Do you have an electric lawn mower?

[Borg Refinery]

Boe Jiden from Scranton will steal your hedge mower trimmer and MAKE it corded, there won't be any cordless trimmers, there won't be any trimmers. Everybody knows it. There won't be any power because the power will be switched off under the New Marxist Adminstration

AND FORCE YOU TO USE EUROPEAN POWER STANDARDS! And then they'll get illegal immigrants to use it - so you won't even be allowed to mow your own yard with these RADICAL LEAFBLOWING MARXIST DEMOCRATS

And then Gavin Newsome will come in and personally build a 100,000 ft condo on your front lawn and house people from Azkhaban there - and then Nancy Pelosi will send her Gazpacho police to personally make sure you mowed your lawn properly.

MAGAPILL.COM

 

[Superfly]

Is there ANY minor thing in the universe that doesn't piss you off?

No. Nothing at all. He’s whining because someone asked a question about a battery-operated lawnmower.

Bet he lost his ****ing mind when Sony Walkmans were released.

 

[Old 'N Chill]

No. Nothing at all. He’s whining because someone asked a question about a battery-operated lawnmower.

Bet he lost his ****ing mind when Sony Walkmans were released.

 

[LouC]

Thanks for your opinion. It sounds good, but I hate corded electric gardening tools. I have a hedge trimmer and leaf blower, the the extension cords are always catching onto something and very annoying. Trying to avoid that with the mower.

Consider a battery powered unit then if the yard area is small. Match it with trimmers and edgers using the same battery. My uncle bought a battery powered mower at the same time I bought the corded mower and he swears by his mower. He has a larger lawn than I do.

 

[Lord of Planar]

Consider a battery powered unit then if the yard area is small. Match it with trimmers and edgers using the same battery. My uncle bought a battery powered mower at the same time I bought the corded mower and he swears by his mower. He has a larger lawn than I do.

That is what is nice about these new rechargeables. The interchangeable batteries. I have the several of Ryobi 18 volt tools rather than these bigger ones. Drill, jigsaw, buffer, vacuum, flashlight, etc. Before this last winter hit, I was worried I may lose power again though my neighborhood is generally real stable. Now that I have a girlfriend now and its not just me, I bought six of the Ryobi lanterns.They will stay on for about six hours at full brightness (three settings) with the 4 amp-hour battery. I also bought several more of the four amp hour batteries and two twelve amp hour. These lanterns also have a 2 amp USP charging socket on them, so no worries about keeping a phone or small device charged.

 

[ttwtt78640]

Thanks, I was wanting something that was a bit lighter than my gas mower and easier to push. We also have a small slope and it's very hard to push the regular mower up that, even though it's not steep. Do you keep that plugged in to recharge the battery?

The battery is removable/replaceable to be placed on a separate (re-)charger. We have three other Echo brand 58v tools: a 16” chainsaw, a leaf blower and string trimmer. The mower has ports for two batteries (to potentially extend its run time), but runs on only one of them (with a ‘key’ which can be positioned to select either of the batteries).

 

[ttwtt78640]

My neighbor's Ego is self propelled, so that's still an option with electric.

Unless you add the weight of a bagger, the mower takes very little effort to push.

 

[ttwtt78640]

More likely due to a duller blade.

I had a gardening lawn car business for 12 years. Most home owners never even think to sharpen it, as a commercial operator I changed blades weekly. When your blade is sharp everything will cut evenly...the motor isn't responsible.

Check your manual but you may have the kind of battery that should always be plugged in.

Many (if not most) battery powered mowers seem to be a tad underpowered and the blade speed tends to slow down when cutting thick/tall grass, causing less suction to maintain a good clean cut.

 

[LouC]

That is what is nice about these new rechargeables. The interchangeable batteries. I have the several of Ryobi 18 volt tools rather than these bigger ones. Drill, jigsaw, buffer, vacuum, flashlight, etc. Before this last winter hit, I was worried I may lose power again though my neighborhood is generally real stable. Now that I have a girlfriend now and its not just me, I bought six of the Ryobi lanterns.They will stay on for about six hours at full brightness (three settings) with the 4 amp-hour battery. I also bought several more of the four amp hour batteries and two twelve amp hour. These lanterns also have a 2 amp USP charging socket on them, so no worries about keeping a phone or small device charged.

