Battery Lawn Mower

[TX-Dennis]

I've been fighting with my lawn mower recently. Difficult to start, dies intermittently, etc. It's only about four years old. I cleaned the carb, changed the spark plug, played with the auto choke which seems to be functioning correctly. No joy,

So I finally got tired of fighting it, and I started researching rechargeable battery powered lawn mowers. What I found is that most reviewers recommended either the Ego 56v or the Greenworks 80v. A friend recommended the Ryobi 40v which is on sale at Home Depot for $279. Pretty inexpensive. I wound up purchasing the Ego 56v self propelled at Home Depot for $499. It has great reviews and comes with a massive 7.5 amp hour lithium battery. There's a five year warranty on the mower and three years on the battery and charger. Most of the other brands take two to three hours to charge the battery. The Ego charges the large battery fully in about 45 minutes. I charged it after purchasing the unit on Tuesday night. I can verify the quick charge time.

This afternoon after work I mowed with it for the first time. The mower is amazing. I have a smallish yard. The lot is 7200 square feet less the house footprint and driveway, etc., so probably around 3800 square feet of grass. I used the mulching plug so as not to bag clippings. The cut was very nice and smooth. Very few noticeable clippings on the grass afterward. I mowed front and back yards along with the alley. Total battery usage was only about 25%. I recharged the battery afterward in about 15 minutes. I was skeptical at first, but I'm really impressed with this unit. It powered through thick grass as well as or better than the gas mower, and the cut is smoother - probably because I hadn't sharpened the blade on the gas mower yet this season. It's probably not for large yards, but for small to medium size suburban lots like mine it will definitely do the job.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/EGO-21-in-56-Volt-Lithium-ion-Cordless-Walk-Behind-Self-Propelled-Mower-Kit-7-5-Ah-Battery-Charger-Included-LM2102SP/206515944

They also sell a non self propelled version with a 5 amp hour battery that will supposedly run just about the same amount of time as the larger batter on the self propelled unit. It's $100 less. A "commercial" unit with steel deck that also isn't self propelled that comes with the 7.5ah battery for $749. The plastic deck on mine seems strong. Of course only time will tell how it holds up to use.

No more pulling the cord a dozen times to get it to start. No more trips to the gas station for a gallon at a time. No more oil changes. No more air filter replacements. No more spark plugs to replace. I'm enjoying it already.

Of course most of my neighbors pay some one else to cut their grass, but that's cheating.

Anyone else using a rechargeable mower?

 

[max]

Just can't see it. I suppose I am old and set in my ways. I bought a Torro 10 years or so back for approx $350.00. I have my mower guy, change the plug, sharpen the blade, change oil, etc at the start of each year. It costs less than $20.00. I buy a 5 gallon can of premium no-alcohol gas and it will last all season. It always starts on first or 2nd pull.

 

[WuzzFuzz]

Better check with Caj the lawyer..He had a post about mowers a few posts back.:D.:eek:


WuzzFuzz

 

[rubiranch]

I bought a Greenworks 40v chainsaw to carry on my ATV because I didn't want the mess of a 2-stroke chainsaw or have to carry extra fuel for it.

I really like the saw itself. Bought an extra 5000 mAh battery and this works great for me.

Then last summer it started leaking oil and making a mess, the exact reason I didn't buy a gas chainsaw. I've tried contacting Greenworks twice asking for help and never got a reply.

I'll probably end up having to buy another chainsaw and it wont be one made by Greenworks.

 

[chief38]

I actually went backwards...... I owned battery powered tools (Drills, Saws, Dremel, Sanders, etc - lots of them). After a few years I grew to hate them because the batteries in some instances cost as much or more than the tool originally did. After spending ridiculous amounts on new batteries multiple times I sold ALL my battery operated tools and now own all tools with cords.

I haven't cut my own lawn in 40 years (have a landscaper) but if I did I would only own a Gasoline powered model. The battery operated lawnmower will work great in the beginning and for a while, but please let us know what the new battery costs when it does need replacing.

For your sake I hope I am wrong about the cost and I do sincerely wish you good luck with it.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

Since I had about 20 Ryobi 18v tools I went ahead and bout the chain saw about 15 years ago, it still is doing fine,. About 10 years ago I bought the 18v weed whacker. It was junk! Then I bought the Ryobi 40v weed whacker; what a dream come true. All the power of a 110 volt without the cord. All the portability of a gas trimmer without the start and carburetor problems. Would trim a normal house project in 1 battery charge. Trim the barns, vineyard, and orchard on the second charge. Then I sold the farm after I got everything easy!`

Ivan

I keep thinking I'll buy another smaller house, if I do I'm going with the best performing battery mower I can find, Then I'll get the trimmer, chain saw, and blower to use that battery system! My wife says, if we get another place, the cordless mower will be a service done by a guy named Juan!

