Seeking Recommendation of a Cordless, Electric Lawn Mower

ozone on 15/03/2024 - 10:57

Hi, I purchased a Ryobi Cordless Lawn Mower 36V Li-ion RLM36X46BL from Bunnings in Dec 2023. I used this 4-5 times and the lawn mower stopped starting up. I went back to Bunning and was told to swap it for another one of the same model. The second lawn mower turned out to be worse. It ran for 5 minutes for the first time, 10 minutes for the second time and stopped completely on the third time. I had charged the battery and tested several times. This time I asked for a refund.

I wish to seek recommendation of a good reliable cordless, electric lawn mower, preferably from Bunnings as there is a Bunnings store near my place so it will be very convenient for me. It takes about 45 minutes to an hour to mow my back garden, front garden and nature strip.

Thanks.

Home & Garden Lawn Mower

Comments

  • zathras on 15/03/2024 - 11:18
    +2

    I've used the Ozito 36V mower (18v x 2 of the 4ah batteries) successfully half a dozen times without any issue over the past two months.
    I quite like it, much nicer than my old two-stroke.
    Plastic and light, but strong enough so far.

    Only struggles a little with thick/high grass.

  • John Doh on 15/03/2024 - 11:19
    +1

    The 36V 499 Ozito is probably underrated IMO - https://www.bunnings.com.au/ozito-pxc-36v-2-x-18v-460mm-brus…

    EDIT: Damn they increased the price by 100!!! 599 now.

    • start3r on 15/03/2024 - 12:26

      The none self-propelled full plastic one is cheaper at $429
      https://www.bunnings.com.au/ozito-pxc-36v-2-x-18v-brushless-…

      • John Doh on 15/03/2024 - 12:30

        Ah OK, its self propelled. They sure had one without that feature for 499, they seemed to have removed it. Also plastic one is 380mm, and the metal ones are 460mm.

    • freefall101 on 15/03/2024 - 13:56

      https://www.bunnings.com.au/ozito-pxc-36v-2-x-18v-460mm-brus… this the one you're looking for?

      • John Doh on 15/03/2024 - 14:29

        ya, i cannot see it unless I check the link in congnito mode. Seems like if i am logged and and no stock around, it wont show.

    • ozone on 15/03/2024 - 16:17

      Of the 3 models/links given, what are the differences and which one do you recommend?

      (1) Ozito PXC 36V (2 x 18V) 460mm Brushless Self-Propelled Steel Deck Lawn Mower 4.0Ah Kit PXBMK-4047SP - $599
      https://www.bunnings.com.au/ozito-pxc-36v-2-x-18v-460mm-brus…

      (2) Ozito PXC 36V (2 x 18V) 460mm Brushless Steel Deck Lawn Mower 4.0Ah Kit PXBMK-4047 - $499
      https://www.bunnings.com.au/ozito-pxc-36v-2-x-18v-460mm-brus…

      (3) Ozito PXC 36V 2 x 18V Brushless Lawn Mower Kit - $429
      https://www.bunnings.com.au/ozito-pxc-36v-2-x-18v-brushless-…

      • John Doh on 15/03/2024 - 16:26

        My vote goes to
        2) 499 one if you are able to manually push without self propellsion.

        Its 460mm, covers more area in less moves, probably more powerful motor and steel deck make sit heavy and gives your lawn a more flat finish. and there are plenty of youtube videos showing its previous model (same motor and size) was very powerful.

        Thats my vote. Buy it at your own risk.

        • ozone on 15/03/2024 - 17:05

          What is the meaning of self propulsion? Don't you have to push and steer the lawn mower when mowing?

          • John Doh on 15/03/2024 - 17:23

            @ozone: Ya self propulsion means no pushing, you can set the speed and pull the throttle lever and it moves by itself. Useful for old peole or in hilly areas.

          • John Doh on 15/03/2024 - 17:25

            @ozone: Thats why the 599 one has 2 red handles, one for keeping the machine on and another for moving forward.

