Reader Reviews
********************************************************************** Edited for rating change - Downgrade to a 2 star - SAFETY ALERT! ********************************************************************** I wish I could change my rating on this mower. I still like the mower for the most part, but I've encountered several major issues! 1) The front axle keeps falling out of it's socket WHILE I'm mowing. This causes me to have to stop, flip the mower over, wrestle the hardware back into place, then flip again to continue mowing. Sometimes the wheels fall out again as I'm flipping the mower upright, so I have to do it again. I also have to be very careful while maneuvering the mower to reduce this issue. You can't let the front wheels be in the air for long! And don't even try uneven terrain. My biggest nemesis is the curb. 2) The axle problem turns into an !!IMMINENT SAFETY ISSUE! if you for any reason fail to remove the key from the starter while flipping the mower. (Yes, the reason may actually include stupidity, but in my mind it was more anger and frustration) Anyway, I did this once! When I turned the mower over, the key was gradually depressed into the ignition box which then allowed the starter bar to fall at the will of gravity. As the mower was upside down, and I was reaching to replace the wheels into their socket, the mower started and I was badly cut. I'm thankful I was alert, because I think it actually could have turned out much worse if I wasn't. I now remove both the key AND the battery prior to flipping the mower over. ********************************************************************** When I first purchased my home, I was so ecstatic to be cutting the grass, I purchase a push-reel mower, and LOVED IT! 8 years later, not so much... I've done a lot of lawn renovation, which has unfortunately made the grass thicker and harder to push through. And I really have gotten tired of Mother Nature making the grass grow faster than I wanted to be cutting it. So, this year I've treated myself to a still environmentally friendly, but more powerful mower. :-D BTW, I'm avoiding Black & Decker because by all reports (and my own personal experiences with their other products) after 2 years their mowers die. I'm hoping Remington doesn't have the same built in recurring profit base time line. First use, obviously the battery was not charged, I used the power cord. A few very minor disappointments: 1) There's not even the smallest cord included with the mower. So, don't think you're getting a complete ready to go package. 2) You need a specially rated power cord to use the mower or it will overheat (read the manual). Off to the hardware store, and $100 of extension cord later... 3) I wanted a pretty long extension because my yard is long and narrow. As required, I got the 12 gauge rating for 150 feet. However, when I went to install said 12 gauge on the mower as recommended, it does not fit in the provided cord hitch. It's too thick for the opening. So, I wrapped it around the handle a couple of times... They need to make the hitch accept all of the possible extension cord options. Anyway, so I got started. Started easy. Sounds great, not too loud. But right away I started getting a strange motor speed variation. At first it seemed like only on the uphill. I stopped, and started. Same problem. I checked everything out, and changed power sources. Then the problem seemed to go away... but then it came back. By the end of my first cutting, I realized I was simply moving too fast in certain sections! I guess being used to powering through with a reel mower, I set my pace too high. I found that once I slowed down a little, I didn't have the same trouble. This mower may have achieved power mower "blade speed", but it doesn't have power mower "power". Don't get me wrong, it is ALL THE POWER YOU WILL NEED to cut your grass. You just won't be able to rush through it, particularly if it has any length or thickness to it. You will have to modify your pace, which also means you probably won't sweat as much. ;-) But it will take a tad longer if you're used to a power mower. However, if you're used to a reel mower, the job gets done in less than 1/3 of the time! I also REALLY like the mulching functionality. I have fescue and like to let the nutrients return to the soil as I cut. I really didn't see ANY grass clippings left "on top", and very few made it to the pavement around the edges of the yard as well. Really, REALLY LOVE THE MULCHING! Overall, as a previous reel push mower user this mower is FABULOUS! However, I can imagine if you're used to a gas powered mower, you might have a different mindset/mowing style shift. But, I also think it's well worth the shift. Oh, and 40 lbs without the battery! Very easy to maneuver. :-D Super Happy camper here. PS - Just read the manual a little closer. There is a "boost" setting which is supposed to give you "power mower blade speed" for tall or thick grass cutting. I was using the regular 120V external power setting during my first cutting. I have not yet tried the boosted power functionality. It may allow for a "quicker cut" if you're in a hurry, but I don't know at this point.