Lightweight is good and what did I use it for it’s a lawnmower th-cam.com/users/postUgkxTPN04aT-Qdjr_KS3ql7ng8wnU3wwsCqk also recommend Yes it is lightweight so hence not as robust as our old one. But if you take care it does the job really well.
If the grass is wet, it is logical that the collector will clog. I don't mean this to be offensive, but it's not a design problem, it's an operational one.
Got a competitors 36v mower and it backs up and drops clippings exactly the same if you try to mow long grass. You don't need to pick up the grass - just mow back over and it'll vacuum them up. I think it is not specific to electric mowers but specific to mowers that use the mesh fabric catchers instead of the solid plastic ones with the vent holes. I think the airflow drops too much when the bag becomes full, especially with long and/or wet grass so it's unable to suck the grass into the back of the bag and spills over. They (manufacturers) probably prefer the fabric ones because they pack flat so it's cheaper/easier to pack and ship them. Another advantage of electric is that they tend to be a lot lighter than a petrol mower - I can lift mine one handed.
It seems like taking less of a cut might make it easier for the mower to throw the clippings into the bag. I'm guessing that most mowers can only cut at 1"/1-1/2" before having that clogging issue.
Yes you are right that less of a cut would impact the clogging issue but you can see that my other standard mower had no issue with it. I put it down to the collapsable catcher vs the larger rigid catcher as opposed to the mechanics of the mower.
I just bought one and the problem I have is lots or clippings pile up on top of the mulch plug inside the tub. Then when going into the shed or garage or across the driveway hitting a bump, half the clippings fall off and make a mess. Let alone when pulling the plug out, tons of clippings just end up everywhere.
What if you coated the whole base of the mesh bag, or even the front half where the grass enters the bag, with duct tape to prevent the grass catching on the mesh of the bag? It may help.
two things that i think for this problem 1 - Not enough power and airflow to throw the clippings to the back of the bag (like a petrol engine) 2 - you may be cutting to deep for this Battery stuff.
So does our brand new swivel wheel petrol Hyundai, the rear (too small) chute clogs faster than any other mower I have ever used, it's an absolute nightmare (not from long to short, but med to lower medium) and requires constant scraping out with a stick to clear the chute whether or not there's anything in the bag, or even if the bag is not there, after just one run of a longish garden. Also badly made with various bits unfastened on arrival, and will not sit level, but has a lower front that does not cut to the specified 75mm but only to 50mm. Awful mower!
What kinds grass are ya chopping down so low anyways? And it's OK for that grass. As for the emptying of the bag I have a craftsman 60v high output 7.5a mower and it does the same Damn thing. It's annoying
@@cvps1980 it’s kikuyu and a few times a year you cut it down as far as you can, otherwise over time it builds up a think mat that keeps getting thicker. It’s almost a weed so it comes back from a real heavy cut really quickly.
@@livingimprovements4382 I can’t believe I mage a good point! I was mowing my lawn that day and it is running like crap really slow almost stalling, that’s y I saw your video - to possibly buy a battery one. I noticed the clippings not filling the bag so I took that thought and said maybe the battery mower runs slow to keep power! Boom!
Be interesting to see what blade comes as standard, and if you can get a high lift blade for it. I run a Gardening business in the UK and I currently use 36v Makita Blower, Multitool (strimmer, hedge cutter, pole pruner etc) and been using them for 2 years now, highly impressed with them. I am looking out for a battery mower for the few gardens that are small or need to carry up steps. Would be nice to get my hands on one of these to see how easy it is to pickup and carry.
I've been considering the Stihl HLA-56 battery hedger or Stihl kombi tool but I'm also considering Makita DUX60Z multi-head unit for commercial use simply because I already have Makita drills etc so have a few batteries laying around somewhere. Would you recommend the Makita DUX60Z multi-tool head with attachments?
Yeah didnt have that attachment. I think it would have thrown better if i had just set it to full power instead of letting it adjust the power to conserve battery.
