Cordless lawn mowers - recommendations and feedback (especially on Ryobi models)?

Forums › Home Workshop DIY › Cordless lawn mowers - recommendations and feedback (especially on Ryobi models)?

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#1912319 3-Dec-2017 16:47

Just bringing this back up.

I finally got round to using my $799 - 5AH, mulching, 46cm width one. My section is flat and has about 320sqm of lawn.

Took me just a shade over an hour to mow the lawn and i still had a 1 bar of battery left when i finished. i was rather impressed to be honest. there was a little bit of long grass in there and you can hear the motor change pitch when it hits that stuff but didn't struggle at all.

First impressions were, man its quiet, and you can tell it doesn't have as much power as there is no where near the dust or debris being emitted from under it. it was slightly narrower than my old petrol mower so in some places i had to do an extra pass but thats not a huge deal. Its also light, so pretty easy to manouver, but it is longer by a little which can be a little annoying.

Fast charger has the battery charged in about 75 minutes which is good, but i do have a spare.

all in all its a pretty good mower, the missus even had a go with it to mow under the tramp while i held it up for her. she liked it too.

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wazzageek

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#1949764 31-Jan-2018 22:54

Just revisting this - Bunnings have a Ryobi 36V Brushless for $699 as well (http://www.ryobi.co.nz/products/details/36v-brushless-lawn-mower-50ah-kit)

I purchased this model on the weekend and gave the lawn it's weekly cut - our lawn is maybe 300m2 at a stretch. Loved the weight and lack of noise - It feels more like pushing a vacuum cleaner rather than a lawn mower!

I used the mulch plug to do the lawn and I'm really happy with the result. So far I'm an absolute convert.

The 18V model was in the running - but in the end I went with the macho "more power, better" philosophy...

Linuxluver

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#1949804 1-Feb-2018 07:56

jonathan18:

I'm looking at replacing my current petrol mower, as each time I try to start it that I'm sure it'll be its last. I'm close to being convinced at buying a cordless electric model, given I like the minimal maintenance, and don't know the first thing about motors (hence why my current mower takes 20-30 pulls to start and belches grey smoke like a steam train!).

I've read through all relevant threads here on GZ, and have read the Consumer test report; on that basis, I'm leaning towards one of the Ryobi 36v models; these also have the benefit that over time I can buy some of the other 36v skins.

$599 - 4AH non-mulching, 40cm width
$799 - 5AH, mulching, 46cm width
Is it worth the additional $200 for the more expensive model? Are there any issues I should be aware of with these mowers or the Ryobi 36v series more generally?

Any other models that are better for a similar price (ie, $800 or lower)?

I've looked at the Ego model, which a few people here seem to like, but have been put off by the comments from Consumer readers including problems with clogging (bringing back nightmares of my experience with corded electric mowers!) and the inability to mow close to objects (190mm at the front; 35mm each side, versus 140mm and 15mm on the Ryobis).

Thanks for any feedback.

Have I answered this one? :-)

I bought a 56v "EGo" electric mower with 49" blade.

My property is 2023sqm. I bought a second battery and the optional fast charger.

It's crazy, easy to start: push the power lock down and then hold the dead-man bar...and away it goes. Every time. Never fails. Instantly.

A battery charge lasts about 40 minutes and the fast charger takes about 40 minutes to charge a battery, so I just mow until one battery is drained, take it out, put it on the fast charger, put the second battery in the mower and carry on....and repeat as often as required. Takes seconds. Not messy. No petrol to spill (despite trying not to).

I always mulch, so it that is more power intensive....but the lawn is MUCH happier, being fed instead of remove / dump catcher stuff. It's mainly kikuyu grass, so tough mowing for any mower.

If the grass is wet I have to flip the mower over periodically to scoop out the cludge that accumulates. This is true for petrol mowers, too.....but the electric mower is very light and ....no petrol or oil or spark plugs required. If you want to avoid clogging then cut the grass more often and don't cut within two days after rain. Same for petrol mowers.

Total cost was about $1200.

Each battery charge is about 0.25kWh, so costs about 5 cents. To mow my entire lawn might cost 30 cents.

Maintenance is zero beyond just cleaning it up before putting it away. I've had no problems with battery heating, even on a 30C+ day (last week)....but maybe that's because I have two and swap them and do the charging indoors. I use a separate electric string trimmer for edging / close-to spots.

