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Jeeves Buys Astroturf - Lawnmowers

Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2018 7:34 am
by A_B
I'm going to have to get a new mower soon, and I am strongly considering getting an old-school style blade mower instead of gas-powered engine. Has anyone used the newer ones, which look fairly decent?

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Re: Jeeves Buys Astroturf - Lawnmowers

Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2018 7:36 am
by mister d
If you love mowing, they're great because you often get to go over the same area two or three times.

Re: Jeeves Buys Astroturf - Lawnmowers

Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2018 7:46 am
by A_B
mister d wrote: Thu Jul 12, 2018 7:36 am If you love mowing, they're great because you often get to go over the same area two or three times.
Yeah, the more research I do this seems to be the main drawback. There's a guy down the street that has one. If I catch him out again I may ask to do a few swipes of his yard to see.

Mainly I'm looking for something lighter. I've got some elevation changes pretty much no matter how I cut my yard and it wears me out anymore.

Re: Jeeves Buys Astroturf - Lawnmowers

Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2018 8:06 am
by BSF21
A_B wrote: Thu Jul 12, 2018 7:46 am
mister d wrote: Thu Jul 12, 2018 7:36 am If you love mowing, they're great because you often get to go over the same area two or three times.
Yeah, the more research I do this seems to be the main drawback. There's a guy down the street that has one. If I catch him out again I may ask to do a few swipes of his yard to see.

Mainly I'm looking for something lighter. I've got some elevation changes pretty much no matter how I cut my yard and it wears me out anymore.
I had a Husqvarna self propelled before it got stolen 3 or 4 years ago. It was lighter than air. Almost uncomfortably light.

I'd fuck off with that old reel style unless your yard is like 500 sqft. Plus, the sharpening has to be brutal.

Re: Jeeves Buys Astroturf - Lawnmowers

Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2018 8:18 am
by GoodKarma
I would consider a cordless electric mower. EGO or Snapper make a good one. They are self-propelled and are supposedly lighter than gas powered. Once my current one dies I'll be making the switch.

Re: Jeeves Buys Astroturf - Lawnmowers

Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2018 8:26 am
by mister d
We have small lawns here and a dude across the street just got an electric one (its that green color, I think its one of the majors). Says its great.

Re: Jeeves Buys Astroturf - Lawnmowers

Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2018 8:39 am
by A_B
According to Google earth I have approximately 7500 sq ft of cutting area.

Re: Jeeves Buys Astroturf - Lawnmowers

Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2018 8:46 am
by BSF21
Please if you go electric at least get one with a battery. I see people in the neighborhood here mowing .25-.3 acre lots with extension cords and it drives me nuts.

Re: Jeeves Buys Astroturf - Lawnmowers

Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2018 8:50 am
by A_B
BSF21 wrote: Thu Jul 12, 2018 8:46 am Please if you go electric at least get one with a battery. I see people in the neighborhood here mowing .25-.3 acre lots with extension cords and it drives me nuts.
I would never try to do mine with an extension cord. I have a blower that has one, and I won't use it anymore, opting for a lower power one with a battery.

Re: Jeeves Buys Astroturf - Lawnmowers

Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2018 9:09 am
by RSmith
I have a neighbor with a lawn tractor, who mows my lawn for me. I highly recommend it. ;-)

We have a bit of a barter system; in warm months, he mows my lawn. In winter, I hire a plow to do his drive as well as mine.

Re: Jeeves Buys Astroturf - Lawnmowers

Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2018 9:15 am
by wlu_lax6
F' the electric battery mower. Bought a Worx one for my yard. Maybe a 1/4 of acre. Year one...fantastic. Year two...okay. First mow of year 3, could not finish the front lawn. So I buy a replacement battery. That thing worked for less than the summer. Nothing like having your grass be too strong for the mower because you get no battery power. B.t.w. this and other rechargeable battery experiences continue to scare me from going with an electric car.

Re: Jeeves Buys Astroturf - Lawnmowers

Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2018 9:19 am
by A_B
Friend has consumer reports. Top four rated are all honda. Kinda pricey, but alas.

