Electric Mowing Tips and Tricks
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- Опубліковано 6 жов 2024
- This video covers dozens of tips and tricks for mowing effectively and easily with a corded electric lawn mower.
I go over choosing a mower, safety, basic mechanics, maintenance, managing your cord, mowing strategies, and even blade sharpening. Electric lawn mowers are very easy to use, do a great job, and take very little time to cover an average lawn.
My lawn mower is made by GreenWorks, and the more recent model is for sale on Amazon for $140: amzn.to/2cixSo3 (I've always owned Black-n-Decker corded mowers, but this one is far better than those.)
Cerrowire makes the LOCKING EXTENSION CORD I use for mowing. Though mine is yellow and not red, this locking 100-footer is for sale on Amazon: amzn.to/2cnfDw3
Smith's lawn mower blade sharpener, which is the one I use, is just under 20 bucks on Amazon: amzn.to/2ccp2fC
The file I sharpen my blade with is this one: amzn.to/2cOFRsL
The all-natural bug spray I use is not longer on the market, but it's very similar to this one for sale on Amazon: amzn.to/2cOGu5x
The mosquito-repellant bracelets I strap to my mower are these ones: amzn.to/2chgfnc
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This video is 5 years old but it helped me tremendously. Thank you.
Good to hear and happy mowing!
great tips!! I spent 15 minutes just dragging a heavy 100 ft cord around! thanks so much!
Oh yeah! Happy mowing
Thank you. Was trying to figure out how to navigate the cord. Finally found a rhythm. Your video let me know I was doing it the right way. Much appreciated.
Happy mowing!
Thank you, I just purchased a small electric mower to keep my lawn tidy between the mower guy cuts. I had no idea of how to move around with a cord and this answered my questions.
Excellent. I bet that lawn looks nice
I gotta say, I was able to shave my mowing time in half . tying the cord to the lawn mower was simple but I never thought to do it. great tips
Excellent! Mow on!
I really like the segment when you were clearing the lawn. You you picked up a baseball and some other stuff but the gun and the beer keg classic. :-)
haha! glad you liked it ... and thanks for watching!
Thank you so much I just bought a corded electric lawn mower you've helped me tremendously
Happy mowing!
I wanted to add my favorite trick: In fall I raise the front wheels all the way up and the back wheels down then bag everything and I don't have to rake the lawn because this not only picks it up it mulches the green grass and brown leaves together which is perfect for the mulch pile. This makes fall clean up so easy.
Can't do that with the C5 because the adjustment raises and lowers all the wheels at once. It also comes with a sharpening tool that works right with the blade on the mower itself. I do love that mower. I've been eyeing their new 62Volt Li Ion mowers. They even have one that is self propelled now.
Definitely helpful tips while using corded electric mowers !! Appreciate this video buddy !!
Happy mowing, man!
Thank you for the helpful video. I recently acquired an electric mower. I am more worried about sharpening the blade than I am about operating the mower, though! (LOL)
The blade usually doesn't need much sharpening ... I hope it works out for ya!
@@metaspencer Thank you. :)
I use the leaf blower to clean my mower and under it, plus keep a small brush to clean stuck on grass underneath. Do this every time. My last mower lasted 25 years.
sounds like a great system!
all that music , fire pit and antics makes lawn mowing so exciting. lol...
MrBuzzialdrin 😂😂😂
You ain't kidding! I just got a free mower today (this very same greenworks oddly enough), it's 1am, I'm drinking a beer and planning my noon wake up and mow!
Thank you for showing how the cord is managed.
Good luck out there!
Thanks so much! I always used to use the gasoline mower and the cord and the patterns are new to me. Your video is clear and simple and very useful. Ta!
Excellent! I think you’ll like the new approach
Thank you so much for this video! It helped me tremendously also. I just bought an electric mower and these tips are so helpful!
Good stuff and happy mowing!
