wait a sec.

My current mower (a self-propelled Troy Built) is getting close to the end of its lifespan (I've had it a decade, with 2 cross-country moves). Its plastic and rubber parts are cracking, have broken off, or dry rotted. I have to manually put the belt back on the self propelling motor a few times per season. Because of the plastic break downs the bagging attachment doesn't fit properly any more, etc.

Now understand APM is very frugal (I can rub to nickels together and make the buffaloes fart), so I can/will hold onto the TB for as long as needed. However, last year I replaced my old gas-powered trimmer with an electric and I love it.

Just wondering, have any of you used an electric mower and if so, what has been your experience with them? Are they powerful enough to get the job done? How long will a charge last? etc.

jroberts®

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I have a Greenworks

Aug 28, 2014, 9:08 AM

I have the 40-volt, 19-inch Greenworks, bought off of Woot! a while ago (link to the woot! page: http://tools.woot.com/offers/greenworks-cordless-3-in-1-lawn-mower).

Current model year webpage: http://www.greenworkstools.com/gmax40v/gmax-40v-mowers/19-inch-cordless-lawn-mower-battery-inc/

I had trouble out of the box, it wouldn't start. I called the Greenworks customer support line (only open M-F 9-5 EST...really?), the lady who answered the phone was very helpful and was able to give me a couple trouble shooting steps and the number for my nearest authorized repair center, just in case the tips didn't help. Ends up there's a sheet metal stop opposite the electric switch, meant to be a stop for the draw bar safety handle. If it doesn't retract enough, the starter won't reset and it won't start. Bent the sheet metal down about 1/4-inch and it works.

Now, onto the good stuff - the electric motor does not have as much power as a gas engine and it will stall if the grass is really tall or if you're trying to cut too fast. Not entirely a problem, just back it up a little, restart and push through. The bag attachment is adequate, but smallish and the mower will slow/stall as the bag gets full.

It takes me all of one battery and most of the second battery's life to get the whole yard done -- a little less than a 1/4 acre of our lot is cleared, minus the house, takes me about an hour to push mow including all the stops to empty the bag. Both batteries came with the mower, but only one charger. A lot of online reviews have said "make sure you buy a second charger," but I think if you plan ahead and have both batteries charged ahead of time, you'll be OK.

Now for the what I think are the pluses - it's nowhere near as loud as a gas mower, no ear protection required and I could hear my wife yell at me from the door. Nowhere near as much vibration through the handle. And it's a helluva lot lighter than a gas mower. My yard seems to be 3/4 hill, so this was a nice surprise to not have to lug 100+ pounds of mower back up the hill, only the 60 or so that this one weighs.

I've been using it all summer. It's not a bad mower. I would NOT get this if I was still living in Florida and had that shittyassed Floritam/St. Augustine grass, it's just too thick and would swamp the mower's power. And if I had a larger yard I wouldn't want it because of battery life.

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Random question #2 - electric mowers, your experience?

Frugal? Me too. I have a reel mower.***

Props to you sir. If practical, I would do the same.

It helps that I only have about 800 sq. ft. to mow.***

With that much yard, you should get a GSP***

Lucky.

I don't see how it's possible for an lith-ion mower

I dunno, this looks pretty good:

No experience with an electric mower. How big is the area

A few weeks ago I sat on the porch and watched

Oh, and Husqvarna FTW***

yes, this is my concern***

Granted, their lawn is thick, but that's my only experience

I have a Greenworks

Point

Yea, sounds like gas mower is definitely the way to go***

thanks. This is consistent with my trimmer experience.

Screw mowers period

I like mowing my yard...psycho move, I know***

not my cup of tea***

Mowing my lawn is the only peace I get in life.

^^^ $$$$ money***

Always invest in your happy place.***

i cant see the stripes***

Re: Random question #2 - electric mowers, your experience?

Mow your own lawn? You sound poor***

frugal, so I do not become poor***

not a mower, but the Kobalt electric weedeater

yes, I like my electric trimmer

My reccomendations

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