Lawn mower repair for frustration and loss

[Xist]

When I get back I will report the make and model and compare the grass cut by the electric versus the gas one. As I recall, the electric cut far rougher, which would have required far more work.

[jamesqf]

Originally Posted by Xist

I will never understand people wanting rechargeable mowers. Consumer Reports happily proclaimed that electric mowers finally rival gas ones! They only cost twice as much! But you will eventually break even saving on gas and maintenance! Except the lithium battery will need to be replaced for $150! https://www.consumerreports.org/push...al-gas-models/

I've had a rechargable mower for at least a decade. For me, the lower noise and freedom from the hassles of gas would be worth more that twice the price of a gas mower. Mine works perfectly well on lead-acid batteries - same ones since new - and when the builti-in charger broke, I could just use my regular car charger. (Which IMHO does a better job.)

The only "drawback" is that I can't do all my (largish) lawn all in one go, but then, I don't WANT to do that.

[Xist]

I was surprised how loud Mom's electric mower was. My rechargeable mower was whisper quiet, but the batteries did not hold a charge.

[Frank Lee]

I generally don't like battery powered stuff. I got a plug-in e-push mower for Ma and she loves it- quiet, light, and no messing with fuel or starting issues.

[Stubby79]

My cordless 48v mower was great to use when I hooked my 48v lithium pack up to it. It was pathetic on the small lead acids it came with.

[Xist]

So, I should have swapped a Prius traction pack into my rechargeable mower?

Mom's electric mower seemed ridiculously light compared to the gas one. Was it built cheaper? I do not have any idea, but it is mostly just the motor, wheels, and deck. I was surprised how simple it was once I finally removed the cover, but I remember old electrics looking like they had a short tub of Quaker oatmeal.

[Stubby79]

10 pounds of motor vs 25+ pounds of engine.

[cajunfj40]

Originally Posted by Xist

Cajun, do you have a Ph.D. in lawnmowery? You just gave me more information than I have found in hours of research! Mom has far worse problems right now, but I have not figured out anything that I can do about them. At least I can fix her lawnmower!

Hello Xist,

No, I've just learned through the school of hard knocks from various "deals" I "scored" over the years for cheap mowers/snowblowers, and applying what I previously learned from my carbureted truck hobby (sold, gone) and carbureted motorcycle hobby (hasn't moved in 3 years). I periodically have to re-teach myself things, like if you clean only one part of the fuel system, you'll end up cleaning it again because it gets gunked up by the parts you didn't clean.

There are plenty of folks out there with more knowledge than I have about mowers. I do Google well and get stubborn about fixing the cheap crap I have. Check Jack's Small Engines when you find your make and model number, their exploded diagrams are pretty comprehensive - and listed by model number.

As for gas vs. electric, I hope to convert an old 5hp snowblower to 240VAC corded using an air compressor motor. Driveway is short enough that a 40-50 foot cord is plenty, and I've got experience using a 120V/10A "electric snow shovel" on that driveway when the snow was light. Much nicer than the stinky gas blower, but way underpowered and shuts off a lot on overheat. Finally threw/busted the drive belt last winter so it's back to the leaky/smelly 8hp monster until I get the conversion done. Trouble is, I can convert to a modern gas engine for less than to 240VAC...

The lawn's too big for corded electric. Battery electric would be nice, but the batteries would sit all winter if it was big enough to do the job in a reasonable amount of time because it would be too big to do the driveway around the cars. I want to do a purpose-built walk-behind unit that can swap out a 32-36" mower deck for a 20-24" snowblower, but that's a lot of fab work.

I'm just getting sick of gas and oil and crap.

[Xist]

Do you think snowblower systems are not designed to tolerate the heat because they are designed to work when it is below freezing?

[Frank Lee]

In my experience the most common snowblower issue is getting that old carb'd beast started at -30F. I too have dreamt of making a corded e-blower.