Lawnmower - Battery or Electric

[Maydup]

We need a new lawnmower and want to move away from petrol. We have lots of small lawns to move between and some uneven ground with lumps and bumps. We need to be able to lift it easily and to collect the grass in a reasonably sized basket.

Has anyone used one of the new Li-ion battery mowers? They look light and convenient but the batteries are hugely expensive. Do they last long?

If we settle for an electric one does anyone have a recommendation? To hover or not to hover? etc

Help! There are so many to chose from and equal number of positive and negative reviews.

[agardner09]

More info required please maidup. How big is the lawn area overall. Are the small lawns squares, circles, etc. or narrow strips between beds etc. Are the lumps and bumps grass hillocks or earth, ant hills, stone, tree stumps? The small lawns suggest battery or lead. if they are large in total then a lead but if there are trellises, trees, etc to get in the way a battery mower might be best. The lumps suggest a hover but how far are they away from a power source. I think you should do a bit of analysing first.

[Maydup]

Hi agardner09. The lawn areas total say 60sqm. There are a series of small lawns die to the changes in levels; seperated by small steps and paths. We created some ourselves so they are square and flat, but one large lawn is original with an irregular shape and a bit uneven here and there. There are a couple of trees in it andill defined edges. Power is available at both ends of the garden, that's not a problem and we have extension drums but I am concerned that a lead will drive us nuts.

Does anyone here haveany personal experience of the Li-ion battery mowers? I realise we'd probably need a quick recharge half way round, but do the batteries decline in time? If you've bought one have you been pleased or disappointed with it?

[Maydup]

"due to change in levels"

[e.crespo]

Hi Maidup, I have a Bosch Rotak 34 Li-ion battery mower. It has the smallest cutting width of this model and I think it is the best mower I have used. It is lightweight, it charges in one hour and is quite manoeuverable. This year is my third season with my Bosch and I enjoy getting my mower out, sad, I know! It wasn't always the case with my fairly large Flymo.
p.s. my lawn is about 60 feet long and an irregular shape and uses a fraction of a full charge to mow.

[jomifl]

Get one with wheels, you can leave them stationary without boring holes in your lawn and you don't have to carry them.

[Poor-Alfie]

Has anyone used one of the new Li-ion battery mowers?

yes, they are brilliant, i would highly recommend them.

[Maydup]

Thanks for your replies. We're off to look at mowers this weekend and its great to have a few "real" opninions. Never know whether the reviews are genuine. I shall definatley have a look at the battery ones and consider the usefulness of wheels over hover! Thnaks all.

agardner09 - did my extra info help?

[Twenty20]

An area of 60sqm is fairly manageable for a rechargeable. I did look at these when we were looking for a new mower last year but decided against it because of the size of our lawn. We went for a corded Bosch instead.

[MichaelZZ]

How about a gooat - as we say in Yorkshire?

[Maydup]

LOL A goat would be the answer if I wasn't the type to worry about it being lonely, so would have to have two. The two would most likely fight or mate and either way get out of control!

We settled for an affordable Bosch rotary corded in the end and will be trying it out tomorrow weather permitting.