It sounds like you're asking about two different things but I'm not sure how to distinguish them.
Did you know there is a Lawn Mowers Forum?

apparently they are pretty light-weight, but with only 1 hour mowing time, i'd have to have 2 batteries...the ad used to have a disclaimer saying great for smaller yards...but the other day saw they have another?

No, Bestlawn, I did not know that. I'll check it out
Thanks

Get a goat!

She has a jackass that lives nearby ...

... that doesn't have much of a cart at present.

And isn't wonderfully enthused about major walking.

I'm hoping to get my licence reinstated before too long, Iva.

I could likely do it, most of the time.

Could a local kid do it sometimes?

Are there any White Oaks families nearby who have an eligible kid?

I know a lady who lives nearby who, with friend, might be interested ... and could use some extra income.

Drat!

Just when I was going to preview this message ... it disappeared.

o j

I've been looking at the cordless mowers as well. I'd like to get one to keep over at moms (she's 84) because I don't want the hassles of yet another gas engine to contend with. What concerns me with these cordless models is how long are the batteries going to last and how much are replacement batteries going to cost. Worse case scenario is will you even be able to get a replacement battery to fit your mower 3-5 years down the road. When you're spending $300-$400 dollars for one you don't want it to be obsolete in so short a time.
Home Depot carries 3 makes,, theres a little Neuton, a bit too small for an average yard I think. There's Homelite which looks pretty sturdy and almost like a regular gas lawnmower and then theres a Black & Decker which looks like a regular electric lawnmower.
Canadian Tire also carries one called a Yardworks for about $399.
The only self-propelled battery lawnmower I've read about is called the Solaris,, not sure where they're sold and not being a name brand like Black & Decker or HomeLite is for lawnmowers I'd really be worried about not getting replacement batteries if they go out of business.

We saw one at Sears recently.....what I wondered was how much the replacement battery would be. We had a cordless hedge trimmer given to us and not too long after we got it, the battery quit recharging and the replacement battery was almost more than the cost of replacing the whole trimmer.
We picked up an electric lawnmower through Free Cycle but it needs a long cord and an electrical outlet. It works very well but you have to be careful not to run over the cord. (The price was right!)

Thanks everyone. It appears that the cordless ones might pose a problem later on for replacements.

Ed, you are so kind. Always out to help someone else. I wish I could help you with your transportation problems at the present time. Hopefully all works out for you. Please keep us posted.

Yes, I expect there are some around White Oaks who might be available. We haven't got that far yet. I would really like to give it a try for at least the front lawn,which is very small.

We'll see what happens.

Thanks everyone.

Iva, I just bought the Neuton 6.2. It is not self-propelled. I have an average sized neighborhood lot. I can mow either the front or the back on one battery charge (I have a second battery on order). But that's ok by me cause, being old, I have an excuse to rest.

I will say that the only differences I have noticed between the Neuton and a gas rig are the ease of starting and there is nothing along the sides to hang up on trees or such.

We have had our black & Decker cordless for close to 7 years now and there's no problem with the battery.
I'd say we ave an avg size yard, and it does not go below 50% when we do front and back.
I used to have a corded model that I liked, but it drove TG crazy. I loved it because it was so light - mowing the grass was easier than vacumming.
The B&D may have gotten lighter, but my only complaint with ours is that it is a tad heavy. Super easy to start, no fumes and a heck of a lot quiter than a gas mower.

Might an electric start gas powered mower maybe be an option...self propelled or other wise?
My opinion of a gas powered self propelled mower was that there was no effort in having to push it, but there was effort in holding it back some around things, and it was very awkward. It was heavy too with the 'drive' mechanism on it. If your yard is fairly small, maybe you could just push it....think?...after getting started via an electric start.

Sue

The type of grass you have as a lawn is also a factor. The 'electrics' don't often have enough power to correctly cut through St. Augustine grass.

About self-propelled mowers...The one we had moved too slowly, so we disengaged the mechanism. When I mow, I want to mow quickly and be done with it.

We have had a Black and Decker cordless mower for seven years, but the battery no longer holds enough charge to complete even half of our small yard, and the batteries seem, to me, to be ridiculously expensive. We bought a gasoline mower to replace it.

If it were just me, I'd get an electric mower with a cord. I used one for nearly twenty years, so I was used to dealing with the cord.

Hmm, We have St Augustine and have never had an issue cutting it with either of our electrics. It gives a really nice cut, with no jagged edges that can make the grass have that white cast after mowing.

Well I went to Home Depot (Canada) this morning and they have a $100 off coupon on all the electric and cordless mowers if you trade in your old gas mower or trimmer but I asked and she gave me the coupon anyways when I told her I didn't have one to trade in and if they didn't give me the coupon I wouldn't buy it LOL
So that puts the Homelite cordless mower down to $249 Cdn plus tax, not a bad price.. Same with the Neuton $249. The Neuton is only 14 inch wide so it's a bit small for moms yard, would be perfect for a small lawn though and it seems very easy to push. The Homelite is 20" and somewhat heavier.
I'm sitting here debating.. I guess if it's awful I can always return it.
Oh and I just checked the most recent issue of Consumer Reports and it gave the Homelite a Quick Pick (good), they didn't test the Neuton this time.

I'm thinking of getting a push reel lawn mower. I need the exercise. Our landscaper quit, he only charged $20 to cut our grass, and he came as needed, not every week.

Jannie -
I used to have a reel mover and I loved it. You could mow first thing in the AM on Satursday or Sunday without disturbing anyone. However, there are enough obstacles and hills in my current yard that it was not practical.
You may want to borrow one to try out first. The yard has to be completely free of debris - even very small twigs can cause you to halt.
But I do so love the sound of a reel mower: Swwwish, Whrrr.