Replacing Petrol Lawn Mower with Battery Lawn Mower a Good Idea

Sunnyoz on 19/04/2024 - 00:00
Last edited 20/04/2024 - 14:23

Edit: Just bought the Ozito PXC 36V(2x18V) brushless steel deck lawnmower and did the first mowing about 200sqm uneven lawn with mix grass and was pretty impressed with the overall performance and only used half the battery and was really quite , had to lower the settings 1-2 times to cut the desired length , rest time will tell if needed to keep this one or upgrade.

Hi all
I currently have a Victa Petrol lawn mower 550ex, which satisfactorily fulfills its purpose due to its robustness and reliance on petrol. However, I have grown weary of the associated petrol fumes, engine oil requirements, and the necessity for filter, engine oil, spark plug, and blade replacements. Moreover, its weightiness, coupled with the absence of self-propulsion, poses challenges during operation. Consequently, I am contemplating the acquisition of the Ozito PXC 36V (2 x 18V) 460mm Brushless Steel Deck Lawn Mower 4.0Ah Kit PXBMK-4047. I anticipate mowing approximately 25 sqm for the nature strip and approximately 300 sqm for both the back and front yard. I seek genuine advice from individuals who have transitioned from petrol lawn mowers to battery-operated ones, and I am keen to assess whether such a switch would be advisable. Any insights or guidance on the matter would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

Home & Garden Lawn Mower

Comments

  • AngoraFish on 19/04/2024 - 00:13
    +8

    I've been electric for about 7 years, same mowing area as you (300sq.m + nature strip). I've gone through three electric mowers in that time. I like electric and will continue to use them for the reasons you mention, but there are plenty of downsides depending on your circumstances.

    Electrical builds are inevitably more plastic and flimsy. The handles and other parts just start failing after a while.

    There is no way that any electric mower has been comparable to any cheap petrol mower that I've used. Every time one fails I move up to the next power version and they all still struggle if you let you lawn go a bit, or if the lawn is a bit wet.

    If your grass is getting a bit long or wet, allow for the lawn to be mowed in two shifts, with a battery recharge in between.

    Basically, I am treating my electrical mowers as more of less disposable at the moment. I like not having to go down to fill up a petrol container at the local 7/11, and the lower noise levels, and starting is a breeze, but that's most of what is going for it. Once I take into account buying new mowers ever few years it's certainly not saving me money.

    • Sunnyoz on 19/04/2024 - 00:17

      Thanks for you advice mate , really helpful

    • Hardlyworkin on 19/04/2024 - 05:38
      +4

      Owned an Ego? I'd argue that they are pretty close to as effective as a petrol mower. Enough that the positives easily outweigh the potential for it to struggle on long wet grass.

    • John Doh on 19/04/2024 - 05:51
      +6

      Can you please share the list of electric mowers with model numbers you used? Just curious to know which ones failed. Thanks.

      • AngoraFish on 19/04/2024 - 13:35

        I currently have a Ryobi RLM36B46S which I got just over four years ago. A lot of the cable housing has popped out of the frame and components have come out of various bits and pieces, some of the panels are developing noticeable gaps, some of the green paint has started to chip off, and the mulcher attachment doesn't fit properly anymore after getting a couple too many sticks caught in it. It's still working okay, it just feels like it's on the way out. I used to get decades out of my petrol old mowers, which were usually second hand and kept on going strong for years after I picked them up.

        My prior model was also a Ryobi, looked the same but slightly smaller with a slightly lower battery capacity, from memory.

        The first one was just some low end Bunnings generic.

        • John Doh on 19/04/2024 - 13:42

          Thanks, the recent Ryobis and Ozitos have improved a lot. Not to forget the 52V eco system of ego should make it better. Of course a blown circuit after out of warranty means its going to dump in most cases which is not ideal, but battery convinience is simple unbeatable.

    • watwatwat on 19/04/2024 - 11:19

      Electrical builds are inevitably more plastic and flimsy.

      It seems to be the case but I don't think it needs to be this way.

      They probably want to use cheaper components to make the entire price more bearable, to offset the expensive batteries. But over time, hopefully this improves.

