Loaded question on mower - battery or gas

[brettwasbtd]

Hey everyone! my wife and I moved into our first house last year towards the end of the season and just paid the local landscaper who was cutting a lot of our neighbors yards. I am not looking to keep up that expense! We are on 1/3 acre which the majority is somewhat of a slant/hill (not horrible, but decidedly not flat). I am accustom to an unpropelled gas push mower from when I cut for my parents on their 3/5 acre. The problem I have is we currently have no outdoor storage. I am trying to be monetary conscious and I don't want to buy a decent gas mower and have it rust out before I can build a shed (probably wont be able to make that happen til the fall). This is what led me to research the rechargeable battery mowers. Most are a thick plastic decking which will prevent my rust concern -it also could be brought into my basement since there wont be gas fumes (tho I guess it would smell very grassy down there). With a 1/3 of an acre I know I would need 2 batteries, but I am not positive if that will cut it. Looking at the ryobi 40v and the black and decker battery models. Would like to keep my purchase below $400.

Anyones thoughts would be appreciated
1) buy battery mower and have 2 batteries
2) buy cheap gas powered and throw a tarp over it (don't plan on it lasting more than 1, 2? seasons)

 

[reynoldston]

only 2 years? Mower isn't made of sugar and melt away in two years. Just give it a good coat of paint and it should last for years to come. No I wouldn't want to keep any mower in my living space because of smells, battery or gas. It sounds to me like a battery operated mower would serve you better if you have a good place to keep the battery's charged. Also plan on replacing the battery's because they don't last forever. A gas mower you will need yearly maintenance like oil changes and gas can storage. Would you want to store full gas cans in your living space?, I wouldn't.

 

[brettwasbtd]

only 2 years? Mower isn't made of sugar and melt away in two years. Just give it a good coat of paint and it should last for years to come. No I wouldn't want to keep any mower in my living space because of smells, battery or gas. It sounds to me like a battery operated mower would serve you better if you have a good place to keep the battery's charged. Also plan on replacing the battery's because they don't last forever. A gas mower you will need yearly maintenance like oil changes and gas can storage. Would you want to store full gas cans in your living space?, I wouldn't.

Thanks for the reply! I plan on having outside storage within the next year or so. Until then a gas mower would have to be under the deck with a tarp over it. I have heard bad things about rust with this storage scenario (high humidity area) but maybe I am overestimating this? Gas can would be stored in a similar manner outside and somehow covered.

 

[wjjones]

Hey everyone! my wife and I moved into our first house last year towards the end of the season and just paid the local landscaper who was cutting a lot of our neighbors yards. I am not looking to keep up that expense! We are on 1/3 acre which the majority is somewhat of a slant/hill (not horrible, but decidedly not flat). I am accustom to an unpropelled gas push mower from when I cut for my parents on their 3/5 acre. The problem I have is we currently have no outdoor storage. I am trying to be monetary conscious and I don't want to buy a decent gas mower and have it rust out before I can build a shed (probably wont be able to make that happen til the fall). This is what led me to research the rechargeable battery mowers. Most are a thick plastic decking which will prevent my rust concern -it also could be brought into my basement since there wont be gas fumes (tho I guess it would smell very grassy down there). With a 1/3 of an acre I know I would need 2 batteries, but I am not positive if that will cut it. Looking at the ryobi 40v and the black and decker battery models. Would like to keep my purchase below $400.

Anyones thoughts would be appreciated
1) buy battery mower and have 2 batteries
2) buy cheap gas powered and throw a tarp over it (don't plan on it lasting more than 1, 2? seasons)

I would get an electric mower to if I had a smaller yard. I would get a good push mower cover though even if it is electric.

 

[reynoldston]

I don't own or ever ran a battery operated mower. In my younger years we had a electric cord operated mower. Its been so many years ago I don't remember how it operated. I am talking about in the 40's or early 50's. I know my farther didn't keep it very long. The big worry I would have on a battery operated mower is being under powered and how long the battery's would last before going dead. Maybe someone who operates one could or would give some input here. I would say go with gas because the only reason I have is that is what I have always used and know.

 

[tybilly]

try the Honda with the zenoid deck,i think its a different material now,but it wont rust away.

 

[reynoldston]

try the Honda with the zenoid deck,i think its a different material now,but it wont rust away.

Ok what is a zenoid deck?? Can't find anything on it?

 

[robert@honda]

Ok what is a zenoid deck?? Can't find anything on it?

Honda's HRX mowers use a special composite material for the mower deck. It was originally known as Xenoy, and that name is a trademark of General Electric. A few years ago, Honda elected not to renew the license of that name, but could still use the actual material. They changed the color a bit (darker gray) and it is now known by the Honda trademark name of NeXite. NeXite won't rust, fade, chip or break, and has a lifetime warranty on the HRX mower. Read more about it here:

About NeXite

NeXite Deck Video

Details about General Electric's version (Xenoy): Xenoy Tech Specs

FYI, NeXite is so strong...("how strong is it?") Honda's rugged commercial mowers (HRC-series) have NeXite wheels.

 

[brettwasbtd]

Im still torn on this decision! Part of me likes the electric concept, the other part of me says just get the power of the gas mower. Any tips on how to store a mower outside without a shed and prevent rust? Assuming I need a good cover?

 

[Ric]

Hey everyone! my wife and I moved into our first house last year towards the end of the season and just paid the local landscaper who was cutting a lot of our neighbors yards. I am not looking to keep up that expense! We are on 1/3 acre which the majority is somewhat of a slant/hill (not horrible, but decidedly not flat). I am accustom to an unpropelled gas push mower from when I cut for my parents on their 3/5 acre. The problem I have is we currently have no outdoor storage. I am trying to be monetary conscious and I don't want to buy a decent gas mower and have it rust out before I can build a shed (probably wont be able to make that happen til the fall). This is what led me to research the rechargeable battery mowers. Most are a thick plastic decking which will prevent my rust concern -it also could be brought into my basement since there wont be gas fumes (tho I guess it would smell very grassy down there). With a 1/3 of an acre I know I would need 2 batteries, but I am not positive if that will cut it. Looking at the ryobi 40v and the black and decker battery models. Would like to keep my purchase below $400.

Anyones thoughts would be appreciated
1) buy battery mower and have 2 batteries
2) buy cheap gas powered and throw a tarp over it (don't plan on it lasting more than 1, 2? seasons)

Personally I wouldn't buy either at the moment. I hire the landscaper that mowed it the first time or shop around for another that had a better or cheaper price and let them mow until I got the storage shed built then buy a good gas mower that would last you more than a couple of seasons. You'd probably come out ahead in the long run.