I am going to go electric with the purchase of this on 31 August.
Specs:
It will also be interesting to see which mower Bunnings discount to price match this.
@1Kenobi: When I went in to pickup, I got talked into the AEG 58V instead.
You wouldn't believe the price I paid but it was a good deal…
I wont use it for a week as I have just sprayed the lawn with BinDie.
@ozbmm: $399 for the AEG 58V
I came back two days later to buy another one for my dad and they refused at that price.
I am amazed at how quiet it runs compared to my 5hp Victa
Also has 2 x 4ah batteries, can fit both in the unit, when one goes flat, just point the key to the 2nd….
Never going back to petrol
I would say the lowest cut height is definitely higher than the Victa but i can live with that
@aussietivoman: Let us know how you get on. I'd probably get the Ryobi too if it can be had for $399.
There are warning labels on it to tell you that you have to have two batteries in, and that those two batteries have to be of the same capacity.
Yes ok - on that basis sounds like it's a 36V motor. (So Bunnings blurb is underselling its power).
I'm in the market for a cordless mower so will have a look at it.
In the past I think other manufacturers have dropped the "2 batteries in series" type mowers because of problems when users put in batteries with different charge levels (like when you mow the lawn, take one battery out to use with a line trimmer, then put it back in the mower to do more mowing.)
For that reason I'll probably see if I can get one of the Aldi ones - unless Ryobi 36V brushless drops in price in the next few days.
Hi - first time buying a lawn mower.
Can someone please recommend what would be suitable for newbies? I have an outdoor area of approx 150-170m2 with a front and back side of the house to mow. Land is pretty flat but I would have to carry/roll the mower from front to back over the pavement.
Was thinking either petrol or corded electric so that I don’t have to deal with battery degradation over time. Haven’t seen any comments on corded electric here. Are there any issues with these that I should be aware of? Due to the smaller land size, I’m assuming it should be easy enough with an extension cord.
Any advice would be great, thanks.
Haven’t seen any comments on corded electric here. Are there any issues with these that I should be aware of? Due to the smaller land size, I’m assuming it should be easy enough with an extension cord.
My neighbour has a small lawn - about 200 sq metres, and he's been using a corded mower for about a year and a half.
Takes him twice as long to mow the lawn as he's worried about running over the cord - which he's done twice - I heard the loud "bang" both times.
It's costing him a bit in replacement extension leads.
Tell him to get a pole to hold up the cable, or use some hooks on gutters etc to keep cable above ground. They have them at bunnings and all safety stores.
Edit, or he could make a post or 2 himself with some 75x50 or 100x50 and a base cross. I have for power tools, easy as.
Thanks Mick. That’s a good point to consider
Is your lawn nice, neat and flat? If so, consider a hand powered one like a Flymo for that size. I have about 80m2 in the back and use a hand powered Bosch for that, it takes me less than five minutes. For you, twenty minutes with a ten minute break, and push mowers are the lightest to carry if you need to move between front and back (and need no maintenance).
Not recommended if your lawn is bumpy or very weedy, or too tall - you have to mow regularly to keep it low.
The lawn’s pretty new. Just laid 4 weeks ago so still waiting for the roots to grown into the soil. The lawn is pretty flat and neat for now.
I like the idea of hand powered mower.
Will they leave a good result like the traditional mowers? And how regularly would you need to mow to be efficient with the hand powered ones?
With a small, new, flat lawn like that, a sharp, new hand mower will cut neatly at a reasonable height (don't cut grass too short). Let it grow until it's slightly too long, then mow at a reasonable height every 2-4 weeks through summer, more if you're keen.
Look's like Positec is the 'supporter' for Aldi's products, however haven't been able to find any sign of a replacement battery for this model yet. https://www.positecgroup.com/home
Not sure if this is the same mower or a similar one, but again - no guidance over replacement battery or suggested runtime.
https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1096/0148/files/10094_-_M-…
This is positic's consumer help page - Has batteries and spare parts for other products, but doesn't fill me with hope.
https://help.tools/
The service agent page does have a large list of local service agents at least for the East Coast, however whether they will actually want to provide support for your 'Aldi' product is another question….
It's a gamble.. Chances are they will have the batteries in 12-18 months time when everyone starts needing them, but then what if they don't?
Anyone in the modding market able to provide details about generic options?
If your battery hypothetically died after say 3 years, and your mower wont turn on - how will your local Bunnings store know its a battery issue not a mower issue?
As with most Aldi gear, if it busts you are looking at a return for a refund in store. Precious little after sales support for Aldi stuff in my experience.
Anyone in the modding market able to provide details about generic options?
Most of these devices use cylindrical lithium ion cells (e.g. 18650). They can usually be harvested from other products and rebuilt. A 2AH "80V" (74v) battery would have a 20S1P series configuration (i.e. 20 cells).
Not hard to do.
Hi, anyone is interested in its petrol mower priced at $399 too and figured out what engine it employs?
Thinking of getting the petrol one, only if there is some stock left in the local store this evening. I have a big Yard and from all above comments I think petrol is the way to go for me, am not worried about the engine, if something happens or its not what you thought it would be, take it back for a refund.