If you inherited the mower it may be safe to say (an watching you use one) that you may need to up your mowing game. If it was me. I would have cut it twice. I eventually had a good acre of lawns around a house in north canterbury, with lots of different growth conditions around the property. I had a Grillow ride on with a side shoot and catcher. when a lawn is long and lush (like yours) treat it with care and cut high. cutting the heads off the lawn like that reduces root growth. a good-looking lawn is not as easy as you think. lawns are a skill. but you are a builder 🙂
Lucky for me my grass is nothing like the grass you would have in North Canterbury. Dont worry mate, ive been mowing lawns for 30 years and the lawn i mowed growing up was part of a garden that regularly featured in garden magazines etc. My current lawn looks bloody amazing and it's as easy as i think, and not much of a skill. I'm also not a builder. 🙂
The plastic side discharge chute is a joke. I'm hoping that these mowers get enough popularity that some after market parts become available, like a steel or aluminium side chute that attaches properly.
Seems to me that if you have to empty the bag every pass it eliminates this mower as being worth its price. I mulch my yard and I’m wondering if maybe it would be ok for me
I think in hindsight this was because of how much i was cutting at once, i also think it is more of an issue with the cloth catchers as opposed to the hard plastic catchers. Still a decent mower i reckon.
So what model is it!! 36v doesn't mean much as the Makita range is vast. Can't be bothered to watch all the video in the hope that you mention the model.
Yeah I rate kikuyu in a warm climate. Looks great when mowed. Super strong and tough wearing for kids, dogs etc. reminds me of being at the beach as a kid to do I have a bit of nostalgic thing as well I guess. Doesn’t do well in the shade though so will be interesting to see how it goes over winter in the shady areas snd if moss etc take over those spots.
I've been looking at getting one. But there's huge drawbacks. Let's be honest that Makita ain't going to 20 years. My gas mower is over 30 years old still runs mint. But I have maintained the blades and done air filter & oil changes. Eventually probably sooner than you think you won't be able to get replacement batteries. And if you can it will outdated technology and even more expensive. The controller will fail befor the brushless motor the plastics will fail aswel. The catcher is that useless nylon mesh type that doesn't last nor is safe if you hit something sharp. As for the wheel hubs probably just nylon bushes and not bearings. Aluminum cast body is also a must for me aswel. It just looks like it lacks Makita quality. And having to a spare set of batteries those things aren't cheap overpriced 18650s packs. And with that catcher clogging up that would piss me off quickly. Pros it's quiet an no smelly gas or going to get gas etc, Just recharge the packs. It turns off an on instantly and is safer that way. An old push mower does those things aswel though. It just slightly harder to push and the blades need servicing more often. I've considered a robotic mower aswel but those things are even worse quality even the so-called top brands make absolute rubbish aswel. Until they actually make repairable reliable product then it's just a waste of money an environment resources.
Yeah i agree with lots there, lots of new stuff is not made to last, you are right about the batteries as well of course, 8 years time if makita phases out 18v and you need to replace youre stuffed, although i think there will always be a chinese supplier that will supply them into the future. But yeah its not bound to last as long as the old well built petrol mowers that go as you say for 20, 30, 40, 50+ years meaning far less resources being used up. The Milwaukee one is looking more like a quality long lasting bit of kit but then it is more expensive and made quality for commercial use.
you are 100% right. I love the principal of a battery mower, but longevity is NOT their strong point. After 3 years of use, I just had to take my Victa mower with an 82volt Briggs & stratton battery motor in and get a refund because the PCB fried itself and they make no serviceable parts (B & S), they have also dropped 82V models completely when B&S went into bankrupcy. I specifically chose B&S motor because I thought they would be more servicable than other brands. Anyway like you said I had a perfectly good brushless motor, steel deck and multiple batteries but had to throw it all away because a circuit board died. If it was out of warranty I would have thrown out the PCB hard wired a relay to the switch, getting rid of load sensing etc.
