Electric versus Gas lawnmower

[knock7]

This forum seemed like the best fit as technology, but feel free to move the thread.

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My lawn mower is six or seven years old and I need a new one. I want something cheap and easy, because I don't enjoy cutting the lawn.

I looked into an electric lawnmower and I found this one on Amazon - Black & Decker Lawn Hog 12 Amp 19-Inch Electric Mulching Mower with Rear Bag #MM875 with great reviews. However, I asked a lawn care guy and at Home Depo. They both said an electric was a bad idea. It won't be powerful enough to cut my lawn. I think its 80x140 or close to it.

Any advice?

[Ytterbium]

I'm not a expert but I don't think there's anything wrong with a electric one. It's quieter but you'll have to drag a cable around. 80x140 doesn't say anything to me, but is it to big for a man powered? Then it will be cheap and you'll get exercise in the process.

[Oscarvan]

I had an electric once.....how good are you at splicing extension cords? ;) Because you WILL mow over the cord sooner or later..... There are battery powered ones (rechargeable) but I'd be leary of how long the battery lasts, and it will only last that long the first time.....down hill from there.

Chainsaw math:

80x140...11000 sq ft... fifth of an acre..... 1-1/2 takes me 2+ with a commercial 4 speed 48" deck so 39000 sq ft/hr.....you'd have 1/3 of that, if that, so it would take you a long hour to do your yard. I'd say gas and get the biggest thing you can get, 22" and preferably propelled, saves your back. Keep it under an hour.

[Functianalyst]

I think that to consider an electric vs gas powered anything (when it comes to yard work) needs to be based on how much area you're needing to cover. The larger the area, the more need for gas powered. Electric lawn equipment is not going to have the durability that you find in gas powered equipment and less overall power.

I have never owned an electric mower, but I have owned an electric blower, and still use an electric weed eater/edger. If my electric weedeater ever goes (had it for ten years), then I will most likely buy another one since I am only covering about a third of an acre. Choosing lawn equipment is like choosing a computer, so let Home Depot know what you will be doing with it and they will tell you whether you need gas powered. But back to your inquiry, B&D makes good long lasting equipment so if you can get by with an electric one, that's a good brand.





Functianalyst added to this post, 3 minutes and 24 seconds later...

Interestingly with the high price of fuel, we will most likely see small engine equipment going to alternative power sources.