General: Battery powered ride on mower

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- CommentAuthorrevor
- CommentTimeJun 18th 2021
Anyone got a battery powered ride on mower willing to share their knowledge / recommendations?
- CommentAuthorowlman
- CommentTimeJun 18th 2021
I don't have one, but I too have been looking lately, my local dealer tried to get me interested.
The prices are a bit eyewatering though and I understand that supplies of ride-on mowers in general is a bit iffy at the moment.
- CommentAuthorrevor
- CommentTimeJun 18th 2021
Yes they are a bit pricey from my search so far but do not mind paying for what I want. I have set a requirement that it is not made in China nor the battery nor the cells that go in the battery which could be difficult but I am hopeful there is something out there. If I can't get non Chinese then will look at a petrol or diesel but eco wise don't want to go down that road plus have spare PV generation which goes to the grid for tiddly squat which would be better serving me.
- CommentAuthorowlman
- CommentTimeJun 18th 2021
I looked the offerings from the "Stiga" brand and their sister brands, "Atco" and "Mountfield", I found a bit of dealer confusion over their origins.
Although Stiga were originally Swedish, the mower brand I understand has changed hands and is part of a large Italian garden equipment company. These companies appear to have manufacturing facilities all over the place sometimes, I'm told, with their cheaper domestic products coming from China, whilst retaining premium production in Europe. I'm guessing they have components coming from all over the Globe.
The other company I looked at was AL-CO, German/Austrian I believe, they also do a small ride on.
- CommentAuthorrevor
- CommentTimeJun 18th 2021
I also ended up looking at Stiga Atco and Mountfield and noted there was quite some mention of China manufacturing. Did not come across AL-CO will take a look at their offering so thanks for that mention. I am pretty frustrated with having to dig deep to find where things are made and often you cannot find out. I recently bought an inverter for my PV project claimed to be 100% Italian but there were components that were made in China. That is misleading "Italian made" would be a better description. I wrote to my MP about labelling and she said she would raise with Ministers but nothing has happened yet and guess it won't.
- CommentAuthorjms452
- CommentTimeJun 18th 2021
Posted By: revorI also ended up looking at Stiga Atco and Mountfield and noted there was quite some mention of China manufacturing. Did not come across AL-CO will take a look at their offering so thanks for that mention. I am pretty frustrated with having to dig deep to find where things are made and often you cannot find out. I recently bought an inverter for my PV project claimed to be 100% Italian but there were components that were made in China. That is misleading "Italian made" would be a better description. I wrote to my MP about labelling and she said she would raise with Ministers but nothing has happened yet and guess it won't.

We have world wide supply chains. You are going to find it very hard (or possibly even impossible) to find something with as many components as an inverter with no made in china parts. There are hundreds if not thousands of parts in there. Even if none of these parts are made in china some of the materials in the parts will be Chinese.

With our PV i decided that it was the standards (both technical and employee) of the manufacture rather than where they were geographically that mattered.
- CommentAuthorowlman
- CommentTimeJun 19th 2021
Posted By: revor................ I wrote to my MP about labelling and she said she would raise with Ministers but nothing has happened yet and guess it won't.

Yes, labelling in general is sometimes woefully inadequate.
I went looking for peat free garden compost the other day. There were lots of various composts available but only one had the peat content clearly labelled with a sort of block percentage colour code, and with that particular product highlighted. For the majority if peat was mentioned at all, it was buried somewhere in the small print.
Assuming that these products are manufactured to a formula, not an unreasonable assumption given their plant nutrient claims, then why can't the peat content be labelled?
IMO legislation and ensuing action could be in place in a very short time, with a simple stick on label as a first step.
There has been lots of talk about lessening the use of peat in gardening, but it seems little action. All this with the backdrop of the environmental disaster that is peat digging.
- CommentAuthordjh
- CommentTimeJun 19th 2021
Posted By: owlmanI went looking for peat free garden compost the other day. There were lots of various composts available but only one had the peat content clearly labelled with a sort of block percentage colour code, and with that particular product highlighted. For the majority if peat was mentioned at all, it was buried somewhere in the small print.
Assuming that these products are manufactured to a formula, not an unreasonable assumption given their plant nutrient claims, then why can't the peat content be labelled?

