DIY & Home Improvement
Related: About this forumElectric, self-propelled lawnmowers.
I have 2 Briggs and Stratton 19" mowers that are in rough shape. So I've decided to get rid of them and replace with an electric self propelled mower. Any suggestions?
I've got a Ricoh riding electric, but I need a smaller mower, to get areas that don't work with the Ricoh mower.
GP6971
(32,977 posts)self propelled 20" 40V, 6ah. Used it for the first time today and was happy with it. It was $399 at Home Depot.
OAITW r.2.0
(28,361 posts)Permanut
(6,636 posts)So I'm in the second season with it, and I like it. Got it on sale at Costco, I think it was $599.
It has an 80 volt motor, so more powerful than some of the others. It comes with two batteries, and you put both of them in at the same time. It is smart enough to use up the left battery, then switch to the right one.
I have a small house on a level 7,500 sq ft lot, so big front yard, big back yard. I've never come close to using up both batteries. I have used up one and gone to the second one if the grass is tall or wet.
The self propelled speed is variable, so you can set it for your walking speed. I'm glad it is self propelled, because it's heavier than those old Briggs & Stratton's we're used to. You need a little extra push when you turn off the self propelled to make a turn.
The controls took a few minutes to master, but are pretty friendly. It has the feature that if you let go of the handles, it stops - which I like.
OAITW r.2.0
(28,361 posts)yorkster
(2,406 posts)It's our first electric, so nothing to compare it to...
usonian
(13,786 posts)Ryobi is Home Depot's house brand, and I have had a few chain saws fall apart. And a power sprayer lost seal/pressure. Not sure how. Simple items hang in there. Drills, power packs etc.
Ego has a good name, IIRC.
Ricoh? Does it have a built-in camera?
Good Luck.
OAITW r.2.0
(28,361 posts)Mental fart on my part.
usonian
(13,786 posts)Ricoh? I recall they made fun stuff.
3Hotdogs
(13,394 posts)to control. I have an Ego hedge trimmer and it is good. I have two Ego snow blowers. (Step daughter lives upstairs and I run one while she runs the other). Both are good.
I have Ryobi weed wackers and a Ryobi hedge trimmer with an extension pole. Both trimmers work well.
In summary -- the difference is in the batteries. Ryobi batteries are smaller. Therefore, easier to work with. On the other hand, when I am volunteering in the swamp, I bring my Ryobi wacker and Dennis brings his Ego. Ego's bigger battery lasts longer. One Ego battery outlasts one large and one small Ryobi battery. In the swamp trails, they all outlast me. I run out of energy before the batteries do.
OAITW r.2.0
(28,361 posts)So I bought a 2nd battery pack that lets me do the entire yard without waiting for a recharge.The deck is hi-impact plastic...it seems lighter and definitely easier to clear than the Ryobi metal deck.
3Hotdogs
(13,394 posts)EYESORE 9001
(27,515 posts)With all the rains, coupled with fertilizer treatments, I havent been able to use the self-propelled feature. Its been taking more battery power lately. Once summer drought arrives, itll work fine.
OAITW r.2.0
(28,361 posts)Starting to slow down now (grass growth rate), so that's a good thing. But you need to clean the deck often. In early spring my rider gets recharged and I clean the deck. You don't want to increase the blade resistance with packed grass....that requires more energy to keep the blades turning.
wishstar
(5,486 posts)When I bought it at Lowe's in 2015 they didn't offer self-propelled yet and I was used to self-propelled gas mowers but I have been totally happy with just a push mower. Seems like they only offer it in self-propelled now though. My mower has performed perfectly with no maintenance except I replaced blade this year. It is engineered so well, ergonomic and light weight with easy to use level to quickly raise and lower the deck. My yard has a moderately steep slope but yet I have no problem with this mower. (I'm just 5'3 and 70 yrs old). Mower came with two 80 batteries and fast charger and I have to change the battery halfway through. Batteries are holding their charge well. I mow about once a week for 6 months of the year.