@@livingimprovements4382 I haven't seen the Milwaukee mower here in NZ yet. Would be good to have a look at one and compare. But we Milwaukee tools suppliers locally. The sad thing is I'd really like one if they built them properly. Quiet no fuel oil changers no carburetors to clean or gaskets to worry about etc. Just charge your batteries. Plug them in and go. But I'd like it to have some quality at least. The cost of manufacturing is also far cheaper. So they have no excuse there either. Cost alot to machine all the moving parts for a gas engine than electric. Battery being the main cost as usual. 18v makita is already on the way out being replaced with 60V. Your right about the China made batteries though. I have converted alot of my old dewalts to lithium with an adapter. Glad to see the end of the NiCads lols. Lasted about 6 months. The lithiums are still going nearly two years later.
@@hodgo1981 Sometime going old school ain't so bad. I didn't realize Briggs & stratton went belly up. That's really sad they made amazingly reliable small motors. They're pretty basic compared with the Honda. But at least you could fix it easily. And parts were everywhere. I went to my local mower shop an asked for a set of rings and head gasket. And a diaphragm for the carb. He just looked at me and said. We don't supply parts anymore. Haven't for 10 or more years. We just replace the motor lols. Your controller would have been dipped In conformal coating to keep the moisture out. With the added bonus of not being able to replace the most likely blown FET's. They talk about being all about the environment with all this EV stuff but it's completely the opposite in reality. They just want to sell more junk products. I worked for a company building high end Audio equipment. Like a pair of speakers $25,000 or more. They moved the manufacturing from the UK to China. We could make them 60% cheaper. Anyways the company put up the price aswel. Those speakers were made for $800 out of cheaper parts in China. But people still paid for the name. As they say "a fool and his money are soon parted". A customer asked me what i had at home. I said an old pair of Sonys that still work fine.
@@northcanterburylogging3039 B&S are trading again, they seem to have been bought out by another company? But it is shame that names you trust for reliability and servicability now only see us as throw away consumers not customers.
@@livingimprovements4382 Agreed, there are petrol mowers quieter than this thing when it's on full power. Electric does not mean quiet. While it's not super noisy, it's not a pleasant sound either.
Lightweight is good and what did I use it for it’s a lawnmower th-cam.com/users/postUgkxTPN04aT-Qdjr_KS3ql7ng8wnU3wwsCqk also recommend Yes it is lightweight so hence not as robust as our old one. But if you take care it does the job really well.
Lightweight is good and what did I use it for it’s a lawnmower th-cam.com/users/postUgkxTPN04aT-Qdjr_KS3ql7ng8wnU3wwsCqk also recommend Yes it is lightweight so hence not as robust as our old one. But if you take care it does the job really well.
If the grass is wet, it is logical that the collector will clog.
I don't mean this to be offensive, but it's not a design problem, it's an operational one.
Got a competitors 36v mower and it backs up and drops clippings exactly the same if you try to mow long grass. You don't need to pick up the grass - just mow back over and it'll vacuum them up. I think it is not specific to electric mowers but specific to mowers that use the mesh fabric catchers instead of the solid plastic ones with the vent holes. I think the airflow drops too much when the bag becomes full, especially with long and/or wet grass so it's unable to suck the grass into the back of the bag and spills over. They (manufacturers) probably prefer the fabric ones because they pack flat so it's cheaper/easier to pack and ship them.
Another advantage of electric is that they tend to be a lot lighter than a petrol mower - I can lift mine one handed.
Ah thats a great insight, yeah you are probably right it being a catcher thing over a mower thing.
Thanks for showing bagging problem.
Great review dude, I just ordered this mower and it’s arriving tomorrow
It seems like taking less of a cut might make it easier for the mower to throw the clippings into the bag. I'm guessing that most mowers can only cut at 1"/1-1/2" before having that clogging issue.
Yes you are right that less of a cut would impact the clogging issue but you can see that my other standard mower had no issue with it. I put it down to the collapsable catcher vs the larger rigid catcher as opposed to the mechanics of the mower.
Cut one third off , is the go.
They do a great job of mulching.
I just bought one and the problem I have is lots or clippings pile up on top of the mulch plug inside the tub. Then when going into the shed or garage or across the driveway hitting a bump, half the clippings fall off and make a mess. Let alone when pulling the plug out, tons of clippings just end up everywhere.