I'm a sucker for aldi shit, but who supports this mowed when it breaks down. My last aldi mower, I had to travel 35 minutes up the road for service and the mower broke down again after 2 months ( 2 uses after the fix) so I gave up.
Should I risk it or should I pay the extra and get a victa?
P.s this is for the petrol version
Just bought one - there were only 3, and 2 petrol versions. I only had to wait 20 mins until the store opened, and nobody else bought one while I was in the store. I chose the local store where I thought there would be the least interest in the battery version - Round Corner (Dural). I won’t be using the mower for a while, as I had just cut it with my underpowered Ryobi 18v.
Interested in hearing about how easy it is to start and how it mows when you get a chance, thanks!
I’ll try to remember to pm you.
Another difference between petrol and battery powered mowers is the blade/cutting mechanism. To my knowledge, with the exception of the top of the range Makiita, all battery mowers have solid, single bar blades. Combine this with the lower rpm of battery mowers and you get lower quality cutting compared to petrol mower swing back blades - grass is bruised where its cut. The thicker blade on battery mowers also contributes to "bruised" cutting. Solid bar blades are also far less forgiving if you hit something solid e.g. large tree roots or stones. The two Aldi mowers (petrol and battery powered) demonstrate these different cutting mechanisms.
Speak for yourself. I love solid bar blades. They're super easy to take off and grind sharp.
Obviously don't hit a stump or you'll bend your axle/crank.
On the other hand, swing back blades don't need to come off for sharpening, and balancing isn't an issue. I'm not advocating one way or the other, just pointing out differences. I have 4 mowers - two petrol 2 strokes with swing back blades, and two 80v Battery Mowers (after picking up the Aldi 80volt this morning. My other battery mower is the Kobalt)
Are you a collector or have 4 lawns And 4 kids ?
But seriously …. whats the best way (easiest) to sharpen a mower blade ?
whats the best way (easiest) to sharpen a mower blade ?
Depends on whether it's a bar blade or a swing back blade and whether you want to remove the blade or not.
For my bar blade, I undo the blade nut using a rattle gun and then the blade falls out. I sharpen the blade on my bench grinder at the same angle as it was. Just check the balance using a nail and you're done!
If you keep the single bar blade sharp (use a grinder on it once every 2 to 4 hours of mowing) the grass won't be bruised.
Because the cordless motors have less power than a petrol engine that's the way to go anyway to reduce stress on the motor.
If you've got a rough garden with tree roots, stones or whatever then swing back blades are obviously the way to go. If you've only got a smallish flat lawn then cordless saves a lot of hassles - even if you have to swap out the battery every so often.
I remember seeing batteries for lawnmowers in Aldi in the UK a while ago and thinking they were reasonably cheap (like Ozito price on special) - but I've got a feeling they were only 40V.
I bought the 80V mower this morning - time will tell what Aldi are going to do about replacement batteries but if there is nothing done I don't think the ACCC will be impressed.
Need a Ferrex owners forum to trouble shoot
Yes, it has the same model number
Looks like the one. A little more pricey than I was hoping for given it's only 160Wh and 1 year warranty.
Will be interesting to see how long the one with the mower lasts.
Managed to grab one as well this morning at North Rocks. Only about 3 in store so not very well stocked. Opened the box only but pleasantly surprised as the deck is made of metal/steel, not plastic as some of the other branded mowers. Time will tell with the longevity of the battery.
Some info:
Battery uses 2Ah Samsung batteries (same as the Aldi power tools).
Battery has individual battery cell balancing.
Each cell is well spaced to allow airflow.
Charger is fan forced pushing air into the battery.
Mower is single speed, little slower than walking pace.
Mower has more power than the Ozito Steel Deci mower.
I just bought one yesterday and can't find any of the bolts to attach the handles to the body. Are they hidden somewhere or did I just get a dud?
in the battery compartment
Thank you, I eventually found it. You can tell I'm new to electric mowers, I actually thought to check under the mower to see if they were taped next to the blades prior to checking the battery compartment!
Can anyone comment on how long the battery lasts in use? Anyone that has already purchased?
I got about 20-25min minutes of use before the battery died. I live on a hill so I was using the self propelling all the time.
Comments on performance from buyers?
I have used it yesterday and today both after full charges. It seems like it will hold together. I had long damp grass and it cut it no problem as long as you keep moving. If you let the grass build up in the catcher it will stall. It is easy to start and has a good speed for me but I am tall and walk quickly. Someone that walks slower might have issues with the single speed. It seems like a good deal for the price and will work the 7 years. Hopefully they come out with a bigger battery for it.
Checked 5 stores in Victoria this morning for the petrol one. None left. One attendant informed that they might be oos state wide. Good luck finding one.
Battery powered ones seem to be available in some stores.
I didn't see any at my local aldi.They had one electric left.
I bought a victa mower from my local mower shop.Yes paid 100 buck more and its 18" but no gimmicks and service is just 5 minutes from home if it stuffs up.They also filled it with oil and fuel ready to go. Free first service after 5 hours of use.
Would love to hear about people using them after a year and if they are still going well and any issues getting them serviced.
@aussietivoman: Have you picked it up ? Happy or any buyers regret?