FIRST TIME mower?

Question

ok, so this is the first time I will ever mow a lawn and I've decided to purchase an electric (corded) lawn mower. Should I also buy warranty for it? They have plans up to 4 years at Lowe's for $50.

Answer 1

You can listen to people and buy the gas but electric is really low maintence (if you have a small lawn). Also, you should read the fine print on the warranty because sometimes, it just says that it only covers damage from manufactuering problems meaning that it will only cover it if you havent used it yet AND it's messed up. But, nobody buys broken items from stores so sometimes it really is just a scam. REMEMBER THE FINE PRINT!!! Hope you decide soon cuz the grass is growing.

Answer 2

Edited - I see you said you live on a "small lot" - how small is it? How much physical activity are you up to doing, and how co-ordinated are you with regards to cord management? If you have to string together extension cords in order to reach the mower, the manual hassle begins to outweigh the convenience, IMHO.

If you're looking to get an electric mower because you're wanting to be environmentally friendly, consider getting a reel mower (push mower) instead.

Keeping the cord out of your way while mowing is a pain in the butt. You think maneuvering the cord while vacuuming is bad - wait until the first time you hit the cord with the mower...

How big is your lawn? If you're dealing with a townhome that just has a small courtyard-type lawn, a reel mower would do you just fine.

If you start looking at a full-size lawn that has a lot of grass, a gas mower is probably your best bet. I know there's a big difference in prices, but after two months of mowing, I'll pretty much guarantee you that you'll be glad you spent the extra money.

If you do end up getting the electric, read the warranty carefully to see what all is covered, and what actions of YOURS would void the warranty (i.e. cutting the cord, mowing wet grass and damaging the motor, etc.).

Answer 3

A it is a bad choice for numerous reasons. Environmentally it may seem sound, however, where does the elec. to power it come from?
Electric mowers are generally quiet and require exten. cords you can not imagine. While they have improved in quality they are inferior to gas powered mowers. They can not generate the RPM and are, in large, less capable of either lower or higher cutting settings.
The first three to five times you mow the lawn with your electric make sure someone is behind you. Make sure the cord is over your shoulder and that person is picking-up the slack. Make sure you have rubber soles and shoes on. Make sure the turf is completely dry.
In the first year, without this, you will run over the cord, shock yourself, and since you cut at a low level, stunt the root growth of your turf. For this type of abuse and problem you wish to add to insult by adding $50.
I would return the existing unit and purchase a minimum 3.5 Briggs & Stratton Gasoline mower. Comes on a heavy deck with all the options. For the amount of time you run the machine you probably sit in traffic one day a week. You get the proper RPM and cut. No other person holding and picking-up the cord and no electric shock. Unless you put your hand under the Gas mower (always remove the spark plug before you do it) what is the risk? Do you think a blade spinning with an electric motor can not harm someone or throw a rock?
Take it back and get the Briggs or a Techums. Set it at a three inch cutting level. Watch your lawn fill in and thank you. Good Luck

Answer 4

First get yourself a Consumer Reports and find out what the best rated mower is. They will also give you info on what kind of mower to buy for your needs.

I would not recommend a corded electric mower unless your lot is very small. Meaning you can barely fit your car on the lawn. Dragging that cord would be a pain and that pain grows expenentially with every square foot of yard.

I would also look at Consumer Reports to see if they recommend a warrenty. Sometimes you pay as much for a warrenty as you would to replace the item. Not a smart idea.

Gas mowers are not that bad if you have a place to store the mower and the gas can. I'm a 40 year old woman and I was able to read the owners manual on our Toro to figure out how to change the oil. They have very good instructions on maintenance and troubleshooting.

I would also recommend going on-line and Googling lawn care. If you want a nice lawn you need to know some basics. Proper cutting height is between 3 to 4 inches in most places. A good sharp blade is important. Regular fertilizer about four times a year is important for a nice looking lawn. A Weed and Feed type of fertilizer is important if you have dandelions, crabgrass, clover or other weed problems. Watering a good inch or two every three or so days is important. You want to soak the ground good every so often rather than dampen it everyday. Turn on your sprinkler with a measuring cup in the yard. Let it run for 15 minute intervals to see how long it takes for you to get an inch or two of water out.

The list goes on the more you get into it. Those are the basics though.

It's all about the research.

Answer 5

From business week and consumer reports : If you've done your homework, you'll just say no. For what is largely an afterthought in the buying process, extended warranties -- or more accurately, service contracts -- have become a huge $15 billion annual business. Typically, at least half of that goes into the seller's pocket as profit, with less than 20% spent on the repair or replacement of products. To put that in gambling terms: The house has set the odds so that for every $100 it takes in, it pays out only $20. You're betting against the house. Guess who wins.

Answer 6

Don't buy an electric mower. After the first few minutes of quiet mowing dragging that cord around, as bugear said, will be a pain in the a.$.$. Imagine vacuuming your entire yard. And, you'll regret it the first time you mow your cord in half.

Answer 7

Most of the time the only one who makes good on extended warranty is the ones who sells it to you. Now that could depend on what we are talking about. While I would not buy the warranty for said mower, it is something that could possibly be used. But then if they check the mower for you and sharpen the blade for you, how much would it cost to pay someone for this service? Most likely less than the $50.00.

Answer 8

You'll be sorry you bought the electric one. Dragging that cord around is a pain in the a++. Get a good gas powered one. You will better off in the long run. Troy Built makes an excellent one!!!!

Answer 9

I'd spend the extra $$ upgrading to a gas mower, or else check out garage sales / estate sales or craigslist, you can sometimes score nice used mower that will give you less headaches than electric one.

Answer 10

why electric why not gas if u want to lug a cord around with you but you should all ways get the warranty just in case anything happens to it ,better safe the sorry