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.