 

[arjay]

Was talked into a Kobalt (Lowe’s) 40 v twin blade mower a few years back.Im impressed with it,very light weight,does the job with no exhaust fumes or noise.

 

[bigwheelzip]

My mental cost-benefit analysis came down in favor of corded electric tools for home use. Battery powered tools are more expensive, heavier, and battery power / shelf-life is limited.

The only battery lawn mower I'd get is the type that works by itself.

Good luck with yours.

 

[doublesharp]

Some say that lithium is the future in handheld power equipment.

Knowing first hand how good Honda $399 push mowers w/GVC160 engines are, I'd have a hard time paying $100 more for a battery powered mower.

 

[Muss Muggins]

I got a Kubota twin blade 48" cut with a cup holder . . .

 

[Bozz10mm]

Well, I've got a hair over an acre to mow. Let me know when they come out with an electric riding mower. :)

 

[deadin]

the batteries in some instances cost as much or more than the tool originally did.

Sounds like they have been talking to the ink-jet printer designers where the printers are cheap, but the refills are ????

 

[dockmurgw]

I'll stick with the greatest invention since the wheel and sliced bread...the internal combustion engine...I have 2 acres of lawn to mow.

 

[TX-Dennis]

Well, I've got a hair over an acre to mow. Let me know when they come out with an electric riding mower. :)

Actually, Ryobi makes one now. Supposedly runs for 2 hours per charge. I don't know anything about it really, though.

RYOBI Electric Riding Mower

 

[TX-Dennis]

Yeah, replacement batteries are expensive. I have a DeWalt 18v drill. After 10 years or so the batteries (nimh) would only last a few minutes each. Time for new batteries. I found a pack of two replacement batteries would cost over $150 - more than I had paid for the drill and two batteries originally. But I also noticed that Lowes had a 20v lithium DeWalt with two batteries on sale for $149. So I bought a new drill for less than the cost of batteries alone.

A replacement battery for the mower is around $300. Not cheap, but I'm hoping to go several years before I need one. Lithium batteries do last longer than the old nimh ones did,

Time will tell.

 

[TX-Dennis]

Just can't see it. I suppose I am old and set in my ways. I bought a Torro 10 years or so back for approx $350.00. I have my mower guy, change the plug, sharpen the blade, change oil, etc at the start of each year. It costs less than $20.00. I buy a 5 gallon can of premium no-alcohol gas and it will last all season. It always starts on first or 2nd pull.

Your mower guy works for nothing. Around here that would cost $100 or more. Just buying the oil, plug, and an air filter would cost more than that.

 

[2152hq]

I really don't have a liking for the battery powered stuff.
They always run down too quick and/or just don't have the power needed.

I'm not a gas engine type mechanic either but a gas lawn mower keeps running pretty easily year to year w/some simple maint.
A basic replacement is cheap enough when the time comes. They seem to last me 15yrs or so, but then I don't have the acres of grass to cut like many of you do.
The $250/300 battery replacement cost for the new bat powered ones after 3 or 4 yrs would easily buy a nice gas replacement mower every 3 to 4 yrs for me.
But I don't need one every 3 to 4 yrs.
Besides when the neighbor's kid gets too noisy, what else can I use to counter the noise.

Aren't the lithium batterys (lithium-ion ?) the ones they had the problems with catching fire for no apparent reason?,,or was that a system problem with whatever apparatus they happened to be installed in?
(I've never had any problems with my own Hoverboard)

 

[dockmurgw]

Come to think of it, it would be entertaining to watch someone use a battery powered mower on a lawn that's tall and thick because extended rain kept you off it longer than normal. Mow 10', recharge battery, repeat.

 

[vt_shooter]

Battery-powered tools are fine until your battery won't take a charge any longer and the manufacturer stops manufacturing the model battery that's needed.

 

[Lee Barner]

do they come with a remote control? I've got a nice lawn chair and good shade. lee

Muss, that's called a CAN holder.

 

[Mark S.]

Ryobi

Since I had about 20 Ryobi 18v tools I went ahead and bout the chain saw about 15 years ago, it still is doing fine,. About 10 years ago I bought the 18v weed whacker. It was junk! Then I bought the Ryobi 40v weed whacker; what a dream come true.

I have a Ryobi 18v Blower, Hedge trimmer and Weed wacker (Mine's fine). So when my gas mower crapped out, I opted for the Ryobi 20" 18v.

I was going for the 40v but decided to remain compatible with my other tools. It takes two 18v batteries. My yard is real small and it works like a dream.

Now I keep my fingers crossed that Ryobi keeps making the same 18v batteries. I have about 6 of them and all keep good charges. That was the problem I had with Black & Decker battery operated tools... they kept making new style batteries and eliminating the old style. Thus the tool became obsolete.