Re: Jeeves Buys Astroturf - Lawnmowers

Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2018 9:21 am
by Pruitt
I had an environmentally friendly old-style mower for a while.

It sucked so badly.

Re: Jeeves Buys Astroturf - Lawnmowers

Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2018 10:01 am
by phxgators
I have one of these, and yes there are spots where the the grass is really thick where I go over it twice. Sometimes three times if the grass gets too tall. I don't really mind because I didn't want to deal with a gas mower, and I hate dragging a cord around for an electric mower. It really does help to be able to mow every five days or so, it's pretty easy if you can. Otherwise you are going to end up going over some sections more than once.

It can get a little hard to push uphill, especially if the grass is tall/thick, so definitely try one out if you can.

If I were to "upgrade" I'd consider a cordless electric mower.

Re: Jeeves Buys Astroturf - Lawnmowers

Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2018 10:08 am
by Nonlinear FC
wlu_lax6 wrote: Thu Jul 12, 2018 9:15 am F' the electric battery mower. Bought a Worx one for my yard. Maybe a 1/4 of acre. Year one...fantastic. Year two...okay. First mow of year 3, could not finish the front lawn. So I buy a replacement battery. That thing worked for less than the summer. Nothing like having your grass be too strong for the mower because you get no battery power. B.t.w. this and other rechargeable battery experiences continue to scare me from going with an electric car.
This.

I have battery back leaf blower and weed whacker... After a couple of years and multiple new battery packs, they both suck. I bought a backpack leaf blower last year and it's awesome. Going to get a gas-powered weed whacker this summer.

Re: Jeeves Buys Astroturf - Lawnmowers

Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2018 10:09 am
by A_B
I don't have enough thick areas to need a gas powered anymore. So the lighter battery powered works for me. I used to have an entire creekbank that mandated a gas weed whacker, but I was thrilled to move away from that when we moved.

Re: Jeeves Buys Astroturf - Lawnmowers

Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2018 10:38 am
by Ryan
A_B wrote: Thu Jul 12, 2018 9:19 am Friend has consumer reports. Top four rated are all honda. Kinda pricey, but alas.
If I was going to do a personal 2017 year-in-review, quickly researching mowers, ordering a Honda on Amazon and using it 3 minutes after slipping it out of the box would probably rank in the top 1.

Re: Jeeves Buys Astroturf - Lawnmowers

Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2018 11:20 am
by BSF21
Ryan wrote: Thu Jul 12, 2018 10:38 am
A_B wrote: Thu Jul 12, 2018 9:19 am Friend has consumer reports. Top four rated are all honda. Kinda pricey, but alas.
If I was going to do a personal 2017 year-in-review, quickly researching mowers, ordering a Honda on Amazon and using it 3 minutes after slipping it out of the box would probably rank in the top 1.
I have a Honda now. It's a great mower, but is by no means "light"

Re: Jeeves Buys Astroturf - Lawnmowers

Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2018 11:53 am
by DSafetyGuy
I bought an E-Go last year. First battery crapped out after about a month, but they shipped a free replacement to me. Lighter than our old gas powered mower. Our lot is 1/2 acre and, unless the grass is exceptionally high, I can mow the entire yard on one charge (lasts over an hour, battery recharges quickly - well under an hour for a full recharge). I mowed yesterday (first time in 12 days due to vacation, grass wasn't super high) and was able to complete it without the "low (10%) battery charge" warning light coming on. I have never used the self-propelling feature because I don't want to be forced to recharge before completing.

From a brand perspective, my dad also has a weed whacker, hedge trimmer, and leaf blower from E-Go and is very happy with them, but I never knew this before I bought the mower.

