Are cheaper push mowers with electric-start reliable? Is there such a thing?

[Dennis S]

Both of my shoulders are bad and I was thinking about an electric-start mower. Does anyone have any experience with them? I would want a non-propelled one since I'm so out-of-shape I can't keep up with a self-propelled one, if there is such a thing. And, like always with me, it needs to be cheap.

Edit: I ran across this battery mower. I don't know the size of my yard, but it takes a little over an hour to mow it and I would probably only do 1/2 at a time, so a rechargable one might be OK.

[Catzilla]

I know there are electric start mowers but IIRC they are top of the line models. If my Honda BBC ever dies I would get a rechargeable. Sounds like a good idea for your situation.

[Catzilla]

Does anyone remember the push mowers with spring loaded folding hand cranks?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22-IC7I7hJY
I don't know why they stopped making those things.

[LyleH]

You might want to look at the Toro Personal Pace line of gas mowers. It's a little hard to describe, but many Toro mowers have an infinite variable speed drive. You just put your hands on the "drive handle" and when you start to walk it will only go as fast as you push it. Walk faster, it goes faster, walk slower, it goes slower.

I'm sure Toro has mowers with battery starters. And Consumer Reports rates many of the Toro's quite highly. Mine worked great for 4 years, then I moved and didn't need a mower any longer.

Here's a link to one of the Toro electric start mowers - but not cheap…..

http://www.toro.com/en-us/homeowner/mowe...tric-start

LyleH

[J Marston]

Toro recycler mowers have "personal pace," i.e., infinite (or infinitesimal) speeds and are available with electric start, but they're pricey: I think the electric start version is about $550. Craigslist? Scout the yard sales? If you can find a used one, it ought to fit the bill.

[Speedy]

I have one of those Toros with an electric start. The battery gets brought inside every fall, then in the spring, reinstalled and recharged. It has simple spade connectors and has lasted for five years. It has a simple wall wart charger because the mower doesn't charge it. The battery will start the mower many times as long as you plug the mower in between each use. It will go as fast or slow as my ne'er-do-well son can go. My wife also finds it easy to use although she usually needs my assistance to first start it (no choke, just a bulb to give it extra gas for the first start). I like it.

I prefer my Deere Z425.

[Octave Doctor]

I used to use a small electric mower for trim work. Easy to maneuver and easier to keep going instead of fighting with a weed eater. One with a Battery would probably still be lighter than a gas mower.

[iaJim]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8h0XEj7UUY

My neighbor has a snapper with an electric start. I'm sure there are a number of companies who have it. I hear you about the bad shoulders. I've been dreading starting my mower too. I have about two pulls in my and then I'm in trouble.