      • Versace999 on 16/03/2024 - 10:27

        Does anyone know if these first two mowers are able to folded and stood upright for storage?

        • Euphemistic on 16/03/2024 - 11:13

          Battery mowers can be stored in any direction. Most mowers have some form of foldable handle so the can fit in a box easily.

  • Euphemistic on 15/03/2024 - 12:26

    Pretty unlucky to have 2 ryobi mowers die. Maybe you were pushing it too much?

    I've got one of them (at least superficially it's the same). It's the second one as the first died. I bought both second hand. Hope this one lasts. Current one goes OK, but I find that taking it a bit easy is better for battery life and probaly longevity. I dont push it hard through long grass and will cut twice or slow right down so as not to overload it.

    • John Doh on 15/03/2024 - 12:30

      Even then it shouldnt.

  • ste616 on 15/03/2024 - 12:29

    Can't get it from Bunnings, but I would recommend the mower I have had for a few years now. Never had any trouble with it.

    https://www.husqvarna.com/au/lawn-mowers/lc142i-with-battery…

  • Bignudge on 15/03/2024 - 12:58
    -5

    In my opinion 45 minutes of mowing is a big job. I reckon a battery system would only be good for mowing the nature strip 5-10 minutes max.

    I'd get a 2nd handed Honda self propelled 163cc lawn mower with the bag catcher (preferably one that's old enough to be made in Australia). Probably ~$550?

    With a manual choke, that shit is bulletproof and starts up every time with a single pull. It'll chew through thick grass, mulch all your hedge trimmings and branches… all while pulling you along.

    • ste616 on 15/03/2024 - 13:54

      The Husqvarna I linked to above gets me about 40 minutes of mowing no issues with the battery that comes with the mower. I upgraded to the "pro" battery and now I can easily get an hour with juice to spare. The only thing I've seen it struggle with is really wet grass (while mulching, it gets stuck underneath and stops the blades), but thick grass and 2-3cm thick branches have never bothered it.

    • Euphemistic on 15/03/2024 - 15:46

      My battery ryobi does around 250m2 of lawn. Thats well over 5-10 minutes of nature strip. Its much closer to 45min.

      • apsilon on 16/03/2024 - 09:07

        I do the same and have done for over 5 years with an 18v Ryobi. People who say it can't be done etc are talking out of their back side.

        I'd also say OPs experience with Ryobi is rare. Out of 6 years of ownership and a couple of dozen tools I've had two failures and they were each after at least 4 years of use and minor, the tool itself still worked, just in a diminished capacity.

  • ozone on 15/03/2024 - 14:18

    The grasses are not tall. Can charging the battery overnight kill the battery?

    • Euphemistic on 15/03/2024 - 15:49

      No. Shouldn't kill the battery if you have a decent charger. Heat isnt good for them, so i always make sure the battery has cooled before charging and will often leave it on overnight.

    • John Doh on 15/03/2024 - 17:28

      No charger turn off after charging, elese battery will blow up.

  • Daniel Plainview on 15/03/2024 - 14:33
    +1

    You're either very unlucky or there's significant user error here e.g mowing in wet/damp and clogging up under the mower & keeping going., scalping the lawn too much. But even those should not kill the mower.

    Those are regarded as 'good' midrange battery mowers - I'd double check everything you're doing to ensure it's proper practice with battery gear. Otherwise perhaps buy a 2nd hand Honda petrol mower on Gumtree etc as 45mins is a decent run for most battery gear & petrol will work in damp etc where battery will jam up.

    • ozone on 15/03/2024 - 16:24

      The grasses aren't wet/damp when I cut them and I did remove all the grasses from the catcher and mower. I also didn't use the lowest height but one or 2 levels higher. I am not sure whether the problem lies with the battery or the mower. There isn't any indicator light to show me the battery level. I am also not sure how long to charge the battery. But I have tried charging multiple times then put the battery back into the mower but it just would not start. For the first mower, I did manage to use the mower a few times. But for the second mower, I was very surprised that it runs for 5 min first time, 10 min second time and doesn't start on the third attempt after charging the battery. I don't know if there are issues with this lot and that is why this model is on sale for a long time (at least from Dec 23 when I first bought it until Feb 24 when I swapped a mower).