Re: Jeeves Buys Astroturf - Lawnmowers

Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2018 11:55 am
by govmentchedda
Ryan wrote: Thu Jul 12, 2018 10:38 am
A_B wrote: Thu Jul 12, 2018 9:19 am Friend has consumer reports. Top four rated are all honda. Kinda pricey, but alas.
If I was going to do a personal 2017 year-in-review, quickly researching mowers, ordering a Honda on Amazon and using it 3 minutes after slipping it out of the box would probably rank in the top 1.
I'm still (not) pushing around an automatic gas Honda that has to be at least 15 years old.

Re: Jeeves Buys Astroturf - Lawnmowers

Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2018 4:57 pm
by sancarlos
Pruitt wrote: Thu Jul 12, 2018 9:21 am I had an environmentally friendly old-style mower for a while.

It sucked so badly.
Ditto. Had a push reel mower like in AB's photo. Wouldn't cut the grass worth a shit.

Re: Jeeves Buys Astroturf - Lawnmowers

Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2018 9:45 pm
by The Sybian
A_B wrote: Thu Jul 12, 2018 7:46 am
Mainly I'm looking for something lighter. I've got some elevation changes pretty much no matter how I cut my yard and it wears me out anymore.
Time to find a high school kid to mow the lawn for you, old man.

Re: Jeeves Buys Astroturf - Lawnmowers

Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2018 10:26 pm
by A_B
You have no idea. But I’m super cheap. And kids suck these days. My almost 13 nephew still doesn’t cut his own yard. Appalling.

Re: Jeeves Buys Astroturf - Lawnmowers

Posted: Sat Jul 14, 2018 5:01 am
by rass
GET ON MY LAWN!

Re: Jeeves Buys Astroturf - Lawnmowers

Posted: Sat Jul 14, 2018 8:25 am
by RSmith
A_B wrote: Fri Jul 13, 2018 10:26 pm You have no idea. But I’m super cheap. And kids suck these days. My almost 13 nephew still doesn’t cut his own yard. Appalling.
I think kids doing chores is thing of the past mate. Way of the world and all that. :)

Re: Jeeves Buys Astroturf - Lawnmowers

Posted: Sat Jul 14, 2018 4:24 pm
by Brontoburglar
I've only used Honda mowers for the past 10 years. can't recommend them enough. I bought the baseline one at Home Depot a few years ago and it's running great. I just pay $75 or so every February/March for a tuneup.

Re: Jeeves Buys Astroturf - Lawnmowers

Posted: Sun Jul 15, 2018 12:57 pm
by The Sybian
A_B wrote: Fri Jul 13, 2018 10:26 pm You have no idea. But I’m super cheap. And kids suck these days. My almost 13 nephew still doesn’t cut his own yard. Appalling.
My son is 11, and wants to mow the lawn. I let him try, but he isn't strong enough yet. The drive function on my mower died, so you have to push, and it's really heavy. Didn't bother fixing it, as my lawn is mostly flat. Had him picking weeds on the front walk instead. He spent a solid 2 hours and I took some pride in seeing him come in looking miserable with filthy hands and ripped up finger tips.

Re: Jeeves Buys Astroturf - Lawnmowers

Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2018 5:32 am
by mister d
Brontoburglar wrote: Sat Jul 14, 2018 4:24 pm I've only used Honda mowers for the past 10 years. can't recommend them enough. I bought the baseline one at Home Depot a few years ago and it's running great. I just pay $75 or so every February/March for a tuneup.
Does this mean you’ve spent $1K on lawnmowers over the past decade?

Re: Jeeves Buys Astroturf - Lawnmowers

Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2018 7:21 am
by Ryan
mister d wrote: Mon Jul 16, 2018 5:32 am
Brontoburglar wrote: Sat Jul 14, 2018 4:24 pm I've only used Honda mowers for the past 10 years. can't recommend them enough. I bought the baseline one at Home Depot a few years ago and it's running great. I just pay $75 or so every February/March for a tuneup.
Does this mean you’ve spent $1K on lawnmowers over the past decade?
I've spent whatever 3 mowers with exactly zero service costs. Probably about that.

