Green Building Forum - Battery powered ride on mower Tue, 19 Dec 2023 08:31:24 +0000 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/ Lussumo Vanilla 1.0.3 Battery powered ride on mower http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17096&Focus=290102#Comment_290102 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17096&Focus=290102#Comment_290102 Fri, 18 Jun 2021 13:27:16 +0100 revor Battery powered ride on mower http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17096&Focus=290103#Comment_290103 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17096&Focus=290103#Comment_290103 Fri, 18 Jun 2021 14:49:50 +0100 owlman The prices are a bit eyewatering though and I understand that supplies of ride-on mowers in general is a bit iffy at the moment.]]> Battery powered ride on mower http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17096&Focus=290105#Comment_290105 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17096&Focus=290105#Comment_290105 Fri, 18 Jun 2021 17:13:02 +0100 revor Battery powered ride on mower http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17096&Focus=290108#Comment_290108 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17096&Focus=290108#Comment_290108 Fri, 18 Jun 2021 18:06:32 +0100 owlman Although Stiga were originally Swedish, the mower brand I understand has changed hands and is part of a large Italian garden equipment company. These companies appear to have manufacturing facilities all over the place sometimes, I'm told, with their cheaper domestic products coming from China, whilst retaining premium production in Europe. I'm guessing they have components coming from all over the Globe.
The other company I looked at was AL-CO, German/Austrian I believe, they also do a small ride on.]]> Battery powered ride on mower http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17096&Focus=290109#Comment_290109 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17096&Focus=290109#Comment_290109 Fri, 18 Jun 2021 19:41:46 +0100 revor Battery powered ride on mower http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17096&Focus=290111#Comment_290111 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17096&Focus=290111#Comment_290111 Fri, 18 Jun 2021 20:32:01 +0100 jms452 Posted By: revorI also ended up looking at Stiga Atco and Mountfield and noted there was quite some mention of China manufacturing. Did not come across AL-CO will take a look at their offering so thanks for that mention. I am pretty frustrated with having to dig deep to find where things are made and often you cannot find out. I recently bought an inverter for my PV project claimed to be 100% Italian but there were components that were made in China. That is misleading "Italian made" would be a better description. I wrote to my MP about labelling and she said she would raise with Ministers but nothing has happened yet and guess it won't.

We have world wide supply chains. You are going to find it very hard (or possibly even impossible) to find something with as many components as an inverter with no made in china parts. There are hundreds if not thousands of parts in there. Even if none of these parts are made in china some of the materials in the parts will be Chinese.

With our PV i decided that it was the standards (both technical and employee) of the manufacture rather than where they were geographically that mattered.]]> Battery powered ride on mower http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17096&Focus=290112#Comment_290112 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17096&Focus=290112#Comment_290112 Sat, 19 Jun 2021 11:50:50 +0100 owlman Posted By: revor................ I wrote to my MP about labelling and she said she would raise with Ministers but nothing has happened yet and guess it won't.