_____________________________________________________________________

I've been on Geekzone over 16 years..... Time flies....

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#1949805 1-Feb-2018 07:57

So i have now used the mower about 5 times and its been great. given the growing conditions ive had to mow parts of the lawn on the highest setting then drop it down to #3 to finish it off due to how long it is.

Havent had any issues and still like using it. The battery did get hot yesterday due to us and being in the sun so it wouldn't charge straight off

I also have a 36V expand-it line trimmer, edger and blower so between my 3 batteries (1x 2.5ah and 2x 5ah) i can usually do the whole section. will likely get the tiller as well for the garden.

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#1949816 1-Feb-2018 08:10

Bugger, I think I'm going to have to get one of these before too long...

phrozenpenguin

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#1949819 1-Feb-2018 08:24

I've got the 18v Ryobi one and it is working well for our small 100m^2 of lawn. It easily folds back up into the box so can be stored easily and tidily in the garage. Obviously no petrol smells, and in the box most of the grass smells are also contained. Uses the same batteries as my other Ryobi gear e.g. drills and impact drivers etc.

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#1949946 1-Feb-2018 10:48

I ended up purchasing the Ryobi 36v model from Bunnings - last summer I recall having to only mow about once in a couple of months so I was expecting to use this one as little over summer, but given we've had amazing warmth as well as ok rain I've already used it four times.

Totally happy with the purchase; only once did I run out of juice (just) before finishing - that was cutting early in the morning and I'm sure the damp grass made it harder to cut. It doesn't cut as low as my old petrol mower, but then again my father used to say I kept the lawn too short!

It's great being able to just wear headphones rather than earmuffs so mowing's not nearly as boring now either. And my six-year-old, who's always had a thing for mowers, loves using it as well...

I've not tried mulching yet (probably not great for my wife's allergies!), but I do like the idea of not having to dispose of the grass...

wazzageek:

Just revisting this - Bunnings have a Ryobi 36V Brushless for $699 as well (http://www.ryobi.co.nz/products/details/36v-brushless-lawn-mower-50ah-kit)

Your link 404s, so can't see the model you're referring to. How does it differ from the $799 model I linked to in the original post? (https://www.bunnings.co.nz/ryobi-lithium-36v-brushless-lawn-mower-5-0ah-kit-w-fast-charger_p03381151) Perhaps Bunnings had it on sale when you bought it? (Good for you if so, as I've not seen them come down at all, and got nil discount from my work card!).

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#1949969 1-Feb-2018 11:08

Brushless motor is a nice advantage over commutator motor - more efficient and potentially powerful.

MikeAqua

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#1950009 1-Feb-2018 12:04

I'm still looking at one of these. Need to replace a 25 year old mower as the rings on the motors are worn and it's chewing through oil.

I like the look of the ego mower as well and also the hedge trimmer that uses the same battery.

We have <200m of lawn, so I can get away with the 49cm push model. Still pricey though at >$700.

I'm a bit dubious about their claims of 20% less noise. My mower runs at 75dB. Of course they aren't zero maintenance. Blades will get blunt for example, just like a petrol mower.

Not having to keep a 5L fuel can in the shed or checking oil and zero fumes would be nice though.

Mike

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#1950027 1-Feb-2018 12:28

MikeAqua:

I like the look of the ego mower as well and also the hedge trimmer that uses the same battery.

See comments re others' feedback on Ecos in my original post - these issues were enough to put me off, though the brand does have many fans (such as Linuxluver, as above). Perhaps, if feasible, give it (and other well-regarded models) a trial before buying?

I'll look to buy another battery at some point for my Ryobi, or just may buy the line trimmer with battery - while that's lower capacity, at 2.6Ah than the 5Ah the mower came with, it'll still do fine as a back-up battery, and buying them together is a bit cheaper than separately.

MikeAqua

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#1950688 2-Feb-2018 12:51

jonathan18:

MikeAqua:

I like the look of the ego mower as well and also the hedge trimmer that uses the same battery.

See comments re others' feedback on Ecos in my original post - these issues were enough to put me off, though the brand does have many fans (such as Linuxluver, as above). Perhaps, if feasible, give it (and other well-regarded models) a trial before buying?

