Kobalt 80v mower, 4 years later

[wander2039]

How quick you can forget how loud gas mowers are when haven't had one for 4 years. Amazingly the neighbor finally mowed their yard, that sometimes happens between rarely and never. My wife asked me why is their mower so LOUD, I had to tell her that's normal. With ours one can sleep right through it.

Battery life is still the same, lasts 2 1/2 mows with the boys running it, 3 1/2 with me. I only charge it when it hits 1 bar, takes couple hours to recharge. Has two motor speeds which helps. I'd say it would run 2 hours easily. The only complaint is it clogs up easily and the self propelled has no happy medium, either slow or my mom's walking speed which is running to normal people. It's so light though you really don't need it. Guess I'll have to check in someday when either the electric motor or battery dies.

 

[fantastic]

Good to hear a regular BITOGer excepting the change to electric gleefully. Now, not all of us are that fortunate though. If I had a postage stamp yard I'd seriously consider one. Latest wish list is I need to get the wife & I a DeWalt 20v chainsaw. Love that blue color.

 

[wander2039]

Good to hear a regular BITOGer excepting the change to electric gleefully. Now, not all of us are that fortunate though. If I had a postage stamp yard I'd seriously consider one. Latest wish list is I need to get the wife & I a DeWalt 20v chainsaw. Love that blue color.

Dad has a 18v Ryobi 19 inch they use on the farm. Their yard is at least 1/2 acre and as far as I know mow it all on one battery. He's retired though and nothing but time, him and mom takes turn. Well supposed to think mom beats him to it most of the time. I've thought the same chainsaw or trimmer, I've alot of Dewalt 20v battery powered. I could get a 80v trimmer or chainsaw but those batteries are heavy!

 

[fantastic]

Dad has a 18v Ryobi 19 inch they use on the farm. Their yard is at least 1/2 acre and as far as I know mow it all on one battery. He's retired though and nothing but time, him and mom takes turn. Well supposed to think mom beats him to it most of the time. I've thought the same chainsaw or trimmer, I've alot of Dewalt 20v battery powered. I could get a 80v trimmer or chainsaw but those batteries are heavy!

Seen one tool maker offer a strap pack that you put around your waist or back for extra battery capacity. It was their newest commercial electric string trimmer offering. That's awesome to hear about your folks success & Ryobi has been pretty successful so far as HD brand. WalMart is now pushing their tool brands hard. Late Dad push mowed my yard when he owned it & I remember talking to him about getting a self propelled back in 11'. He was thrilled w/it but that wasn't electric. It looks like we've seen a shift towards more powerful bigger equipment as lithium has gotten cheaper. What was the warranty?

 

[oil pan 4]

If I have a mower that clogs up easy I make the discharge hole bigger.
My clapped out 140cc loaner backup mower would clog easy and stall so I made the discharge hole closer to the size of the chute, probably only about 20% bigger but made a world of difference.

 

[nwjones18]

I'm glad its working well for you. If I had a small yard I'd consider one as well.. It would pain me as I just generally enjoy tinkering on small engines. my 35yo snapper 3.5hp starts every time though (I just use it for ditch mowing these days).

 

[GMBoy]

It was nice to see your review mention battery life after 4 years was still basically like new. That is a good thing. I have too many acres to be able to utilize a battery mower but for the people who can use one it seems like a nice buy.

 

[wander2039]

Seen one tool maker offer a strap pack that you put around your waist or back for extra battery capacity. It was their newest commercial electric string trimmer offering. That's awesome to hear about your folks success & Ryobi has been pretty successful so far as HD brand. WalMart is now pushing their tool brands hard. Late Dad push mowed my yard when he owned it & I remember talking to him about getting a self propelled back in 11'. He was thrilled w/it but that wasn't electric. It looks like we've seen a shift towards more powerful bigger equipment as lithium has gotten cheaper. What was the warranty?

Had to look it up.. 3 years. Extra battery pack sounds kinda cool! I've had alot of self propelled over the years. Some are terrible some are good.

 

[wander2039]

If I have a mower that clogs up easy I make the discharge hole bigger.
My clapped out 140cc loaner backup mower would clog easy and stall so I made the discharge hole closer to the size of the chute, probably only about 20% bigger but made a world of difference.

I will say the deck seems a little thin. Not sure I'd do that on this one. I think it's the mulching blade that's the problem.

I'm glad its working well for you. If I had a small yard I'd consider one as well.. It would pain me as I just generally enjoy tinkering on small engines. my 35yo snapper 3.5hp starts every time though (I just use it for ditch mowing these days).

I'm almost out of my tinkering days. Between the vehicles, RV, scooters.. house I'm tapped out on making stuff work! My wife told me a couple days ago the only reason she's sticking to the 02 Focus is because she has me and I can fix it and pick her up if it breaks down.. great LOL.

