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Lawn equipment
Posted on 5/7/19 at 3:25 pm
Posted on 5/7/19 at 3:25 pm
I'm getting married in July and my new house has a pretty small yard that easy to manage, I've had a few people recommend getting electric (cordless) lawn equipment (mower, weedeater, blower, hedge trimmer), never used those before.
Anyone ever tried one? Especially curious about an electric mower??
Anyone ever tried one? Especially curious about an electric mower??
Posted on 5/7/19 at 3:39 pm to iHatecowbells
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This post was edited on 1/10/21 at 12:44 am
Posted on 5/7/19 at 3:59 pm to iHatecowbells
I have a fairly large yard and use battery powered trimmer and blower. They are fine and work just as well as gas without all the maintenance. Ethanol gas is hell on those 2 stroke engines. Yard is too big for electric mower, so I use my riding gas mower.
Posted on 5/7/19 at 4:18 pm to iHatecowbells
I've got one of these. I like it a lot. It charges in about 2-3 hours, then gives about an hour of normal use, which is plenty for my little lawn.
Pros) Quieter than gas-powered; no gas cans, gas fumes, going to a gas station; can just tip it over to get at the blade for cleaning / sharpening.
Cons) Still not completely quiet; for some people only an hour is a con (but extra batteries are relatively cheap); Lithium battery, so if it does run down you get no warning, the mower just stops dead and you need to recharge for a while (or swap batteries).
Pros) Quieter than gas-powered; no gas cans, gas fumes, going to a gas station; can just tip it over to get at the blade for cleaning / sharpening.
Cons) Still not completely quiet; for some people only an hour is a con (but extra batteries are relatively cheap); Lithium battery, so if it does run down you get no warning, the mower just stops dead and you need to recharge for a while (or swap batteries).
Posted on 5/7/19 at 5:54 pm to iHatecowbells
Electric equipment, particularly battery powered, is underpowered versus it's gas counterparts when it comes to outdoor equipment
They're probably fine if you don't have a ton to take care of though.
They're probably fine if you don't have a ton to take care of though.
Posted on 5/7/19 at 8:13 pm to thatguy45
quote:
Electric equipment, particularly battery powered, is underpowered versus it's gas counterparts when it comes to outdoor equipment
You’d be surprised. Battery size/hr life are usually the main problems.
Yard size would play a big role in getting a battery mower. But a trimmer and blower(so long as you don’t have a lot of trees). Edgers don’t seem to do as well.
I have a backpack blower and a battery. I use the battery blower for most jobs and the backpack in the fall when I have to use it for hours because of leaves. Awesome can even use it in the house but for a quick clean off the porch or driveway it’s even better. Just press and blow, and you don’t stink like gas. I also had a stihl handheld blower prior, the battery op unit had the same specs.
Get a good brand and get a few of the high amp hour batteries.
I have Milwaukee cordless tools in just about everything so just got their blower. 9 and 12 amp hr batteries
Posted on 5/7/19 at 8:15 pm to tokenBoiler
quote:
but extra batteries are relatively cheap
Good ones from good brands are going to be $150-200 each.
Posted on 5/7/19 at 10:39 pm to NYCAuburn
Battery powered are more convenient, but I haven't found a battery powered sawzall that works as good as the corded one.
Only really have an issue with the gas smell if I'm using a chainsaw.
Gas also has the convenience of not having to wait on a charge, buying multiple packs, or having to drag a cord
Only really have an issue with the gas smell if I'm using a chainsaw.
Gas also has the convenience of not having to wait on a charge, buying multiple packs, or having to drag a cord
Posted on 5/7/19 at 10:41 pm to The Spleen
I have a self propelled craftsman, a echo blower and weed water and the total was ~550 for all
Posted on 5/8/19 at 5:44 am to iHatecowbells
quote:
Especially curious about an electric mower??
Are you a millennial? Bc only millennials use electric mowers.
Posted on 5/8/19 at 8:05 am to iHatecowbells
I owned a battery powered trimmer for all of 2 days. Never again.
Look for youtube videos of people using a battery powered mower and getting all of 2 or 3 rows done before the battery gives out.
Look for youtube videos of people using a battery powered mower and getting all of 2 or 3 rows done before the battery gives out.
Posted on 5/8/19 at 8:42 am to thatguy45
quote:
but I haven't found a battery powered sawzall that works as good as the corded one.
Milwaukee Fuel Recip does everything my rigid 15 amp has done. I have seen no difference except portability and easier to get some cuts done on the battery op unit
quote:
Gas also has the convenience of not having to wait on a charge, buying multiple packs, or having to drag a cord
You have to buy gas, oil, 2 stroke oil, and do annual maintenance. My 9 and 12 amp/hr packs charge in about 15 minutes, also have multi charger, batteries last years. I have had my 9 amp/hr for 2 years no fade and my 5 amp/hr for 8 years, no fade. Just charge them when you are finished.