Thank you for this video. I needed a system with my electric mower and i did it like a boss tonight. Start closest to the outlet, hold the cord in the hand closest to the outlet, get to the end, drop the cord step over, grab the cord with the other hand, rinse and repeat. I applied the same principle to the blower and the weedeater. Thanks
Good to hear!!
Great video! Thanks for taking the time. Was considering buying a electric lawn mower and was thinking turning with the cord would be a pain, but your tips help a lot. Love the start where you tell how to choose the right lawn mower :D
You're reminding me that ... it's mowing time again! I'll have to get out there :)
Thanks for this, really helpful tips unlike most of the other videos I have come across lol. My lawn doesn't seem as daunting now
Happy mowing and thanks for checking it out!
LoL, ive been searching through a bunch of mower reviews/tips. You are by far the best one, funny! Thank you for the laugh
Thanks for that! I definitely had fun it with ... happy mowing
Thank you so much, your tips helped a lot! Especially being closest to the outlet!
Excellent! Happy mowing
I learned the hard way. First I purchased an expensive cordless mower, after 1 year the battery died and the replacement battery cost more than I paid for a new mower. Now I have a corded mower and love it! Paid for the cord one time!
Yeah, those batteries just don't last forever ... thanks for the comment!
Great video. Makes using an electric mower seem more manly.
I also saw a good trick on another electric mower vid (could presumably be used on gas mowers also), using silicone spray on the underside of the cutting deck to keep grass residue from sticking and building up. I tried this on my new GW mower and it seemed to help a lot. Almost no sticking or buildup except in the rear opening (as I was using the rear bagger and the opening is known to be a bit smallish). But not an appreciable amount.
Oh that spray idea is a great one! Thanks for the tip! Gonna try it this weekend
Used a 1400w electric mower that I won for $5 in an auction on knee high grass, flowers and weeds. Tackled the job well using the tip back method, catchless. Few blockages but that's to be expected. I'm now sold on electric mowers!
$5 at an auction! Now that's one smokin' deal! Good to hear it's workin' for ya
It's pretty common sense but please remind people to unplug the mower before turning it over and clearing the accumulated grass out. I learned of a neighbor that got cut very bad once. Other than that, thanks for this video, it's really helpful.
Great advice! Yes!
Was sadly never shown how to mow with a pushmower by family, gas or otherwise. (No idea why not, as I would end up with a yard or need to take care of one eventually), so, this is invaluable for someone with a now small yard to figure out what works best pattern-wise and equipment-wise, and especially how to take care of said equipment. Thanks so much!
Happy mowing out there! Some see it as a chore ... but others of us really enjoy the process
Thanks for making video and I like the good tips, especially the one about the bug repellants. I've always sprayed on my clothing, hat and footwear; never thought about bug repellant spray or ties on mower. will definitely add try that tip!
Thanks! Good luck out there!
You can also attach an old rag or towel to the handle and spray that.
Awesome thank you! The house I'm renting came with this mower. Works great for the size of r yards
Oh yeah, you can do A LOT of quality mowing with this machine. Good luck!
This guy is Mow-Master.
People tend to underestimate corded mowers. It's nice never having to charge it or fill it up. Maintenance is just keeping it clean and the blade sharp. Consistent power from start to finish. Would probably use a tractor if I had acres, but 14k Sq ft is no problem with an extension cord.
I completely agree -- for many yards it's the ideal option
Thank you so much for showing how to do it the right way 🖖🙏
One thing that is a good mention is make sure that you follow the user manual for cord recommendations. Typically they are going to be between 10 and 12 amp electric motors. They generally suggest a 12-gauge cord; which are considerably expensive (which looks like you've implemented). This doesn't seem to be common knowledge with people; so worth telling people. Also, carefully limit the amount of time mowing with lengths of cord longer than 100 feet! Mowing with a 14 or 16 gauge cord or a cord longer than 100 feet will burn out the electric motor on EVERY model over time. It won't happen immediately; but generally your mower will only last one mowing season (in Ohio where I'm from, that would be May to October) before burning the mower's motor out significantly or completely. Finally, do not plug into a non-GFI outlet AT ALL; ever.