Nope
Great video, good to see you back makings vids
Nice video but the all important question is what model number is the mower as they do four different models ?
that should be the DLM464Z
nice vid ,thinking of getting one but dont have any other tools and the batteries and charger are expensive , nice dog btw
Good review, just in time for the autumn growth. Kikuyu is a tough mow if you're taking off more than just the leaf. Lawn is looking good btw!
Not to mention how quickly you fill up the catcher when you are giving it that yearly cut back. Cheers mate.
I wonder what the half life is on the batteries? Makita makes a fine product.
What if you coated the whole base of the mesh bag, or even the front half where the grass enters the bag, with duct tape to prevent the grass catching on the mesh of the bag? It may help.
What mower spec? Grass looks damp which maybe why it’s clogging..
Na not damp. Just long.
two things that i think for this problem
1 - Not enough power and airflow to throw the clippings to the back of the bag (like a petrol engine)
2 - you may be cutting to deep for this Battery stuff.
3 - you have no idea what you're talking about.
My gas powered mower does the exact same thing with the bag/catcher.
The makita peteol mowers also have that catching problem
So does our brand new swivel wheel petrol Hyundai, the rear (too small) chute clogs faster than any other mower I have ever used, it's an absolute nightmare (not from long to short, but med to lower medium) and requires constant scraping out with a stick to clear the chute whether or not there's anything in the bag, or even if the bag is not there, after just one run of a longish garden. Also badly made with various bits unfastened on arrival, and will not sit level, but has a lower front that does not cut to the specified 75mm but only to 50mm. Awful mower!
Why not leave the clippings on the lawn?
Lessssssgooooo Brother 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾
What kinds grass are ya chopping down so low anyways? And it's OK for that grass. As for the emptying of the bag I have a craftsman 60v high output 7.5a mower and it does the same Damn thing. It's annoying
@@cvps1980 it’s kikuyu and a few times a year you cut it down as far as you can, otherwise over time it builds up a think mat that keeps getting thicker. It’s almost a weed so it comes back from a real heavy cut really quickly.
maybe the gas mower is always on "turbo" mode compared to the makita? makita might be in a lower speedmode not throwing clippings too far??
Yeah thats a really good point, i wish i had thought to have tried that.
@@livingimprovements4382 I can’t believe I mage a good point! I was mowing my lawn that day and it is running like crap really slow almost stalling, that’s y I saw your video - to possibly buy a battery one. I noticed the clippings not filling the bag so I took that thought and said maybe the battery mower runs slow to keep power! Boom!
What type of grass do you have? St. Augustine grass
Be interesting to see what blade comes as standard, and if you can get a high lift blade for it.
I run a Gardening business in the UK and I currently use 36v Makita Blower, Multitool (strimmer, hedge cutter, pole pruner etc) and been using them for 2 years now, highly impressed with them. I am looking out for a battery mower for the few gardens that are small or need to carry up steps. Would be nice to get my hands on one of these to see how easy it is to pickup and carry.
I've been considering the Stihl HLA-56 battery hedger or Stihl kombi tool but I'm also considering Makita DUX60Z multi-head unit for commercial use simply because I already have Makita drills etc so have a few batteries laying around somewhere. Would you recommend the Makita DUX60Z multi-tool head with attachments?
@@peacebeuntoyou8934 I would highly recommend it, ideally you'll want to run with 5ah batteries
@@AnthonyHitmanFiore
Thank you.
Dumb question did you take out the mulch plug before putting on the catcher.
Yeah didnt have that attachment. I think it would have thrown better if i had just set it to full power instead of letting it adjust the power to conserve battery.
@@livingimprovements4382 No worries. I find the 2 x 5amp lasts a very long time and run mine at max revs. Keep up the good work your video was great.
I wouldn’t take that much of a cut with a battery mower. I would mow it two times on two different settings.
Which model is this, what is the cutting width? Thanks
If you inherited the mower it may be safe to say (an watching you use one) that you may need to up your mowing game.
