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Old 02-28-2019, 10:31 PM   #1 (permalink)
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Lawn mower options for 0.75 acres?

I'm closing on a house next month and will have around 0.75 acres of cleared land to mow for 6-7 months of the year. It's been years since I've needed to mow a lawn and a lot seems to have changed.

Looked at battery-powered mowers and unsurprisingly they have narrow tracks and look like Fisher Price toys. I doubt there are any which would be appropriate for a lawn as large as this.

Looked at corded. Some inexpensive models are as wide as 18-20". I could deal with a cord so long as the mower is reliable, but reviews on them tend to be pretty bad. Really, how do you mess up an electric mower?

I could do what people have been doing for decades - a small gasoline 2 stroke, mix oil and maintain. This isn't an attractive idea to me but the technology is solid.

Oooor I could get a couple of goats.

Anyone tried and have any recommendations for electric models? Is there an option I've missed?

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Old 03-01-2019, 12:12 AM   #2 (permalink)
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I have not tried electric goats. I'd go with the grass powered ones.

I'd go with a riding lawn mower for that much lawn. I mean, that's a lot of lawn for even the biggest push mower, and electrics have even smaller blades and are less powerful in case you let the grass get too tall and then try to cut it.

I've never been much for bagging, but it's a nice feature if you have deciduous trees and need to clear leaves in the fall. All other times I either side discharge or mulch.
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Old 03-01-2019, 01:28 AM   #3 (permalink)
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I used a 120v plug in mower to mow my half acre yard in Langley from 2006 to 2011.
The only way to mess one up is to hit a stump, large rock or solid piece of metal.
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Old 03-01-2019, 02:36 AM   #4 (permalink)
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I've never had much trouble with gassers. My preference would certainly be electric for a smaller yard, but it's the wrong tool to mow a small field if you value your time.
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Old 03-01-2019, 02:44 AM   #5 (permalink)
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Everytime I had to use a lawn mower it was a corded one, and now I avoid them if I can. If you feel uncomfortable with the emissions, simply run the lawn mower on Everclear and Castor oil
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Old 03-01-2019, 02:57 AM   #6 (permalink)
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BTW, I don't know where in the USA you're finding 2-stroke mowers. That's common for handheld tools (weedeater), but extremely rare for mowers. I've even got a 4-stroke chainsaw.

BTW- congrats on the home. I hope to have a decent amount of land one day too.
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Old 03-01-2019, 02:59 AM   #7 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by redpoint5 View Post
BTW, I don't know where in the USA you're finding 2-stroke mowers. That's common for handheld tools (weedeater), but extremely rare for mowers. I've even got a 4-stroke chainsaw.
Even flathead mowers became uncommon now, so 2-strokes might've become unobtainium unless it's an used one.
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Old 03-01-2019, 06:07 AM   #8 (permalink)
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Good to know about 2 strokes - you can see it really has been a while.

I'm going to be budget-constrained this first year, so the investment of a large riding mower might or might not have to wait. Would be nice to get something that can double plow duty though.
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Old 03-01-2019, 08:33 AM   #9 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ecky View Post
Good to know about 2 strokes - you can see it really has been a while.

I'm going to be budget-constrained this first year, so the investment of a large riding mower might or might not have to wait. Would be nice to get something that can double plow duty though.
Just buy a used rider. You can pick them up cheap compared with new on craigs.

https://vermont.craigslist.org/for/d...825325939.html

https://vermont.craigslist.org/grd/d...828597069.html
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Old 03-01-2019, 08:37 AM   #10 (permalink)
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Last time I saw a 2 stroke push mower was thr mid 90s.

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