    • Osprey06 on 19/04/2024 - 11:44

      What brands have you used? I've had an EGO plastic deck self-driving mower for just over 2 years now (which is the average life of your three mowers in 7 years) and it's been great so far — nothing flimsy or failing per your experience. The actual mowing process has been very similar to my previous (admittedly much cheaper) 4 stroke mower at getting through my thick, wet, weedy lawn which I let grow far too long between mows. My only other electric experience has been with a mates 80v Victa which I borrowed years ago and is no longer available to buy today. That thing chomped through the lawn with ease and was built well (although the paint under his metal deck has lifted and it's starting to rust out, which is one of the reasons why I didn't go with EGOs metal deck mower).

    • OzRealityBites on 20/04/2024 - 11:22
      +1

      I second this. I've had two electric corded Flymo mowers and one Masport petrol mower in the last 12 years. Electric mowers don't have the same power, so they take longer than petrol mowers to finish the job, but they're far easier to start, to operate, and far more reliable in my experience.

      If you have a smallish amount of lawn, go for electric, either corded or cordless.

  • Muzeeb on 19/04/2024 - 00:14
    +1

    Do you always remain on top of your lawn mowing duties or the does the grass often get overgrown?

    • Sunnyoz on 19/04/2024 - 00:19

      Majority of the time I am on top of lawn mowing duties except when it’s raining it’s does get overgrown. I am based in QLD so plenty of Sun and rain during summer .

      • Nugs on 19/04/2024 - 07:36
        +4

        neglect is not good, might lead to having a neighbour cut your grass
        .

  • afoveht on 19/04/2024 - 01:29
    +2

    Maybe run, or try running, your current mower into the ground before spending on a new one. I haven't really maintained mine at all (in fact your post has just prompted me to check the oil next time I use it, will be the first time I thought about that in years) but it just keeps going. I tell myself I'll consider changing to electric when it needs something non-trivial to keep it alive but that day just does not seem to come. It's not necessarily satisfying from a "let me get a new toy" POV but it doesn't seem sensible to dispose of something that has plenty of utility left. "Challenges during operation" probably seem a lot bigger than what they actually are due to the enticement of the thrill of a new purchase.

    • Osprey06 on 19/04/2024 - 12:05

      I second this. I ran my previous 4-stroke mower for 10 years with zero maintenance other than fuel and the occasional tweak of the idle screw (I never even changed the oil). The pull start broke and I couldn't buy a replacement so it spent the last year of it's life being started with an impact wrench until the crank nose snapped off (not designed for regular 1200nm shocks I guess). the longer you can delay the purchase, (theoretically) the better prices and battery tech will be when you do take the plunge.

  • John Doh on 19/04/2024 - 05:49
    +1

    You can always rent the ozito 46cms movers on facebook and try. Not sure if you can do 350 sqm in 2 batteries, but ozito batteries are cheap and you save on petrol eventually.

    My take on moving from petrol to Battery depends on what you want. If you want to make life easy - battery it is. But they may not last as long. I moved from petrol to battery and not looking back. But if lawn is thick, long and wet most of the times you mow, then petrol it is - or you have to make 2 passes with battery mower. But 36V mower pack quite a grunt.

  • Euphemistic on 19/04/2024 - 06:02
    +4

    Ill never own another bit of petrol gardening gear for home. No petrol, no fumes, much less noise, instant start and stop. Recharge the battery after youre done (and the battery is cool) and its ready for next time.

    I have approx 300m2 of lawn. Curently have a brushless 36v ryobi. Does the job on a 5ah battery unless ive let it get too long. Only thing with the mower is that it doesnt seem to send the cljplings into the catcher well enough. Need to keep clearing the mower, but as its instant stop and start its not much hassle.

    Battery line trimmer, hedger, blower, chainsaw, polesaw all work well. Bought second hand so it hasnt cost a bomb too.

    If i was purchasing new id look at a better mower, but this is ozbargain so second hand for the win.

    • Aldonis on 19/04/2024 - 10:29

      I found my 36v Ryobi line trimmer to be substandard compared to a 4 stroke, mind telling me which model you have?

      • Euphemistic on 19/04/2024 - 11:25

        Ive had a couple. Had an 18v basic one that wasnt great. Got a 36v cheap that was better, but def not as good as 4 stroke. Now have an 19v brushless version with twin lines. Its pretty good. It wont clear an overgrown block like a petrol one, but it easily does standard edge trimming.