Great points. A small gauge cord is too commonly used. Fortunately code requires all outdoor outlets to have GFCI protection. Well said
I picked up some great tips, thank you so much for sharing them!
Great to hear! Good luck
Thanks for this video. I was not sure to decide whether I should buy electric one or battery operated costly one. This video helped me understand that electric one isn't difficult to use. Thank you so much.
Excellent! Happy mowing
I throw the cord over my shoulder. No holding by hand, and I don't have to walk over it when I turn around. Works great.
The over-the-shoulder method! good stuff man
This was great! I wanted to surprise my husband and mow the lawn but had only used a gas mower. This was SO helpful!! Thanks!
Excellent! He’s gonna be so happy!!
Awesome, thanks... I just got a little electric mower for a 75'x20' lawn, after my big gas mower broke, and I think I invented some new swear words while using it. Lots of helpful tips here... like tying up the cord or getting an electric lawnmower cord. It feels like there's a right way to do it, but I couldn't figure it out, so the outlet tip helps. .. well, good thing the beer keg on *my* lawn was full.
Haha ... enjoy!
Good stuff! Thanks for taking the time to do this!
Oh you betcha!
Whatever happened to mowers with flip handles? They were fool proof. No switching cord from side to side.
Those were great! Had one in the 70s
@@metaspencer My 21 year-old Black & Decker with flip handle died last week. Had to buy a new electric without the flip. Used it once. I don't think I'll ever cut the lawn again. Maybe buy a goat.
@@oscarandgroucho We have sheep but no goats ... they do a great job!
@@oscarandgroucho😂
@@oscarandgrouchoxD
I’m getting my new green works lawnmower from Walmart next week and I definitely will be referring to your video on corded lawn more tips.
I've heard they make. a good mower!
I read a review on Amazon that said to start out as far away from the outlet as possible. I didn't really think much about it but my first time decided to try it. That was the worst experience. I had to bend down and toss over the cord on every pass.
Oh that cord tossing can be annoying ... ya never know about those Amazon reviews!
That was very helpful; especially with the cord step-over. I feel confident that I'll buy a corded electric lawnmower after watching this video. Maybe those of us who own these might consider ourselves E-Mower pilots, and start our own Aero Club.
E-mower pilots! You're gonna love it ... not as noisy, no need for fuel, and does a great job
@@metaspencer All of those reasons are very attractive to me: I'm becoming more conscious of the pollutants I expose myself to as I get older. So to get away from gas exhaust is huge. I've always worn hearing protection while mowing, but I won't have to wear my heavy-duty ones with an E-Mower I'm sure. Last of all, my small yard has to look like carpet for me to be satisfied, and I'm sure one of these will do the trick. Cheers.
Keep 2 blades and change them out every month. Take a dull on off put the sharp one on. Spray the CLEAN DRY underside with PAM nonstick spray. Just get it well coated really helps prevent sticking. I just never cut when it's wet.
Great ideas -- that two blades idea is a great one. Thanks man
@@metaspencer one day I went to cut my grass I started cutting in the front of my property well I have rocks out there the size of 🎾 tennis balls but square . I had just started cutting knocked my blade off had to run to the hardware store. By the time the repair was done my window of opportunity had faded. The clouds that urged me to start cutting grass had long gone. And I got my fat ass overheated. So the lesson is cut the easy stuff first let you know there are no hazard. That way if you happen to break your blade you got the bulk of the work done. Other things I do are make sure that I have my beverage fixed before I start cutting I have a fan ready I cut grass with safety glasses, I use my Sony radio so I don't get bored old school they wear on top your head. I wear a sweatband I got a buttonhole on my shirt I took a face cloth and I can clean my glasses quick. I try to cut grass in the shade trees will shade a certain part of the property in the morning and the other in the afternoon. I always try to get the sun part when there's a cloud over head. I live in southern Louisiana you are soaking wet the moment you step out the door.
