OT: Electric Lawn Mowers

[jghall]

Been thinking about getting a new lawn mower. Not that my +/- 15 year old Honda Harmony isn't doing the job. Great mower btw. Just a change. Logical choice is new Honda(or ?), but thinking electric.

So anything I should be looking at, concerns, reliability, battery issues? Seems Kobalt gets some good press.

Some context; 1/2+ acre yard, flat, no trees, Indiana.

Thanks in advance for time.

[Tony T]

Instead of electric, how about this :)

http://forums.steroid.com/attachments/anabolic-lounge-off-topic-discussion/123707d1339452078-hand-reel-push-lawn-mower-rideonmower.jpg

[Ken Robb]

I think Consumer Reports tested/rated them. Back issues at most libraries.

[thirdgenbird]

I know someone who worked on a grounds crew in college. He said they had some electrics that were great. I wish I could recall the brand.

[F150]

My neighbor uses one (maybe 1/2 acre). Gets about a 1/3 of his lawn done before battery dies, by the time he charges, mows another 1/3, charges, repeats, it's time to start all over again.

If your Honda still works, spend the $$ on something else you don't have to have, like a another bike.

[AngryScientist]

Been thinking about getting a new lawn mower. Not that my +/- 15 year old Honda Harmony isn't doing the job. Great mower btw. Just a change.

wait, huh?

heh?

what?

you want to replace a perfectly functioning lawn mower for a "change" ??

heh????

i dont get it?

----

ok, now that that's out of the way, how long does it take you to mow your lawn typically? that will help determine if a battery mower will get you through the job?

[Louis]

wait, huh?

heh?

what?

you want to replace a perfectly functioning lawn mower for a "change" ??

heh????

i dont get it?


The OP's just doing his/her part to increase America's overall carbon footprint.

Don't want the Chinese to think they might catch us on per-capita use of resources.

[Cat3roadracer]

I'm sure your intentions are good, but, electric/battery powered outdoor equipment is under par. Usually under par is a good thing, but not here.

Stick with gasoline powered equipment for now. Plenty of efficient options.

[thirdgenbird]

I'm sure your intentions are good, but, electric/battery powered outdoor equipment is under par. Usually under par is a good thing, but not here.

Stick with gasoline powered equipment for now. Plenty of efficient options.

That's what I thought too, but my coworker said the ones they used were great, every bit as good as gas. I'm interested just from a sound perspective. He said it would easily do my lawn in one go but reccomended two batteries. They lift off so you can always have one charged up. Now, the downside. I think he said the ones they had were pretty pricey. I think they were made for commercial use.

[p nut]

I use an electric trimmer, and love it. Sold the gas powered immediately after one use of the electric. I did get the biggest battery that was offered, and thankfully can get it all done in one go.

I'm on a 1/4 acre lot, so battery makes sense. In fact, manual makes sense. This is what my mower looks like:

http://www.gardentoolreview.com/wp-content/uploads/Fiskars-Stay-Sharp-Push-Mower.jpg

[Cornfed]

I'll never go back to gas. The gas, the noise, the fumes, the back breaking starter, the maintenance, ... no thanks. My lot's a bit smaller, but I can mow it twice -- three times, if not too long -- on one charge. I'm on my third electric mower in the past 15 years and the technology has improved 10X in that time.

The part I love the best -- turning it on is like turning on a light switch. Stop to chat w a neighbor: press the button on the handle to turn it back on. I don't even bend over except to change the deck height.

Try it and if you don't like it, there's always someone willing to buy one used. That's how I got my first two. Good luck!

[Anarchist]

I live on an acre. I have a Ryobi 48V rechargeable.

I cut the lawn twice a week and get the full lawn done on a charge with ease.

[Louis]

If you're going electric, do it right - go autonomous.

https://www.deere.com/en_INT/products/equipment/autonomous_mower/tango_e5/tango_e5.page

Edit: Here's one by Bosch: http://www.bosch-garden.com/gb/en/garden-tools/indego-home.jsp

Review of the state of the art: http://www.intorobotics.com/top-5-most-advanced-robotics-lawn-mowers/

https://www.deere.com/common/media/images/product/equipment/autonomous_mower/tango_e5/r2/overview/LF43263_426x288.jpg

[Anarchist]

If you're going electric, do it right - go autonomous.

https://www.deere.com/en_INT/products/equipment/autonomous_mower/tango_e5/tango_e5.page

Edit: Here's one by Bosch: http://www.bosch-garden.com/gb/en/garden-tools/indego-home.jsp

Review of the state of the art: http://www.intorobotics.com/top-5-most-advanced-robotics-lawn-mowers/

https://www.deere.com/common/media/images/product/equipment/autonomous_mower/tango_e5/r2/overview/LF43263_426x288.jpg

How do you keep those from driving into the pool?

[Louis]

The cabana boy takes care of that. Or the boundary wire, that also keeps it from driving into the street...

http://www.murdershewrites.com/wp-content/uploads/cabana-boy.jpg

[54ny77]

You don't bring a knife to a gunfight, do you? ;)

[ColnagoFan]

We have a (Black & Decker?) corded one. It was fantastic for our smallish lawn in California, but when we moved back to PA, and had just a 1/4 acre even, it was a bit much. Took probably two hours to do the entire lawn, I think I could've cut that by 75% with a decent gas mower. If we'd planned on staying, I would have bought one. But instead I figured it was easier to move back to CA, where our lawn is pretty small, but that's just fine with me.

I find that they're more sensitive to dull blades, as they don't have the overall power that the gas has, and the sharper blade really helps a lot.

[josephr]

my in-laws have one and their yard is about 1/4 acre and flat...works great for them.....however, I don't see the point in transitioning to electric for fuel/carbon footprint though. Someone will be mowing their yard with it until it dies --- might as well be you, right? Wear it out and then make the move.

[wss]

I have a 48 volt Craftsman mower I bought in 2009. Payed $400, in 2014 had to replace the batteries for around $100. Can buy them cheaper on ebay though. I think a gas powered mower would have had a lower cost of operation over the same period.
I do like the ease of operation as someone here already posted. Pulling up on the safety handle and pushing a button is a lot easier than bending over and pulling a cord .

[p nut]

...however, I don't see the point in transitioning to electric for fuel/carbon footprint though. Someone will be mowing their yard with it until it dies --- might as well be you, right? Wear it out and then make the move.

Yeah, but if he does sell it to him, then that's 1 less gas mower in service.

[Marcy]

Got this last year for about $160 (cheap!) through Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/GreenWorks-25022-Corded-20-Inch-Mower/dp/B002ZVOLXE/ref=sr_1_2?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1425940246&sr=1-2&keywords=greenworks+cordless+mower

It's a corded electric, quiet, light, well reviewed -- and I like it much, much better than a gas mower with it's noise and noxious vapors. Once you figure out the best pattern to mow WRT cord management, it's really easy and actually fun.

I'm a big fan of electric -- we've also got a Nissan Leaf which my wife and I love. Once you start using these electric replacements, you really start to realize how loud and smelly internal Combustion Engines (ICE) are.

Not arguing that gas engines have their place -- but electric mowers / cars / trimmers etc are a really nice option if they can work for you.

[MadRocketSci]

have a ryobi lithium ion from HD, works fine. easy to pick up by handle and carry down steep rock paths. I don't have a big lawn, though. comes with two batteries which are enough for small-med colorado sized lawns. probably not as good in damp grass as gas....but it's so easy to maneuver it's not a big deal to mow a couple spots more than once.