        I cant remember why i got rid of the 36v version, maybe it died.

  • Bourb on 19/04/2024 - 06:11
    +1

    Went Electric 2 years ago, would never go back to petrol. I bought a 36v Stihl, not the cheapest, but it is well built and cuts just as good as the old Victa.

  • apsilon on 19/04/2024 - 06:28
    +4

    Changed all my garden tools to electric 5 years ago and it's been brilliant, would never go back to fuel. I do about 250m2 of lawn. Most people who complain about electric not being powerful have actually never used one of if they do they never bother sharpening the blade.

    • Sunnyoz on 19/04/2024 - 06:32

      Thanks can you please advice what brand electric tools are you using ? Are you able to advice what your current lean mower please

      • apsilon on 19/04/2024 - 08:07

        I'm just using Ryobi 18v. TBH when I bought the first mower I expected it to be rubbish but I knew it'd be an easy return to Bunnings but it turned out to be very good. I can do knee high grass without it bogging down despite what most will claim. All you need to do is sharpen the blade a couple of times per season (which you should be doing with any mower IMO) and for really tall and thick stuff I just pop a wheelie with it and push through blade first then drop it down and pull it back for a second pass. Only times I've had it cut out is when the blade has actually hit the ground because I had it too low.

        I go through about 12ah of battery to do both the lawn and edges during summer.

        I am on the second mower. First one something in the deadman switch broke at about 5.75 years (which means I've actually been doing it for 6 years and not 5 as I originally said) but as it was still under warranty it was an easy warranty swap for the current model. I can't recall the exact model but it's the dual battery brushless 40cm IIRC. If it hadn't been under warranty I'm certain I could've bypassed the switch and kept using the mower just fine.

  • Rob-4x4 on 19/04/2024 - 08:12

    I have been thinking of getting one of the Makita 36 Volt ones as I can share batteries with my other Makita cordless battery tools.

    • Imjustsayin on 19/04/2024 - 08:36

      In the same boat. Entire setup of LXT kit, but, I want to store the mower upright which makita seems not able to do easily. Other thing is the more I read the more it’s pushing me to an ego plastic deck and be damned a new battery ecosystem due to weight and power and storage. My 20+year old Honda has had a lot of rusted parts replaced and the clutch bar being the most recent just isn’t viable (the whole handle assembly is rusted through) while the deck and engine are still working like they should. I’ll move it and the petrol trimmer on via gumtree if I can decide on the mower!

    • donbot on 19/04/2024 - 09:50

      I've done it, and gone the 36v self propelled big sucker that holds 4 batteries - makes it easier to flick over mid mow.

      I'm happy with it - few pitfalls are my yard has high/low spots in it and needs a top dress - so being Kikuyu it can struggle if I'm trying to cut down too low - but if I keep on-top of it and at a good height - it's great. Wouldn't go back to a petrol mower, and can only recommend going battery whipper snipper - again, 36v but it's on par with what petrol did. Also good that it's part of a multi tool - so hedge trimmer, please, cultivator and snippet - all using the one motor. It's awesome!

      Benefit is I have LXT tools now too so all feed off the same batteries. 40v is meant to be better again, but the ability to use 18v power tools, which for me is plenty of power - is better as they are generally cheaper too.

      • Imjustsayin on 19/04/2024 - 10:42

        Nice thanks for the info. I bought the DUX60 kit so everything outside is now 18/36v along with a dozen other tools. I do want to stay Makita but the storage is the critical part (even in continuing to replace rusted parts on the Honda) I only have space to store a mower now that can sit vertical. I need to confirm if any Makita can..

  • JimmyF on 19/04/2024 - 08:13
    +4

    I seek genuine advice from individuals who have transitioned from petrol lawn mowers to battery-operated ones,

    I went from petrol to a ego battery mower, best thing I ever done!!

    I have grown weary of the associated petrol fumes, engine oil requirements, and the necessity for filter, engine oil, spark plug, and blade replacements.

    Yep none of those things now. You still need to do blade replacements, they are battery powered not magical ;)

    We also got a EV as well, I recently had to go fill up a car and OMG the smell, I just about got high from the fumes as I hadn't been around them for so long!

