Re: rec tech mower

Frank Krygowski <frkrygow@sbcglobal.net> wrote:

On 4/14/2025 1:58 PM, Jeff Liebermann wrote:

 
For a while, there were attempts to meet California CARB requirements
for lawn equipment:
<https://www.lawnstarter.com/blog/lawn-care-2/faq-california-green-lawn-care-law/>
The 2 cycle engines were too dirty to pass the requirements.  4 cycle
would pass, but needed computer controlled ignition and possibly fuel
injection.  They've been largely replaced by battery powered lawn care
equipment.

For many years, my mower has been an old 4 stroke Lawn Boy that I
inherited. It's self propelled, but the walk-behind speed is not fast
enough enough for me, and I hate the noise.
 
I've generally solved the problem by hiring teenagers to cut my lawn.
But the last available one, who's done it the past few years has
graduated college. I'm afraid I'm going to have to do the mowing myself.
 
I'd love to have an electric mower, largely because they are so quiet
and can be stored very compactly in my overcrowded garage. But our lot
is about 0.6 acres, with tons of creative landcaping (by my wife) that
is beautiful, but requires detailed mowing. For a few years I was half
owner of a riding mower but I sold it. It was very inappropriate due to
the large number of obstacles. It took almost as long as a walk behind
mower.
 

Not sure that’s particularly an obstacle, probably big much in one go for
my small electric lawn mower, which I’ve had for years, though my sister
has a property with similar sized garden that they have larger electric
mower though her husband like you hates mowing so they pay for gardeners!

But the mower copes just fine and is quite a few years old, not aware of
battery issues be that running out of power or batteries degrading to a
point of replacement.

If it was just a trim ie not the 1st cut of the season or left too late
then even a smaller mower though then your stopping to empty.

It’s a small garden though large enough for a garden pond and so on, the
battery on the mower has 4 bars, if it’s just a trim doesn’t move and I
only charge it as and when, it’s not worth charging every time as it’s not
even registered that it’s lost power.

Again, I'd love an electric mower, but I'm not aware of one with
sufficient run time to do this lawn. Also, I've read some complaints
that the (rather expensive) batteries last only a few years (like 3
years in some cases) before needing replacement.
 
Advice is welcome, especially from those who actually have first hand
knowledge.
 

I think you’re overthinking it! I would say that if you do get a smaller
mower then you’ll be emptying it more frequently which can be tedious.

Roger Merriman