Re: Jeeves Buys Astroturf - Lawnmowers

Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2018 1:04 pm
by Brontoburglar
mister d wrote: Mon Jul 16, 2018 5:32 am
Brontoburglar wrote: Sat Jul 14, 2018 4:24 pm I've only used Honda mowers for the past 10 years. can't recommend them enough. I bought the baseline one at Home Depot a few years ago and it's running great. I just pay $75 or so every February/March for a tuneup.
Does this mean you’ve spent $1K on lawnmowers over the past decade?
And made far more than $1K

Re: Jeeves Buys Astroturf - Lawnmowers

Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2018 7:18 am
by wlu_lax6
Brontoburglar wrote: Mon Jul 16, 2018 1:04 pm
mister d wrote: Mon Jul 16, 2018 5:32 am
Brontoburglar wrote: Sat Jul 14, 2018 4:24 pm I've only used Honda mowers for the past 10 years. can't recommend them enough. I bought the baseline one at Home Depot a few years ago and it's running great. I just pay $75 or so every February/March for a tuneup.
Does this mean you’ve spent $1K on lawnmowers over the past decade?
And made far more than $1K
Way to take away side hustle work from the high school kids in the neighborhood. Real cool Bronto..Real cool.

Re: Jeeves Buys Astroturf - Lawnmowers

Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2018 9:23 am
by HaulCitgo
Theres always selling bottles of water. The de facto summer job for teens that cant get on at the airport.

Re: Jeeves Buys Astroturf - Lawnmowers

Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2018 9:34 am
by DSafetyGuy
HaulCitgo wrote: Tue Jul 17, 2018 9:23 am Theres always selling bottles of water. The de facto summer job for teens that cant get on at the airport.
And Bronto's white, so he won't have people calling the cops on him.

Re: Jeeves Buys Astroturf - Lawnmowers

Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2018 10:11 am
by RSmith
HaulCitgo wrote: Tue Jul 17, 2018 9:23 am Theres always selling bottles of water. The de facto summer job for teens that cant get on at the airport.
Like, where? At a variety store or something? Or do people just randomly walk down the street selling water? I'm genuinely confused by this...

Re: Jeeves Buys Astroturf - Lawnmowers

Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2018 10:17 am
by tennbengal
RSmith wrote: Tue Jul 17, 2018 10:11 am
HaulCitgo wrote: Tue Jul 17, 2018 9:23 am Theres always selling bottles of water. The de facto summer job for teens that cant get on at the airport.
Like, where? At a variety store or something? Or do people just randomly walk down the street selling water? I'm genuinely confused by this...
Yes.

Re: Jeeves Buys Astroturf - Lawnmowers

Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2018 10:21 am
by RSmith
tennbengal wrote: Tue Jul 17, 2018 10:17 am
RSmith wrote: Tue Jul 17, 2018 10:11 am
HaulCitgo wrote: Tue Jul 17, 2018 9:23 am Theres always selling bottles of water. The de facto summer job for teens that cant get on at the airport.
Like, where? At a variety store or something? Or do people just randomly walk down the street selling water? I'm genuinely confused by this...
Yes.
Huh. Learn something new every day, I suppose. ;-)

Re: Jeeves Buys Astroturf - Lawnmowers

Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2018 9:43 am
by BSF21
Did you buy that shitty reel thing or heed our wise words AB?

Re: Jeeves Buys Astroturf - Lawnmowers

Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2018 10:34 am
by A_B
BSF21 wrote: Wed Jul 18, 2018 9:43 am Did you buy that shitty reel thing or heed our wise words AB?
I haven't pulled the trigger yet, but I will not be buying a reel mower.

Re: Jeeves Buys Astroturf - Lawnmowers

Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2018 3:18 pm
by Pruitt
I need to get a weed trimmer.

Most of the use will be in getting rid of weeds that are growing between the brick walkway and the stones in the back. Thos stones are uneven in places because of tree roots.

I guess I prefer cordless and I am cheap.

Any recommendations?

Re: Jeeves Buys Astroturf - Lawnmowers

Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2018 3:49 pm
by duff
Good ole elbow grease and Round Up.