No doubt you’ve been hearing about the benefits of battery-powered lawn equipment for a while now. At the beginning of this year, we looked at “Battery-Powered Lawn and Landscape Trends to Keep an Eye on in 2022.” Those trends included bans on gasoline-powered lawn equipment and improved battery-powered lawnmower options. With more and more locations banning or restricting the use of gasoline-powered equipment, battery power is looking like a better option all the time.
If this is your first time shopping for or working with a battery-powered mower, you might be wondering what to expect. It’s a little bit different than a gasoline-powered mower. In this article, we’ll look at some of the differences you should expect to see in a battery-powered walk-behind mower, as well as what to look for when you’re shopping.
Motor Options
With gasoline-powered mowers, you can get an idea of how powerful the mower’s engine is by looking at the engine capacity rating. The gas-tank capacity gives you an idea of how long you can work with the mower before refueling.
Battery-powered motors aren’t described the same way. With these, you’ll be looking at ratings in volts, watts, and amps. A higher voltage mower system typically means more power, but that also depends on the amp hours of the battery. The main thing to look at is the watt-hours listed for the mower’s battery. That number describes the energy capacity, so it gives you an idea of how long the mower can run on a single charge.
Another thing to keep an eye out for is the type of motor the lawnmower uses. You want to get one with a brushless motor. Those motors last longer and don’t overheat as quickly as a brush motor would.
Backup Batteries
Some manufacturers, like STIHL, offer different battery options for the same mower. That means you can pick between different batteries that offer different run times. Keep in mind that cutting conditions (such as how tall the grass is and whether there are steep hills in the yard) will affect battery run times. The STIHL RMA 460 V helps compensate for those variations by automatically adjusting how much power it uses based on grass height and thickness.
Some mowers offer a storage spot for a backup battery. This can make switching batteries part way through lawn mowing super convenient. The Echo CLM-58V, for example, lets you switch batteries simply by flipping a switch. This extra battery is especially useful if you know you can cut your whole yard using only two battery charges.
For larger yards, you’ll likely want to have a spare battery charging while you’re cutting. Having two or three batteries in total makes it much easier to ensure you’ll have enough power for the job. Extra batteries are particularly important if you’re using battery-powered lawnmowers for commercial lawn care work.
Unique Maintenance Needs
Caring for battery-powered lawnmowers is both different and easier than maintenance on gasoline-powered equipment. The biggest change you’ll notice is that there’s no more engine maintenance.
You’ll still want to make sure you’re keeping the mower clean and sharpening the blades as needed, just like you would for any other mower. Other than that, the only maintenance you’ll need to do is take care of the batteries.
Recharge the batteries before they run down to 0% charge. That’ll help extend the battery life and prevent damage. Also, remember to take the batteries off the charger when they’re full to prevent over-charging.
For storing batteries, different manufacturers have different guidelines. STIHL recommends storing their batteries with a charge between 40% and 60% at temperatures between 14°F and 122°F. Echo recommends storing their batteries with a charge between 30% and 50% at temperatures lower than 80°F.
Cutting Deck Options
Just like with other lawnmowers, battery-powered models offer cutting deck options. Look for sturdy deck material like heavy-duty steel or composite. Wider decks let you cut more quickly, while narrow decks can work better for smaller yards with obstacles to mow around. 21-inch decks are popular, though the final choice is up to you.
Also like other mowers, you’ll want to make sure the battery-powered mower you pick offers adjustable deck heights. Lawn grass grows healthiest when you only cut about 1/3 of the overall height each time you mow. Ideal cutting heights also vary depending on the type of grass you have, so an adjustable deck lets you customize your cut for a specific lawn.
You’ll also want to check discharge options for the mower. In general, it’s best to leave clippings on the lawn so they can break down and return water and nutrients to the soil. A bagging option can also be useful if you’re cutting wet, overgrown, or diseased grass.
Flexible and Cost-Saving
With the price of gas climbing, another benefit that battery-powered lawnmowers offer is that you’ll save on fuel. Sure you’re still paying for electricity, but in the long run you’re going to save money. In May 2022, CNET calculated that with gas averaging $4.21 per gallon and electricity averaging 14 cents per kilowatt-hour, you’ll save $7.62 per year. That might not sound like much, but it adds up.
There’s one last advantage that battery-powered mowers offer that can save money in the long run. Many manufacturers, including STIHL and Echo, use the same batteries for different types of lawn equipment. The same batteries that power STIHL’s lawnmowers, for example, can also power chainsaws, trimmers, blowers, pole pruners, and hedge trimmers. If you already own other battery-powered lawn equipment, you might find that your batteries would work with a lawnmower from the same manufacturer. Or if you’re just making the switch to battery-powered equipment, you can plan ahead to get a variety of tools that all work with the same batteries.
Battery-Power at Richardson Saw & Lawnmower
Continuing improvements in battery-powered technology make modern electric lawnmowers a better option than ever before. Battery-powered lawnmowers in 2022 are more reliable and more widely available than they once were. Whether you’re looking for a mower to use around your house or one for part of a commercial equipment fleet, this is a good year to give battery-powered mowers a chance.
Currently, we stock lithium-ion battery-powered mowers by STIHL and Echo. You can stop by our location or visit our website to see what we offer. You’re also welcome to contact us or come in person to ask questions. We’ll be happy to help you find a battery-powered lawnmower to fit your needs.
