Been using a corded electric for 20+ years. Last season I got a Ryobi 40V lithium battery electric. Cuts about 400 sqm on one charge. Light, quiet and enough power. So far, so good.
An acquaintance of mine was a big supplier to the big box stores in the US. They had the lawn-mower decks manufactured and powder-coated in China, final assembly in the US. A few thousand were set for shipment and when exposed to sunlight the decks turned from red to orange (under natural UV). Powder resin supplier had not incorporated UV protection.
We had a lawn boy when I was a little kid, I remember it only ran on white gas. My dad loaned it to a neighbor who ignored my dad's warning that the only acceptable fuel was white gas. I remember my dad rebuilding it afterwards, and the neighbor payed for the overhaul kit. That was the last time my dad loaned out the lawn mower. When I was a bit older 11 - 12ish I mowed the lawn occasionally for my dad. (We got gardeners around that time so it was not an often thing.. lol) I did not ruin the lawn mower. LOL My recollection was that it was fairly easy to start.
I think, but am not sure if it was a 2 stroke or 4 stroke, given the fuel sensitivity problems I suspect 2 stroke.
I think, but am not sure if it was a 2 stroke or 4 stroke, given the fuel sensitivity problems I suspect 2 stroke.
Get a battery powered one, you ears and back and elbows will thank you for it.
I just bought one and for about US$300 that I can start, push and manoeuvre it with one hand. Just be careful too choose a product with a battery life of 30-60 mins. Some of them about 20 mins which might be ok for smaller lawns like yours,
So impressive I showed it to my wife. Well, it's not THAT impressive that she wanted to mow the lawn.
The first time I spotted a cordless battery mower was in the early 1970s.
It was powered by a wet cell 12 volt battery and was based on the frame of a cylinder mower. I was not sure if it was a DIY conversion or not. A small solar panel on the shed roof will look after the charging these days.
Rotary mowers make an awful lot of noise for what they do.
When I was a teenager we had a 2-stroke hover mower. It used to take the proverbial and rub salt into your ego when it came to being hard to start. Even my farther used to use words that would get me banned from here when he was trying to start the thing.
It was powered by a wet cell 12 volt battery and was based on the frame of a cylinder mower. I was not sure if it was a DIY conversion or not. A small solar panel on the shed roof will look after the charging these days.
Rotary mowers make an awful lot of noise for what they do.
When I was a teenager we had a 2-stroke hover mower. It used to take the proverbial and rub salt into your ego when it came to being hard to start. Even my farther used to use words that would get me banned from here when he was trying to start the thing.
Well if you want to pay 4 to 6 times the money, a cordless electric mower is great - if it's 80 volts.
https://www.lowes.ca/product/cordle...0-volt-21-in-self-propelled-lawn-mower-961491
https://www.lowes.ca/product/cordle...0-volt-21-in-self-propelled-lawn-mower-961491
I've got an old "EarthWise" (or something...) 24V; two, 18AH 12V sealed lead acid. A little heavy, especially when the whole push handle assembly twists when I have to ride it up on just two wheels to clear something on one side or another. Otherwise...it works. Wouldnt touch an IC machine with a 10 ft pole these days, but they were fascinating when I was a kid.
Why? I was owned by 3 homes that required a rider. Gas, belts, transmission rebuilds, tires, batteries, those ... bags that fill up on every loop, two attempts at DIY custom piped collection trailers, unclogging the ... thing every time 'round; pretty much hated every minute of it.
The last big lot home and its machine threw the internal governor on an 18HP twin Craftsman. I just hooked the cable directly to the throttle; sounded like Sunday at the MC races whenever I mowed. Left it for the new owner, whom I noted replaced it pretty quickly.
Why? I was owned by 3 homes that required a rider. Gas, belts, transmission rebuilds, tires, batteries, those ... bags that fill up on every loop, two attempts at DIY custom piped collection trailers, unclogging the ... thing every time 'round; pretty much hated every minute of it.
The last big lot home and its machine threw the internal governor on an 18HP twin Craftsman. I just hooked the cable directly to the throttle; sounded like Sunday at the MC races whenever I mowed. Left it for the new owner, whom I noted replaced it pretty quickly.
Try one of these! I used to service and sharpen them in the 70's. Cut grass like you measured each blade with a micrometer. I grew up around the large estates of Lake Geneva WI, they all used these. Check out the brochure for Locke mowers in the link.
https://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0g....400237//RK=2/RS=JJsyjXS9YtfNs3vcOrfpx9PA_WQ-
https://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0g....400237//RK=2/RS=JJsyjXS9YtfNs3vcOrfpx9PA_WQ-
Are those crazy hover mowers still made in the UK?
BTW, glad to finally learn that I'm not the only one to have a devil of a time starting two stroke mowers.
BTW, glad to finally learn that I'm not the only one to have a devil of a time starting two stroke mowers.
Yes, indeed!
I replaced my Flymo with a wheeled Gtech cordless - so much easier for an old duffer like me to use!
I have a lot more grass to cut than you do. About 4000 square m. I've used a tractor for decades, but a a few years ago I took a chance and bought a battery powered tractor. Best outdoor power equipment buy ever! No more need to mess with gas, no oil changes, and I don't even need to wear ear protection when cutting. Service consists of sharpening the blades (which is super easy as the mowing deck simply detaches from the tractor by unplugging one connector and removing two clevis pins) and blowing the lawn debris off the tractor after each outing. The beast has loads of torque and doesn't complain at all when pulling the aerator or lawn roller.
If I could find a decent battery powered snow blower I'd happily rid myself of the last gas powered piece of equipment I own.
If I could find a decent battery powered snow blower I'd happily rid myself of the last gas powered piece of equipment I own.
Corded version here. Tricks are using a heavy gauge extension cord and approaching the walk route like an optimization problem in minimizing drag, path length and double cuts. Alleviates the boredom.
Probably a B&S engine.
I was using a corded electric mower in the late sixties. Black and Decker I think it was.