<p>so my trusty mower has finally chewed its last blade. anybody been in the market recently? I’ve only got 1/2 acre to contend with, but my increasingly arthritic hands mean ease of starting is key. </p>
<p>The bad news is I need a new lawnmower. The good news is the grass is growing! Spring is on the way…</p>
<p>For ease of starting I love my Honda lawnmower. It starts first time every time, even after sitting unused all winter.</p>
<p>oh wait – never mind. Of course I posted first on CC to begin my lawnmower research, but a quick Google search led me to the ‘robomower.’ For only $2500, the lawn mows itself. The Roomba of the outdoors. So much more time for CC!</p>
<p>Do they make them with a push electric start? If not, get a Honda. H got me a new one after the old mower finally kicked the bucket. I only have to yank on the cord once, and it starts purring (even after the beast had been sitting in my garage all winter long). It also has a nice self-propelling feature, so if I get tired ushing it, I just grab that third handlebar, and all I have to do is to stir it in the right direction. It also has bag/mulch switch (with lots of intermediate positions). I have exactly 1/2 acre of grass, and my Honda does the job splendidly. Of course, H always has an excuse to weasel out of the mowing job!</p>
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<p>Ha. My brother’s neighbor had one of those things but it got stolen the first week he had it. He reported it to the cops and made an insurance claim. A month later it was found two doors down under a neighbors bushes with a dead battery. It had just wondered away.</p>
<p>^^LOL.</p>
<p>We have a Neuton electric. No cord–you plug it into the wall to recharge the battery. It’s quiet, relatively lightweight, and emissions-free. 1/2 acre is about the limit of what it will do on a charge, however.</p>
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<p>Sounds like the kind of thing that would terrorize the dogs.</p>
<p>Hondas do come with an electric start:</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.hondapowerequipment.com/lawhrx.asp[/url]”>http://www.hondapowerequipment.com/lawhrx.asp</a></p>
<p>"The HMA model features electric start with advanced battery technology. The Cyclon Battery is completely rechargable and holds its charge for up to 300 starts!* Honda’s battery is designed to last for years and years, compared to other brands which require annual replacement. The charger is included with purchase. </p>
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<li>Customer will need to completely charge battery at the beginning of the season and once at the end of the season for winter storage."</li>
</ul>
<p>After 27 years, it was time to put “Old Snapper” down. We replaced her with a mulching Honda, and have mixed feelings. While the little snippets of mulched grass have definitely made the lawn greener, the fact that the mower only takes a tiny bit off the top means that you have to mow more frequently. Of course our 1/7 of an acre(minus the house and driveway) doesn’t take that much effort; it may make a difference to those with a lower 40. But the thing that kills me is that it doesn’t suck up anything the way the old baby did. I have to go around an pick up ALL the twigs, acorns, etc. before or after Hubby mows. And I used to rely on the mower to scoop up whatever leaves remained after raking. No go. Next lifetime, green cement!</p>
<p>Our mulching Honda must be a different model - it scoops up anything. Starts on the first pull. May be for sale since we discovered that once all the mower-pushers go off to college you re-evaluate that $35/week to just have someone come do it. Especially in the summer in Texas! Hey, today while I was at work I evidently mowed the grass and robo-vacuumed the downstairs… must be time for a pedicure.</p>
<p>I guess we’re headed to Honda land. Thanks, all, for the advice. You’re better than epinions.</p>