 

[Muss Muggins]

do they come with a remote control? I've got a nice lawn chair and good shade. lee

Muss, that's called a CAN holder.

Nope. Last time I bought promotional coozies for my business, I got the ones that fit a Solo cup . . .

 

[H Richard]

I used to have a John Deere 48" cut (with cup holder) for a little over a half acre of lawn, but having to cut around a dozen gardens. Now I sit by my computer and watch the Association contractor mow the grass (and clear the snow and trim the shrubs). Life is good.

 

[Old Corp]

Guess I'm old and stubborn.
I mow and keep up our yard, ~1 acre and another piece of property we own about 7 miles away that has my range on it. That's 2 acres.

Have a 42" rider for each. The 2 acre location has a shed with my 12 y.o. 'Scott's ' mower made by John Deere in it.
Home has a new Cub Cadet that I love.

I maintain, do oil changes, filter cleans or changes, sharpen blades, do it all with both mowers.

Think my Dad must've really instilled in me his belief that a man doesn't pay others to do that which he can do himself.
Will admit once the 95° days come on, I do start questioning that.

 

[Tom K]

I love battery operated equipment. I am a user of the Ryobi 18v tools, mainly because they are priced right. I have a couple of drills and drivers, circular saw, reciprocating saw, jigsaw, angle grinder, vacuum, tire pump, leaf blower, LED work light, and I don't know what else.

The old NiMH or NiCads were junk, but the lithium batteries now available work great and I have yet to have one fail. I actually have a couple of them in the original package that I have never opened because I just haven't needed them.

The beauty of the rechargeable stuff is that as long as you keep the batteries charged, you just pick it up and it works. I hate dealing with extension cords, and gas powered stuff is loud and vibrates. Granted, the rechargeables won't do everything and I still have my corded circular saw if I'm doing a LOT of cutting, but 95% of the time the Ryobi stuff is all I need.

I also have a Ryobi 40v weedeater and a self-propelled 20" mower. We have a one acre lot and I have a riding mower for the majority of it but I like to use the push mower and weedeater around the house and trees so I can get close and neat. Driving my mower around the trees creates a circular rut that I don't like and it can't get in all the tight areas.

I used to use a gas weedeater and hated it, ditto with a corded electric. Then I got the 40v Ryobi and was sold. When the Ryobi 40v push mower went on sale at the end of the season last year I went ahead and bought it too and so far it works well, and is a lot more pleasant to use than my old gas push mower. I also love that it will fold up and store vertically, taking up much less floor space. The grass catcher bag is tiny and has to be emptied pretty often, but I just dump it into a yard waste bag and when that gets full, dump it in the clippings pile. The battery takes several hours to charge but I have enough of them to get the job done without having to wait.

The mower is pretty much all plastic which makes it light, so I don't know how well it will hold up. This is my first year with it so we'll see, but so far I really like it. I will say that you'd need to have a pretty small yard for this to be your one and only mower.

 

[huthike]

Have a 30 year old Honda mower that I overspent for then. Started right up this year. Eventually I’ll need a battery replacement mower...


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[STCM(SW)]

My hunting buddy works at THD repair tech on equipment.
Out of the box DEA on battery mowers is not uncommon.
Don't try to mow high grass, will not work.
Won't mow wet grass, won't run.
High battery failure.
That is what he see's.
I'll stick with my Honda self propelled gas burner with maintenance once a year or so.... :)

 

[Cellar Hound]

1993 - Purchased a Sears Craftsman 4.8 mower with a Briggs and Stratton engine. Only change the oil once per year and sharpen the blades every two. Still running like when I bought it. Just lucky I guess.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

I use a John Deere riding grass eater.........However 4 years ago we bought our daughter a Ryobi 40V electric mower. It still work like new.

 

[brucev]

If I had to cut 3.8 acres, like at the last parsonage where I lived, I'd have a riding mower. But, thankfully... I don't have such a pasture to cut! PTL!!! The yard I cut measures .38 acres. Big enough for me! Grass cuts like butter! Just gorgeous. Have a self-propelled gas lawn mower provided by the church. I can edge and cut the entire yard in about 1 hour. Bought a Husqvarna self-propelled lawn mower last Saturday for $25 at a yard sale. It was a good deal. I'm giving it to my son-in-law since it will do a good job for them. If the day comes that I have to buy a lawn mower, I'll almost certainly take a good hard look at a electric mower. One of my neighbors have one. It does an extremely good job. The neighbor has a yard about the same size as mine. I cut the grass twice a week so that it will look nice. A light weight self-propelled electric lawn-mower would be nice and quite ... let me listen to a symphony while cutting the grass. Sincerely. bruce.