If it was me. I would have cut it twice. I eventually had a good acre of lawns around a house in north canterbury, with lots of different growth conditions around the property. I had a Grillow ride on with a side shoot and catcher.
when a lawn is long and lush (like yours) treat it with care and cut high. cutting the heads off the lawn like that reduces root growth.
a good-looking lawn is not as easy as you think. lawns are a skill. but you are a builder 🙂
Lucky for me my grass is nothing like the grass you would have in North Canterbury. Dont worry mate, ive been mowing lawns for 30 years and the lawn i mowed growing up was part of a garden that regularly featured in garden magazines etc. My current lawn looks bloody amazing and it's as easy as i think, and not much of a skill. I'm also not a builder. 🙂
What model is that exactly ?
I have two of these mowers and the side discharge shoot constantly falls off and easily plugs up.
Also does not mulch as good as a Toro gas mower.
The plastic side discharge chute is a joke. I'm hoping that these mowers get enough popularity that some after market parts become available, like a steel or aluminium side chute that attaches properly.
Is that the 17 inch?
How easy to push compared to a basic gas push mower?
Much the same from memory
Seems to me that if you have to empty the bag every pass it eliminates this mower as being worth its price. I mulch my yard and I’m wondering if maybe it would be ok for me
I think in hindsight this was because of how much i was cutting at once, i also think it is more of an issue with the cloth catchers as opposed to the hard plastic catchers. Still a decent mower i reckon.
So what model is it!! 36v doesn't mean much as the Makita range is vast. Can't be bothered to watch all the video in the hope that you mention the model.
It was the only 36v model available in NZ at the time and possibly a lot of the world so not sure sorry.
How are you finding the kaikuyu? I'm thinking of redoing my lawn next spring
Yeah I rate kikuyu in a warm climate. Looks great when mowed. Super strong and tough wearing for kids, dogs etc. reminds me of being at the beach as a kid to do I have a bit of nostalgic thing as well I guess. Doesn’t do well in the shade though so will be interesting to see how it goes over winter in the shady areas snd if moss etc take over those spots.
@@livingimprovements4382 mate I'm sold haha. I enjoy your content. Keep it up bro. And hurry up and clad that garage lol
That clipping clog is the crap i deal with useing my gas mower too what causes that?
Does your mower have a plastic catcher or a fabric one?
@@livingimprovements4382 mine will clog in side discharge
Damp grass
nice wheres the house reno
Next on this list, thought id build some motivation and momentum with these easier ones. The reno one is a real birds nest 🤣
Did you end up buying one?
No, i certainly would but cant justify when i still have one, and im holding out to potentially get the Milwaukee when it comes out in NZ
weight in kgs?
I've been looking at getting one. But there's huge drawbacks. Let's be honest that Makita ain't going to 20 years. My gas mower is over 30 years old still runs mint. But I have maintained the blades and done air filter & oil changes. Eventually probably sooner than you think you won't be able to get replacement batteries. And if you can it will outdated technology and even more expensive. The controller will fail befor the brushless motor the plastics will fail aswel. The catcher is that useless nylon mesh type that doesn't last nor is safe if you hit something sharp. As for the wheel hubs probably just nylon bushes and not bearings. Aluminum cast body is also a must for me aswel. It just looks like it lacks Makita quality. And having to a spare set of batteries those things aren't cheap overpriced 18650s packs. And with that catcher clogging up that would piss me off quickly.
Pros it's quiet an no smelly gas or going to get gas etc, Just recharge the packs. It turns off an on instantly and is safer that way. An old push mower does those things aswel though. It just slightly harder to push and the blades need servicing more often.
I've considered a robotic mower aswel but those things are even worse quality even the so-called top brands make absolute rubbish aswel. Until they actually make repairable reliable product then it's just a waste of money an environment resources.