Yes, labelling in general is sometimes woefully inadequate.
I went looking for peat free garden compost the other day. There were lots of various composts available but only one had the peat content clearly labelled with a sort of block percentage colour code, and with that particular product highlighted. For the majority if peat was mentioned at all, it was buried somewhere in the small print.
Assuming that these products are manufactured to a formula, not an unreasonable assumption given their plant nutrient claims, then why can't the peat content be labelled?
IMO legislation and ensuing action could be in place in a very short time, with a simple stick on label as a first step.
There has been lots of talk about lessening the use of peat in gardening, but it seems little action. All this with the backdrop of the environmental disaster that is peat digging.]]> Battery powered ride on mower http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17096&Focus=290113#Comment_290113 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17096&Focus=290113#Comment_290113 Sat, 19 Jun 2021 15:00:05 +0100 djh Posted By: owlmanI went looking for peat free garden compost the other day. There were lots of various composts available but only one had the peat content clearly labelled with a sort of block percentage colour code, and with that particular product highlighted. For the majority if peat was mentioned at all, it was buried somewhere in the small print.
Assuming that these products are manufactured to a formula, not an unreasonable assumption given their plant nutrient claims, then why can't the peat content be labelled?
I think the argument is that generally it isn't necessary to label ingredients on products, particularly where they may be commercially sensitive. (What are the ingredients in Coke, for example?) and also until recently the peat content hasn't been considered important, and if it was it would be considered that more is better. The generally accepted rule now is that unless it says it is peat-free, assume it has peat in it. It's certainly possible to argue that both the industry and government have dragged their feet in eliminating it. But supposedly "Garden centres will be banned from selling peat-based compost from 2024". Personally I just buy Melcourt products for now.]]> Battery powered ride on mower http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17096&Focus=290114#Comment_290114 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17096&Focus=290114#Comment_290114 Sat, 19 Jun 2021 16:28:04 +0100 owlman Yes the domestic sale of peat products is due to end, not so commercial users I believe.]]> Battery powered ride on mower http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17096&Focus=290116#Comment_290116 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17096&Focus=290116#Comment_290116 Sat, 19 Jun 2021 17:23:32 +0100 CWatters
Google suggests Countax, Hayter, Mountfield and Westwood do some manufacturing in England. How much they manufacture here I don't know. Countax use some Kawasaki Engines and I think Hayter use Briggs & Stratton (made in the USA and some in China I think?).

Hayter have some sort of tie up with Toro (USA) as their ride on mowers share many common part numbers.

I think it will be a challenge to find anything that's made here rather than just assembled here. The UK content may also vary by model.

In my limited experience Honda and Briggs & Stratton engines have performed well.

See also list here..

https://www.gardentrader.co.uk/manufacturers]]> Battery powered ride on mower http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17096&Focus=290117#Comment_290117 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17096&Focus=290117#Comment_290117 Sat, 19 Jun 2021 17:51:31 +0100 WillInAberdeen
The insects and insectivores like it, but other benefits have been: less time spent mowing, stays green longer between rain.

Some areas are allowed to grow all year, knee high, then strimmered short in early Autumn after the seeds have set to stop it turning to brambles.

Other areas are allowed to grow ankle high and then mowed, maybe twice so far this year, and needs doing again.

Some areas around edges and formal borders are kept traditionally short, which stops the place looking abandoned, but these are small enough to do with a push mower.

If the ride on dies, we won't replace it, probably put the budget in a kitty for occasional call outs for a garden contractor.

We don't buy peat free compost, it's dead easy to make your own. (Get a big sieve)

Does anyone have experience of battery electric chainsaws?]]> Battery powered ride on mower http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17096&Focus=290121#Comment_290121 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17096&Focus=290121#Comment_290121 Sat, 19 Jun 2021 21:52:09 +0100 djh Posted By: WillInAberdeenDoes anyone have experience of battery electric chainsaws?
My first call for all cordless at the mo is Lidl/Parkside. Their chainsaw works well but I've only used it for trimming branches to date. The lawnmower is brill - why would I want a ride-on? Exercise is good!]]> Battery powered ride on mower http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17096&Focus=290124#Comment_290124 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17096&Focus=290124#Comment_290124 Sun, 20 Jun 2021 00:22:02 +0100 Mike1 Posted By: revor...battery powered ride on mower...I guess they may be too expensive, but how about an autonomous electric mower? Something like this:
http://turflynx.com/
But as Will suggests, make space for un-mown sections if you can.]]> Battery powered ride on mower http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17096&Focus=290127#Comment_290127 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17096&Focus=290127#Comment_290127 Sun, 20 Jun 2021 10:12:34 +0100 revor Battery powered ride on mower http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17096&Focus=290129#Comment_290129 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17096&Focus=290129#Comment_290129 Sun, 20 Jun 2021 11:07:03 +0100 djh Posted By: revordid not want to invest in another system
This is the most annoying thing about battery tools. The lack of standardisation between manufacturers. I suppose it will take some laws to require them all to agree on a common set of batteries. Which will probably require deaths before the laws get made, but I don't yet see how different batteries will kill people. :cry:]]> Battery powered ride on mower http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17096&Focus=290131#Comment_290131 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17096&Focus=290131#Comment_290131 Sun, 20 Jun 2021 11:38:55 +0100 owlman Posted By: revorMy neighbour has a kit of Makita battery operated tools one of which is a chain saw and takes 2 18V batteries and he recommended that to me. However as have other battery tools did not want to invest in another system so bought the 230v electric version of his battery one. I would highly recommend it but if like me you are mindful of where they are made some are made in China and others models in Romania.


