It's that time to start looking for lawn mowers...

[FreshPrince]

saw one at Homedepot today...was explained that I charge it over night and I should get about 2 hours of mowing...which I plenty for my yard. It runs on battery and is heavier than gas. based mowers. I've always used the gas. based ones but the electric ones intrigued me.

would you recommend the electric one or just go with the standard gas version?

also, mulch or bag? I've always bagged...

 

[BlackTigers]

We have a 4...year old Honda. Changed the oil once, and a stupid plastic piece that I've broken off one other time. Starts on first pull every time, I <3 my Honda mower.

I've used the electric ones, and didn't like them. I like the feel that a ga mower gives me. And I mulch.

 

[FreshPrince]

I'm coming from a honda and that thing gave me nothing but trouble...

that's why I'm looking for another brand. went to the store and the first thing they recommend was the honda as well.

 

[Kirby]

Text

 

[Vette73]

electric is great as it is very quiet and smooth. We had a plug in electric at our old house. New one has to big a yard so i got a riding one.

 

[Squisher]

Consumer Reports

 

[Modelworks]

I wouldn't use electric unless the yard is small.
Think of it this way.
Your mowing and the battery dies.
What now ? You have to stop and wait for it to recharge to finish.

Brand wise I like snapper.

Quality and they told walmart to get lost when they wanted them to lower quality so walmart could lower price
http://www.fastcompany.com/mag.../102/open_snapper.html

 

[Tobolo]

Originally posted by: FreshPrince
saw one at Homedepot today...was explained that I charge it over night and I should get about 2 hours of mowing...which I plenty for my yard. It runs on battery and is heavier than gas. based mowers. I've always used the gas. based ones but the electric ones intrigued me.

would you recommend the electric one or just go with the standard gas version?

also, mulch or bag? I've always bagged...

Always leave the clippings on the ground, unless you are having excessive thatch buildup. Really helps with the nutrients of the soil and can help minimize fertilizer and soil amendment usage.

 

[Red]

My family has used a Honda forever. Whenever wife and I buy our first home I'll buy one too.

EDIT: We've always used the self-propelled with a bag. Clippings look like crap so we always had a compost pile near a creek in the back yard.

 

[KK]

I bought a toro super recycler last year, it's a great mower. mulching is good if you don't fertilize and you mow frequently not letting the clippings get too big. I bag because we have someone fertilize, and it looks better. Last year I was mowing every 3-4 days during peak growing season, so even with bagging, I didn't have to empty the bag often. I wouldn't even consider an electric mower, now if you have a postage stamp yard, then it may be feasible.

 

[FreshPrince]

ya, the only concern with mulching is that sometimes the brown clippings aren't too attractive...bagging is optimal if you have the time.

I think I'm getting close to selecting either the homelite battery powered one or the $299 toro gas model from homedepot.

the honda's are just too expensive and I don't think they are worth the premium.

 

[MovingTarget]

Gas if you have a larger yard. I do like the idea of electric mowers, but I don't think they are viable unless you have a lawn the size of a postage stamp. As far as mulch vs. bag goes, I'd say mulch because bagging can be a real hassle. Besides, the clippings decay and add nutrients back to the soil.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Originally posted by: FreshPrince
ya, the only concern with mulching is that sometimes the brown clippings aren't too attractive...bagging is optimal if you have the time.

I think I'm getting close to selecting either the homelite battery powered one or the $299 toro gas model from homedepot.

the honda's are just too expensive and I don't think they are worth the premium.

If you mow slow enough and often enough(so the grass doesn't ge't too tall), a mulching mower shouldn't create very large clippings.

Make sure the blades are sharp enough and go over the lawn/clipping again to reduce their size.