    Consequently, I am contemplating the acquisition of the Ozito PXC 36V (2 x 18V)

    The higher the voltage the better. So 36v should be the min. Brushless too.

    • Sunnyoz on 19/04/2024 - 08:40

      Good stuff mate , thanks for your valuable advice

  • ricsantos on 19/04/2024 - 08:27
    +1

    When my petrol mower died about 5 years ago I replaced it with an Ozito 36V mower and for the most part it's great. I love that it starts with a button, no maintenance required except sharpening the blade.

    It does struggle when the lawn is thick or long, which is it's main downfall, so it requires 2 passes as others have mentioned.

    If I was buying now, I'd look for the most powerful one I could find, perhaps thats EGO?

    • Sunnyoz on 19/04/2024 - 09:02

      Thanks mate any particular model that you could recommend for Ego Brand ?

      • ricsantos on 22/04/2024 - 08:29

        Sorry no, I'm not that familiar with the range, just heard it was powerful.

  • OzAndy on 19/04/2024 - 09:17
    +1

    You could check out Choice magazine at your local library. They have recently done an extensive review of battey mowers. … Feb 2024

  • LFO on 19/04/2024 - 10:04

    There is electric with a battery and electric with a cord (240VAC),

    Although a cord is a real pain it has the same/similar or more power than petrol and much more silent. But then a 240VAC cord is a serious unwinnable challenge for some.

    Perhaps an Ozito budget branded battery operated is a bit to low to start with.
    Bigger models and better (and dearer) brands offer performance and durability comparable to petrol ones. They are not cheap but they are very good.

    When downsizing we went battery only and would not go back to petrol. Ever.

  • payless69 on 19/04/2024 - 10:57
    +1

    Make a Poll

  • bbinc on 19/04/2024 - 10:58

    I ditched petrol years ago. Always in the repair/service shop.
    Since then:
    Flymo 240v floating mower. Cord was a a pain.
    Got a small 12v battery electric, which was very slow to get about 250 sq mths done.Lasted 10yrs.
    Then a 56v EGO which was amazing. Very powerful, big catcher, well built, also lasted about 10yrs, the electrics died. Very big and heavy, hard to store. Never sharpened the blade. Parents Jim’s Mowing man uses only EGO tools and loves them, imagine the use that mower gets every year. But they are expensive c/f Ozito.
    Now the Ozito 36v with 2 4amp batteries, the one with the plastic deck. Very impressed, and no problems 250sq mtr plus nature strip. The catcher fills up without getting blocked, and there is a nifty ‘full catcher’ indicator. It’s overall smaller than the one you are looking at, and the catcher doesn’t hold much. On my back lawn which is around 120 sq mtr I need to empty it 5 or 6 times, but with the easy stop start it’s not a pain. 3yrs warranty. I figured not much to go wrong there.

    • boomramada on 19/04/2024 - 12:57

      I ditched petrol years ago. Always in the repair/service shop.

      I got a Honda one, always start the first time. About 10+ years old, get use around twice a month. Never been serviced or broken. Getting a good brand helps.

    • 1st-Amendment on 19/04/2024 - 13:25

      Always in the repair/service shop

      Flymo 240v… 12v battery electric… 56v EGO… Ozito 36v…

      So you swapped the repair shop for the replacement shop and you think you're ahead?

  • Minimum chips on 19/04/2024 - 11:56

    Have had a few Mower+whipper snipper sets over the last few years:

    Started with petrol. Found it loud and nasty, and a pain in the ass.

    Went from Petrol to a corded electric. Found corded electric to be a massive pain in the ass.

    Went from corded electric to cheapest Ozito battery powered. Still a pain in the ass, underpowered.

    Went from cheapest Ozito to battery powered Katana tools. Actually very happy with this so far. Have only owned for less than 6 months, but it tackled massively overgrown wet grass without choking and I was very impressed.

    As mentioned, everything in these electric mowers is plastic so eventually something is going to crack and break. I try to keep it out of the weather and brush all the loose grass off/out with a hand broom, which I think will help. Batteries last two full yard tidy-ups between charges, though I'm on a subdivided lot right now so the back is pretty small.

