I'm thinking about replacing my lawn equipment (trimmer, blower, and hedge clippers) with the rechargible type. I'm keeping my gas lawn mower, though.
I'm leaning towards Troy Bilt, which makes 20V Li-Ion models for all of the above. Thing is, Troy Built seems to gouge you on the batteries. Their Hedge Clippers and Blower do not include a battery or charger (which is about $160 extra (battery $120, charger $40). The Trimmer does include one battery and charger which works with all the other units, and I really want two sets, so I'd have to buy an additional batt/charger.
One the otherhand, Black and Decker makes all of the above in 24V Li-Ion, and includes one battery and charger with each unit, so the set costs ~$150 less and includes 3 battery and charger sets (instead of the two I'd get with the Troy-Bilt). Plus, replacement 24V B&D batteries are half the price of Troy Bilt.
But to me, Black and Decker seems flimsy. I went to Lowes and handled both the trimmers there, and the Troy-Bilt feels better to me ...
The most common complaint I've read in reviews is battery life and longevity ... which is why I think the more batteries, the better.
Anyone use any of these?
I bought a rechargeable B&D line trimmer, the battery lasted not quite 3 seasons. The catch that let the head adjust broke so it was a little annoying.
I got a B&D corded line trimmer that's been decent, and I've had 2 B&D 20" lawn mowers that plug in. I like it better that gas, you just have to get used to the cord. I hit something hard with the first one and it vibrated a lot.
To me, the extra expense of the batteries isn't worth it.
Your mileage may vary....
Cheers,
Radar
Edit-Weird....This is my 999th post, according to my profile, when you click show posts...
A few days ago, the front page turned 1000, now it says 1008----Weird 😐
Perhaps a few got deleted with threads where others were misbehaving, leaving you with 999 posts out of your total 1008.
I live in a condo...haven't used lawn equipment in about 17 years..:-)
I would not reccommend a battery lawn mower. My fiance has one and unless the grass is short, it can't get through the heavy grass. Also if you have a big lawn, don't expect to get it completed on one charge.
B & D CST 1000
I bought this for my wife for Mothers Day (yes Mothers Day), many, many years ago.
She lets me use it every time I mow the yard. She is so nice.
I think we got it at Lowes?
Never had to replace a battery. Ready to go every time I mow (usually once a week, but it has been many weeks so far this summer)...
The job site:
I have a B&D trimmer and hedger that use the same 18V batteries. Both came with two batteries and the charger and are on their second season. With our heat this year I didn't really use either near as much as last year but I can trim both my front and back with one battery on the weed whacker or the hedge clippers. 170'x 70' lot and I have a lot of trimming with the deck and pool and trees.
I've been very satisfied with both of them. The weed whacker is called the BrushHog and has self feeding string. A roll lasted an entire season. The self feeding has been flawless and really saves a lot of wear and tear on your arms from the up and down beating that most require. I have a strap on my back so it's just a nice gentle motion to trim around the driveway, fences and trees.
I use the Ryobi 18 volt Lithium trimmer and blower. Both work great. My lot size is 0.7 acres, I use the trimmer first, charge it while I mow, then finish up with the trimmer and blower. It is much easier than dealing with a gas powered trimmer.
I bought a B&D battery mower in 1996 to mow our very small lawn (about 10' x 18'). I had to replace the battery last year for the first time.
Someone mentioned hitting something hard with a mower that caused it to vibrate. I did the same thing last spring, but an inspection of the mower didn't reveal any obvious cause, so I just lived with it. About a month ago I hit something hard again, and it knocked whatever what out of balance back into balance. Now it runs smoothly again. 🙂
I've used one of these 24-volt lawnmowers for the past three years.
No major complaints. Much quieter, but not as much horsepower. Gives you the motivation to not let your grass get out of hand. It will cut six inch grass, but it will struggle.
If you cut once-a-week, it's fine.
http://www.amazon.com/Earthwise-60120-20-Inch-Cordless-Electric/dp/B001DZJYJO
10'x18' and you bought a battery lawn mower? DUDE!! You could mow that yard with a pair of scissors!! They don't cost as much and you do not have to replace batteries or pay an electric bill to recharge them.;-)
PR-
We have 4 legged turf managers at North Aboyne Farm !
TNAI
Derek, My HOA wouldn't like that.
Thanks for the responses. It's good see some people have had good luck with these. Still not sure which brand, though.
I had a rechargeable lawn mower (24volt) that lasted for almost 10 years. The batteries are heavy. It handled a standard suburban lawn with no problem but couldn't cut very deep grass.
The nice part is there is no gas, no oil, it starts every time. It was pretty much maintenance free.
It had 2-12 volt batteries. I replaced them at about 7 years. The dealer said the newer ones have 4-6 volt batteries and they die after a few seasons. The bigger batteries lasted longer according to him.
I think it was a Toro.
> 10'x18' and you bought a battery lawn mower? DUDE!! You could mow that yard with a pair of scissors!!
That's what I thought, but after struggling to run a push mower through it for a few months, a friend lent me his rechargeable mower, and I was sold! The grass was just too thick for the push mower to work effectively, and the rechargeable made it soooooo easy...
My neighbor (he must be 80+) uses a pushmower every week. His grass is pretty thin though.
My across-the-culdesac neighbor has an electric lawnmower that he pushes around. Apparently it replaced the 1990 vintage Honda HR215-HXA Hydrostatic variable speed self propelled sho nuff aluminum chassis blade with a clutch mower he put out on the curb a couple weeks ago. Drained and cleaned the fuel tank and carb, checked the valves and cleaned the plug, put in fresh gas changed the oil and a new blade....I feel kind of guilty cutting my yard with it.
But to answer the question, no, I wouldn't have an electric mower or blower. Trimmer for the shrubs with a cord sure. The gas blowers are about $75 and when they quit running right you just tighten the screws that hold the carburetor to the cylinder and it runs fine until you have to do it again. It's all throw away stuff nowadays....unlike the vintage Honda mower!
Anyone using Battery Powered Lawn Equipment? Not Me, Nope
I would rather use gas powered, my yard weapons of choice are as follows:
1. Stihl Backpack Blower (friggin awesome)
4. Stihl Edger
6. Echo Weedeater 10 years and still runs like a champ, to be replaced with a Stihl one day.
PR-
Here's a news wire of Sat Aug 20 2011
http://www.guelphmercury.com/news/local/article/581200--production-of-linamar-s-lawn-mowers-stalls
Cheers
Derek
> I bought a B&D battery mower in 1996 to mow our very small lawn (about 10' x 18'). I had to replace the battery last year for the first time.
"Last year" was in 2010. I kept the mower on its charger all winter, but when I tried to mow the lawn for the first time this year a couple of days ago, it wouldn't run. A voltmeter showed the expected voltage at the battery terminals, so I started looking at everything else to see what was wrong. After an hour or so of poking about I decided that maybe the batteries (a pair of 12v 18ah SLAs in series) were failing to provide enough current. I cannibalized two of my GPS battery packs to make up a replacement, installed it and bingo! -- the mower worked fine.
The original batteries lasted almost 14 years. The Chinese replacement(s) -- I haven't investigated yet to see if it's both or only one -- barely made it 2 years. Very disappointing, given the hassle of replacement.
