We are in the process of getting our house with its 6 acres ready for sale. We are getting to the point where it's just too much work, including mowing. We're looking at homes in small towns with a standard size lot, or perhaps a little larger, but likely not big enough to mess with our current zero-turn. Who uses a regular walk behind? Any suggestions? Are the new battery-powered ones worth considering, or are they tree-hugging hippie crap? Any brand favorites, any you hate? Thanks!

Unless you live on a postage stamp (which I kinda do) the reviews on battery operated ones are horrible. I have a 10+ year old self propelled Toro mower and it’s been great. Haven’t even looked at the oil (probly bad idea) and it still starts on the first pull. If you have like a tractor outdoor store I’d start there vs a big box if you can. 

I have an Ego with the larger battery for a quarter acre of grass and love it. This is my first season after previously using a Honda with standard engine. The Ego battery lasts >2 hours without charging and charges in 25 minutes from 0%. Much better at mulching, extremely easy to clean (can just roll it over) and store. Also is self-propelled with a thumb button, with I didn’t think I cared about but it is a pretty nice bonus. 

Not sure what other questions you might have but I would buy it again. Don’t currently need any other tools but I will buy Ego for the battery-swapping moving forward. 

posted by queencitybuckeye

We're looking at homes in small towns with a standard size lot, or perhaps a little larger, but likely not big enough to mess with our current zero-turn. Who uses a regular walk behind? Any suggestions? Are the new battery-powered ones worth considering, or are they tree-hugging hippie crap? 

Have  you considered a 36" zero-turn?  Got a Snapper 36 ZT earlier this year, much more comfortable and faster - better-looking cut also.   I'm on a 1960-size tract lot, and it fits through my gate and my shed door.

Bought a Toro 22" walk-behind three or four years ago, it's a workhorse for that size lot.  It's self-propelled, but I'm older and more cranky when I'm on my feet that long.

I'll split the difference on what iclfan2 said  - I went with an authorized dealer for the zero-turn, but I got my Toro right off the shelf at Lowe's or Home Depot (can't remember which).  

Don't know much about the new battery models, but they've got to be better than the tethered electric model my father bought in 1978.  I hated having to drag and move the extension cord during each pass, lol.

We have a 30 min yard and we do 4 other yards that are a little bit bigger. Our Snapper is nice and we are finishing up our 3rd year using it. Only negative is wheels adjust in 1 inch increments and not 1/2 inch.

Our other mower is Murray self-propelled and we just keep waiting for it to die lol. This is my 11th year of using it 4-5x a week for 30 weeks a year. It’s zip tied together 

The Ego sounds interesting as I’m hesitant with the battery operated as I’ve used trimmers that just had no power and the blowers the same…..but things are more advanced and just flipping over to clean seems ideal compared to cleaning the gas ones.