View attachment 67515217

Yeah. I wish I had gone that route.

 

[Lord of Planar]

The battery is removable/replaceable to be placed on a separate (re-)charger. We have three other Echo brand 58v tools: a 16” chainsaw, a leaf blower and string trimmer. The mower has ports for two batteries (to potentially extend its run time), but runs on only one of them (with a ‘key’ which can be positioned to select either of the batteries).

This is the way to go. Zero pollution generated.

Some jurisdictions are already making legislation to outlaw gasoline power weed blowers in the near future years. Probably lawn mowers too. I suggest not buying a gas powered push mower, weed blower, etc. because it will come some day in all jurisdictions.

 

[Lord of Planar]

Yeah. I wish I had gone that route.

It can get expensive, but I did this over time to collect as much as I did. The 18 volt 4 Amp hr. batteries are now north of $100 unless you find them on sale, due to lithium demand. Last Christmas, Home depot has a sale of 2 4-amp hour batteries for $69.95. I bought several then. When I bought the lanterns, I found a deal for one 12 amp hr with two 4 amp hr. I think for 219.99. I bought two of those deals. It was only $10 more than buying the single 12 amp hour.

It isn't cheap, but I can afford it, and its worth it in my opinion. Six lanterns with... I would have to count, but I probably have about 20 batteries. I am prepared for a power outage if one comes. Before this next winter, I will probably buy an AC inverter and drive it off the 12 amp our battery.

When I built my fence, instead of nails, I used the Spax deck screws. Gave my drill a workout, and was glad to have the few spare batteries I did have those years ago for my drill.

 

[ALiberalModerate]

What makes it convenient.

Zero maintenance.

 

[ALiberalModerate]

If so, can you share what brand it is and if you like it? What are the pros and cons? Thanks, I'm thinking of getting one, I only have the back yard, front is rocked in. I'll keep my gas one as a spare and for the more rough and weedy areas.

I have this one. Kobalt Gen4 40-volt 20-in Cordless Push Lawn Mower 6 Ah (1-Battery and Charger Included) in the Cordless Electric Push Lawn Mowers department at Lowes.com

It's by far the easiest lawn mower I have ever dealt with. No maintenance at all. I just charge the battery. My yard is a typical city yard, and it usually has a little less than half the charge left when I finish the front and back yard. They handle tall grass and weedy areas too. The motor will automatically speed up when it gets to taller grass. Unless you had more than an acre, I don't know why anyone would mess with gas mower anymore. The electric ones are superior in every way.

 

[Lord of Planar]

I have this one. Kobalt Gen4 40-volt 20-in Cordless Push Lawn Mower 6 Ah (1-Battery and Charger Included) in the Cordless Electric Push Lawn Mowers department at Lowes.com

It's by far the easiest lawn mower I have ever dealt with. No maintenance at all. I just charge the battery. My yard is a typical city yard, and it usually has a little less than half the charge left when I finish the front and back yard. They handle tall grass and weedy areas too. The motor will automatically speed up when it gets to taller grass. Unless you had more than an acre, I don't know why anyone would mess with gas mower anymore. The electric ones are superior in every way.

I agree. My mower is probably a little more powerful and lighter because it doesn't have the extra weight of a battery, but I have the cord i have to mess with.

My next mower will be a battery mower.

 

[WorldWatcher]

If so, can you share what brand it is and if you like it? What are the pros and cons? Thanks, I'm thinking of getting one, I only have the back yard, front is rocked in. I'll keep my gas one as a spare and for the more rough and weedy areas.

So my 12 year old Husqvarna deck was beginning to rust out and I did some research last fall, and bought an "Ego". Bought it about 6 weeks ago (shown above) and I'm very happy with it.