I think the argument is that generally it isn't necessary to label ingredients on products, particularly where they may be commercially sensitive. (What are the ingredients in Coke, for example?) and also until recently the peat content hasn't been considered important, and if it was it would be considered that more is better. The generally accepted rule now is that unless it says it is peat-free, assume it has peat in it. It's certainly possible to argue that both the industry and government have dragged their feet in eliminating it. But supposedly "Garden centres will be banned from selling peat-based compost from 2024". Personally I just buy Melcourt products for now.
- CommentAuthorowlman
- CommentTimeJun 19th 2021
Yes I'd agree with "commercially sensitive" although not in the coca cola sense, hence the obfuscation and heel dragging, - best to keep the public in the dark about our environmental destruction, eh!
Yes the domestic sale of peat products is due to end, not so commercial users I believe.
- CommentAuthorCWatters
- CommentTimeJun 19th 2021
No idea about electric but..

Google suggests Countax, Hayter, Mountfield and Westwood do some manufacturing in England. How much they manufacture here I don't know. Countax use some Kawasaki Engines and I think Hayter use Briggs & Stratton (made in the USA and some in China I think?).

Hayter have some sort of tie up with Toro (USA) as their ride on mowers share many common part numbers.

I think it will be a challenge to find anything that's made here rather than just assembled here. The UK content may also vary by model.

In my limited experience Honda and Briggs & Stratton engines have performed well.

See also list here..

https://www.gardentrader.co.uk/manufacturers
- CommentAuthorWillInAberdeen
- CommentTimeJun 19th 2021 edited
We inherited an ancient ride on mower with the house, but the last couple of years we have hardly used it, we have been experimenting with letting the grass grow much longer between cuts. It's amazing how quickly it has been colonised by different wild flowers (which we used to call weeds!). Starting with daisies/buttercups/dandelions but now all kinds of blue white and yellow things I haven't identified. We didn't plant any of it, it just showed up.

The insects and insectivores like it, but other benefits have been: less time spent mowing, stays green longer between rain.

Some areas are allowed to grow all year, knee high, then strimmered short in early Autumn after the seeds have set to stop it turning to brambles.

Other areas are allowed to grow ankle high and then mowed, maybe twice so far this year, and needs doing again.

Some areas around edges and formal borders are kept traditionally short, which stops the place looking abandoned, but these are small enough to do with a push mower.

If the ride on dies, we won't replace it, probably put the budget in a kitty for occasional call outs for a garden contractor.

We don't buy peat free compost, it's dead easy to make your own. (Get a big sieve)

Does anyone have experience of battery electric chainsaws?
- CommentAuthordjh
- CommentTimeJun 19th 2021
Posted By: WillInAberdeenDoes anyone have experience of battery electric chainsaws?

My first call for all cordless at the mo is Lidl/Parkside. Their chainsaw works well but I've only used it for trimming branches to date. The lawnmower is brill - why would I want a ride-on? Exercise is good!
- CommentAuthorMike1
- CommentTimeJun 20th 2021 edited
Posted By: revor...battery powered ride on mower...
I guess they may be too expensive, but how about an autonomous electric mower? Something like this:
http://turflynx.com/
But as Will suggests, make space for un-mown sections if you can.
- CommentAuthorrevor
- CommentTimeJun 20th 2021
My neighbour has a kit of Makita battery operated tools one of which is a chain saw and takes 2 18V batteries and he recommended that to me. However as have other battery tools did not want to invest in another system so bought the 230v electric version of his battery one. I would highly recommend it but if like me you are mindful of where they are made some are made in China and others models in Romania.
- CommentAuthordjh
- CommentTimeJun 20th 2021
Posted By: revordid not want to invest in another system

This is the most annoying thing about battery tools. The lack of standardisation between manufacturers. I suppose it will take some laws to require them all to agree on a common set of batteries. Which will probably require deaths before the laws get made, but I don't yet see how different batteries will kill people.
- CommentAuthorowlman
- CommentTimeJun 20th 2021
Posted By: revorMy neighbour has a kit of Makita battery operated tools one of which is a chain saw and takes 2 18V batteries and he recommended that to me. However as have other battery tools did not want to invest in another system so bought the 230v electric version of his battery one. I would highly recommend it but if like me you are mindful of where they are made some are made in China and others models in Romania.

