by now. I believe there's US legislation requiring serious reduction in pollution in new machines by 2007, but I'm not sure. My research did turn up lobbying efforts by Briggs and Straton to defeat such legislation in California a few years back - way to lead us forward, B&S!

Anyway I've found a couple of links for companies who claim to be working on aftermarket cat converters for small engines, but so far nothing actually shipping. Anyone know of a company who's doing this for real?

In a related question, a CBC TV news item a while back featured a guy in the maritimes who's been custom-building these things for just this purpose, and had them tested and proven effective by some Canuck gov department, but he can't seem to get anyone interested in funding manufacture. I'd love to have the guy's name.

-=s

[Edwin Pawlowski]

I'm sure it will come. I [pollute more cutting my grass that my drive to work each day.

Biggest problem I see is cost. Gone will be the $89 weed trimmer and $99 chain saw.

Auto industry fought it too, but turns out we have many side benefits. Leaded gas is gone along with spark plugs that fouled in 10,000 miles or less, and oil changes every 1000 miles.

[Joseph Meehan]

Small engines are very dirty to start with. All those hydrocarbons would kill the typical converter quickly. You need to start off with fairly clean exhaust to start with and that means good temperature control, which is very difficult to do with an air cooled engine (Which is why you no longer see air cooled engines on automobiles.) and tight ignition timing and fuel control (computer controlled fuel injection) So with the needed equipment your next push lawn mower may cost a few thousand dollars.

Actually a lot of improvement can and has been made. Many are much less dirty than they were 10 years ago, but you are right, more can be done. However until people demand it, the industry will keep lobbying government and it will not happen.

[m Ransley]

The biggest polluters are 2 stroke engines 30 times more than 4 stroke. That will be and should be the first step , eliminating 2 stroke. Cat converters probably will never be introduced due to cost but should be.

[Scott Willing]

Yeah, I'm aware of that, which is why the only 2 stroke engine I've ever owned, or ever hope to, is on my chainsaw. If there had been an alternative when I bought it, I would have done so. I chose a Honda weedwacker / bushcutter instead of a Husky or other brand for the simple reason that it has a mini 4-stroke engine.

I've heard of more than one scheme to modify 2-strokes for order of magnitude-like reductions in pollution while retaining their advantages of simplicity and power/weight ratio. There's no question that unless people express some interest, the manufacturers will never get off their butts.

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Hey manufacturers: I'M EXPRESSING SOME INTEREST.

Hey Briggs & Stratton: I've never bought a machine with one of your engines, and in view of your anti-progressive stance, I've now extended this to a lifetime ban.

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Don't people understand that power-efficient machines are in their own self-interest, even if they don't give a flying hoot about the environment?

Will it take US$5 / gallon gas until they finally appreciate the basic economics of choosing power efficient devices?

And you'd think that folks would pay a few more dollars for a lawnmower or garden tractor that doesn't POISON THE OPERATOR quite so effectively...

Apologies about the rant...

-=s