  • Osprey06 on 19/04/2024 - 12:53

    A little over 2 years ago I replaced my then 10year old cheapie Talon-branded 4-stroke mower when it finally broke (I did zero militance, just fuel and tweak the idle screw. Never changed the plug, air filter or oil!). Went with EGO 56v (21" plastic deck (no risk of rust!) self-drive mower, multi-head whipper snipper + pole saw+ bonus extension and leaf blower + extra battery by redemption). Expensive (mower was ~$1200 compared with the Talon from bunnings for ~$250), but has been great so far — all tools powerful and easy to use. The EGO mower definitely doesn't do worse than the Talon did. My friend has an 80v Victa (no longer available) which is better than both from a mowing point of view, although still not as nice to use as the EGO and don't have all the other tools to go with the system.

    Issues? I find the drive for the self-drive doesn't disengage quickly enough, so if you drive it towards a fence line you have to wait a second or two, maybe give it a bit of a jiggle before you can pull the mower back. I'm questioning a little if the batteries (2x7.5Ah and one 2.5Ah) are losing some of their runtime this year, although I store them in the garage, which sees temperature swings not recommended (sub zero to high summer heat). I do mostly store them with the recommended 40-60% charge state and try to slow rather than fast charge, which means I do need to think ahead a little to charge them up before I mow (have been meaning to put the charging bay on a smart plug to I can turn it on remotely).

    I mow roughly 175m2 of usually thick, weedy lawn (nature strip + back yard). Only occasionally use the self-drive. I can usually get the mowing, edging (whipper snipper) and blow the driveway/front path down on one charge of 7.5Ah battery, although usually switch to the 2.5Ah battery for the hand tools because it's lighter and to avoid running the 7.5Ah to empty. Despite having the 'high lift' blades, I do find the EGO mower leaves quite more of the long/flat weedy stuff behind than I'd like and than I recall the Talon doing. Nothing that makes me want to go back, but just an observation. Maybe I'm just paying more attention now than I used to as a bachelor who only mowed when I absolutely had to :D. Mower is heavy, but has handles so is actually pretty easy to lift. I store it vertically in a tight spot in the garage (can't do that with petrol! I've even seen some people build frames and hang them on a wall). You can also roll it vertically too so no need to extend the handle out if you're just moving it around. Whipper snipper and pole saw have been great too.

  • Daniel Plainview on 19/04/2024 - 14:01

    However, I have grown weary of the associated petrol fumes, engine oil requirements, and the necessity for filter, engine oil, spark plug, and blade replacements. Moreover, its weightiness, coupled with the absence of self-propulsion, poses challenges during operation

    Weary? An airfilter, engine oil & blades need replacing at most (for a domestic user) annually. And thats getting weary on you. The blade/s on the vast majority of battery mowers will not be hardened to the same level as swingbacks on most petrol mowers and so will blunt a LOT more easily - also battery mowers are far more susceptible to performance issues when they blades dull vs petrol driven ones - detailed in a case study a guy placed on Whirlpool, physics based - beyond my pay grade but made sense.

    So I think you'll be trading a known bunch of issues for another bunch of yet to be discovered ones.

    Self-propelled? You're mowing 325m2 which I suspect is likely pretty much flat.

    I am keen to assess whether such a switch would be advisable.

    You haven't stated on what basis the switch should be assessed or even really why it's being done - cost, less maintenance, eco etc. I'm on acreage - use petrol, with common sense maintenance is minimal - I've used battery for a relative, it's ok but limits when you can cut (very affected by wet grass) and not as much guts (though it wasn't a high end mower). The Ozito kit you link is regarded as good value but you'll still have maintenance needed - just different stuff to petrol. Feels to me like you just want a change for the sake of it - I can't see a huge benefit in switching but you didn't provide much info. :-)

  • baxter on 20/04/2024 - 09:46
    +1

    switched to battery lawn mower over 20 years ago!! First was the only one that Bunnings sold - "Eco-something" perhaps. Had it for 13 years - only bought a replacement battery off ebay in all that time. Have had a cheapy Ozito 36v mower for the last 8 years. Kept waiting for something to go wrong while it was in warranty, but it continued through those 5 years. Now 3 years past that. Battery everything man - no need for anything with an internal combustion engine these days - cars, tools the lot. Life is so much cheaper and easier with super minimal maintenance.

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