I have the 230V Makita electric version too, but I still prefer my Husqvarna petrol chainsaw, it just feels faster and handier to use. Like many others I get annoyed at the lifespan of battery operated tools. I think I've got at least 3 obsolete battery drills, Festo, De-walt, Bosch all useless because the batteries packed in and cost a fortune to replace. It wouldn't be so bad if they offered an battery exchange system.

Re your OP, I cooled on the idea of a battery ride on, I felt they'd struggle on my grass paddock especially on a first cut in Spring. I currently have an old petrol Countax with an 18HP Honda V twin engine and I even have to be a bit careful on that first cut.
- CommentAuthorEd Davies
- CommentTimeJun 20th 2021
Posted By: djhI suppose it will take some laws to require them all to agree on a common set of batteries. Which will probably require deaths before the laws get made
AFAIK not many deaths were involved in getting the EU to knock heads together to standardize phone chargers to USB. Power tools are not quite such an obvious mass market, of course.

I have a Makita battery lawn mower (push, not ride on). 2x18V batteries. Works well though it does tend to jam up if it's on anything other than the highest setting if the lawn isn't already pretty short. I wouldn't have considered it if I didn't already have Makita batteries and a charger.
- CommentAuthorMike1
- CommentTimeJun 20th 2021
Posted By: djhI suppose it will take some laws to require them all to agree on a common set of batteries.

Until that happens, and for anyone who hasn't come across them, it is possible to buy adaptors to interchange batteries of the same voltage between many brands, particularly slide-on batteries. I've also seen plans on the web to 3D-print adaptors for some other combinations.
- CommentAuthorPeter_in_Hungary
- CommentTimeJun 20th 2021
Why should the manufactures agree to a common set of batteries when making to their own design locks in purchasers to their own replacements and makes it more difficult for after market suppliers to get in on the game of under cutting origional spares prices
- CommentAuthordjh
- CommentTimeJun 20th 2021
Posted By: Ed DaviesAFAIK not many deaths were involved in getting the EU to knock heads together to standardize phone chargers to USB. Power tools are not quite such an obvious mass market, of course.

The second sentence is key, I think.

Posted By: Mike1Until that happens, and for anyone who hasn't come across them, it is possible to buy adaptors to interchange batteries of the same voltage between many brands, particularly slide-on batteries.

I haven't heard of them. Given that it's an N^2 problem and there are lots of different battery types, is there an index of such adaptors somewhere or any other tips for searching to find the particular needle you need in the haystack?

Posted By: Peter_in_HungaryWhy should the manufactures agree to a common set of batteries when making to their own design locks in purchasers to their own replacements and makes it more difficult for after market suppliers to get in on the game of under cutting origional spares prices

Well of course. That's why laws are needed.
- CommentAuthordjh
- CommentTimeJun 20th 2021
Posted By: owlmanRe your OP, I cooled on the idea of a battery ride on, I felt they'd struggle on my grass paddock especially on a first cut in Spring. I currently have an old petrol Countax with an 18HP Honda V twin engine and I even have to be a bit careful on that first cut.

The first cut of the year isn't usually a problem for me. Just set the mower to its highest cut (75 mm) and it will handle it. Worse is the first cut of wild areas in late summer when the grass and other stuff is at least a foot high, if not two. For that I tend to use either a strimmer or hedge cutter first, depending on what has been growing there. Tilting the mower back, rolling it into place and then letting it go upright again (so the cutting deck lowers over the material to be cut) also works pretty well for small areas.
- CommentAuthorWillInAberdeen
- CommentTimeJun 20th 2021
I broke the crankshaft of a rather expensive rotary mower doing that! If you can't see what objects are lurking in the grass, then don't put the mower deck down on top of them.

