Gas vs Electric lawn mower (trees, Rose Bushes, fast, bird)

[patriot201]

Originally Posted by Mach50

I'm learning toward electric but I have a very small yard.

I too have a small yard and I use an electric mower. I love my mower! It is quiet enough that I don't feel too guilty mowing at 8:30-9:00 on a weekend morning.

My mower is corded, but the cord doesn't really get in the way. When this one dies, though, I think I will get a cordless.

[Big George]

Originally Posted by Hesky

I bought a house about a month ago, and the yard looks like a hayfield! I am looking for a lawn mower, but I've never bought one, and I have never used an electric one. What type would you recommend, electric or gas? Its a fairly large yard, about 13,000 sq ft. I'm looking for something that isn't too expensive.

Thanks for your advise!

Electric mowers are only practical for really small yards. A big yard means you're going to spend a lot of money on expensive extension cords, and then have to be dragging them all over the yard every time you mow.

Get on Craigslist, and look for used mowers. There are good ones that usually can be had for $50 - $75.

[texdav]

Originally Posted by Cambium

15,000 sq ft is like 150' x 100'. Eliminate Electric from equation. Aside from dragging the cord everywhere you dont have the same power as a gas not to mention an hours worth of electric being used. It will cost you more in the long run.

As far as Gas Mowers... There's always something you have to sacrafice when your choices are limited. Not expensive means a small mower or a no name brand or little horsepower. I got 100'x50' yard and I regret getting a 22" mower. Get a wider mower so you dont have to do 1000 rows of mowing.

Toro with Honda motor has treated me well starting every Spring on second pull.

Dont let people scare you regarding maintenance. Spark plug, Change Oil, Check Filter, Clean gas, Change blade. No big deal.

I'd recommend gas definitely for that size yard. If your in weekly cut area in warmer weather if you can swing it might consider a 42" inch zero turn as that will make it a breeze. Mine is 200 X75 and have owned alot of mowers including several trators but nothing compares for ease of cutting and time savings.Remember most people have alot of lawn problems from not cuttig often enough and too short.

[calel]

OP: For the size of your yard, you'll likely need a gas mower. Otherwise, you will need a spare battery for a cordless electric mower; electric mowers are better for small yards.

Originally Posted by Cambium

15,000 sq ft is like 150' x 100'. Eliminate Electric from equation. Aside from dragging the cord everywhere you dont have the same power as a gas not to mention an hours worth of electric being used. It will cost you more in the long run.

...

Dont let people scare you regarding maintenance. Spark plug, Change Oil, Check Filter, Clean gas, Change blade. No big deal.

Regarding fuel costs, you have it backwards. Electric lawnmowers chew up about $5 worth of electricity a year. Here's a link or two so you don't think I'm pulling this out of thin air

Fuel-efficient lawns and landscapes
The Great Maryland Lawn Mower Exchange

The only maintenance needed on a corded lawnmower is blade sharpening/replacement.

[FloridaKash]

If you ever want to mow anything than completely dry grass, get Gas. If you ever need to mow tall grass, get Gas. I grew up with an electric mower on a large yard. When we bought our first house DW grand parents bought us an electric mower as a house warming gift. I used it about 3 times, sold it on Craigslist and used the money towards a 6.5HP Gas mower.

Never looked back. Got tired of having to wait for the grass to be completely dry or be totally screwed if I missed mowing it one week. Also, I suggest buying nothing smaller than a 6.5HP and make sure it has the big wheels in back. Self Propelled is a nice options, but not required.

[rainroosty]

Electric mowers are one of the greatest things in the whole world! Fantastic!
....
Gas mowers should be illegal!
There's no comparison and no reason to get a gas mower.
How cool that you may get one! You'll be so happy!

[Wilson513]

Electric mowers do not work. Well, they work on a postage stamp lawn that is cut twice a week. My sister had one that worked for her in September when the grass was not growing. Other than that, I had to schlep one of my gas mowers over to rescue her lawn.

And, unless you have well located GFCI's you are in dangerous territory.

The reason that mowers are always quoted as "12 AMP" electric motor is that no matter what you do, you are only getting about 1.5 horsepower out of 12 AMPs and you can't run more than 12 amps on a GFCI household circuit, so at the end of the day you have a mower with about one third of the power of the cheapest gas mower you can buy. they don't want you to know that you are gonna be using a weak mower that is not gonna cut anything. Big surprise you can't cut and long grass with them. some gas mowers stall out on a thick lawn with three to five times the power.

[AnywhereElse]

Originally Posted by Kreutz

I have electric rechargeable, I do the front one day the back the next, never ran out of power. No fumes, spark plugs or gas to mess with. It is heavier on account of the batteries though.

This is what I was doing. Our lawn is just about the size of the OPs. We bought the Black and Decker rechargeable and still have it. At 57 years old, it is really heavy to push as the yard goes up and down and up and down and the weight is about 75 lbs with the battery and it is not self-propelled. If you want to get into shape though, it will tighten those arms and stomach muscles. I was able to mow the front one day and the back the next day or sometimes if I started early enough, I could get it recharged for a second time to finish the back. I bought the corded Black and Decker, the one with the most strength and looks just like the other except with the cord. I like the corded because it is half the weight. Got my husband a gas mower, nice one and he'll mow if the yard gets out of hand as it does with many days of rain. I don't like gas fumes. Suggest you check online and read the reviews. There are other brands of electric mowers, just google and it will give you a place to start. Love the electric!

[pvande55]

I have used gas, reel, electric corded and most recently cordless. Cordless is my favorite. No worries about starting it, reach of cord, difficulty pushing. May be tough for large yard, or you can split mowing job into several days.

[Big George]

Originally Posted by pvande55

I have used gas, reel, electric corded and most recently cordless. Cordless is my favorite. No worries about starting it, reach of cord, difficulty pushing. May be tough for large yard, or you can split mowing job into several days.

Sounds like you're very happy with your mower. You must have a small yard that it works perfectly for.

It's great to find the right tool for the right job!