When you fire up a conventional mower, it fills the surrounding area with sound. But how loud is a FireFly AMP-L100 electric mower compared to a conventional gas or diesel mower? Let’s break it down.
How loud is loud, really?
That’s where decibels (dB) come in.
Decibels are the units we use to measure sound intensity. They’re not like inches on a ruler or miles on a map. Sound is measured on a logarithmic scale, which means every jump of 10 dB represents a sound that’s actually ten times more intense and perceived as about twice as loud.
Think about it like this:
A whisper is about
30 dB
A normal conversation is about
60 dB
Busy city traffic is about
70 dB
A conventional mower? Easily
85+ dB
Quiet Precision, Tournament-Ready Results
Here’s how the AMP-L100 electric reel mower stacked up against a conventional, internal combustion engine (ICE) reel mower:
At 25 yards, FireFly’s AMP measures about 55 dB, which is similar to a quiet conversation. The ICE mower at the same distance hits 70 dB, comparable to the noise of city traffic. That means the ICE mower is perceived as two to three times louder than FireFly’s AMP.
Note: For purposes of comparison, the conventional mower that was tested had similar power capabilities and the same cut width as AMP-L100.
Health and comfort considerations
Noise isn’t just an annoyance; prolonged exposure to high levels can affect hearing and even stress levels. OSHA considers 85 dB the threshold where prolonged exposure can start causing hearing damage. That means standing next to a conventional mower for hours can be tough on operators. AMP’s 75 dB at close range is still audible, but it’s far less punishing on the ears.
And it’s not just about operators; it’s about everyone nearby. Neighbors, staff, and golfers all benefit from a quieter environment.
Quiet mowing, better golf
Ask any golfer what makes a round special, and you’ll hear words like peaceful, relaxing, and escape. Nothing breaks that spell faster than the roar of a mower echoing down the fairway.
With AMP, mowing becomes part of the background instead of the main event. At just 55 dB from 25 yards, the sound blends into the natural ambience of the course. Members can focus on their swing, not on dodging ear-splitting interruptions.
Staff also benefit. Crew members can communicate more easily without shouting over machines, and operators spend less time exposed to noise levels that can cause fatigue and hearing loss.
Neighbors who live near course boundaries notice the difference too. No more being jolted awake by the first pass of a mower at dawn.
There’s a practical advantage here as well. Many courses are subject to local sound ordinances that restrict when conventional machines can run (often not until 7:00 AM). That squeezes maintenance crews into tight windows of time.
AMP changes the game. Because it operates at such low decibel levels, mowing can begin earlier or even continue through the night without violating sound ordinances. That flexibility opens entirely new ways to maintain turf while keeping the golfing experience front and center.
A quick note about “silence”
It’s worth remembering that the world around us is never truly silent. Even in the quietest settings, there’s always ambient noise — leaves rustling, birds chirping, air conditioning humming. Total silence would measure 0 dB, but you’d be hard-pressed to find that outside of a soundproof lab.
So, when you run an AMP-L100 at 55 dB from 25 yards, you’re not jumping from zero to 55. Instead, you’re blending into the normal soundscape. It’s about as noticeable as a couple of people chatting nearby.
The takeaway
Switching to electric mowing isn’t just about emissions or fuel savings; it’s about cutting the noise without cutting the quality. AMP delivers the cut quality and performance superintendents demand, while keeping noise levels low enough to make the course more pleasant for golfers, staff, and neighbors alike.
Cleaner, quieter, smarter mowing. That’s the power of AMP.
Need to hear it to believe it?
Fill out our Request a Demo form, and our team will contact you to schedule a demo or let you know when we’ll be in your area.