      • Daniel Plainview on 15/03/2024 - 17:56
        +1

        I am not a user of Ryobi's platform but I am certain the battery &/or charger indicates when it is fully charged - to me this is a bit of a warning that you've likely NOT properly read the manual. Worst case scenario it has a light that goes on/off when fully charged but I am 99% certain it'd have more than that.

        Again I have to go by what you say, and where Im from you don't call someone a liar without good reason - so I take you at your word, so as initially stated perhaps you've just been unlucky.

        You have to know that using a battery mower is VERY different to a petrol mower - in so much as if you try and mow exactly the same you're likely going to not get great results either in the short &/or long term.

        The steel decked Ozito 2 x 18v mower (get the non-SP version) is very good, has very good torque - will come with a 5yr warranty, 3yrs on batts, which are regularly on special - 2 sets of 4aH batts should see you through, I'd think this is a decent choice - I've heard nothing but good about it and recommend it regularly. Do not even bother with their lesser gear, it's a tad gutless.

    • John Doh on 15/03/2024 - 17:29

      I have a ryobi 40cms, plenty of times it cuts off due to tall or dense grass. Never burnt. touchwood.

      • apsilon on 16/03/2024 - 09:09

        Pop it up on the back wheels and go through blade first if it's really tall and thick. I've done knee high grass plenty of times and never had it cut out. Only times it's cut out is when I had the height adjusted too low and the blade has dug into the ground.

        • John Doh on 16/03/2024 - 10:01

          Thats exactly the scenario, when I am mowing lower heights, the grass is pretty dense. Especially at the second from the last setting.However to my surprise, the ozito what was recently on limited sale, cuts thru the same height with more grunt ;)

          https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/811897

          Also the Ryobi I have is 3 YO, so probably the battery needs a replacement, but still has pretty of juice and boosts well. This gave me the impression, Ryobis are overrated and overpriced compared to Ozitos.

          • apsilon on 16/03/2024 - 11:09

            @John Doh: Ryobi batteries are over priced, as are most brands, but the tools are definitely a step or two up the ladder from Ozito. My current model mower is certainly better than the over 5 year old one I had before it. That's just technology advancing.

  • Jackson on 15/03/2024 - 17:28
    +1

    I have a basic Ozito 18V and also an Ego 56V. The Ego is bigger, more powerful, and feels like more of a machine, however it's still not as powerful as a petrol mower (my last was a 5hp Kubota, and that was way more powerful) and it's still made of plastic. It's also worth noting that batteries for the Ego are very expensive, trying to buy one without getting a kit is murder.

    The ozito is cheap and cheerful. Honestly if you aren't leaving your grass for ages, it's fine. Any time you lose because of it's small size is made up with it's lightness and maneouverability. The best thing about it is the batteries are cheap, 3 x 4ah for 99 bucks is the cheapest you will get power tool batteries just about anywhere, and with those you can do the average lawn front and back, and if you are struggling a 1 hour fast charger (which it comes with) will let you charge a battery in not far off the time it will take to use 2 batteries, so you can actually run 4 chargers worth in a row without stopping. Should be enough for anything you need to do.

    both of the above have battery indicator levels, and one thing you should never do is keep trying to run your batteries down past their first or maybe second cut out. I only say second because sometimes you might stall it just due to load and not because the battery is low. Another thing to consider is that if your ground is uneven it could be bottoming out which would stall it, and any time you do stall it you are putting pressure on the battery. One thing I have noticed when I let my grass get way too long, is that batteries won't last anywhere near as long under big loads, this is an issue that petrol doesn't really have.

    Either way, I would highly recommend getting a basic Ozito and working out if it's good for you before spending double or triple on something that you don't even know you can ever take back, you could end up saving yourself a lot of time and space.

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