I have the 230V Makita electric version too, but I still prefer my Husqvarna petrol chainsaw, it just feels faster and handier to use. Like many others I get annoyed at the lifespan of battery operated tools. I think I've got at least 3 obsolete battery drills, Festo, De-walt, Bosch all useless because the batteries packed in and cost a fortune to replace. It wouldn't be so bad if they offered an battery exchange system.

Re your OP, I cooled on the idea of a battery ride on, I felt they'd struggle on my grass paddock especially on a first cut in Spring. I currently have an old petrol Countax with an 18HP Honda V twin engine and I even have to be a bit careful on that first cut.]]> Battery powered ride on mower http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17096&Focus=290138#Comment_290138 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17096&Focus=290138#Comment_290138 Sun, 20 Jun 2021 14:42:39 +0100 Ed Davies Posted By: djhI suppose it will take some laws to require them all to agree on a common set of batteries. Which will probably require deaths before the laws get madeAFAIK not many deaths were involved in getting the EU to knock heads together to standardize phone chargers to USB. Power tools are not quite such an obvious mass market, of course.

I have a Makita battery lawn mower (push, not ride on). 2x18V batteries. Works well though it does tend to jam up if it's on anything other than the highest setting if the lawn isn't already pretty short. I wouldn't have considered it if I didn't already have Makita batteries and a charger.]]> Battery powered ride on mower http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17096&Focus=290139#Comment_290139 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17096&Focus=290139#Comment_290139 Sun, 20 Jun 2021 16:03:37 +0100 Mike1 Posted By: djhI suppose it will take some laws to require them all to agree on a common set of batteries.
Until that happens, and for anyone who hasn't come across them, it is possible to buy adaptors to interchange batteries of the same voltage between many brands, particularly slide-on batteries. I've also seen plans on the web to 3D-print adaptors for some other combinations.]]> Battery powered ride on mower http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17096&Focus=290140#Comment_290140 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17096&Focus=290140#Comment_290140 Sun, 20 Jun 2021 17:40:48 +0100 Peter_in_Hungary Battery powered ride on mower http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17096&Focus=290143#Comment_290143 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17096&Focus=290143#Comment_290143 Sun, 20 Jun 2021 20:29:16 +0100 djh Posted By: Ed DaviesAFAIK not many deaths were involved in getting the EU to knock heads together to standardize phone chargers to USB. Power tools are not quite such an obvious mass market, of course.
The second sentence is key, I think.

Posted By: Mike1Until that happens, and for anyone who hasn't come across them, it is possible to buy adaptors to interchange batteries of the same voltage between many brands, particularly slide-on batteries.

I haven't heard of them. Given that it's an N^2 problem and there are lots of different battery types, is there an index of such adaptors somewhere or any other tips for searching to find the particular needle you need in the haystack?

Posted By: Peter_in_HungaryWhy should the manufactures agree to a common set of batteries when making to their own design locks in purchasers to their own replacements and makes it more difficult for after market suppliers to get in on the game of under cutting origional spares prices