#1 MODEL:
EGO
21"
7 ft/lbs torque
Self-propelled.

Mine is 21" (would have like 22" like the Husqvarna, but such is life). It's self-propelled. The upper handle green buttons engage the drive and the green dial sets speed. Took a little getting used to as I was used to that varied speed depending on how far back you pull them. You don't really have that fingertip control, but you get used to it. Dial is speed and buttons are go/no go. BTW - you don't have to have the blades running to engage propulsion like with an ICE mower.

#2 POWER: It's the 7.0 ft/lbs of torgue version so it's on the higher end of power for their walk behind series and it's pretty close to the output power of my 7.75 ft/lbs of torgue Husqvarna. The reason? I always engaged the drive on the Husqvarna. However the EGO is much lighter than the steel construction/ICE engine traditional mower. Having the self-propelled feature is not (I'm in my 60's), but with it being so light I find I rarely engage it except going upgrade. On level ground I don't find the need for it at all, it's very comfortable without the drive, but the option is there when I need it. (See battery) Construction of this model is composite deck and handles which accounts for the weight savings over steel. So with the Husqvarna I figure I was pulling some torque to drive the wheels. You can engage the blades without propulsion.

#3 NOISE: The reduction in noise over an ICE engine is wonderful. I'm mean it's not whisper silent, but I'd say it reduces the noise by at least half to my unprofessional ears. With the 7.75 Husqvarna, I'd wear foamy ear plugs and then my Bose noise reduction headset (with something to listen to while mowing). Now I just need the Bose and I run the volume at lower level and it's hardly noticeable.

#4 FUMES: Elimination of gas and oil for the ICE engine is nice. The batteries charging is so much more convenient over the ICE engine.

#5 USAGE: Power, this is where you have to do a personal evaluation. You could say I live in the suburbs on about 1/3 acre. So I'm never trying to cut heavy brush with the thing. It's a lawn mower, not a tractor or riding mower. If it's used for it's intended purpose it does just fine.

#6 BATTERY: Part of the sale price I bought it at was an advertised 2nd battery. I would not recommend an E-mower without a second battery. It came with a 7.5 amp/hr and a 5.0 amp/hr battery. Which works perfectly for me. I run the 5.0 a/h for the front and sides and then swap out for the 7.5 a/h for the big back yard and the common area behind the fence. You want two batteries on a decent size lawn because it would suck running out of juice and waiting a half to an hour for a recharge. Two swappable batteries? The way to go. Don't believe the advertising, it say the 7.5 a/h would last an hour, it lasted 45-50 minutes with no self-propulsion, usually I've been getting about 40 minutes with light propulsion used only on grades. Using lots of propulsion will definitely shorted battery run time. Front lawn is smaller so the 5.0 a/h is just fine.

 

[WorldWatcher]

#7 CLEANUP: I didn't think this would be a big deal, but it's really something I like. I keep a shop towel and a paint stirrer with the unit when not in use. After mowing take a garage broom to the top of the deck in the lawn to the side of the garage. Then flip it up, do a light scrape of any clinging clippings on the underside to remove the chunks, give it a quick wipe with the shop towel. The handle folds over and you can lift it up to store vertically, which is VERY nice and roles well on the back wheels and stores that way. The garage doesn't smell of gas mower any more. And you never have to worry about gas/oil leakage if you turn it on it's side or vertical to get underneath.

#8 STUPID: See the little pouch under green start button that says "EGO"? Love it. Before I'd set my phone on the gas can in the middle of the lawn (or in the gas can shade if it was really hot) and then mow the lawn. That gave Bluetooth enough range for the headphones and I didn't have the phone in my pocket. With that little pouch, the phone slips in, stays out of the sun, and is right there with you where you work. With some things I'm easy to please. You could use it for phone, sunglasses, or even as a drink holder for those really hot days. (Stay hydrated my friend.)

