I still use a self propelled gas mower but when it needs replacing I will most likely get a battery one. I love my lithium powered weed wacker, hedge trimmer and leaf blower also my indoor vacuum and power drills!

I am just happy to know I am not the only person left in the world who mows her own lawn all my friends and neighbor's hire out.

When the starter switch on my Cub Cadet corded electric mower failed for the second time, I reluctantly went in search of a battery operated machine. I chose an EGO machine because of the 5 year warranty. I have used it only about 6 times, but it works great.

EGO

I have a battery operated Cub Cadet that I have been very happy with...until this year. I haven't had it too many years...5 maybe and last year it wouldn't take a charge. I just left it be and used my old mower, but decided to have it looked at this year. They say I need a new battery, which is almost the cost of a new machine. They said they could get it to hold a charge for 15 min, which is fine by me, about all the time I need to mow my tiny lawn. But I brought it home and can't get it to charge at all. I think it could be the charger. I asked them about that, but they've given me two different stories - that they used their charger as well as mine to see if it could be the charger, then another guy told me they don't have a charger that fits, so they must have charged with my charger. Well, it's dead as a doornail and I'm pretty unhappy. I didn't get much use out of it (I only mow every 3 weeks or so about 5 months a year and it's a small area). BUT! It was so easy to start, mowed great with lots of power and pretty quiet.

So I'm not sure whether to replace it or not. I probably will.

Oly that is the problem with a lot of the battery operated equipment, batteries that don't last that long and have a high replacement cost. We are ditching 2 Trek electric bikes that are 5 years old. Both batteries no longer charge. The new batteries are about $1K each ... we are buying new e-bikes with newer technology and putting the $2K towards the new bikes. We can afford to take the loss, but this is stuff that is too expensive to be "disposable" after such a short time.

It will be interesting to see what happens with Tesla, as the first cars they sold are soon going to need new batteries, which are a high percentage of the total cost of the car.

I have a Greeworks Twin Force, great mower but it is only used on a small patch of grass. I have a service that mows outside my fence. It is a good mower though.

We had one a few years ago. I prefer a human powered reel mower.

I have an Earthwise 24 volt. It's not large, and it powers over my brushy backyard. I've even used it to chop piles of debris. Grass is easy-peasy. My yard isn't that big & I can do about 2 3/4 mowing jobs before needing a recharge. I run the battery completely out before recharging. I really like it. It's easy to use, a bit quieter than gas-powered & I don't have to store gasoline or breathe fumes. I used to use a corded mower & it was kind of a drag.

https://www.amazon.com/Earthwise-60217-Discharge-Mulching-Cordless/dp/B004H4X6MO

Chispa, as far as Tesla, there are already third-party battery rebuilders for other brands of electric/hybrid cars, so I would assume that someone will start doing this for Teslas, too, when the time comes.

There used to be a guy not terribly far from where I live who made a fortune replacing electric car batteries for a few thousand dollars each. I would assume he's still at it, and there are national companies like Greentech.

Carolb, how long have you had the mower?

I've had my ego for 2 years now...very happy with it...moving a one acre lot. I just do the front one day, recharge, and do back next day, even though charge time is only 30 minutes.

I think even if I forget to recharge, it's better to wait thirty minutes than have to run to get gas, and smell gas fumes as I mow.

Thank you so much for the responses! It's all very helpful information. Off to do more research!

ETA: roarah, I love the exercise I get using a walk-behind mower! I actually mow two lawns... one using a regular gas mower that I need to push hard, and mine with the self-propelled mower I'm constantly fighting back. :) One year the wheel grabbed some bindweed and I got pulled into the neighbor's field. lol!

Not what you are asking about in particular, but I have a robotic lawn mower that has a lithium battery. It is over 7years old and still works like a champ. It is automated so it charges itself as needed. I don't love mowing but I tend to be out in the yard when the mowing is happening mainly picking weeds and the like.

There are many Teslas with over 150K miles on them with less than 10% battery degredation. The Tesla batteries have been rock solid in performance. You will probably want a new Tesla before you need to replace the batteries. The batteries are warranted to 80K miles for instance. I don't know many people who keep their cars past the 50k mile range. My car has 130K miles on it but I no longer drive long distances except for on the weekends, I used to commute 60miles round trip for work. If not for the wait on the Model 3, I would have replaced my car last year. It is starting to cost me more to maintain than I actually drive it.

Good luck!

It is starting to cost me more to maintain than I actually drive it.

This is the Tesla? What maintenance is that?

Sorry for the thread drift, party_music.

And yes, it was because of the NiCad battery that I wondered how long Carolb has had hers and been happy.

olychick and chispa, I also am experiencing the same disappointment with my much bragged about Overland cart. It ran great the first four months, had a glitch in regards to recharging. Manual says, "recharge after each use". Well, my step brother says, "Just leave it plugged in". When it started not keeping a full charge for short times, I complained and was told by manufacturer to not keep it plugged in. Only charge for 8hrs. So I would do that if I planned on using it the next day. Other wise left it off the charger.

Then there seemed to be a problem with the charger itself. They gave me a new one. Then "maybe you need a new battery". So bought one. Didn't do a whole lot of good. The business I bought it from was very sympathetic up to a point. ha When I still complained it wasn't holding a charge they really couldn't figure it out. I've had it Which your posts make me think now that I'm not alone when it comes to battery operated machines and I'm not crazy.

I've had it four years now. Still a tremendous time and back saver, but I do wish it would hold a strong charge longer especially for when making multiple trips with heavy loads. Sorry also for going a bit OT but wanted to share.

Writersblock,

My current car is a BMW. No Tesla yet. Hopefully the end of the year.

Thanks, hompro01.

Schoolhouse, that sounds like the classic life cycle of a NiCad battery. That's the problem; so many of the electric mowers still use those, even though LIon battery prices are plummeting.

Mine is a Lion battery, and it hasn't seemed to have degraded (or not much) in the years I've used it for mowing.

Sorry if I wasn't clear; I meant LIon are much preferable to NiCad.

I've had a Black and Decker battery mower for about 10 years. They had a battery recall about 6 years ago. They replaced the battery for free, and I could upgrade to the new motor for $75. Considering the new mower sells for over $400 that was a good deal. As mentioned, though, the Floratam variety of St Augustine in full sunlight bogs it down. I have to make half-passes back and forth to keep it running. If the battery stops taking a charge, I have my eye on the EGO.

I've had my mower several years now. I seem to recall it advised in the instruction manual to let the battery fully discharge before recharging - & def. not leave it plugged in any longer than necessary.

Interested in the lawnmowers since I think ours is also on its last leg.

Someone here has a Tesla. I can't remember who it is. Not me, unfortunately, at least not yet!