I'll look to buy another battery at some point for my Ryobi, or just may buy the line trimmer with battery - while that's lower capacity, at 2.6Ah than the 5Ah the mower came with, it'll still do fine as a back-up battery, and buying them together is a bit cheaper than separately.

I'm currently using a B&D 18V line trimmer.

It's certainly nice going from a 2 stroke line trimmer to an electric one which is lighter, cheaper, quieter and doesn't produce fumes.

I've noticed a few professionals have started using heavy duty electric landscaping tools. Much better for them than breathing fumes 40 hours per week.

Mike

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#1950705 2-Feb-2018 13:20

I think it's worthwhile checking what other tools are available for the same batteries. Ryobi for example have a whole range of garden tools that are compatible, leaf blowers, hedge trimmers, edgers, chainsaw, pruners, water blasters, etc and once you have the battery the tools are relatively cheap. Worth it if you have a need for them.

I've been mulching with my brushless Ryobi for over a year now and am still very happy with it. I used to have a masport president 5000 which is a good mower and I don't miss it at all. A full battery does somewhere between half to the same amount of work as a full tank of petrol. If you work it too hard it gets worse and the batteries flatten fast. Still on my first blade too.

With all the warm weather and rain this summer my grass has been going crazy and the mower has kept up just fine, having to mow weekly through the worst of it. The one time I left it for a fortnight it took me 4 full battery charges to get through the lawn but the mower handled it just fine. Normally it takes me about 1.25 batteries to get through the lawn so I have 2.

One thing that gives me a little smug grin is the fact that you can hear other people mowing the lawn in the distance while you are using it. It's still a bit noisy but it just doesn't compare to a petrol engine for loudness.I'd say you could talk over it ok and I don't feel the need for hearing protection.

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#1982109 23-Mar-2018 14:34

Hi ,

Any one used or has a Masport cordless lawn mower?

In the past always used petrol mowers so having battery mower "maybe" a first

Been to the local Stihlshop and found these apart from the pricier Stihl cordless mowers

Masport 1500 - $899 (58v 3 amp - built in battery and charger)

https://www.stihlshop.co.nz/masport-president-1500-al--combo-eli-58v-m-tech2

Masport 2000 - $950 (82v 4amp - inc separate charger and battery)

https://www.stihlshop.co.nz/masport-president-2000-al--combo-eli-82v2

kryptonjohn

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#1982153 23-Mar-2018 14:47

Built-in battery and charger? Sounds like a bit of a pain. Prefer removable battery as you can charge 1 while using one, you can replace it if it loses capacity, and you don't need power in the garden shed.

How about this one?

https://www.bunnings.co.nz/victa-82v-21-wide-cut-mulch-or-catch-lawn-mower-kit-with-2-batteries_p03381102

21" good for larger lawns, possibly a pain for smaller lawns, but comes with two batteries.

This has to the the best of all though:

https://www.mitre10.co.nz/shop/ego-electric-lawn-mower-56-volt-7-5ah/p/304134

Dugimodo

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#1982182 23-Mar-2018 15:22

I think I'd go for this one https://www.bunnings.co.nz/aeg-58v-brushless-lawn-mower-kit_p03381205

cheaper than the Victa, should have longer run time, has a steel body.

My Ryobi is still going strong and I really like it but I think I'd buy the AEG now.

When comparing all these different voltage mowers you should convert to watt hours by multiplying the amp hour ratings by the voltage to get an Idea of Run time. Voltage does help but watt hours gives you a measure of how much work the battery can do. Brushless motors give more torque so are worth having also and will be better than the equivalent non brushless.

This is not perfect but it's the best rough comparison we can easily do.

So for Example (total of both batteries)

Ryobi 2 x 36V 4A/H batteries = 288 Watt hours (what I have - manages an 800 sq/m section on 1.5 charges if mowed weekly so I have .5 batt charge left) (edited for correct batt capacity)

AEG 2 x 58V 4A/H = 464 watt hours

Victa 2 x 82V 2A/H = 328 Watt hours

Masport 1 x 58V 4A/H = 232 watt hours

Masport 82V 4A/H = 328 watt hours

Ego 56V 7.5 A/H = 420 watt hours

The AEG looks like the best combination of price/ features / run time - I have no Idea about relative quality though. The Masport 82V and Ego 56V will have the longest run time on a single battery, but once it's flat you have to wait for it to recharge unlike the dual battery kits.

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