Lawn Mowers - What are your experiences with gas vs cordless electric?

[MrSector9]

Reel mowers work great if the directions are followed above (frequent use and sharp blade), Nothing cuts as good as a reel mower (this is the reason most golf courses use powered reel mowers)

Home Owner Mower - Unless you buy a commercial unit they are only made by 2 companies (gas powered), this is the reason they all look the same only painted a different color, Best advice for these is like said above. Buy one with a Honda Engine, has the things you need and is the cheapest, Also ask about where to have it serviced.

Commercial Mowers - These are all different, everyone will tell you one is better then the other, They all have pros/cons, Most important is service and warranty realistically if you find one that meets your requirements.

Any services questions feel free to post in my Power Ring Post http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthread.php?t=102408 Or shoot me a message.

BTW: I am a Toro, Husqavarna, Hustler Dealer

[kevman]

Originally Posted by smoothpops

I bought a corded electric mower from canadian tire under duress 2 years ago(my gas one broke and my lawn was starting to look like a wild field). it's got power, was cheap and its super light and easy to maneuver (which would be good for your back). sounds pretty good right? wrong. never buy corded. never. My lawnmower is going to be the death of me. Either i'm going to run over the cord and electrocute myself or i'm going to suffer a massive coronary episode from the stress of avoiding running over the cord, or from the anger it causes when it gets caught on something (at somepoint last year, im pretty sure the chord got caught up because of a leaf. A FU*&ing LEAF!!). learn from my mistakes, if you're going to go electric, get a cordless. as frustrating as running out battery power might sound, its nothing compared to having your lawnmower constantly succumb to the evils of a hung up cord which results in it coming a jerked halt. it's like when your earbuds get yanked out of your ears due to a wayward doorknob, but 10 times worse.

edit; im getting too angry just thinking about it, i have to go lie down now.

Haha! It's really not that bad. Start in one corner and work to the other corner of your yard. Use one hand to push the mower and one to flick the cord around. Easy. Corded mowers are inexpensive, light, agile, low maintenance and plenty powerful.

[Ashartus]

Originally Posted by MrSector9

Reel mowers work great if the directions are followed above (frequent use and sharp blade), Nothing cuts as good as a reel mower (this is the reason most golf courses use powered reel mowers)

A lot of the newer reel mowers don't need much sharpening. With a relatively small area to mow the only downside I find is that they don't come as close to the edge as a gas or electric mower (since the wheels are outside the mowing area) so you need to do more edge trimming. They're light and easy to push, take up very little space, and need almost no maintenance. You just can't let the grass get excessively long.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

I have had a Briggs and stratton, Sears mower for 10+ years. I remember buying the floor model and taking it home on the C-train with me from downtown.

I have never ever had an issue with the mower or the engine.

I have owned two Briggs & Stratton mowers and found after a few years service they don't like to start regardless of changing spark plug, oil, air filter. My Honda starts 1st or 2nd pull every time all the time even after 10 years.

[Derek Sutton]

Originally Posted by Ashartus

A lot of the newer reel mowers don't need much sharpening. With a relatively small area to mow the only downside I find is that they don't come as close to the edge as a gas or electric mower (since the wheels are outside the mowing area) so you need to do more edge trimming. They're light and easy to push, take up very little space, and need almost no maintenance. You just can't let the grass get excessively long.

Or unless you have a lot of mulch in your yard that make sits way onto the lawn. A reel mower just will not power through the mulch, and the mulch sure does a fine job of dulling the crap out of it.

[puckedoff]

Originally Posted by 4X4

For the record, I love that mower. It's a Honda, so it's bullet proof. I lent it to a buddy a couple years ago, and he broke the self propel cable, but the rest of it still works fine.

Only other problem with it is that the gas evaporates out of the tank and makes my garage stink like gas, plus it takes up way more space than a reel mower, so that's why I gave it to my neighbour.

Those gas fumes can make your garage blow up if you have a furnace or water heater in there.

Lets have a safe summer everyone, and remember: only you can prevent drinking and driving.