#9 DISCHARGE: You can (A) mulch, (B) discharge, or (C) bag. The discharge is actually in the rear with a 90 degree deflector attachment. This is a nice design because it mean no side discharge on the deck. You can run either side of the mower close to a fence or the house instead of only one way with the traditional discharge.
.
.
.
.
.
Final call, as with most things, take a serious look at your usage. This type of mower will work best on keeping a lawn mowed, not letting it over grow and have to cut back, such activity will seriously suck battery power. I mow mine pretty much every week when we have enough rain to keep it watered and growing. Another being how big a lawn do you have? I recommend 2 batteries, but if you have a tiny lawn, 1 may be just fine.

WW

 

[LouC]

Zero maintenance.

Besides an occasional blade sharpening, zero.

 

[Lord of Planar]

Besides an occasional blade sharpening, zero.

Yep. They pretty much go until the motor wears out.

is it a Brushless motor? If so only the electronics or bearing may go out. But if they use good bearing, we are talking about probably zero replacement over the owners life.

 

[ALiberalModerate]

I agree. My mower is probably a little more powerful and lighter because it doesn't have the extra weight of a battery, but I have the cord i have to mess with.

My next mower will be a battery mower.

I had an old 2 stroke lawn boy for years. Very reliable, but very, very polluting. Went to a corded electric one (this was before the battery ones were affordable). We have a lot of trees in our yard, so the cord was always getting wrapped around things as I used it. Other than that, zero maintenance. The Batter mower is super easy.

 

[Lord of Planar]

I had an old 2 stroke lawn boy for years. Very reliable, but very, very polluting. Went to a corded electric one (this was before the battery ones were affordable). We have a lot of trees in our yard, so the cord was always getting wrapped around things as I used it. Other than that, zero maintenance. The Batter mower is super easy.

I agree. I don't have the same difficulties, only two trees. Would be nice to go cordless. I just have more important things to ungraded until this one fails or I move to a place with a larger yard.

 

[Old 'N Chill]

#7 CLEANUP: I didn't think this would be a big deal, but it's really something I like. I keep a shop towel and a paint stirrer with the unit when not in use. After mowing take a garage broom to the top of the deck in the lawn to the side of the garage. Then flip it up, do a light scrape of any clinging clippings on the underside to remove the chunks, give it a quick wipe with the shop towel. The handle folds over and you can lift it up to store vertically, which is VERY nice and roles well on the back wheels and stores that way. The garage doesn't smell of gas mower any more. And you never have to worry about gas/oil leakage if you turn it on it's side or vertical to get underneath.

#8 STUPID: See the little pouch under green start button that says "EGO"? Love it. Before I'd set my phone on the gas can in the middle of the lawn (or in the gas can shade if it was really hot) and then mow the lawn. That gave Bluetooth enough range for the headphones and I didn't have the phone in my pocket. With that little pouch, the phone slips in, stays out of the sun, and is right there with you where you work. With some things I'm easy to please. You could use it for phone, sunglasses, or even as a drink holder for those really hot days. (Stay hydrated my friend.)

#9 DISCHARGE: You can (A) mulch, (B) discharge, or (C) bag. The discharge is actually in the rear with a 90 degree deflector attachment. This is a nice design because it mean no side discharge on the deck. You can run either side of the mower close to a fence or the house instead of only one way with the traditional discharge.
.
.
.
.
.
Final call, as with most things, take a serious look at your usage. This type of mower will work best on keeping a lawn mowed, not letting it over grow and have to cut back, such activity will seriously suck battery power. I mow mine pretty much every week when we have enough rain to keep it watered and growing. Another being how big a lawn do you have? I recommend 2 batteries, but if you have a tiny lawn, 1 may be just fine.

WW

Thanks for all your information, I appreciate it. I won't rush to buy one, I will try to consider everything involved.

 

[Cardinal]

If so, can you share what brand it is and if you like it? What are the pros and cons? Thanks, I'm thinking of getting one, I only have the back yard, front is rocked in. I'll keep my gas one as a spare and for the more rough and weedy areas.

We have a battery powered (40v) Kobalt, which is absolutely fine for our yard. One charge does the whole job. We've had it for four years now and we're happy with it.