Terminalcoffee discussion

Anybody got a lawnmower they love? Hate? My mower has kicked the bucket.

Anyone got one of those rechargeable electric ones? I want one of those, but I know my neighbor's has a $90 battery that needed to be replaced after two years.

Time is of essence. The lawn is taking over.

I used to have a push mower - the really old kind. We upgraded in the 1970s to an electric. That worked fine, but you had to be careful not to run over the (very long) cord.

Lately we've just picked up whatever was on sale at sears. If you look closely, you'll see that most of the machines have the same motor, so now you're down to bells & whistles.

Good luck.

Yeah, that's why I'm specifically wondering about good stories of battery life.

My neighbor has one of these and he swears by it!
http://www.amazon.com/Fiskars-6201-18...

Can't do reel mower. My lawn would laugh at it as it jammed.
I want an electric mower with a battery that doesn't cost as much as a mower to replace.
Off to the library. Consumer Reports will have to do if none of y'all have a suggestion.

Battery powered push mowers did not make a big impression on Consumer Reports. Several were given high "GOOD" ratings, but none reached "VERY GOOD."

Among the GOOD were:
Black & Decker CM1936
Black & Decker CM1936ZF2
Black & Decker CMM1200
Toro 20360

Their ratings were similar, with "very good" for mulching and ease of use. Scores for bagging and handling were "good." Prices show as $400-$500.

There are corded models as well, but I didn't search on those.

There were also a good number of self-propelled electric machines. The highest rated on Consumer Reports is the

Black & Decker SPCM1936

It also got higher reviews from owners. CR shows the approximate retail price at $450.

I also do the whichever push mower is the cheapest method. I tried one of those reel mowers a couple of years back because it seemed like a cool idea, but even the smallest twig would cause it to jam. I did two strips with it and then boxed it up and took it back.

As much as I usually hate buying anything with a motor made in Japan, my Honda HR214 has served me well but is unfortunately on its last legs, held together with duct tape and a prayer.

I think I'm going for a Toro next. End of year sales coming up soon.

i have 2 acres to mow and i use a toro 42" riding mower and occasionally a toro push mower. both fossil fuel. here is the thing with mowers (and weedeaters), you 100% most def get what you pay for. buy the best one you can afford and you will have it longer and have fewer problems. i have not always done this and have mega frustrations with equipment. unless you really enjoy the art and zen of lawn maintenance basically we want our grass to get cut and not look crappier than the neighbors.

I wish I could help, Sarah, but the electric mower I used to have was corded, and for now I pay someone to mow my 1+ acre lot.

Interestingly, the consumer reports criteria mostly seemed to be on whether or not it mulched, whether or not it this or that...Nothing about need for repairs, or cost of replacement battery, or even battery life or charge time or anything like that.
all I want is for it to mow. ANd to have a little bit of longevity. And for the battery not to cost more than the mower to replace.
I'm going to go buy one of the ones that consumer reports put middle-of-the-list, since their criteria didn't really matter to me.

What I really want is a small goat. I would put him on a long leash and move him to a different tree each day and the lawn would then take care of itself. Unfortunately the wife thinks that we would come across as wayward hillbillies, living in the middle of town and what not... ::shrugs::

I am all about the goat. It would also eat the triffids and the vines, so bonus!

Just remember that goats mulch, too. Watch your step!

I wish I had some good advice about battery-operated mowers. I'm using an antique hand-me-down Snapper composed of parts from several of my dad's previous mowers. I call it Frankenstein, but it gets the job done. I'm dreading the day I have to buy a new mower. Good luck in your search.

Goats are awesome. They'll eat almost anything (they're not crazy about nettles but that's about it) and you'll get free fertilizer. Also: goat babies are cute.

We just get a guy in to do the lawns. He is equipped with his own mower.