I have been struggling to find an appropriate mower this summer. My old mower will not work without some serious effort, and I just don't have the time or inclination to spend a large part of a couple of days trying to figure it out. Meanwhile, the grass grows and grows; embarassing as the neighbors wonder why you are too lazy to mow. I did a lot of reading of consumer reviews about the electric mowers, as I am so frustrated with the gas powered problems. Electric eliminates the need for gas, oil/oil change, spark plugs, filters, etc. However, they will probably not last long as they are primarily made of plastic parts. The plastic will probably not break or crack until two days after the thirty day return period. The good ones have the largest battery, which also makes them heavy, therefore harder to push uphill. However, if your yard is small and flat, that would not be a problem for you. I had an electric loaded in the car, and returned it before I even left the parking lot. It nagged at me that I would have a $400 pile of plastic in short order, and noone (either retailer or manufacturer) would care. I dont't think $151 will buy you enough mower to actually cut the grass, or last through the season, but again, you might get lucky for a little while. I was talked into a nice machine with a Honda engine, supposedly the longest lasting, so even though there's a higher up front cost, over time it's less expensive, and more reliable, so less frustrating overall. It was self-propelled, which I didn't think I would like, but it has been suggested to me in the last two mowers I have purchased. That fabulous mower lasted two mowings before I returned it. I wanted to be sure to get it back within the thirty day return privelege, because I hated it. I have never had a mower that was so hard to use. I'm 5'8", 142 lb and can haul 80 lb shingles on a hip roof, so I'm not weak, but I could not move this mower. My intuition on self-propelled was right; it just doesn't work for me. I like a lightweight mower that can be pushed AND pulled. A self-propelled will NOT move backwards, even when the self-propelled feature is not engaged. The manual will tell you this, and it is definitely true. I found it extremely unmanueverable. It was also very heavy, and had a "drag". The "drag" is noticeable, even in the store. Only the Honda has the "drag", the other brands don't. I almost couldn't get it up the hill to a flat spot to put the gas in it; it kept dragging me back down the hill, in a slippery, out-of-control way. The rear wheel drive propulsion didn't work for me either; the wheels just spun, which meant I had to push anyway. I had to push a machine that was heavy and difficult, as opposed to mowing like I used to. In looking again for a machine, I talked to the guy at a big box home improvement store who knew immediately (without me telling him) that the self-propelled I returned was rear wheel drive, because the rear wheel drive is known to just spin the wheels, the front wheel drive may actually work (don't know, and won't be testing it to find out). I got lucky to talk to someone with a clue, which you won't necessarily get.
I am back to a cheap, lightweight, maneuverable, gas powered machine. If it only lasts 3 or 4 seasons, it's still way cheaper than having a service.
Bear in mind that these experiences are mine only, and someone else may do really well with self-propelled, but if you have hills and uneven conditions, I don't think you'll like it. I wish I had known these things before I got the mower (but I probably wouldn't have paid attention, thinking the review was written by a weak cry-baby that couldn't be satisfied if they had given her the mower free, and sent someone out to do the work), because loading and unloading those machines from the car is not that much fun, and I was dreading mowing again with my beautiful new machine that I hated, so I was putting it off, trying to talk myself into how fun it would be to mow.
Also, the electric start is a nice feature, but not necessarily a plus. A well maintained machine will start with an easy pull. I believe the maintenance is the key, and the thing I don't do well.
Christine-Mpls
Would anyone have any ideas, thoughts, suggestions on a brand of electric mower?
> I looked at Sears this afternoon & they have a B&D for $151, but I don't think that is going to last me.
> There was another gas mower w/electric start that looked good. It is self=propelled.
> I would love any feedback.
> Thanks
>
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