@@GEAUXFRUGAL You are a person with a plan! I've only traveled to LA once, but loved the beaches
Super informative! I'm saving this video for later 😁
Excellent... thanks!
Great video! Love the pit fire on a hot sunny day. After the lawn, we can hit the outdoor Olympic set and pump some iron. And then target practice with the Red Rider BB gun. Awesome!
Ya gotta have fun out there, as far as I'm concerned
I think most people would not agree, but, a corded lawnmower makes the most sense
I agree: no batteries to replace and affordable, cleaner power
Hahaha .. thanks so much for this video ! I am having shoulder and arm problems since I bought the Black / Decker Em1500 because there is no height adjustment for the handle . .. I'm loving a lot about this video . especially the wire wrapped around the hold down bar as I've tried string, etc but that rigid wire trick is the one for me. You really have covered all the great points on electric mowing and I love this video ... awesome tip .. to remove all shot guns before mowing ! I have a feeling , however, this would have added to our Canada Day fireworks .. ;-) take care !
Very helpful! Thanks! I’m a new mower user with a 400 m2 grass. I prefer to learn how to do it before start 😅
Good luck with it!
Hey man I have an electric push mower my step dad gave me when I first moved out on my own. Funny enough it's actually helped me make neighborhood friends. Lol they are like "what! Where can I get one of those?!" I just laugh and say yea it's great. No gas no oil just be sure you don't run your cord over.
Wow, making friends with a mower! That's pretty cool. I've tried to mow my neighbor's lawn, but my cord won't reach ....
haha, cool. Batteries look like a good idea and I'd love to 'cut the cord' ,, but I am concerned about how long they last and they are expensive to replace, if available at all. That's what makes horse races!
Very very fine explanation and great tips! Thank you! Well done
Thanks for checking it out!
Great video! Getting my first electric mower and I'm glad it will be a plug-in mower. Don't forget to remove debris from lawn, like guns and kegs ... 😂
Especially kegs. Good luck out there!
my mom sent this to me just now since i've started mowing the lawn for her. i will say this now: any exercise i've done hasn't been in 2 years.
if i end up fit from doing yard work and go pro, i'll update. for now, god have mercy on my soul.
It's a good workout! Just avoid the heat and you should be okay ... good luck out there!
Honestly, it just takes some practice but using this electric mower is easy. Just watch where your cord is, cut in a pattern, and stick to 3-4" of cutting height and you're good.
Yup, you've got it.
Everything I needed to know!
happy mowing!
Heres a tip for you, when you cut grass, overlap your lines.
+Holret ... that definitely helps. Also varying direction with each mow
thank you great video
👍👍
Definitely help i just bought one and i spent more time fighting with the cord then actually mowing the grass 😅 rookie mistake.
You'll get a good rhythm going!
wow thank you for these tips!
Thanks for checking it out!
2:00 mark.....”Honey I found the Remington”
haha ... I knew it was out there somewhere :)
Always good to keep you lawn free of any firearms.
Safer that way 😀
Great video, thanks for this!
happy mowing! the season is upon us
Lol
Dude that was very comprehensive and informative. I think I’m willing to take the plunge. Have been using the battery for a while but it inevitably runs out before I’m done then I have to wait for like 6 hours till I can resume. What’s the deal with the ‘flip handle’ ones? Think they would be any good? Great video!
I've used the flip handle ones and they've worked fine -- makes turning obsolete. The corded mowers just keep on going as long as the ground isn't too rugged
Love the video, especially with the cord advice. But where is the catcher in that mower of yours? Where does your grass go?
It’s a mulcher... thanks for checking it out
Great video thank you...
Thanks for checking it out!
