In article ,
Stephen writes:
Hello,

Every year I say I am going to get a new mower but never get round to
it, but I feel the time has come!

I currently have a Bosch electric mower that I have had since 2001. It
says it has an induction motor and I don't know if that's the problem.
Are these the wrong type of motors for mowers? It means it is quieter
than other mowers but it is always stalling.

Induction motor is the right type for an electric mower, but is
only found in more expensive models. If yours is stalling, it's
overloaded or there's something wrong with it. Note it won't
have much starting torque, so it won't be able to start if
clogged, but once running, it has high torque at nearly full
speed, so it shouldn't slow much under normal load. The only
failure mode unique to induction motor mowers is the capacitor
failing and they cost just a few quid to replace. Symptom is
that the already low starting torque gets even lower or drops
to nothing in the case of complete failure (can be spin started
if you don't mind losing all your fingers!!!), but once started
it runs normally.

A universal motor used in most electric mowers is exactly the
opposite way around - lots of starting torque, but it can't
maintain speed when cutting, since a universal motor has to be
slowed much more under load to generate torque. Also a universal
motor spins way too fast, so it needs additional pulleys and belts
to run the blade at the right speed for mowing. This is a lot more
to fail - motor brushes, and the belt drive have limited life.
Generally, the build quality is way lower than induction motor
mowers and the efficiency lower, so needs a higher power rating
for same width cut (and motor runs much hotter, which also doesn't
help the longevity).

--
Andrew Gabriel
[email address is not usable -- followup in the newsgroup]