Lawnmower suggestions needed

how many square feet? if you're looking cordless electric, ryobi has a new 48 volt self propelled model that looks pretty good. i bought a canadian brand 2 years ago,(solaris) and it's a p o s. batteries losing charging capacity quickly, very heavy, but it cuts fine when it's charged. very heavy, i don't think they make lawn mowers as a regular business.

 

If you need to go with a gas mower, you can't do better than Honda.

Tom

 

Lawn in general is not eco-friendly. Reduce the lawn as much as you can; get those teens planting low maintenance, native ground cover or wildflowers instead. For lawn, make sure you plant some clover to help fertilize the grass.

First choice for mowers is a reel mower. Especially if you like putting green type lawns. I use mine for the 'croquet lawn' and it produces the best cut of any type of mower. I used to do my whole lawn with it when I had a smaller lawn. Keep it sharpened!

A friend of mine converted his gas mower into a solar electric see: CONVERTING A GAS MOWER TO  SOLAR ELECTRIC POWER

Black & Decker makes a reasonable corded model which I would recommend over any battery model if you are always within 100 feet or so of your house. It is overly bulky and heavy though (though nothing like a gas mower). They used to make a small one with flip-over handle (to keep the cord on one side). I know of one which has been in service for 30 years with no maintenance other than patching the cord.

I have a Neuton, which I like a lot, and which I abuse mercilessly. Being gentle with the battery, and for a smallish sized lawn it is pretty good.

 

Scissors?
Rounded/Safety tip of course, in case the teens get restless.

 

do a search on the internet for "electric lawn mower" or "riding electric lawn mower"

 

Here is my review on some electric lawn equipment.
Electrified Lawn Care - CleanMPG Forums

 

Sheep.

 

I have a Neuton CE6 and I love it. Battery power. Did not like the trimmer attachment and bought WORKS trimmer. But the lawnmower is great. :0)

Neuton Battery Lawn Mowers - Neuton Battery Lawn Mowers - Naturally smarter mowers and power equipment

 

Growing up, we lived with an aunt that was an old-maid school teacher for a while and she only had a push reel mower. It was my brother and my job to cut the grass.

It did not take us long to figure out that the best trick with the push mower was to mow often. As long as the grass was short the push mower was not that hard to push. Let it get a little long and it was a PIA to push.

 

I agree with the reel push mower, but I like the idea of getting rid of the lawn even better. Don't do it because you think it'll be less work, though. Digging up the sod, preparing the soil, landscaping, moving plants and weeding all add up to far more work than mowing the lawn. Sure is purty, though.

 

Goats, they'll eat anything and keep the yard and neighborhood litter free.

 

Good point. I just through in the sheep option in honor of Tom.

 

Be careful though: VTEC might kick in.

 

Gas mowers emit disproportionately large amounts of pollution. A corded electric does just as good a job.

 

My Honda mower is 27 years old. The only maintenance it has required is an oil change every few years when I remember, plus a new blade.

Agreed, assuming one has a yard where it works. If you were building a new place you could add strategically located outlets. On the other hand, one could find something better than grass.

We have a relatively small amount of grass. I probably wouldn't even have that except we are in the center of the village where there are tree lawns and such. People wouldn't like it if our yard was completely natural. Our back three lots are woods and creek, so no mowing back there.

Tom

 

I've had 2 Black and Decker cordless, they've been good for my 1/3 acre lawn. I continue to take lawn out of production for environmental reasons. I've planted a hundred trees seedlings on my lot in the last 5 years.