Yeah i agree with lots there, lots of new stuff is not made to last, you are right about the batteries as well of course, 8 years time if makita phases out 18v and you need to replace youre stuffed, although i think there will always be a chinese supplier that will supply them into the future. But yeah its not bound to last as long as the old well built petrol mowers that go as you say for 20, 30, 40, 50+ years meaning far less resources being used up. The Milwaukee one is looking more like a quality long lasting bit of kit but then it is more expensive and made quality for commercial use.
you are 100% right. I love the principal of a battery mower, but longevity is NOT their strong point. After 3 years of use, I just had to take my Victa mower with an 82volt Briggs & stratton battery motor in and get a refund because the PCB fried itself and they make no serviceable parts (B & S), they have also dropped 82V models completely when B&S went into bankrupcy. I specifically chose B&S motor because I thought they would be more servicable than other brands.
Anyway like you said I had a perfectly good brushless motor, steel deck and multiple batteries but had to throw it all away because a circuit board died. If it was out of warranty I would have thrown out the PCB hard wired a relay to the switch, getting rid of load sensing etc.
@@livingimprovements4382 I haven't seen the Milwaukee mower here in NZ yet. Would be good to have a look at one and compare. But we Milwaukee tools suppliers locally.
The sad thing is I'd really like one if they built them properly. Quiet no fuel oil changers no carburetors to clean or gaskets to worry about etc. Just charge your batteries. Plug them in and go.
But I'd like it to have some quality at least.
The cost of manufacturing is also far cheaper. So they have no excuse there either. Cost alot to machine all the moving parts for a gas engine than electric.
Battery being the main cost as usual.
18v makita is already on the way out being replaced with 60V.
Your right about the China made batteries though. I have converted alot of my old dewalts to lithium with an adapter. Glad to see the end of the NiCads lols. Lasted about 6 months. The lithiums are still going nearly two years later.
@@hodgo1981 Sometime going old school ain't so bad. I didn't realize Briggs & stratton went belly up.
That's really sad they made amazingly reliable small motors. They're pretty basic compared with the Honda. But at least you could fix it easily. And parts were everywhere.
I went to my local mower shop an asked for a set of rings and head gasket. And a diaphragm for the carb.
He just looked at me and said. We don't supply parts anymore. Haven't for 10 or more years. We just replace the motor lols.
Your controller would have been dipped In conformal coating to keep the moisture out. With the added bonus of not being able to replace the most likely blown FET's.
They talk about being all about the environment with all this EV stuff but it's completely the opposite in reality.
They just want to sell more junk products.
I worked for a company building high end Audio equipment. Like a pair of speakers $25,000 or more. They moved the manufacturing from the UK to China. We could make them 60% cheaper. Anyways the company put up the price aswel. Those speakers were made for $800 out of cheaper parts in China.
But people still paid for the name. As they say "a fool and his money are soon parted". A customer asked me what i had at home. I said an old pair of Sonys that still work fine.
@@northcanterburylogging3039 B&S are trading again, they seem to have been bought out by another company? But it is shame that names you trust for reliability and servicability now only see us as throw away consumers not customers.
My new Makita electric mower will not start 😯
I'll stick to my Victa Corvette
But the smell of petrol is part of the fun of cutting the lawn!
I wouldn't know I can never remember.. .
Wet grass that’s why
Definitely not wet. Middle of summer.
why are you wearing hearing protection when using aN electric lawn mower. It is not loud man!
Thanks man, im listening to something on my headphones. And while its not loud, its also not quiet.
@@livingimprovements4382 Agreed, there are petrol mowers quieter than this thing when it's on full power. Electric does not mean quiet. While it's not super noisy, it's not a pleasant sound either.
That's quite annoying that its spills out grass
why are you wearing ear protection 😂😂😂
Probably habit 😆. Or listening to music.
Laughing at PPE is like laughing at a cyclist wearing a helmet. Grow up.
@@patty109109 I hate cyclists. And try to ram them off the road
Because it's New Zealand :)
Lightweight is good and what did I use it for it’s a lawnmower th-cam.com/users/postUgkxTPN04aT-Qdjr_KS3ql7ng8wnU3wwsCqk also recommend Yes it is lightweight so hence not as robust as our old one. But if you take care it does the job really well.
Which Makita model is this