Riding Lawn Mowers

Welcome Jack!

by Lavender - 2024-10-21 21:56:16

It's helpful if you fill in your bio with your pacemaker brand. I personally have a Boston Scientific CRT-P. I have used my Cub Cadet riding mower all along with zero problems after first asking the Boston Sci manufacturer rep if it was ok. 
 

Others here were told not to use riding mowers. You could call your pacemaker manufacturer and ask them. Most manufacturers have info online as well as to what's ok to do with your device. 

Ride on mowers

by piglet22 - 2024-10-22 06:51:55

Hello 

A frequently asked question including all sorts of domestic power tools.

Probably more of a hazard from falling off than affecting the functioning of an implanted device.

Is it very different to riding a motorcycle or a quad bike  or lifting the bonnet or a vehicle with the engine running?

I don't think I would give it much of a second thought.

I guess the concern is the possible electromagnetic emissions from mainly the ignition system on 2 or 4 stroke engine.

One activity comparable to an ignition system is electric arc welding which definitely should be avoided as the EMI could be at a high energy. An ignition system is a lot less of a problem.

If I had a defibrillator, I might want to get professional advice, though.

First, modern IC engines are far better than century old engines. Spark generators are electronic and have to meet emission(RFI/EMI) standards.

The main fear is will any emission penetrate the device or will the leads act as some sort of antenna.

Unlikely. The implanted device and leads are well sheilded and the operating software well encrypted. Your device is interrogated by Bluetooth communication. We live in a world of EMR from WiFi to TV signals.

A quick and easy way to check for emissions is to dig out an older AM/FM transistor radio and run a at say arms length from the engine. Run the radio over all the wavelengths. If the stations are drowned out by interference you might have a problem. Compare it with a car engine.

Remember, possibly, the days when the TV picture went wonky when the aircraft passed overhead, or the neighbour's Austin 7 started up and the radio crackled?

Things have moved on.

So, if it's a modern machine, better still a diesel powered one, do the interference test, check the manufacturers manual or specifications you should be good to go 

no issues

by godrew - 2024-10-22 07:55:52

I have a 24hp craftsman, I use it to mow and snow plow.  No issues, I have a Claria MRI Quad CRT Defibrilator.  I never asked the dr thoough.  Implanted a couple years ago. 

I hope no issue, good luck. 

MOWER

by docklock - 2024-10-22 10:27:25

I've got a Cub Cadet and I literally sit right over the engine. Never had/have a probem.

Quite possibly my PM goes into Rate Response mode as the mower moves so much over my rough yard.  I don't think about it and whether it does or not -- I don't feel anything different in my PM.

I have stopped welding tho and am thinking about selling my MIG welder.

Not trying to hijack this post, but I happen to wonder if using a Ham or CB radio would have much, if any, impact on a PM??? Some of those radios put out a lot of power.

vibration

by Tracey_E - 2024-10-22 10:36:36

It sounds like you use rate response, which means the pacer uses movement to raise your rate. The vibration of the mower confused the pacer into thinking you were working out. This is generally considered harmless, but feels odd if you are not expecting it. When in doubt, check with your doctor. If there was interference, it will show in an interrogation. 

docklock

by piglet22 - 2024-10-22 12:29:44

Just a thought, but the transmission energy is going to be close to the antenna, rather than the set.

A settop antenna could be a problem, but an outside antenna up a pole with a shielded cable might be better.

Piglett22

by docklock - 2024-10-22 15:54:43

Of course.  I should have known.  I just happened to think about this as I was typing and just stuck it in.  Thanks for coming to the rescue.  

can only be

by dwelch - 2024-10-23 23:06:33

can only be rate response (or mental, you worried yourself into it).  Most likely rate response.  Not electrical field thing new or old.  If you hold the frame with one hand and the tip of the spark plug with the other, it might affect the pacer, but not some raise the rate thing.  But I suspect you wont hold on that long to find out.  

The next problem is how do you know what your rate is, most devices, certainly any of the watches, dont work, turn off any heart measurement function.  Are you counting a full minute with your finger on your wrist or neck, with no cheating?  led light finger clip?

If the goal is to get out of mowing the lawn for the rest of your life, then that is a different story.