I have a coworker who has .33 acre yard in a cookie cutter subdivision. He uses the dewalt 20v trimmer and their nicer blower on his yard. Said he has never gone through two 5 amp/hr packs yet.
quote:
having to drag a cord
I would not suggest a plug-in yard tool at all.
Also a battery op hedge trimmer is a game changer
Posted on 5/8/19 at 9:09 am to NYCAuburn
I have the 40v Ryobi trimmer and blower and the battery lasts about an hour with heavy use. Charges in about 20 minutes. I have 2 batteries for them, so never have a problem running out of juice.
Posted on 5/8/19 at 9:14 am to iHatecowbells
I have a relatively small yard as well but still use gas mower. Still not sold that an electric mower would last long enough, even for my smaller yard.
I do use electric trimmer and blower and am very pleased. Electric lawn equipment has come a long way and I really don't see much of a different between my cheaper gas-powered trimmer and the electric one in terms of power or run-time. The blower isn't quite as powerful, but certainly gets the job done clearing off my driveway and walkway's.
Batteries are expensive, but if you get two, you'll literally never be stuck half-way through a job - especially with a smaller yard.
The convenience is excellent if your yard is small enough.
I do use electric trimmer and blower and am very pleased. Electric lawn equipment has come a long way and I really don't see much of a different between my cheaper gas-powered trimmer and the electric one in terms of power or run-time. The blower isn't quite as powerful, but certainly gets the job done clearing off my driveway and walkway's.
Batteries are expensive, but if you get two, you'll literally never be stuck half-way through a job - especially with a smaller yard.
The convenience is excellent if your yard is small enough.
Posted on 5/8/19 at 9:15 am to The Spleen
I live in a condo so the yards all taken care of for me but If I had a small yard I'd absolutely get a robot army.
Posted on 5/8/19 at 1:00 pm to iHatecowbells
quote:
I'm getting married in July
Congrats on the sex, just remember 98% of all BJ's stop with the words "I do".
Chainsaw, would not recommend electric, gas only, even for pruning saw
Hedge trimmer, would recommend manual, no gas or electric
Weedeater, would recommend gas, especially if you use it to edge as well with blade
(gas weed eater can get a tiller attachment for your planting beds is a plus)
Blower, would recommend gas (backpack) but some electrics suffice. I still have a 15 year old B&D Leaf Hogg but it was a multi speed and pushed some pretty good air.
Mower, gas is my go to, mine was 20 bucks at a garage sale and worth way more now
Here is my yard strategy : Get an old Lawn Boy with the aluminum deck (mine is from the mid 1970's and the deck is still good - not rusted out after a year or two - works with yearly spring tune up and running to empty after the last fall mow.
Use the Lawn Boy oil and mix for all your other gas tools. They may smoke a bit more from the richer mix but they will last forever.
Always seem to get more from gas over electric but it does mean having a good small engine guy in your area if you do not have the skill to maintain Tham yourself.
Posted on 5/8/19 at 1:14 pm to Cheese Grits
To add to the above, no matter what you use learn how to sharpen them or know a place in town to get it done. Sharp blades work better and probably cause less strain on gas or electric mowers.
Also, if you are willing to mow more but want the best looking cut, try this...
Experienced guys always suggested the spinning wheel to a flat blade for a finished look.
I was just not that OCD enough to use an old wheel mower since my younger and stronger years in the 60's and 70's. If you have kids and the lawn is not too large maybe get one and let your kids be the energy source.
Your kid early on ...
But as they grow up ...
Legs like that and you can live off their pro lineman earnings.
Also, if you are willing to mow more but want the best looking cut, try this...
Experienced guys always suggested the spinning wheel to a flat blade for a finished look.
I was just not that OCD enough to use an old wheel mower since my younger and stronger years in the 60's and 70's. If you have kids and the lawn is not too large maybe get one and let your kids be the energy source.
Your kid early on ...
But as they grow up ...
Legs like that and you can live off their pro lineman earnings.
Posted on 5/8/19 at 2:23 pm to Cheese Grits
quote:
Sharp blades work better and probably cause less strain on gas or electric mowers.
You shouldnt sharpen mower blades like a knife though. 40 to 60 degrees. You need a straight crisp edge, one side beveled, not a razor blade
This post was edited on 5/8/19 at 2:47 pm
Posted on 5/8/19 at 9:29 pm to iHatecowbells
I've been using a battery powered trimmer for about a year. It works fine. Not quite as much power but it's more than enough. Great not having to pull a string every time to start.
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