Lawn mowers: post your gear

[Art Vandelay]

I used a reel mower when my lawn was small. I loved it. I think it's better on your lawn, honestly. I had way fewer issues with fungi, pests, and weeds when I used a reel mower. Maybe that's anecdotal, but it feels correct. I wish there were some in-between with reel mowers. You have a bunch of $100-150 options, and then you jump straight to $1200+.

I would guess the health of the lawn has more to do with the sharpness of the blade(s) than which direction they turn. It seems a clean cut would be better for the grass than anything that tears and pulls. But that is purely speculative on my part.

[clackamascoug]

I used a reel mower when my lawn was small. I loved it. I think it's better on your lawn, honestly. I had way fewer issues with fungi, pests, and weeds when I used a reel mower. Maybe that's anecdotal, but it feels correct. I wish there were some in-between with reel mowers. You have a bunch of $100-150 options, and then you jump straight to $1200+.

In the 90's I used a reel mower in the front yard - back was too big - and I mowed most every day when I got home from work.

My son and I turned our front lawn into a chip and putt course. We buried a large mouth can in the ground - where you also chipped from - chip out passed the marker - chip back to the can - and chip in for par. Bogies were often - we'd play nine holes and kept score. My son is an excellent chipper to this day. Kids all over the neighborhood would come play. Anyway - when you mow 5 times a week - the reel mower is easier as the grass isn't very long at all - and you can fly through it - and it looks great.

[Donuthole]

I would guess the health of the lawn has more to do with the sharpness of the blade(s) than which direction they turn. It seems a clean cut would be better for the grass than anything that tears and pulls. But that is purely speculative on my part.

I don’t think it’s just the direction the blades turn, but the direction they turn relative to the direction the grass grows and the method in which they cut. Sharpness is key, of course, but good reel mowers make cleaner cuts because they snip the blades of grass between vertically spinning metal blades, as opposed to a horizontally spinning blade hacking at it with the only counter resistance coming from the roots.

You could cut a piece of paper by dangling it in one hand and hacking it with a knife. Or you could snip it between two scissor blades. Which would leave a cleaner cut?

[Art Vandelay]

I don’t think it’s just the direction the blades turn, but the direction they turn relative to the direction the grass grows and the method in which they cut. Sharpness is key, of course, but good reel mowers make cleaner cuts because they snip the blades of grass between vertically spinning metal blades, as opposed to a horizontally spinning blade hacking at it with the only counter resistance coming from the roots.

You could cut a piece of paper by dangling it in one hand and hacking it with a knife. Or you could snip it between two scissor blades. Which would leave a cleaner cut?

That makes sense.

[Pelado]

So I see the Milwaukee and DeWalt mower options now, but they tend to be a lot pricier than some of the other options, so I probably won't go that direction. Makita has some interesting options, though. For example, for $399, this model comes with four 18V LXT 4.0Ah batteries:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Makita-1...71126-23-12140

If I were buying just the batteries with no mower, it could run me $398:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Makita-1...0B-2/206605904

And, based on my limited research, Makita is generally right up there in the mix with Milwaukee and DeWalt as the best battery-operated tool manufacturers.

So I got my gas-powered Troy-Bilt (with Briggs & Stratton motor) back up and running, but I think I'll still have to replace it soon, but it might hold out into the next cutting season. Where should I look for the best deals? Any ideas on the best time to buy?

After a fair amount of research on the Makita mower, I decided to go another direction (even though I bought into the Makita power tool lineup last year). Apparently, it's a bit underpowered with only 36V (18 + 18), its runtime is not that great, and I was concerned that the batteries would have to be replaced sooner since they would be going through a lot more charging cycles.

Costco was having a special on the 80V Greenworks mower for $500. My recollection is that Greenworks was pretty highly rated. But of course I waited to buy it until after getting back from a trip. By then, the special was over, so I got to pay $600.

I just tried it out this morning and it works well. I was surprised at how well it powered through some really tall grass and, in another area, some tall and wet grass, without cutting out like my gas mower would have. And the two batteries it came with were enough to complete the entire yard, front and back, even including some of the neighbor's yard in front since I'm not exactly sure where the property line is.

