Makita 36v Lawnmower

[Crazyraceguy]

I finally decided to give up on the old gas mower. I went to the big Orange, looking for another one. I came across a Makita 36v unit.
It was their last one, I suppose this was because they were on sale. Since it was the display model. they gave 10% more off. It ended up under $380. Just one more case of buy the batteries and get the tool for free. It just seems crazy. They all get so much for batteries individually, it's crazy.

 

[leakyroof]

Are they using two 18 volt batteries and a regular Makita battery charger for the Mower? I ask because my Cub Cadet mower is from 2008, with a Honda engine that shows no signs of quitting, but our yards are SO small that a Battery powered mower makes more sense if this Cadet ever dies out.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

@leakyroof Yes. It comes with 2 pairs of the regular LXT 18v batteries. That was my main motivation for getting it. I have been in the Makita platform since the beginning. They were some of the first to use Lithium Ion batteries. I already had a Makita string trimmer, recip saw, and Miter saw, so it just seemed right.
My yard is very small, and a cordless mower works very well. In fact, I had a Neuton, back in '07. It was their last model with the old-style batteries. (If I had known, I would have waited a few weeks, for the new LI battery model)
It was great at first, mowing the front and back yard, with one battery. That only lasted a few of seasons. After that, it would take both, swapping halfway through. I dealt with that a few more seasons, maybe 6 years total? been running a cheap gas unit since.
The amperage has increased over the years, but the form-factor has not. I expect it will stay that way, since they have introduced so many more tools. I hope they will be available for a long time, but I should be good, for a while.

 

[luvmytoolz]

I have to say I'm quite amazed at just how good the Makita batteries are. Mine are so old I can't remember even roughly when I bought them, and yet they not only hold the charge through months of disuse, but also last ages in use. Even the 14.4V ones I have for the torches can sit unused for a year, and will be as good as new when I want to use them. I use the drills and impacts daily and the cordless trimmer once a week or so, but charge maybe 2 batteries a week.

Fantastic ROI.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

Absolutely. I got my first few LXT batteries in '05. They lasted more than 10 years before even starting to slow down. They did eventually start to run down faster and not last as long after charging, but that was after years of daily use in a commercial cabinet shop. This was back when the standard battery was 3ah. They did introduce a lighter 1.5ah after the initial launch. Initially they only came with the white version of the drill and impact driver. They had a slightly different groove in the side, to keep people from using the lower amp batteries in the higher drawing tools. It is similar to the blocking notch difference on the Plug-It cables.
The only ones I have ever "lost" were melted in a shop fire. I have yet to have to figure out how to dispose of them, when they do finally go.

 

[SoonerFan]

I bought a battery powered zero turn riding mower five years ago. Overall I have been happy with the switch. It’s quiet, requires very little maintenance and does a nice job on the lawn. The biggest drawback is the lead acid batteries it comes with from the OEM. These batteries only last a couple of years and degrade fairly quickly. Luckily my first set died within the warranty period. When my second set died I replaced all four with a single 48v /100AH lithium (LiFePO4) battery. I just swapped recently but so far it is fantastic. It does not get bogged down in tall grass like the old batteries and is way more efficient. My old batteries when new would have 30% remaining after cutting the grass. At the end I had to mow the back in the morning, charge over lunch and mow the front in the afternoon. The new battery has 65% left after mowing. Plus I have the charger mounted inside the battery cavity now since the new battery is much smaller than the four it replaced. Now I can charge anywhere with an extension cord. New battery is supposed to last 2000+ cycles. If I charge every other time I mow this battery should be the last one I need.