Battery Power for Lawn equipment -- is it time?

I noted an 11” 18v lawnmower, I couldn’t understand who would pay the asking price for something designed for a 5 year old

Might as well use a weedehacker to cut the yard

 

I can't remember if it was Ryobi or some other brand, but I think there are tools that run on a 40v system but requires two 20v batteries. I like the idea that I can use an 18v system battery on both 18v (20v max) and 36v (40v max), so to maximize the investment in battery packs. As much as I like battery-powered tools, there is nothing more frustrating than using tools that are underpowered and have short run times.

I have been looking for an economical battery lawn mower, but for my use, I don't think they are "tough" enough and I can't justify paying the hefty price for them. My Husqerverna manual push lawn mower with Honda GCV engine is now 10 years old. I paid $199 for it when new (was $299 MSRP). It has not failed to start on the first pull for the last 10 years. I really abuse it using it in the thick meadow and woodland rather than on manicured lawns. I don't do much maintenance on it. Just put some ethanol-free gas most of the season. I have changed the oil twice in the last 10 years and the spark plug once. I don't know if any of the currently available mostly plastic battery mowers are up for the task.

 

Speculation but there may be a failed thermistor in the battery. Many LiON battery assemblies have a pin connected to a thermistor to detect over heating. If failed, the tool won't pull power.

How many pins do you have on the battery assembly? The outer two should be "+" and "-". The pin next to the "-" should be the thermistor, a temperature sensitive resistor. Nominal values should be 100-1000 ohms.

Bob Wilson

 

Looks like you can look up current local restrictions on a website there.

 

the critical elements seem to be the no metal blades on rock, having a shovel and gallon of water and the firewatch after the activity. Sounds like you've got it covered.

 

I use battery power for the weed wacker and the lead blower but still use gas for the mower. This is the best combo imo.

 

Its safer to use a battery powered tool in the rain than one that runs on AC power. Either one can be damaged by getting wet.

JeffD

 

I wouldn't be too quick to blame a battery chainsaw or leaf blower or string trimmer for damage in foul weather. That's likely an issue with the manufacturer failing to build it well enough. Consider how many decades scuba divers have used those little electric Sea Scooters that look like a torpedo - & they are completely submerged. More recently there are videos of the Nissan Leaf in deep water.

Rather than a blanket prohibition look to what the manufacturer says about their different products. Maybe they build them - maybe they don't.
A quick check for one manufacturer of electric chainsaws - stihl can run in the rain.
.

 

I sometimes use my Ego leaf blower off-label for clearing light snow.

I have learned to do this only wearing gloves, and holding in just one hand at a time. If it happens to kick up a cloud of snow that blows back at it, it will give stronger shocks than you'd expect.

When one arm gets tired, I kind of toss it to the other hand.

 

Speaking of off-label, I've used mine to (temporarily) induce a draft through the chimney on my backyard pizza oven. I set it at the lowest speed and aim the tip generally across and upward near the chimney exit.

Gets that stone preheated to 900°F in about 20 minutes, with delicious results.

 

As I recall, that warning was also on my last ICE mower.

 

I had an electric lawnmower that said not to use it in the rain, but the warning was related to lawn health. Apparently it is easier to spread plant disease when cutting a wet lawn.

Whether by rain or overnight condensation my lawn is wet from March to August, so I don't have much choice.

 

Kobalt 80v electric mowers use a sealed brushless motor and sealed switches - you could hit them with a fire hose and not have any concerns - the weak link is the battery compartment, and it is water resistant not waterproof - if it isn't cracked or damaged you can easily cut wet grass or cut in the rain.

 

Generally speaking I don't cut grass when it's raining or even when the lawn is wet following a shower or in the early morning or late evening - so it's not much of a problem for ICE or electric.

Cutting when its dry is better for the equipment, the operator (if so equipped) and probably better for the grass.

 

I have a plug in electric snow blower. It has never shocked me or shorted out, that I don't clear off after use.

There could be other reasons to not do these chores while it is wet that have no relation to the tool used. Plus legal CYA may be the main drive for the warnings.