It's supposed to be self-propelled, but I didn't use that feature since I wanted better control over the pace (because of how tall the grass was), I wanted longer runtime on the batteries, and I need the exercise, anyway.

[BigFatMeanie]

My John Deere-branded gas mower (Briggs and Stratton engine) crapped out after 16 years of faithful service. I evaluated and did a bunch of research on electric vs. gas and finally went with this Ryobi 40V for $573 last week:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-40...S-LB/320188187

I easily did my whole lawn (about 2000 s.f. of grass) on 1 charge of the battery - I may be able to get 2 or three mowings out of one charge. And there is a second onboard battery that I can swap over to if needed, so having enough battery power is not an issue.

Pros: It is much lighter than a gas operated steel deck mower. Simpler to start. Zero maintenance - no oil change, no air filter change, no gas to deal with. The self-propelled has multiple speeds which you can choose between. Much quieter than a gas mower.

Cons: The self-propelled mode seems pretty weak. There is a small delay between when I grab the self-propelled handle and when it actually engages and starts moving. This is kind of annoying when I make a turn at the end of the row. That being said, the lightness of it also means it's not a big deal to push it and get it moving while the self-propelled kicks in. The plastic deck and the construction feels "cheaper" and I think it's unlikely to last 16 years like my gas-mower did, but time will tell.

Neutrals: It cuts just fine - didn't seem any different than a gas mower, has the bagging attachment or can do mulching or side-discharge.

Verdict: If I had to mow a big huge lawn then I might not want to go electric but for a normal-sized home lawn I think it's good so far.

[BigFatMeanie]

One other thought: dual blade seem to be the latest development in both gas and electric powered mowers. Manufacturers are charging a premium for it. I don't see the value of it. Maybe if I was mowing the lawn at the Royal Botanical Gardens I might need a dual blade but for average residential use it seems like high-priced overkill. Maybe this is another one of my takes The Dude will hate but it's just like, my opinion, man!

[Donuthole]

I ended up down a wormhole the other day looking at electric reel mowers. I found the one I would like, but I don't think Mrs. D is gonna let me buy it:

https://www.allett-usa.com/products/allett-stirling-51-battery-cylinder-mower

[beefytee]

I ended up down a wormhole the other day looking at electric reel mowers. I found the one I would like, but I don't think Mrs. D is gonna let me buy it:

https://www.allett-usa.com/products/...cylinder-mower

That looks like a beautiful machine!

And yes, the Royal Botanical Gardens would use a reel mower.

[Northwestcoug]

I ended up down a wormhole the other day looking at electric reel mowers. I found the one I would like, but I don't think Mrs. D is gonna let me buy it:

https://www.allett-usa.com/products/...cylinder-mower

You musn't be afraid to dream bigger darling:

https://www.allett-usa.com/collections/homeowner-mowers/products/allett-buckingham-30h-petrol-cylinder-mower

[Donuthole]

You musn't be afraid to dream bigger darling:

https://www.allett-usa.com/collectio...cylinder-mower

Petrol? I'm trying to beautify the earth, not ruin it, bruh.

[chrisrenrut]

Honda announced that they will stop manufacturing gas powered mowers in September 2023. In a little torn by this. Our current Honda mower has been amazing, and I’m a bit hesitant to go electric. It will probably be 5 years before I have to decide, and I won’t have any good gas options by then.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Honda announced that they will stop manufacturing gas powered mowers in September 2023. In a little torn by this. Our current Honda mower has been amazing, and I’m a bit hesitant to go electric. It will probably be 5 years before I have to decide, and I won’t have any good gas options by then.

I have converted most of my yard tools to electric: edger, trimmer, blower and they are fantastic. EGO brand. Will be replacing the mower at some point. Also, I am selling my gas chain saw to get an EGO chain saw.

[Clark Addison]

I've had a Honda mower for 10-15 years. I'll probably get an electric when it dies, but I am hoping that is another 10-15 years away.

[Bo Diddley]

Robot mower? Or just pay a neighbor kid?