Bremerton’s new $80,000 lawnmower to save staff time

BREMERTON — The city of Bremerton has a new $80,000 lawnmower.

The Kitsap Sun reported that it’s a Toro Groundmaster 4700-D, capable of cutting 10.5 acres an hour — better than the 7.5 acres the old mower could handle. The Bremerton Parks and Recreation Department says that will help its overstretched staff get the mowing done more quickly so workers can get to other tasks.

The mower has a 60-horsepower turbo diesel engine with seven blades slicing a 12.5-foot swath.

Mayor Patty Lent was enthusiastic after taking a turn on the mower this week. It’s the department’s first new mower in about a decade, and she says it’s about time the city upgraded its equipment.