AWESOME Video!!!!!
Happy mowing!
When you sharp the blade by yourself, make sure it is balanced after sharpening.
yep, good point ... gotta keep it even
On a simple nail, protects the motor
Thanks, very helpful!
Absolutely! :)
Thanks for the tips
Absolutely. Happy mowing
@@metaspencer thanks 😊
Great video! Very informative, thanks!
Thanks for checking it out
Excellent! Thank You!
you bet!
Omg fantastic tips! thank you!
happy mowing!
Thanks! You’re so smart. Glad I didn’t spend no $500 for a cordless
Happy mowing!
Amazing job !!!
Big thanks!
Thanks for the info
Any time!
On my 3rd cord in just 3 weeks. 😢 Gonna use these tips!
Save those cords! and good luck out there
Thanks a lot!
This is a life saver
Good to hear! Happy mowing
Thanks 😆
I treat my tiller the same way - it's just not that powerful but serves a 20 square foot garden well (after I hula hoe first, to make it easier on the tiller).
sounds like a good system! good luck with that garden this year
I’m a chic doing a ‘mans job’ & I find this video very helpful. 🙌appreciate it.
(Now it’s time to go have a heart attack.. Texas heat must be like satans a**hole)
Mow in the middle of the night to stay cool! You've got this!
@Zach Sheffee I actual enjoy it far more than doing laundry. I am woman hear me roar or whatever. lol
Thanks for this
+peteyguitarguy .... you betcha!
Helpful!
Excellent
i love everything that is scatered in your lawn!! haha funny scene
haha ... you noticed! :)
Have you ever tried a retractable extension cord? I'm thinking about getting one, but would like to see if anybody's tried one??? I use a corded weed eater too.
+Tara Marie ... I think it would be cool, but I haven't tried it. Anything to deal with the cord!
IKR?! Looking for somebody who's tried it. No videos or anything on the subject. Those retractable cords are pretty pricey. l guess I could try one and if it sux, return it.
+Tara Marie ... I think it would only work if your pattern was just right. Can you give me a link to the one you're thinking of?
This is really the 1st one that came up that looked decent. Flexzilla ZillaReel 50 ft. Retractable Extension Cord Reel - E8140503 by Flexzilla Link: a.co/iJwLsHZ
I've got outlets around different sides of my house, so 50 foot should work. If the tension isn't super tight, it seems like it could work. Trying to gather info before I pay money. Also, returning stuff on Amazon isn't as easy as say, Home Depot or Lowe's is.
You can have all the extension cords
Can you use it on slightly wet grass? Thank you
Most of us do mow when it's a little wet, but it's not ideal: build up on the mower has to be scraped away.
You made this exciting that music tho
haha ... oh well
Hah the keg is awesome
:) glad someone caught that
Ty!! 🤩🎉
good luck out there!
I wanted to buy a battery mower but then as I'm looking at the prices I was like no way I'm gonna buy ONE small battery for same price as the mower it self plus I'll have to buy additional battery and a charger separately. It just doesn't make sence to me! So I'm better of with gas or corded mower
Yep, that's the deal: batteries can be convenient but are just crazy expensive and don't last that long
I bought a little 10 a electric mower today. There is a bottom skirt like flap. If I try to mow backwards, it slightly gets in the way. Would that be removable?
That's very common and the flap is there for safety. It helps keep you from getting cut and keeps things from flying out and hitting you. I'd leave it in place ... over time it will flap back-and-forth more easily
I just bought a electric , thought it was battery powered , should I return or is the coord not a big deal ?