 

[fantastic]

Had to look it up.. 3 years. Extra battery pack sounds kinda cool! I've had alot of self propelled over the years. Some are terrible some are good.

Three years is great. 1 year seems to be the standard for most products.

 

[Wrenchturner44]

I have the same mower and have had a similar experience. The motor was made by Briggs and Stratton and has now branded it under license to many other OEMs who offer the same mower model in their branded livery and colors.

https://www.briggsandstratton.com/na/en_us/innovations/push-mowers/82li-series.html

Below are links to a few brands that are using this same platform. The handles and power drive engagement might be different but the main mower parts are the same. I am posting this in the case you have a need for parts like blades or wheels and can use or have access to parts from these other brands.

https://www.snapper.com/na/en_us/pr...ctric-cordless-self-propelled-walk-mower.html

https://www.stihlusa.com/products/l...rma510/?aqid=fd8482ecc3d5897f91387e0b69a5444e

https://www.greenworkstools.com/col...ch-self-propelled-cordless-lawn-mower-2533902

https://www.harborfreight.com/80v-b...elf-propelled-lawn-mower-tool-only-56992.html

 

[97prizm]

How quick you can forget how loud gas mowers are when haven't had one for 4 years. Amazingly the neighbor finally mowed their yard, that sometimes happens between rarely and never. My wife asked me why is their mower so LOUD, I had to tell her that's normal. With ours one can sleep right through it.

Battery life is still the same, lasts 2 1/2 mows with the boys running it, 3 1/2 with me. I only charge it when it hits 1 bar, takes couple hours to recharge. Has two motor speeds which helps. I'd say it would run 2 hours easily. The only complaint is it clogs up easily and the self propelled has no happy medium, either slow or my mom's walking speed which is running to normal people. It's so light though you really don't need it. Guess I'll have to check in someday when either the electric motor or battery dies.

View attachment 232986

Get a gatorblade. It won't bog down and they cut so fine there is almost no grass stuck to the bottom of the mower.

 

[Wrenchturner44]

Get a gatorblade. It won't bog down and they cut so fine there is almost no grass stuck to the bottom of the mower.

I dont think they make a part number for the cordless model mentioned.

 

[oil pan 4]

I will say the deck seems a little thin. Not sure I'd do that on this one. I think it's the mulching blade that's the problem.

I'm almost out of my tinkering days. Between the vehicles, RV, scooters.. house I'm tapped out on making stuff work! My wife told me a couple days ago the only reason she's sticking to the 02 Focus is because she has me and I can fix it and pick her up if it breaks down.. great LOL.

I think mulching is just wasting power.

 

[wander2039]

I have the same mower and have had a similar experience. The motor was made by Briggs and Stratton and has now branded it under license to many other OEMs who offer the same mower model in their branded livery and colors.

https://www.briggsandstratton.com/na/en_us/innovations/push-mowers/82li-series.html

Below are links to a few brands that are using this same platform. The handles and power drive engagement might be different but the main mower parts are the same. I am posting this in the case you have a need for parts like blades or wheels and can use or have access to parts from these other brands.

https://www.snapper.com/na/en_us/pr...ctric-cordless-self-propelled-walk-mower.html

https://www.stihlusa.com/products/l...rma510/?aqid=fd8482ecc3d5897f91387e0b69a5444e

https://www.greenworkstools.com/col...ch-self-propelled-cordless-lawn-mower-2533902

https://www.harborfreight.com/80v-b...elf-propelled-lawn-mower-tool-only-56992.html

That's cool and good to know! Thanks!!

Get a gatorblade. It won't bog down and they cut so fine there is almost no grass stuck to the bottom of the mower.

That's a interesting design for a blade!

 

[jeepman3071]

That's good to hear about the battery. I have a few customers who bought battery mowers then returned to gas after they were disappointed with the life of the battery after 1 or 2 years. With that said I live in a more rural area, so people generally have a bit larger lawns.

 

[Racer4]

I have a neighbor that has the 80V Kobalt mower, she cuts a acer every week. Has to charge the battery at least one time each mow. She really likes it, but after 4 years the self propel quit, Lowes warranted it with a fight on her part, has a 5 year warranty. She purchased the same mower again Lowes gave her a good price on the new one. She never complained about the battery getting weak.

 

[Rmay635703]

If I have a mower that clogs up easy I make the discharge hole bigger.
My clapped out 140cc loaner backup mower would clog easy and stall so I made the discharge hole closer to the size of the chute, probably only about 20% bigger but made a world of difference.

If it has a little chute you can lift up, bungle it up, blasts wet grass everywhere but no clog

 

[Pablo]

So far we love our 80V Greenworks mower