The correct tool for that job is a strimmer, a scythe, some sheep or a tractor with a flail mower.
- CommentAuthorMike1
- CommentTimeJun 21st 2021
Posted By: djh
Posted By: Mike1Until that happens, and for anyone who hasn't come across them, it is possible to buy adaptors to interchange batteries of the same voltage between many brands, particularly slide-on batteries.

I haven't heard of them. Given that it's an N^2 problem and there are lots of different battery types, is there an index of such adaptors somewhere or any other tips for searching to find the particular needle you need in the haystack?
Try Amazon / eBay / Aliexpress. For example
https://www.amazon.co.uk/color-tree-Battery-Converter-Adapter/dp/B08KD78696
- CommentAuthordjh
- CommentTimeJun 21st 2021
Posted By: WillInAberdeenI broke the crankshaft of a rather expensive rotary mower doing that!

Buying an expensive mower is against my religion Generally I know what's in the grass and in my experience mower blades beat tree stumps and even bricks as long as they're lowered slowly onto them.
- CommentAuthorWillInAberdeen
- CommentTimeJun 22nd 2021
Good job that it's a cheap one then!
- CommentAuthorowlman
- CommentTimeJun 4th 2023
To resurrect this thread; I need to replace my ageing Kubota petrol walk behind lawnmower, it's uneconomic to repair.

I recently purchased a new ride on,- mulch only,- which works really well in both my field and on the areas closer to the house. However, I cant get close enough to the edges nor the grass paths between raised beds in the veg garden.
I considered an 18-20 inch petrol but I've also been looking at cordless and in particular Ego mowers, does anyone have any experience?
- CommentAuthordjh
- CommentTimeJun 4th 2023
I have three mowers, for historical reasons, all are cordless. I don't have any experience of Ego specifically, so here are some general points. Make sure to buy a mower or other cordless tools with replaceable batteries. Batteries do wear out. Buy a second set of batteries, so you can recharge one set whilst using the second set. That minimises time wasted whilst waiting for them to charge up.

One of my mowers is a Bosch - I stopped buying their garden tools after I had a problem with a strimmer. The second is a larger Parkside, which is my main workhorse and has performed very well. I just use the Bosch occasionally now. The third is a Landroid robot mower, which generally works OK and is better than doing it myself, but frequently gets stuck at various boundaries and digs holes in the lawn sometimes. I believe some people are replacing ride-ons with the more exepnsive robots with fancier features.
- CommentAuthorfostertom
- CommentTimeJun 4th 2023 edited
For the record (not wishing to perpetuate fossil power, but still ...) our Lawnflyte (aka Kaaz) 553HWS with Honda 6hp, 2-road-speed gearbox and optional engagement of the blade, is tough as hell, copes with v long thick grass just by tilting back on the slow first run, no need to drop it on! Heavy tho, aerobic to use!
- CommentAuthorowlman
- CommentTimeJun 4th 2023
Yes I agree , Lawnflite pro range of garden tools are at the quality end of the market, I've had a strimmer of theirs in the past, don't think they do them anymore, but their current price tag is more than I can justify.
- CommentAuthordjh
- CommentTimeJun 4th 2023
Posted By: fostertomcopes with v long thick grass just by tilting back on the slow first run
Yes, I do that a lot with the Parkside on the rough areas. The Landroid just head butts long grass and drives into it repeatedly followed by driving over it repeatedly until it has conquered the area. Quite remarkable what it demolishes given half a chance. (But it steers away from trees and people etc - I do worry if any of the birds ever got brave enough to stand its ground, because I suspect the Landroid would eat them. It stops mowing at night to protect hedgehogs)

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General: Battery powered ride on mower