I've always thought the cord was better: no batteries to charge and wear down over time
Warning, Will Robinson. Warning. Important corded electric mower tip missing. Note cord gauge requirement based on cord length for your mower. Consult your owners manual and chart that comes with your cord for details. Always include extension cord in length calculation. (Adding an extension generally not recommended. Just buy the right length needed in the first place). For example, previously, my house had only one outdoor rated outlet as far from the lawns, as possible. Clearly, this house was built without corded electric mowers in mind. I used a 50 ft., 10ah cord to temporarily extend power to the yard, then add a 50ft. 12ah extension for mowing. Both cords together are quite heavy. During a renovation, I included installing two more outdoor rated outlets just for mowing. No more 50ft. 10ah cord to lug around.
Cord gauge! good point ... gotta avoid that power drop for sure. Nice to have those added outlets I bet! we still just have one :)
corded vs cordless, which do u recommend?
I prefer a cord just because the power is always there and I hate having to charge batteries. But with that said, the cord limits your range so most people go with batteries these days
Rigging up a wire to mow hands-free defeats the purpose of that "dead man's switch" required by law for mowers to have. It's not just not recommended it's illegal. People used to get injured a lot with mowers which is why they decided to require a switch which must be held at all times.
I have the Kobalt KM210 mower which I believe is almost the same thing as your GreenWorks. Is yours still going strong?
Ya know, I really loved that GreenWorks mower -- and then I hit a large rock with it and bent the shaft. I tried and failed to repair it and have since switched to a cheaper model which is not nearly as solid. The Kobalt looks good, but I haven't tried it
@@metaspencer You can easily order the motor and even just graphite brushes to maintain it. I work with it professionally for customers for 5 years now! It can break some rocks into pieces and dust, cut partly through aluminum and steel pieces, but the blade deceleration in such case might be too abrupt on the side of the blade that bit too hard for the opposite side of the blade which still has too much speed and energy to stop that fast on it's own, so it's inertia and weight will generate the lateral force on the shaft while exiting from rotation. Before the shaft bends, on motor's shaft, there's a cylindrical sleeve spacer with a flat circular area interfacing with the fan and blade, positioned between the plastic fan and the motor itself, that might have bent a little if blade was pushed too energetically up or down by the collision and when overcoming it, and that spacer could be straightened by pulling out by hand and hammering over the flat top of vise jaw"s slot, or possibly some socket or can be reordered also. Most of the time, hard impacts will affect blade before affecting the spacer, or shaft, so often, solution is limited to checking blade ends while on the motor, and manually pull them out or push in till they both turn on the same plane when testing their tips while manually rotating, to a fix reference such as your finger tip. Spacer's flatness can be checked on a flat surface. Shaft straightness can be tested by powering motor for a short time without blade, fan and spacer, and eventually using a marker to leave a trace on shaft's surface indicating most eccentric side or looking for visual eccentricity at rotation. If shaft turns hardly manually, this means it is bent so much that the rotor rubs on the magnets of the stator, this can also be inspected visually, and in such case motor has to be replaced. Motor sits on a rubber gasket, this is part of the insulation of the mower since there's no ground connector, that gasket needs to be kept or reordered. Plastic washers at motor mounting screws are also part of that insulation and need to be kept. Make sure you take pictures and know what you're doing to keep the product same and safe as it was new. Model with plastic cover as shown on this video sucks air at front bottom of the plastic cover and will get grass clippings and leaf debris sucked in and surrounding the motor, should be cleaned from time to time to help best cooling of motor. Hope it helps new users too! Wired electric is great! Longevity is phenomenal! Healthy! Low cost! Great Model!
@@petarvujasinovic3988 Thanks for the detailed response. I see what you mean and maintaining the machine is definitely the way to go!
Make sure you pick up your racquet, bat, gun, and keg
haha ... of course!
Battery powered mowers have come a long way since this video. there's some strong battery powered ones out there.
That's great to hear!
If you replace the music with Kenny Loggins Danger Zone this would be so epic 😅
Danger Zone! hahaha ... absolutely
Excellent and helpful video but the music is annoying.
gotcha! at least the mowing stuff was okay
It's possible to repair and make electric lawn mower batteries now too ⚡
sounds good!