Well of course. That's why laws are needed.]]> Battery powered ride on mower http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17096&Focus=290144#Comment_290144 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17096&Focus=290144#Comment_290144 Sun, 20 Jun 2021 20:33:21 +0100 djh Posted By: owlmanRe your OP, I cooled on the idea of a battery ride on, I felt they'd struggle on my grass paddock especially on a first cut in Spring. I currently have an old petrol Countax with an 18HP Honda V twin engine and I even have to be a bit careful on that first cut.
The first cut of the year isn't usually a problem for me. Just set the mower to its highest cut (75 mm) and it will handle it. Worse is the first cut of wild areas in late summer when the grass and other stuff is at least a foot high, if not two. For that I tend to use either a strimmer or hedge cutter first, depending on what has been growing there. Tilting the mower back, rolling it into place and then letting it go upright again (so the cutting deck lowers over the material to be cut) also works pretty well for small areas.]]> Battery powered ride on mower http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17096&Focus=290145#Comment_290145 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17096&Focus=290145#Comment_290145 Sun, 20 Jun 2021 21:47:14 +0100 WillInAberdeen
The correct tool for that job is a strimmer, a scythe, some sheep or a tractor with a flail mower.]]> Battery powered ride on mower http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17096&Focus=290148#Comment_290148 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17096&Focus=290148#Comment_290148 Mon, 21 Jun 2021 11:50:15 +0100 Mike1 Posted By: djh
Posted By: Mike1Until that happens, and for anyone who hasn't come across them, it is possible to buy adaptors to interchange batteries of the same voltage between many brands, particularly slide-on batteries.

I haven't heard of them. Given that it's an N^2 problem and there are lots of different battery types, is there an index of such adaptors somewhere or any other tips for searching to find the particular needle you need in the haystack?Try Amazon / eBay / Aliexpress. For example
https://www.amazon.co.uk/color-tree-Battery-Converter-Adapter/dp/B08KD78696]]> Battery powered ride on mower http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17096&Focus=290149#Comment_290149 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17096&Focus=290149#Comment_290149 Mon, 21 Jun 2021 11:52:09 +0100 djh Posted By: WillInAberdeenI broke the crankshaft of a rather expensive rotary mower doing that!
Buying an expensive mower is against my religion :bigsmile: Generally I know what's in the grass and in my experience mower blades beat tree stumps and even bricks as long as they're lowered slowly onto them. :devil:]]> Battery powered ride on mower http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17096&Focus=290158#Comment_290158 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17096&Focus=290158#Comment_290158 Tue, 22 Jun 2021 10:00:07 +0100 WillInAberdeen ]]> Battery powered ride on mower http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17096&Focus=301808#Comment_301808 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17096&Focus=301808#Comment_301808 Sun, 04 Jun 2023 12:00:16 +0100 owlman
I recently purchased a new ride on,- mulch only,- which works really well in both my field and on the areas closer to the house. However, I cant get close enough to the edges nor the grass paths between raised beds in the veg garden.
I considered an 18-20 inch petrol but I've also been looking at cordless and in particular Ego mowers, does anyone have any experience?]]> Battery powered ride on mower http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17096&Focus=301811#Comment_301811 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17096&Focus=301811#Comment_301811 Sun, 04 Jun 2023 12:53:41 +0100 djh
One of my mowers is a Bosch - I stopped buying their garden tools after I had a problem with a strimmer. The second is a larger Parkside, which is my main workhorse and has performed very well. I just use the Bosch occasionally now. The third is a Landroid robot mower, which generally works OK and is better than doing it myself, but frequently gets stuck at various boundaries and digs holes in the lawn sometimes. I believe some people are replacing ride-ons with the more exepnsive robots with fancier features.]]> Battery powered ride on mower http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17096&Focus=301814#Comment_301814 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17096&Focus=301814#Comment_301814 Sun, 04 Jun 2023 13:16:50 +0100 fostertom Battery powered ride on mower http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17096&Focus=301815#Comment_301815 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17096&Focus=301815#Comment_301815 Sun, 04 Jun 2023 13:51:56 +0100 owlman Battery powered ride on mower http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17096&Focus=301816#Comment_301816 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17096&Focus=301816#Comment_301816 Sun, 04 Jun 2023 16:33:43 +0100 djh Posted By: fostertomcopes with v long thick grass just by tilting back on the slow first runYes, I do that a lot with the Parkside on the rough areas. The Landroid just head butts long grass and drives into it repeatedly followed by driving over it repeatedly until it has conquered the area. Quite remarkable what it demolishes given half a chance. (But it steers away from trees and people etc - I do worry if any of the birds ever got brave enough to stand its ground, because I suspect the Landroid would eat them. It stops mowing at night to protect hedgehogs)]]>